Through the Pages of Time: Joey’s Hogwarts Tale

"Joey, your chest!"

"Packed!"

"Have you brought all the books?"

"Yes! Oh, Mom, you've been watching me pack for a week now! Can you stop asking?"

"You left your school uniform in the closet yesterday. How can I be at ease?"

"Dear, don't worry," Luther interjected gently. "Didn't you and Joey go through a checklist this morning? Everything's accounted for—I remember it clearly."

"Exactly! You see, Dad trusts me! Mom, you just don't!"

"If only you were more—"

"As careful as Ryan?" Joey huffed. "I knew it! Ryan is your favorite! Let's go already!"

"Don't interrupt me, that's rude!"

"Oh, Mom, let's just go."

Ryan stood by the door, arms crossed, watching the familiar scene unfold. Another year had passed, yet nothing had changed between Joey and their mother. He sighed. Their mother had stopped acting like a Ravenclaw the moment she had Joey. Ryan secretly decided that if he ever got married, it would be to a Hufflepuff—someone obedient, at least.

Joey led the charge to the door, struggling to drag a massive trunk nearly half her height. A newly bought wand sat snug in her pocket, and a birdcage swung from her neck, inside of which perched her birthday gift from Luther—a brown owl. She had named it "Meow."

"There's no wizarding law that says only cats can be called Meow!" she had retorted whenever someone questioned her choice. Well, whatever. Who cared what an owl was named?

"Honey, let me take the trunk for you; you just carry Meow," Luther said, kissing Linda's forehead to soothe her rising temper before hurrying after Joey with a grin.

In this family, Luther was the only one who cheerfully accepted the name "Meow." Linda, however, remained convinced she was living with two fools.

Ryan waited as their mother finally emerged, clutching her handbag in exasperation. He shut the door behind them and followed, exhaling in relief. Finally, they were setting off. Another year, another trip to Hogwarts. He was already craving the school feast.

Platform Nine and Three-Quarters was as lively as ever, bustling with students and families. Older students huddled in groups, excitedly sharing summer adventures. Nervous first-years clung to their mothers' arms while eyeing the train with a mix of fear and wonder. Younger siblings who weren't yet old enough for Hogwarts wailed in protest, upset that they had to stay behind.

Ryan, already in his fourth year, had no time for lingering. He boarded the train with his friends, flashing Joey a smug grin before disappearing inside.

Poor Joey, still stuck in the second category, made a threatening throat-slash gesture at Ryan before turning back to their mother's worried rambling, her foot already angled toward the train.

"Hogwarts is colder than London! Don't forget to wear extra layers! You refuse to wear long sleeves in October—what will happen if you get sick? What if I'm not there to take care of you?"

Linda sniffled, eyes brimming with tears.

"Mom, there's a hospital wing at Hogwarts..." Joey groaned, though her resolve softened at her mother's distress. "You weren't this worried when Ryan went to school."

"Your brother never let me fuss over him!" Linda sniffled again, her voice breaking as she clung to her youngest.

Just then, a familiar, boisterous group arrived.

"Joey! You're here! We almost didn't make it!"

"The rain was insane! Our taxi driver nearly had a heart attack over our luggage!"

"That's because Percy insisted on bringing Scabbers out in public! No Muggle thinks a rat is a pet!"

"Thank Merlin Bill found a job; otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to afford a cab this year!"

"Sister Joey! I wanna go to school too!"

"Oh, Linda! What's wrong?"

The Weasley's had arrived, dripping wet from the relentless rain.

"Toot—" The train whistle blew, signaling its imminent departure.

"Get on the train, Joey!" Ryan yelled, hopping off to grab her trunk and haul it inside.

The Weasley children scrambled aboard as well.

"Joey, we're saving you a compartment! Hurry up!"

"Don't get lost—we've got something fun to show you!"

Fred and George shouted before vanishing inside.

"Alright, Mom, I'll write, I swear! Tonight! Love you!" Joey pecked Linda on the cheek before dashing off.

"Hey, what about Dad?! No parting kiss?" Luther called out, pretending to be offended.

Joey grinned over her shoulder, blew him a kiss in the air, and disappeared onto the train as Ryan pulled her inside.

Linda clutched Luther's arm, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief.

"Don't worry," Luther reassured her, chuckling. "You know Joey—she won't let herself be bullied."

Molly Weasley joined in, patting Linda's back. "She'll be just fine."

Then, as the train began pulling away, Linda suddenly remembered something. She waved her handkerchief wildly and called after the departing train, "Joey! Don't get into fights!"

Joey leaned out of the doorway, waving enthusiastically. "Mom must be telling me to eat well!" she said cheerfully to Ryan.

Ryan sighed. "Sure, whatever makes you happy."

Joey and Ryan soon found the twins' compartment. Inside sat a dark-skinned boy with dreadlocks, enthusiastically chatting with Fred and George.

"So, how do you wash them?" the twins asked, fascinated.

"Oh, my cleaning spell works wonders!" the boy grinned. "Oh hey! I'm Lee Jordan—nice to meet you!"

