Through the Pages of Time: Joey’s Hogwarts Tale

Draco Malfoy, or as Joey liked to call him, "Dragon Batian," didn't keep her waiting long. He soon made an appearance on the Quidditch training ground, flaunting his father's latest sponsorship: the Nimbus 2001 broomsticks. Shafik had quit the Slytherin Quidditch team, and according to Flami, he was now spending his days learning advanced potions from Professor Snape.

"He's Snape's star pupil now," Flami had said, a hint of jealousy in her voice.

The Gryffindor and Slytherin teams were at each other's throats, with Wood arguing fiercely with the new Slytherin captain. When the Slytherins produced a note from Snape authorizing their use of the Nimbus 2001, the argument escalated into a full-blown brawl.

Fred and George, ever the troublemakers, snuck a couple of their patented Weasley fireworks behind a Slytherin Chaser, sending him running back to the castle clutching his backside. Ron and Hermione, watching from the stands, tried to intervene, but Ron was too busy looking for an opening to throw a punch, and Hermione was too busy scanning the castle doors for any sign of a professor.

"Stop fighting! Stop fighting! A professor's coming!" Hermione screamed, clutching her hair in frustration.

But the teenagers were too fired up to listen. Draco, pinned under Harry's knee, shouted, "My father will hear about this!"

Professor McGonagall arrived, her bun nearly falling apart. In a fit of rage, she transfigured all the brooms into feather dusters and began chasing the students around, whacking them mercilessly.

"A fight barely a month into the term! You little hooligans!" she shouted, her voice echoing across the field. Even Draco's usually pristine hair was reduced to a bird's nest.

Professor Snape arrived later, surveying the scene with his usual disdain. "It seems the Nimbus 2001 hasn't improved your minds," he sneered, leading the Slytherins back to the castle.

McGonagall turned her wrath on the Gryffindors. "If you lose the next match, I'll personally assign each of you a 10-foot essay!" she threatened.

On the way back to the castle, Hermione scolded the team for their impulsiveness. "It was just a training session! There was no need to fight! At least Professor McGonagall didn't deduct points!"

"Oh, shut up," Ron snapped. "You don't understand Quidditch. You're only interested in idiots like Lockhart!"

"Hey, who are you calling an idiot?" Joey interjected, smacking Ron on the head. "And don't be rude to girls, or you'll never get a girlfriend!"

Ron rubbed his head, glaring at Joey. "I'd never want a girlfriend like you two!"

Hermione and Joey exchanged a look. "As if we'd ever like you!" Hermione retorted.

Harry, caught in the middle, tried to diffuse the tension. "Uh, let's just focus on the next match, okay?"

Joey raised an eyebrow. "Harry, what are you trying to say?"

Harry stammered, his face turning red. "I mean... I hope I didn't hurt Malfoy too badly..."

Joey smirked. "Don't worry. Your godfather's richer than his dad. You can afford it. Besides, his hair looked hilarious!"

Harry chuckled, relieved Joey had lightened the mood.

The Gryffindor team, still in their Quidditch gear, headed straight to the Great Hall for dinner. Along the way, they ran into Colin Creevey, Harry's overenthusiastic fan, who was eagerly snapping photos with his camera.

Fred, ever the opportunist, pulled Colin aside. "Hey, your photos don't move, right? I've got a potion that can make them come to life. Only five Sickles. Interested?"

Colin's eyes lit up, and he eagerly handed over the coins. Harry shot Fred a grateful look as the team slipped into the Great Hall.

The Gryffindor table erupted into cheers and applause as the team entered, as if they'd just won the Quidditch Cup. Percy, sitting next to Wood, tried to maintain a serious expression but couldn't hide a small smile.

"Professor McGonagall told me about the fight," Percy said. "If you resort to violence again, I'll have to deduct points."

Wood's face darkened, but Percy quickly added, "But beating Slytherin to the ground was pretty satisfying."

Wood's anger vanished, and he nodded. "Understood."

Fred, having successfully swindled Colin, plopped down next to Joey. "Harry, you should hire me and George as bodyguards. We'll keep the fans at bay."

Harry laughed. "I think I can handle Colin."

Fred shrugged. "Suit yourself. Guess I'll have to find another way to cash in on the famous Harry Potter."

Percy rolled his eyes. "Can't you two take anything seriously?"

Fred and George grinned. "We're always serious, Prefect. Just ask our customers."

Percy sighed, changing the subject. "Ginny's been sick. She's been listless for days. Have you noticed?"

The twins exchanged guilty looks. Between their business ventures and Fred's love life, they hadn't paid much attention to their little sister.

"She hasn't been coming to meals," Percy added, his tone accusatory.

Fred turned to Joey. "This is where having a Gryffindor girlfriend comes in handy. Right, darling?"

Joey, mid-bite of her bread, blinked at the four Weasley brothers staring at her. "What, what?"

---

Joey found herself knocking on Ginny's dormitory door later that evening. When the door opened, she barely recognized the pale, tired girl standing there.

"Are you sick?" Joey asked, touching Ginny's forehead. "You don't feel warm."

Ginny shook her head. "I'm not sick. I've just been sleepwalking. I woke up this morning covered in dirt and chicken feathers."

Joey laughed. "I used to sleepwalk too! Once, I cut a hole in my dad's trousers, and he walked around with half his butt exposed the next day!"

Ginny giggled, her mood lifting slightly.

"Your brothers are worried about you," Joey said gently. "They asked me to check on you."

Ginny's face flushed, and she buried her head in her knees. "It's just... I like Harry Potter."

Joey blinked. "Okay... but what does that have to do with not eating?"

Ginny groaned. "Isn't it embarrassing to see him?"

Joey shrugged. "If you like him, tell him. And don't skip meals! You're a Gryffindor, not a lovesick Hufflepuff."

Ginny's eyes widened, and she suddenly hugged Joey. "You're amazing, Joey! You're even better than Tom!"

Joey frowned. "Who's Tom?"

Ginny handed Joey a black notebook. "It's a joke diary. You write in it, and it writes back. But I don't need it anymore. You can have it."

Joey flipped through the empty pages. "There's nothing in it."

Ginny smiled. "It disappears after he replies. But now I don't need it. I'm going to tell Harry how I feel!"

Joey grinned, tucking the notebook into her pocket. "Good. Now, let's go tell your brothers you're okay."