Chapter 11

A couple months had passed and Jude was fully ready for the quidditch match against Hufflepuff. The only thing he hoped for was that he didn't get injured. He would be fine as long as Albus didn't play. The only reason he was thinking that was because it was Hufflepuff seeker Paul Beckett's last year, and he was looking very murderous. He could feel his knees shaking just at the sight of the 7th year.

He really didn't want to die today.

Which was why his teammates found him holding onto one of the benches in the locker room.

"Jude," Emma sighed exasperatedly as James and Louis tugged on the resisting boy's legs. "This is not the time to be scared. The game starts in 5 minutes."

"I don't wanna die today!" Jude babbled between his sobs. "I have too much to live for!"

Ignoring Leon's snort, Olivia crossed her arms and glared at the crying boy, "Porter!"

At the sound of the captain's commanding voice, everyone froze in place. Olivia shook her head in disappointment, "I can't believe you're letting this get to you. Jude, you've been injured almost every single game we've had. You've had head injuries, back injuries, and from the rumors, you've fought a dark wizard who's trying to kill you, and now you're crying about a 7th year Hufflepuff trying to beat you? Really, Jude?"

Jude sniffled, his cheeks heating in embarrassment, as he finally let go of the bench, "You're right. M'sorry." He took his glasses off to clean them and wipe his eyes, "I'm just really nervous is all."

Olivia patted his shoulder firmly, "Best time to be brave. Now come on before I bring in Albus Potter to replace your scrawny arse."

The blue eyed boy snapped up straight, "I'm fine, Captain."

She grinned, "Now that's what I like to hear. Let's go, everyone."

They cheered as they walked out of the locker room finally. Once they stepped on the pitch, they mounted their brooms and shot into the air with the Hufflepuff team. After Neville gave the instructions, every person shot off around the pitch.

Jude swallowed his fear even as Beckett was glaring at him. He could do this. He had beat 7th years before. This was going to be no problem for him.

The crowd cheered just as the 6th year Slytherin announcer continued her commentary, "And Thorne gives Gryffindor 10 points in the lead."

The blue-eyed boy exhaled anxiously, his hands tightening around his broomstick. He had to concentrate and calm his pounding heart so he could hear the fluttering of the snitch.

It was only minutes later, after much scoring for each team, did Jude finally spy the quick snitch. He shot off towards it, feeling Beckett just behind him moments after.

"Porter has found the snitch. It seems like Beckett is not willing to lose this year. Let's see who will catch it first."

Jude was so focused on the snitch in front of him as he flew higher into the air that he didn't notice anything near him until the hood of his robe was thrown over his eyes.

"What the-!" He tried to push his hood back, only to feel it tugged down more forcefully. He cried out when he felt himself slip off his broom, "AAAAHHHHH!"

He grunted when his body collided with Beckett's, throwing the other seeker off his broom as well. Jude was finally able to throw his hood back just as he landed on his own broom.

He reacted quickly, shooting his arm out to catch Beckett before he fell towards the pitch. He groaned, feeling the broom fall with the extra weight. He gritted his teeth, ignoring Beckett's cries, and flew towards the snitch.

He caught it in under a minute, hearing the cheers as he held his arm high to show everyone. He let both himself and Beckett down, massing his over worked arm.

"Good job, Porter!" Olivia exclaimed happily as she ruffled his hair.

Beckett huffed, shaking his head before saying begrudgingly, "Thanks, Porter."

Jude gave a small smile, "No problem."

He was then glomped by Louis who shouted, "Three cheers for Porter!"

The audience cheered with the Gryffindor quidditch team. Jude grinned happily before glancing at the sky; what was that?