Through the Pages of Time: Joey’s Hogwarts Tale

Linda noticed that the Floo powder at home was running out unusually fast. When she took Joey and Ryan to visit the Burrow, she mentioned it to Molly.

"Oh, that's normal," Molly said, peeling potatoes with her wand while directing a bowl of beans toward Linda. "When the kids come home, everything gets used up faster. Our Floo powder consumption skyrocketed last summer!"

"I just don't understand how they go through it so quickly!" Linda replied, taking the bowl and placing it in the sink. With a flick of her wand, the beans began cleaning themselves.

Meanwhile, Luther and Arthur were engrossed in a game of wizard chess in the yard. Ginny was holed up in her room, scribbling away at something, while Ryan had been dragged off by Percy to discuss some "important academic matter." Joey, meanwhile, was hoping their discussion would never end.

Fred and Joey sat under the grape trellis Arthur had built the previous year, enjoying the shade. The summer heat was intense, and Joey had pulled her hair up, revealing her slender neck. Fred couldn't help but stare at her soft profile in the moonlight, momentarily entranced.

"Hey, did you tell Aunt Molly that Sirius invited us to his house?" Joey asked, nudging Fred out of his daze.

Fred blinked, coming back to reality. "Oh, yeah. She said it's fine."

Joey nodded, but before she could say more, Fred glanced over at their fathers, who were still absorbed in their chess game. Seizing the moment, he leaned in and kissed her, quick but firm, before pulling away with a grin.

Joey's eyes widened, and she swatted his shoulder. "Are you crazy?!"

"Hey! You two are bold!" George's voice came from above. He was perched on the grape trellis, smirking down at them.

Fred tossed a pebble at him. "Why are you always everywhere?"

"Can't help it. Been following you since birth. Hard habit to break," George quipped, jumping down and accidentally stepping on a garden gnome. The creature let out a shrill scream, causing Ron, who had been watching the chess game, to jump in surprise.

Percy and Ryan poked their heads out of the window to see what the commotion was about. Luther, who was about to lose the chess game, took the opportunity to sweep the pieces off the board. "Oh, the board's ruined! Can't play anymore. That gnome must've eaten too much of Molly's cooking!"

Arthur, ever the good sport, picked up the gnome and flung it far into the garden. Just then, Molly and Linda called everyone in for dinner.

Ginny, who had been sulking in her room, was dragged out by Molly. She wanted to sit next to Joey but was persuaded by Fred to sit by Ron instead. "Don't you want to hear more about Harry? Ron's his best friend!" Fred said, smoothly taking the seat next to Joey.

As everyone settled around the table, Molly and Linda floated plates of food from the kitchen. The delicious aroma filled the air, and even Ryan, who hadn't been hungry, reached for a chicken leg. Aunt Molly's cooking was irresistible.

"I heard you're good friends with Harry Potter. What's he like?" Luther asked, curious. "In America, we only know he defeated some dark wizard, but here, he's practically a legend."

"He's just a normal boy," Ron said through a mouthful of chicken.

Joey and the twins exchanged looks of disdain. "He's cuter than you," Joey said.

"Smarter too," Fred added.

"And he's a Quidditch prodigy," George finished.

Ron glared at them. "Hey! You changed the pattern!"

"Sorry, he's a talented Seeker," George corrected with a smirk.

Ginny chimed in, "He's the savior."

Joey laughed, giving Ginny a thumbs-up. "Bullseye!"

Ron, unable to retaliate against his siblings, turned to Ginny. "What do you know, you little brat?!"

Molly, who had just arrived with a tray of ice cream, whacked Ron on the head with her wand. "Don't be so harsh on your sister!" Ron, sulking, proceeded to eat three ice creams in a row.

Just then, Sirius appeared, grabbing a pie from the table. "You didn't wash your hands!" Linda scolded, casting a cleaning spell on him.

Sirius shrugged. "Never washed my hands in Azkaban, and I never got sick!" He wiped his hands on Luther's shirt and took another pie. "I'm starving! Dealing with Muggles to buy a house is exhausting."

"Did you buy the house?" Joey asked, always eager for gossip.

"I wanted something close to Harry. Dumbledore won't let him stay away from Privet Drive for too long, so I bought all the houses next to the Dursleys'," Sirius said casually, as if it were no big deal.

"All of them?!" Ron exclaimed, wide-eyed.

Sirius smirked. "Less than ten thousand Galleons. No big deal, little couple."

The table fell silent. Joey's face turned pale, and Sirius quickly realized his mistake. "Uh... did I say something wrong?"

Luther looked confused. "What... little couple?"

Sirius glanced at Joey, who glared at him. "You didn't tell them?"

"Why would I?" Joey hissed.

Sirius turned to George. "You didn't say anything?"

"I thought Percy would," George said.

Percy looked at Ron. "I thought you would."

Ron shrugged. "Fred bought me a new wand... I thought Ryan would."

Ryan crossed his arms. "I didn't approve, so why would I say anything?"

Luther's face darkened. "What are you all talking about?"

"Nothing!" the kids chorused, except for Ginny.

"Joey and Fred are dating. They were kissing under the grape trellis earlier. I saw them," Ginny said innocently, munching on beans.

Sirius raised his hands. "See? I didn't say it!"

Joey was mortified. She decided then and there to hide all of Harry's photos from Ginny. This little sister wasn't so cute anymore.

Luther's face turned green, and he reached into his pocket, likely for his wand. Linda grabbed his hand. "Dear, let's not overreact. We don't know the full story."

Molly, meanwhile, had grabbed Fred by the ear. "You little rascal! Joey's just a girl! How could you?!"

Fred winced but stood his ground. "We really like each other!"

Molly groaned. This boy had no tact. "You're only 14! What do you know about love?!"

Fred, ever the troublemaker, shot back, "You and Dad were sneaking off to the Hogwarts tower at 14!"

Molly's face turned red. Linda burst out laughing, while Luther looked like he was about to explode.

Sirius, thoroughly enjoying the chaos, leaned over to Arthur. "This is better than a Quidditch match."

Joey, seeing Fred in pain, stepped in. "Aunt Molly, don't hurt him! I really like him!"

Sirius whistled. "That's my Gryffindor girl!"

Luther, now fully enraged, pointed at Ryan. "And you! You're her brother! How could you let this happen?!"

Ryan sighed. Once again, it was all his fault.