"Hi! Your hair is cool," Joey greeted.

Ryan, eyeing the scattered toys and prank items in the compartment, hesitated. "Joey, maybe you should sit with me instead."

"No way!" Joey quickly objected.

The twins smirked, scooting over to make space. "Oh, come on, Ryan. Joey wants to stay! We've got a little… experiment planned."

"Yeah, brother, just go!" Joey playfully pushed Ryan out, grinning ear to ear.

Ryan sighed as she shut the door in his face.

Inside, Joey's eyes sparkled at the assortment of trick cards and toys spread out before her. "What new stuff did you guys make this summer?"

"Hold on! You can't just dig into a gentleman's pockets!" Fred laughed.

"Don't start with me, Fred—just show me!"

Lee gaped. "Wait, you can tell them apart?"

Joey gave him a look as if he were the dumbest troll in the forest. "Of course. Do I look like I can't tell the difference between their butts?"

Lee's mouth hung open in shock.

"Be careful, Madam! I plan to get married one day!" Fred whined.

"Same here!" George chimed in.

Joey simply smiled sweetly. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry."

"No! Don't do that!" the twins yelped in horror. "Fine, you win! Here, try this—Crackling Cards!"

As the train carried them closer to Hogwarts, laughter and the sounds of snapping cards filled the air, drowning out the patter of September rain.

Crackling Cards was a wizarding twist on Muggle playing cards, featuring various wizard heroes whose images could spring to life and battle each other. Of course, they were merely animated figures, but the excitement was real. The game was straightforward yet thrilling—players would blindly draw cards, and the wizards depicted on them would duel. The losing card would transform into a tiny tombstone, a dramatic testament to its defeat.

This ingenious game had been influenced by Joey's own ideas. She stared at the small tombstone that had once been her Samson Wiebling card, now blackened by George's Alberta Tursay and its explosive spell. The sight made her nostalgic for the Warcraft games and card battles she had played in her previous life.

For Lee Jordan, this was his first time experiencing such a game, and he was utterly captivated. His concentration was so intense that Joey swore she could almost see smoke rising from his head. Meanwhile, the tiny wizard figures on his cards looked exhausted, cowering in the corners as if trying to avoid their fate.

"Oh, Bodie! Come out and attack her with your jelly beans!" Lee pleaded with his card. But Bodie Botter, the depicted wizard, refused to budge.

"Looks like this game is going to be a big hit," Fred mused, exchanging pleased glances with George and Joey. Their shared invention was proving to be a success.

After exhausting all their card-wielding wizards, the group reluctantly packed away the game. Yet Lee's fascination was far from over—his eyes kept drifting back to George's pocket, hoping for another glimpse. Sensing his curiosity, George smugly pulled out a card from time to time, dangling it in front of him like bait.

Meanwhile, Juey retrieved her copy of Curses and Counter-Curses and began flipping through the pages with interest.

"Hey, I thought you were joking. Are you really studying that book?" Fred leaned over, eyeing the pages. "Oh, the Wasp Hex! That one looks fun."

"I think so too. Want to try it?" Juey asked, already reaching for her wand with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"No, no, no!" Fred hastily pushed the wand tip away. "Save it for your enemies!"

"But I don't have any enemies."

"Don't worry. Once you get to school, you'll find some soon enough."

With a reluctant sigh, Juey stowed away her wand. Fred visibly relaxed.

By the time the train arrived at the station, night had fallen, and the rain had only grown heavier. As Juey stepped onto the platform, she spotted a towering figure in a raincoat, carrying a massive oil lamp.

"That must be Hagrid! He's huge!" George exclaimed, turning to Lee.

"First years, this way!" Hagrid's booming voice cut through the rain.

"Oh wow, even his voice is impressive!" Lee let out a whistle of admiration.

Hagrid's presence was oddly reassuring in the downpour, and the nervous first-years quickly gathered around him. Meanwhile, the older students made their way toward another path. Many siblings took the last chance to encourage their younger brothers and sisters, assuring them that there was nothing to be afraid of.

Of course, not everyone shared that sentiment. A few petite girls could be heard grumbling about their soaked leather shoes, clearly unimpressed with the weather.

Ryan, ever the protective older brother, tugged up Juey's raincoat hood and tucked her hair inside to shield her from the rain. But before he could say anything, she grinned up at him and declared, "I'm not afraid, brother!"

Ryan simply sighed, patted her head, and murmured, "Be careful," before joining the departing older students.

From a distance, the Weasley brothers waved goodbye to their younger siblings, flashing thumbs-up and encouraging smiles. Percy, ever the concerned prefect, looked like he wanted to say something to Ron, but Charlie casually threw an arm around him, steering him away.

"Thank Merlin. I was afraid Percy would start one of his long-winded lectures," Fred muttered as he and George exchanged relieved glances.

To be honest, raincoats weren't much help in this weather. By the time the first-years reached the castle via the boats, they all resembled a flock of drenched chicks—soaked, shivering, and wide-eyed as they gazed up at the grandeur of Hogwarts looming before them.