Jude Porter and the Prisoner's Curse

The next few months flew by before Jude's eyes. He spent most days in his room at the Leaky Cauldron, practicing the patronus charm and his animagus form. Neville was happy he was studying up, but Hannah was a bit worried. Almost every day since he got home, she'd been asking if he was okay and if his wound was still hurting. He always assured he was fine, always ignoring the sting in his abdomen.

Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried to work on his patronus, however, he couldn't conjure up a happy memory. He first tried when he met Neville and Hannah, and they had taken him in, but all that got was wisps of white mist. He tried when he became friends with James and Emma, but the wisps of white had only gotten slightly thicker. He then tried his first birthday with his friends and when he won the quidditch house cup for Gryffindor, and while the wisps began to take shape, it still wasn't enough to show what it actually was.

He didn't get to dwell on it anymore since Ginny and James stopped by, saying he was going to put his season pass to the European Quidditch cup to good use. He was excited at finally getting to see a match after almost 3 months, but he knew even that excitement wouldn't make a full patronus.

Jude clapped his hands when Puddlemere United scored another point against the Appleby Arrows. Puddlemere was becoming his favorite team. They had made it so far in the playoffs and they had played so well, it was almost like watching his own team play.

So far, if they won this match, they would go up against the Ballycastle Bats in the finals and he couldn't wait to see that.

"You look good, Jude." Jude turned to find Ginny sitting next to him, a comforting smile on her face. They were the only two out of the group which consisted of him, her, James, Emma, Albus, Teddy, Hugo, and Lily, who were still in the stands. The others had gone to get snacks. "James told me you didn't do much over the summer, but looking at you now, I can see that you didn't really need to."

Jude made a small sound of agreement, turning his eyes back to the match, "Not many things kept me entertained, and I was grounded again."

Ginny chuckled amusedly, "Neville and Hannah going hard on you? Tell them I said to cut you some slack." She patted his shoulder with a grateful smile, "You saved Lily. That can only be good in my eyes."

Jude turned his eyes to her, a soft smile forming on his heavy lips, "Thank you. It's fine though. It gave me time to work on some charms that have giving me difficulties, and practice on my broomstick."

"Oh yes," Ginny sighed with a grin. "Now that your captain is gone, who is taking her place? Is it you?"

That got a laugh out of the boy, "No. It's most likely our oldest chaser. She was Olivia's right hand woman throughout the time I was there. It is her last year though, so we are getting a new captain next year."

"Is that going to be you?"

"I hope so."

The two shared a laugh as the rest of the group came back, showering everyone with the snacks they had taken so long to get. James plopped down next to his best friend, raising an inquiring eyebrow, "What are you two laughing about?"

Jude grinned, taking a chocolate frog from his friend, "Nothing, mate. We're just talking about quidditch."

"And what team do you want to win, Jude?" Teddy asked, patting the younger male's shoulder.

The blue eyed boy hummed, "I'd have to say Puddlemere United." He chuckled at the few looks of betrayal thrown his way, "What? They're very good."

"So are the Holyhead Harpies," Lily insisted, getting a wide grin from her mother.

The group then went off on a rant about which team was better. Their conversation was cut short when Puddlemere United won the match. Jude cheered with James and Teddy, not caring about some of the glares thrown their way.

Unfortunately for Jude, Puddlemere United lost in the finals against the Ballycastle Bats. He wasn't disappointed, but he would've liked to have seen them win. Either way, he shrugged and thanked Ginny again for the season passes to the league matches.

He then went home and recounted the matches to Neville and Hannah during supper. The two were glad to see a bit of life in Jude's eyes. The last couple of months, he had lost the motivation to do anything. They were happy to have the same boy back; the one that said everything with a bit of awe in his voice.

Once supper was done and everything was cleaned up, Jude bid his guardians a good night and made his way to bed. He changed into his pjs and fell asleep with a smile on his face for the first time in months.

"Jude."

Jude opened his eyes, suddenly finding himself back in Voldemort's resting chamber. His body stiffened, the unfamiliar feeling of sweat forming on his forehead as he tried to find a way out.

He clenched his fists, his stomach falling as he stared at the familiar red eyes staring back at him. His fists began to shake, a bead of sweat falling past his temple as he gritted his teeth, biting back every piece of fear and nonsense floating through his brain.

"Oh, Jude," Lazarus' sinister voice floated through the chamber. Jude flinched in fright, covering his ears. "You thought you killed me. You thought everything was over."

Jude exhaled harshly, his nails digging into scalp, "Wake up. Wake up, wake up, wake up."

"It's not over, Jude," Lazarus hissed, his voice echoing closer. "It's only the beginning!" His half burned face and red filled eyes appeared in front of Jude's face startlingly as he shouted angrily.

Jude inhaled sharply, sitting up in bed. He panted harshly, sweat falling from his chest, back, and head. He scrubbed at his eyes before taking his shirt off hastily. He lied back down on his bed, breathing deeply.

This year was not going to be easy.