Chapter 9
His hands shook on his broomstick. His ears were numb to the cheering and chatter the audience gave. He hadn't felt this anxious since his first match when he was in his first year. At that time, it was his first time ever playing for a sports team, his first time playing for the wizarding world, and barely his 5th time on a broomstick. He had been an almost deadly nervous and rightfully so.
This time, however, he's now captain of his house team in a sport he barely knew how to play not so long ago. He's grateful for everything his friends and teammates have given and done for him, and as he looked back at them, seeing them ready to take to the skies, he knew he had nothing to worry about because no matter what the outcome was today, his friends would always be there for him.
The players of the Gryffindor quidditch team mounted their brooms and floated above the pitch as the announcer, the lovely Adrian Conners, began, "Welcome, welcome, everyone. Today, as almost everyone knows, is the first match of the school year; the Mighty Gryffindor vs. the Cunning Slytherin."
The students cheered wildly at that. Jude breathed shakily, tightening and loosening his grip on his broomstick in an attempt to stop the trembling that traveled to his arms.
"I'm your lovely announcer Adrian Conners and this is sadly my last commentary for the Gryffindor/Slytherin match," Adrian told the crowd airily, placing a hand on his chest. "It breaks my heart and I'm sure it breaks Professor Alexander's heart as well. We've had a lot of laughs these past few years."
"Don't flatter yourself, Conners," Professor Alexander muttered next to him.
Adrian laughed boisterously, "Alright, everyone. Let's start with introducing the Slytherin team if you've already forgotten them. We have their chaser and captain, 7th year Cheryl Stacks. Along with her are 6th year Danny Simmons and their new chaser 3rd year Leonard Lang. 5th year Erik Howard and 4th year Bailey Fairley are their beaters, 5th year Miguel Salvatore is their keeper, and 4th year Scorpius Malfoy is their seeker. Let's give them a cheer, shall we?"
The students in the Slytherin house bellowed out their cheers the loudest while the other houses gave their support. Adrian winked, giving the crowd finger guns. He grinned as he began again, "On the Gryffindor team, we have a new captain. You all know him, love him, hate him, envy him, and lust after him-"
Professor Alexander's jaw dropped in disbelief, "That is inappropriate, Conners."
"-Give a great cheer for the new captain who is also the seeker on the team, and probably the best one you'll ever see in your lifetime; 5th year Jude Porter."
After so many years of having the attention on him, Jude thought he would've been used to Adrian's hearty introductions but he was not expecting that. He sat on his broom, flushed and embarrassed, but made no move to acknowledge the laughter and coos around him.
Adrian raised his hands, gesturing for the crowd to quiet down, "Let's move on or else Porter might spontaneously combust." He stepped away from Professor Alexander's pinching fingers and continued happily, "For our chasers, we have 5th years James Potter and Emma Thorne. We also get to introduce 3rd year Lily Potter as our third chaser. Let's give a warm welcome to her."
Lily beamed at the whistles and clapping her introduction gave. She waved to her friends in the stands and Jude envied how she took the attention in stride.
"For our beaters, we have 7th year Louis Weasley-lookin' good, mate-and 5th year Leon Adams. And last but not least, our keeper 3rd year Hugo Weasley. Give it up for them, everyone."
The crowd went off again in cheers and Jude could see why Adrian was chosen to announce the first game of the year despite Professor Alexander's protests. The crowd loved his commentary and he knew he wasn't the only one who was going to miss him when he graduated this year.
"After Professor Harmon gives the instructions, we will start the match. Good luck to you all and I hope the best team wins."
Professor Harmon gave the usual rules and wishes before she opened her case, releasing the bludgers and snitch. She threw the quaffle in the air, officially starting the match.
