Through the Pages of Time: Joey’s Hogwarts Tale

The chaos caused by Voldemort at Hogwarts had gradually faded from everyone's minds, overshadowed by the Ministry of Magic's lottery advertisements. While parents occasionally wrote letters complaining about Dumbledore's handling of the situation, no one pulled their children out of school. Hogwarts, under Dumbledore's watch, was still considered the safest place.

Joey later learned from Harry that Dumbledore hadn't caught Voldemort. Harry's calm demeanor was unsettling for an 11-year-old, especially compared to Ron's loud indignation.

"Dumbledore said someone must've helped him escape," Harry said, his voice steady. "Sirius told me my parents died because of him. I hate him."

Joey understood Harry's pain. She couldn't imagine losing her parents, Ryan, or Fred.

Hermione's eyes welled up as she patted Harry's shoulder. "They're watching over you from the sky."

"Then beat him!" Ron said confidently. "If you beat him once, you can do it again! You're Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived!"

Harry smiled, encouraged by Ron's words. With Sirius, his friends, and newfound confidence, he felt ready to face anything.

Sirius adored Harry. Though he maintained a professional demeanor around Dumbledore, his affection for Harry was unmistakable. Joey thought Sirius would've carried Harry around in his pocket if he could.

No one knew what Sirius and Harry discussed, but Harry's smiles grew more genuine, and he even started teasing Joey and Fred occasionally.

Since Joey and Ryan's public argument on Valentine's Day, Gryffindors couldn't resist teasing Joey and Fred about "Mrs. Puddifoot's tea." Ryan hadn't written home about the incident, but he did warn Linda that Joey might be distracted by something other than her studies.

Linda, thinking Joey was causing trouble again, sent a stern letter threatening summer tutoring if she heard any more complaints. Joey retaliated by sending dung bombs to both Linda and Ryan, earning herself a Howler in return.

Ryan had become Joey's shadow, appearing whenever Fred was around to ensure no funny business occurred. Fred, exasperated, resorted to using Cedric's class schedule to avoid Ryan.

"I've never been this diligent in class!" Fred complained as he and Joey hid in an abandoned classroom on the fourth floor, the same one that once housed the Mirror of Erised.

Joey, struggling with an enchanted quill, sighed. "This thing is impossible to use!"

Fred took the quill, promising to fix it. "Give me a week, and I'll make it perfect."

Joey grinned. "Is Mr. Weasley that talented?"

Fred leaned in, his forehead touching hers. "So, does Mrs. Weasley feel proud?"

Joey blushed, pretending to focus on her homework. "I'm not Mrs. Weasley... yet."

Fred smirked. "It's only a matter of time."

---

April 1st was a special day for Fred and George—their birthday and a day of endless pranks. Joey, however, was stumped. How do you choose a unique gift for one twin when the other is your boyfriend?

After consulting her friends, Joey decided a kiss would be the perfect gift. The only problem? Ryan. His constant presence made even holding hands a challenge.

On the morning of April 1st, Joey dressed carefully in an orange dress, her hair tied in a high ponytail with a crystal hairpin. She even spritzed on her favorite perfume.

Angelina, watching Joey preen in the mirror, teased, "Love really changes people. If someone told me a year ago that Joey Forest would dress up like this, I'd think they were under the Imperius Curse."

Joey laughed. "Sometimes I wonder if Fred slipped me a love potion. Why else would I like him so much?"

Fred, meanwhile, had received a letter from Joey the night before, inviting him to watch the sunrise at the Black Lake dock. Excited, he sneaked out early, leaving George asleep.

Joey and Angelina arrived in the Great Hall for breakfast, where Ryan sat reading at the Ravenclaw table. Joey groaned. "Look at him, being the world's most annoying chaperone."

Angelina smirked. "Leave it to me."

Angelina marched over to Ryan, snatched his book, and declared, "Ryan Forest, I like you. Will you spend the day with me?"

The Hall fell silent. Joey burst out laughing, slapping the table. Ryan, stunned, stood up so quickly he nearly knocked Angelina over. "What kind of joke is this?!" he yelled before storming out, Angelina hot on his heels.

"Gryffindor girls are so bold!" a Ravenclaw boy muttered in awe.

George, yawning, joined Joey. "Where's Fred?"

Joey frowned. "You two share a room. You tell me."

George pulled out a letter. "Didn't you invite him to watch the sunrise?"

Joey's face paled. "I didn't write that!"

George unfolded the Marauder's Map, locating Fred at the Black Lake dock. Beside Fred's name were three unfamiliar ones and one familiar one: Amber Warbell, a third-year Slytherin.

"He's in trouble!" George said, but Joey was already sprinting out of the Hall.