Chapter 21

Pages turning at an alarming rate filled one part of the library. While some knew that it was a library and that pages should be turning, they also knew that someone turning the pages that fast wasn't getting any information from whatever textbook they were reading.

The students in the library turned to the sound, finding Jude Porter searching through 3 books at once. The covers of the books showed that they weren't any textbooks 5th years should be studying. In fact, they looked a bit like yearbooks. Why did a student need to go over 10 yearbooks in one sitting?

"People are staring," James mumbled, his eyes on his parchment. He clenched his jaw in irritation when he felt Emma kick his shin under the table. He narrowed his eyes, "What? It's true."

Emma sighed with a roll of her eyes, "Right." She turned her gaze to Jude who was still rapidly flipped through the pages of multiple yearbooks. "Jude, have you found anything?"

"Not really," Jude shook his head, eyes still firmly on the book. He glanced up, finding James, Emma, and students from a few tables down staring at him. He swallowed down his embarrassment and shut the book.

He stood from the table, putting on a smile as he gathered the books. "I'm going to put these away and then I'll go to the common room. I promise I'll study when I get to the dorms."

"Jude," Emma called sympathetically as he walked away. She glared at those around them fiercely. When they turned their attention back to their books, she then gazed at James and kicked him in the shin again.

Out of the library, Jude heaved a sigh and swept a hand through his hair. He stuffed his hands in his pockets as he made his way to the Gryffindor Tower. His mood had gone from happily inquisitive to sadly embarrassed, more for his friends than for himself.

He understood why people were staring at him like that; there weren't many people looking at yearbooks nowadays. He just wished people understood his situation more or that they didn't judge.

Many people knew he was an orphan, and if they didn't, they knew that Neville and Hannah were his adopted parents. Not only that, they must've known that he knew nothing about his heritage when he first came to the school.

Now that he finally knew something about his parents, he was eager to find out more about their years in Hogwarts. He remembered Emma telling him that the library had records of former classes, so he went headfirst into every yearbook he could find. He narrowed them down to 1998-2007.

He hadn't gotten very far into the records. He was only a few pages into a handful of different ones before he got everyone's attention. He would've liked to been able to see if his parents were prefects, headboy/girl, quidditch players, or even top of their classes. Unfortunately, he didn't find any of that out.

He closed his eyes with a deep exhale, mentally reminding himself to go back into the library when no one else was around. But seeing as how O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s were coming up and every 5th and 7th year student had to study day in and day out, he knew finding an empty library these days was next to impossible.

His walk was cut short when he felt someone collide with him. His eyes snapped open, his mouth already forming the apology. He stopped, tilting his head and blinking in surprise at the two in front of him.

"Sorry, Professor Harmon, Professor Alexander," Jude frowned apologetically yet still staring inquisitively. "I wasn't looking where I was going." He lifted a hand to scratch the back of his head.

Meghan coughed into her fist, "No harm done, Porter. We weren't exactly looking where we were going either." She grimaced at the sharp nudge Emilie gave to her ribs.

Emilie cleared her throat, her face flushed, "Jude, may I ask why you aren't in the library? I heard many students were studying for their exams today. I'd hate for you to fall behind."

"I-I've been studying," Jude stuttered, crossing his arms. He shifted his weight on his feet. "I've just been a bit distracted lately."

"By what?" Meghan asked curiously.

Jude gazed at them with hopeful eyes, "When did you guys graduate Hogwarts?"

The teachers seemed a bit thrown by the question. They shared a look before Meghan shrugged, answering, "I graduated in June 2003."

"For me, it was June 2004," Emilie added.

"Well, see…" Jude rubbed his chin. "I was born January 2005. That means my dad graduated sometime that year if he finished school."

Meghan was taken aback. "Wait, I thought you said you didn't know anything about your parents."

Jude beamed, "Oh, right. I found out about them from Professor McGonagall over the break. She took care of my dad when he was a kid after his parents died. I asked her about them since I never knew anything."

"What were their names?" Emilie questioned with a light smile on her lips.

"Daniel Porter and Bonnie Wesley."

The start that got Meghan disappeared as she suddenly grinned. "Oh, I remember Bonnie."

The two turned to her questioningly.

She nodded, chuckling, "Yeah, I was a 4th year when she first started. I didn't know her until my 5th year when she tried out for the quidditch team. She was a real firecracker that one. Never backed down from a challenge." She frowned, "We lost touch after I graduated though." She placed her hand on Jude's head, her green eyes soft with sorrow. "I'm sorry, Jude."

"Me too," Jude whispered, his breath hitching in his throat as he held back his tears. He swallowed, holding back his tears. "Did you ever see or hear about my dad?"

Emilie was the one to answer. "I remember encountering him once or twice," She stated thoughtfully. She smiled at Jude when he perked up, "You certainly do look like him, and you have his kind heart."

Jude blushed, smiling back shyly, "Thank you, professors. You wouldn't happen to have a picture of either of them, would you?"

"Bonnie should be in the quidditch photo I have for my last year," Meghan replied. "I have the yearbook at home, unfortunately. Sorry, kid."

"That's okay," Jude shook his head, his smile never faltering. "Thank you again. Also, I'm sorry for interrupting whatever you were doing."

He gestured to their intertwined hands. The professors blushed, averting their gazes from the student.

He waved to them as he began walking away, "Bye, professors. Have a good night!"