Jude quickly backed his broom away, flying towards the edge of the pitch as he watched his teammates fly through the air as if it was second nature to them. It was always such a lovely thing to watch; when chasers flew in sync and beaters protected them from above while also trying to attack the other team. He only wished he could see it more often on his own team. He wished he could see Emma's stormy eyes scan the pitch and the players, James' determined brown eyes behind his circled frames as he maneuvered through each player, and now he wished he could see Lily's eyes, the same as her mother's and eldest brother's, vibrantly shining in awe while also finding openings throughout the pitch and around each player.
Oh how he wished, but alas, he had to keep his ears and eyes open for any sound or sight of the snitch. He couldn't be distracted by anything.
"And Thorne just gave Gryffindor the lead with that spectacular move. It is now 10-0."
Blue eyes behind thick framed glasses jumped around for any little thing that would maybe appear around the pitch.
"Nicely done, James. That's 20-0."
The wind blew past sharply, ruffling his hair and robes but never chilling him. The weather was getting colder now that winter was coming, but that never deterred him.
"Lily gives Gryffindor another ten points. 30-10."
Adrian's commentary became white noise as Jude focused on the smaller sounds that he waited to arise. He didn't know how much time had passed before he heard the buzzing sound of the snitch flying past him. He didn't give himself time to blink before he shot off after the golden snitch.
"Porter has found the snitch. Here comes Malfoy right behind in hopes that maybe he might win this year. The score is now 120-90."
Jude put his chest to his broomstick causing him to speed up. He felt Scorpius move up alongside him, brushing against his thigh as he tried to gain speed. The snitch weaved in all directions, doing its best to throw them off course, but Jude never quit when it came to catching the little bugger. He had the scars to prove his determination on catching it.
Scorpius was just at his elbow when he began stretching his arm. Jude bit his lip as he scooted on his broomstick. His muscles strained and protested at being stretched too far but he ignored it like he always did. He didn't become what Adrian called the greatest seekers by wavering. He had to push through. This was his first game as captain and he wasn't going to fail his team.
The seekers were now neck in neck. Jude paid no attention to Scorpius shoving him insistently so as to knock him off course. He gritted his teeth and stretched his arm out a bit more while he slid closer on his broom. He felt his fingers close around the snitch just as he slipped off from his broom.
His stomach lurched like it usually did when he fell; he would've thought he'd be used to the feeling by now. He was a few feet from the pitch before his broomstick flew under him and landed between his legs, catching him while also giving him a now familiar pain.
Jude exhaled raggedly, his whole body falling to the pitch in relief as he stared at the golden snitch in his hand. He grinned widely and raised his hand into the air, showing the crowd who had come out on top. He laughed breathlessly when his teammates got off their brooms and rushed over to him, lifting him up on their shoulders. He high fived them while beaming and pumping his fist.
Adrian clapped his hands with the rest of the crowd and spoke over their cheers, "And there you have it, folks. No surprise here; Jude Porter has caught the snitch, ending the match and giving Gryffindor the win with the score being 320-170. Great job, everyone. It's been real fun, I hope you'll let me commentate one last game before I graduate. If not, I'll see you all at the after party."
After parties were something Jude was used to now. He was invited to some and sometimes he was the center of them. Now, for instance, everyone shouted his name and drank the punch that was set out.
Louis downed a shot of firewhiskey before he stumbled over to Jude, his words almost slurring together as he spoke, "Jude, I just wanna thank you for these past years. We have been the best-the best since you've been here."
Jude smiled a bit when Louis threw his arm around him, "Thanks, Louis. You're a great teammate too, and you've been by my side the longest so I'm gonna miss you when you're gone, mate."
"Oh," Louis sniffled dramatically. He grabbed Jude by his head and placed a loud, wet kiss on his cheek. He hugged him tightly once more. "I'm gonna miss you too, bud-buddy." He released his captain and rushed over to his friends, jumping on Adrian's back when he got close enough.
