Through the Pages of Time: Joey’s Hogwarts Tale

This year had been one of the most relaxed and enjoyable for Hogwarts students, largely because only two professors had been deducting points: Professor Black and Professor Snape. The two seemed to balance each other out, keeping the house point totals eerily even. As a result, the House Cup came down to Quidditch performance, where neither professor could interfere.

Sirius had once volunteered to referee the matches, but Professor McGonagall shut him down immediately. "You're about to resign, Professor Black. Let's not make things worse," she said sternly.

At breakfast the next day, Snape handed Sirius a slice of bread with a smirk. "A parting gift, perhaps?"

Sirius eyed the bread suspiciously, convinced it was poisoned. He spent the next hour testing it with various spells, but found nothing. "If only I could prove it's poisoned," he muttered. "Then Dumbledore might finally kick him out."

Joey, sitting nearby, rolled her eyes. If Snape wanted to poison someone, he'd do it subtly. She wisely kept her thoughts to herself, not wanting to upset Sirius further. His teaching career was ending soon, and he was already in a foul mood.

---

In his final months, Sirius had thrown himself into teaching. He taught the students every spell he'd used during the spider swarm incident, even bringing in giant spiders for practice. Hagrid, the assistant Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, tearfully protected the spiders, but injuries were inevitable.

Joey and the twins, however, took it upon themselves to "care" for the spiders, using them to test their experimental healing potions. By the end of the term, the spiders were returned to the Forbidden Forest unharmed.

"You're good kids," Hagrid said, tears in his eyes as he poured Joey's potion into a dish for the spiders. "I misjudged you."

The spiders, far from their usual ferocity, eagerly lapped up the potion and huddled together in a corner. Joey didn't have the heart to tell Hagrid the potions were half-finished experiments. Still, the results were impressive, and the spiders seemed to have developed a fondness for their caretakers.

---

Quidditch had been the highlight of the year. Gryffindor finished just behind Ravenclaw, with Hufflepuff trailing closely. Slytherin, missing their Chaser for two matches due to a stay at St. Mungo's, came in last.

Joey had to admit Cedric was a skilled player. In the match against Slytherin, he'd caught the Snitch just in time to secure their victory. Even Ryan had begrudgingly acknowledged Cedric's talent. "He's a playboy, but he's good," Ryan said. "I saw a Hufflepuff girl writing him a love letter."

Joey found Ryan's obsession with Cedric baffling. "Why does he keep bringing him up?" she asked Fred and George as they walked to the castle.

"Ryan's just stressed about exams," Fred said quickly. "He's overthinking things."

George, however, knew the real reason. Fred had been sulking ever since Joey hugged Cedric after the match. But Fred, ever the optimist, shrugged it off. He liked Joey just the way she was—brash, bold, and unapologetically herself.

---

Slytherin's atmosphere had softened over the year. Whether it was the shared frustration over Sirius's relentless point deductions or simply time healing old wounds, the house seemed less hostile. Flami even confided in Joey during Potions class.

"Everyone thinks you're just a dumb jock now," Flami said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Shafiq's been telling everyone how stupid you are. It's actually kept you out of trouble."

Joey wasn't sure whether to be offended or grateful. "Thanks, I guess?"

Flami rolled her eyes. "Don't get the wrong idea. I'm just stating facts."

Despite her prickly demeanor, Joey sensed a hint of concern. "Want to hang out over the summer?" she asked impulsively. "We could go to Diagon Alley."

Flami blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

"Diagon Alley. It'll be fun," Joey said, grinning. "I'll write to you."

Flami hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. But if this is a prank, I'll hex you."

Joey laughed. "Deal."

---

On the train ride home, Sirius squeezed into Joey and the twins' compartment, looking more cheerful than he had in weeks. "Dumbledore's given me a new mission," he announced. "I'm to infiltrate the Ministry of Magic and cozy up to Fudge."

"Why?" Joey asked, mouth full of chocolate frog.

"Because the Ministry's been giving Dumbledore trouble," Sirius explained. "Rita Skeeter's been stirring the pot, suggesting Dumbledore's a Ministry puppet."

"How are you going to infiltrate the Ministry?" Fred asked.

Sirius pulled out a gold Galleon and twirled it between his fingers. "With this. Money opens doors."

Joey and the twins sighed in unison. "Must be nice to be rich."

Sirius grinned. "It has its perks."

As the train chugged along, Joey leaned back, feeling content. The year had been eventful, but she'd made new friends, survived Snape's classes, and even patched things up with Ryan. Next year would bring new adventures, but for now, she was ready for a well-deserved break.