Joseph himself was considered a considerably powerful sorcerer for his age, mastering the Patronus Charm in his Second Year when he was attacked by a Dementor. Otherwise, it became clear that his greatest asset was his genius-level intellect and almost wavering morality, which was made complex by the fact that his parents considered him a disappointment in comparison to his six older brothers, who all became extremely successful. He formed a romantic attachment with Stephanie Blake while he was at Hogwarts, though she never returned his affections. He became a member of the Slug Club in his Fourth Year based on his family's considerable connections, and impressed Professor Horace Slughorn by becoming the Hogwarts Chess Champion, despite never having played the game previously. He graduated