Chapter 26
The final exams for 6th year weren't as bad as O.W.L.s but they were still tough. Luckily there weren't as many they had to take this year. Jude felt much better not having to take a History of Magic exam, seeing as how he barely made it through the O.W.L. without barfing or fainting on his desk.
Jude walked out of his last class, pressing his fingertips to his eyes. Exhaustion pulled at the back of his head and settle deeply into his bones. Since the beginning of the year, it was as if being tired was part of his personality now.
He held out his hands when he felt someone bump into him. He opened his eyes and smiled slightly. "Lily, hey."
"Jude, hi," Lily tried to smile back. She pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "How are you?"
"Tired." They shared a chuckle. Jude rubbed his eye again. "Yeah, I just finished with my Alchemy final. That's the last one of the year. I'm done."
"Lucky you. I still have a few more classes before I finish," Lily replied. "Next year is O. though. Gotta get prepared for that."
Jude grimaced, "I've got N.E.W.T.s. Then I have to figure out what I want to do after I graduate." He began walking with Lily. "James is gonna be an auror. Emma wants to work for the Ministry of Magic. Heck, even Chloe told me she was trying to get a job for MACUSA. But me? I don't know what I want to do."
Lily gazed sympathetically, "Surely you have an idea."
The business cards sat heavily in his pockets. He exhaled shakily, "Yeah. Yeah, I…I kinda want to be a professional quidditch player." He glanced at her shyly as he fished out the cards, "A few men approached me after the last match. They told me they were managers from professional teams."
"Jude, that's great," Lily beamed, eyes glittering. She took the cards he held out. Her eyes widened in disbelief, "Puddlemere United, Montrose Magpies, Ballycastle Bats, Wimbourne Wasps, Falmouth Falcons, Chudley Cannons, Appleby Arrows, Jude, these are amazing offers."
She raised an eyebrow confusedly when she noticed his despondent nature, "Why are you so apprehensive about your future then?" They walked into the courtyard where some students were sleeping on the stone benches.
Jude shrugged, a slight frown on his lips, "I don't know. James and Emma are gonna get such prestigious jobs. I'd just be a professional athlete. That's not…I don't know."
"Oh," Lily nodded understandingly. "You're afraid they're gonna judge you for choosing to be a professional quidditch player."
"I know. I know I shouldn't think like that but I just-"
"Jude," Lily cut him off gently. "After all you've been through this year; I'm surprised you haven't been thinking like that." She placed a hand on his arm, eyes casted down. "I'm sorry."
Jude shook his head, "It's fine. It wasn't your fault. I don't blame you."
Lily glared though it held no animosity, "Jude, you shouldn't be so forgiving. What James did, what we all did to you was wrong. We turned our backs on you."
"I punched your father. What were you supposed to do?"
"Support you, listen to you because you're our friend! You can't just accept everything that happened like it was nothing. We know it hurt you, Jude. You shouldn't be afraid to tell us that it did."
Jude swallowed dryly, ignoring his wet eyes, "I don't want James to get mad again. I don't want Emma to leave because James is leaving. I want everything to go back to normal."
Lily sighed sympathetically, "It will, Jude, but you can't sweep all this under the rug because you're afraid of what James might say. You're his friend but most of all, you're his equal. Just tell him how you feel and accept the fact that we all have a lot of making up to do for you."
"Okay," Jude exhaled heavily, nodding. "I'll talk to James and Emma about it all."
"Good," Lily smiled. She held up the business. "Now let's go over which teams will be better for you in the long run."
The smile on Jude's face couldn't possibly show how happy he was at this moment. The expanding of his chest and the fullness of his heart was something he believed he would never get to feel again, but he was mistaken.
And he was glad for it.
Jude hurried out of George's store, panicking and hoping that he wasn't late to meet Chloe, James, and Emma at Three Broomsticks. He feared what would happen if Chloe and James met again after everything that happened.
He had meant to go straight to the Three Broomsticks but George had called him into his shop to apologize for what happened at the wedding. He had wanted to dismiss the man but he remembered what Lily said, so he struck a deal with George and jokingly asked for an armful of his products free.
George was eager to comply which surprised the young man but he took advantage of the jokester's groveling and took whatever he wanted.
Now he had to make it to the pub before Chloe or James did.
"Jude?" He turned around at the sound of his name, his eyes widening in surprise when he saw a now familiar face.
"Bonnie? What are you doing here?"
Bonnie smiled slightly as she stepped next to him, "I thought I'd see you. A friend of mine told me some awful things happened to you these past few months."
Jude bounced his eyebrows, lips in a tight line. "Yeah, awful." He gazed up at the woman and shook his head, "You didn't have to come check on me, you know? I thought I made it clear last time-"
"I know, I know," Bonnie nodded, holding up her hands. "I was just a little concerned. I may not be your mother, but I thought I could be a civil acquaintance."
An acquaintance with the woman who gave birth to him and then cast him aside because she never wanted him in the first place? He could do worse.
Jude sighed heavily, "I'm fine right now. I was healed recently and the curse that was on my friend was lifted. Everything's back to normal." He smiled slightly, Thank you for your concern."
"No problem, Jude," Bonnie smiled back. "And I know you're still hesitant about all of this, but I hope you liked the olive branch I extended."
"Olive branch?" Jude raised his eyebrow questioningly.
Bonnie nodded as she began walking away, "I may be out of the wizarding world, but I still have a few contacts in the quidditch business." She waved over her shoulder. "I'll be seeing you, Jude."