Through the Pages of Time: Joey’s Hogwarts Tale

Charlie was driving everyone insane. That was the unanimous opinion of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

Since the team had been finalized, Charlie had organized weekly practice sessions, and he had forced Angelina to take on the role of Seeker.

"You can't rely on me forever!" Charlie argued with Wood in the common room, while Joey and the rest of the team waited outside, eager to see who would win the battle between the old and new captains.

"But you know we can't win without you as Chaser!" Wood shouted, his frustration boiling over. "Angelina's good, but she's not at your level! Don't you want to win?!"

Joey patted Angelina, who was nervously waiting for the outcome, and made a face. Angelina, too anxious to react, ignored her friend's teasing.

"Ten Knuts says Charlie wins. He's as stubborn as a mule," George whispered, starting a bet with Fred.

"I'll bet twelve Knuts on Wood. Charlie won't want to lose!"

"I'm with Charlie. Ten Knuts."

The rest of the team quickly joined in, and the betting pool grew. Joey tossed in ten Knuts for Charlie.

In the end, Wood emerged first, looking defeated. George immediately held out his hand to collect from those who had bet on Wood.

Fred slung an arm around Wood's shoulders. "Don't worry, Captain. If any player gives you trouble, we'll just aim a Bludger at their nose. Even if it's our own brother!"

Charlie walked out just in time to hear this. He smacked Fred on the back of the head, nearly knocking him over. "You can't even take a hit, and you're talking big?"

Fred steadied himself, grinning. "You're graduating soon, Mr. Weasley. Your days of bossing us around are numbered!"

The team burst into laughter.

---

Gryffindor's practices were brutal. Wood, channeling Charlie's relentless spirit, didn't care if you were a girl or not. Rain, wind, or even hail—practice was non-negotiable. Even Charlie, the former captain, wasn't spared Wood's yelling. The twins joked that Wood was now "attacking indiscriminately."

Sometimes, Ryan would appear in the stands, watching his sister fly across the pitch with a frown. Wood noticed that whenever he scolded Joey, Ryan's glare would intensify.

"Get out of here!" Wood once flew over to Ryan and snapped. "You're not a Gryffindor!"

Ryan replied coldly, "This isn't your private pitch."

"Spying for Ravenclaw, are you?" Wood accused, his paranoia reaching new heights.

Ryan smirked. "You're not short, but your brain seems to be. Maybe Quidditch is the only place you feel relevant."

Wood nearly lunged at him, but the twins grabbed the tail of his broom, holding him back.

"Captain! That's Nimbus 1700's brother!" another teammate shouted.

Wood froze, and the tension dissipated.

Joey flew over, landing next to Ryan. "Brother, are you spying on me again?"

"Mom's worried. You haven't written home in two weeks," Ryan said, wiping rain from her face. "And why are you practicing in this weather? Your captain's an idiot!"

"Brother, stop it! I'm fine!" Joey pulled her hand away. "I'll write to Mom tonight, I promise!"

Ryan frowned. "They call you Nimbus 1700. Don't you have a name? Why stay on a team that doesn't respect you?"

Joey laughed. "It's just a joke! Like the twins being Bludger 1 and 2. Lighten up, Ravenclaw!"

Ryan sighed. "I'm your brother. I care about you."

"I know, I know!" Joey kissed his cheek and flew back to practice.

Ryan shouted after her, "Put on more clothes when you're done!"

Joey waved, already focused on the game. Angelina flew beside her, grinning. "Your brother's quite handsome, you know. And he really cares about you."

"He just likes to fuss over me," Joey said, catching the Quaffle from Charlie and scoring a perfect goal.

---

Gryffindor's first match was against Slytherin, their longtime rivals. Wood, in his over-zealousness, stood outside the girls' dormitory at dawn, shouting for Joey and Angelina. He woke up the entire tower.

When Joey and Angelina finally emerged, they found the male players sprawled on the common room furniture, looking just as exhausted. Even Charlie was slumped on the sofa, disheveled.

"He knocked on every door before dawn," Fred and George groaned. "We were up late studying dung beetles and chocolate eggs..."

"Quidditch is his girlfriend," Angelina muttered.

The team was the first to arrive in the Great Hall, even before breakfast. They sat at the long table, dark circles under their eyes, yawning nonstop.

"Perfect! Let's use this time to practice the Scorpion Formation!" Wood announced, his enthusiasm undimmed.

The team groaned, slumping onto the table. Even Charlie leaned back in his chair, eyes half-closed.

"Get up! Do you want to lose to Slytherin?" Wood barked, dragging them out to the pitch.

The rain poured down as they practiced, and Joey nearly crashed when a drowsy Charlie almost collided with her. By the time they returned to the Great Hall, they were soaked and miserable.

Cedric was waiting at the entrance. "I saw you practicing this morning. Dedication!"

Joey held up her dripping sleeve. "This is Gryffindor resolve."

Cedric raised his wand to dry her, but Fred intercepted him. "Ryan! We need a Drying Charm!"

Ryan, already approaching from the Ravenclaw table, dried Joey and the twins with a wave of his wand. He turned to Joey, scowling. "Practicing in this weather? Are you trying to catch a cold?"

"I'm not some delicate flower!" Joey shot back. "Ask Cedric if you don't believe me!"

Cedric, wisely, stayed silent. Ryan glared at him, and the twins quickly dragged Cedric away.

Sirius appeared, placing a hand on Ryan's shoulder. "Sibling quarrel?"

Ryan shook him off. "Good morning, Professor," he said curtly before leaving.

Joey stuck her tongue out at his retreating back, then turned to Sirius. "What about your siblings?"

Sirius hesitated. "They don't like me," he said quietly before walking to the teachers' table.

Joey sat down, munching on a croissant, and wondered what it was like to have a family that didn't get along. For now, she was just glad her brother cared enough to yell at her.