Jude glanced around, finding James in a conversation with Hugo, Albus, and Rose. He furrowed his brow when he caught Carlos staring. He watched confusedly as the tanned male quickly turned around, a blush rising on his cheeks. He simply shrugged and continued to find other familiar faces.
His gazing was cut short when Leon stormed passed. He noticed Leon's harsh scowl, one he usually reserved for James, settled heavily on his face as well as a bruise on his cheek. He couldn't find Emma so he knew that something went down between the couple.
He walked over to Lily and placed his hand on her arm lightly. He smiled when she turned around, halting the conversation she was having with the girls in her year, "Hey, can I ask a favor of you?"
"Anything," Lily readily replied.
Despite the situation, Jude felt his smile widen at that, "Thanks. Um, I need you to distract James for a bit. I can't seem to find Emma in here and Leon looks like he's ready to curse someone. I don't want James getting in trouble, so while I go look for Emma, could you maybe keep him on the sidelines for a bit?" He put his hands together, unintentionally giving her puppy dog eyes, "Would you please?"
Lily blushed, ignoring the giggles coming from her friends, and nodded, "Of course, but are you sure Emma wouldn't want a little girl talk?"
"I think I can manage," Jude said gratefully. "Thank you, Lily. I promise I'll make it up to you."
The giggles from Lily's friends almost became full blown laughter. The blush on Lily's face brightened as she glanced away, "Anytime, Jude. Now go on."
Jude thanked her one last time before he made his way out of the common room. After wandering the halls, he internally cursed himself for not taking the map they had made for the school, but he knew he'd raise James' suspicions if he went through his luggage in search for the item. He instead asked a few students if they had seen Emma and luckily, a few had seen her pass them with Leon not too long ago.
He found her in the Prefects' bathroom, her sobs reaching his ears before he even reached for the door knob. He walked in, calling out softly, "Emma, are you there?"
A wave of sorrow crashed into him when he heard Emma stifle a sob at his voice. She sniffled and after a few moments, no doubt trying to gain her composure, she walked out of one of the stalls.
Emma put on a wavering smile, her eyes bloodshot despite her trying to use a spell to make herself look presentable, "Jude, what are you doing here?"
"I came to see if you're alright," Jude answered, his voice soft as his throat began to ache with the sobs he wanted to cry out. He took a cautious step towards her, frowning, "Are you?"
"I'm fine, Jude," Emma tried to reassure. She lifted up a hand to brush her hair over her shoulder. "Leon and I just had a disagreement."
Jude ignored the sting in his eyes at the obvious lie. "What did you disagree about?"
"Hmm?"
"Your disagreement; what was it about?"
Emma shook her head as she too fought against the tears welling up in her eyes, "Please, Jude, everything's fine. You don't need to worry about it." She tried not to flinch when Jude walked over to her swiftly, grabbing her by the shoulders firmly.
"Don't tell me I shouldn't worry about this when it's clearly hurting you," Jude whispered fiercely, tears escaping his eyes. "What did he do?" He was going to curse Leon for whatever it was he did, but if he hurt Emma, brilliant and kind Emma, he'd kill him without hesitation.
That broke her down. Emma's face scrunched up as tears flowed and sobs climbed out of her throat. She lifted a hand to her mouth, her words muffled, "Leon, he…he's been wanting to have s…" She shuddered, her fingers digging into her cheek. "Since the beginning of the year, he's been hinting that he wants to have sex. I told him I wasn't ready. I told him I wanted to wait another year or so because there was no rush, but he kept persisting. I thought he was finally going to stop but after the match, he took me here and…"
Jude gathered her into his arms when she began sobbing anew. He rubbed her back and held her head to his shoulder. He soothingly shushed her, holding her tightly, "You're fine now, Emma. I've got you. I won't let him hurt you like this again, okay?" He sniffled and kissed her head, "You're safe now. I've got you."
While Jude comforted Emma and Emma took solace in his arms, neither of the two noticed a familiar figure standing by the bath, listening and brimming with anger.
