Chapter 3

Now being in 4th year, classes hadn't changed much, but Jude still sometimes felt it would be best if he got rid of at least one class. He would've done it last year, but with everything with the beasts and the chamber, he didn't have time. That and because he didn't want to deal with Emma's glaring throughout the rest of the year, and he didn't want to leave James to fend for himself.

He just didn't know what to do now. He really didn't feel like taking any classes that he took just so he didn't have to take Arithmancy or Ancient Runes. Seriously, he didn't know how Emma was able to stand those classes. Talking about them made him want to go to sleep.

His first class of the year was Care of Magical Creatures, and once again, James was laughing when the animals wouldn't leave him alone. Jude didn't dislike them for it, he just really wished they wouldn't try to sit next to him when Hagrid was teaching. It was a bit awkward. The lesson was just listening to Hagrid talk about their upcoming assignment with nifflers.

He then had Charms with James and Emma. Professor Lively was just as fun as she was last year, and they learned way more spells than they did last year. It was nice to finally learn how to summon things. It made things much easier than before when he couldn't find things.

After Charms, they had lunch where Jude tried to eat as much as he could like always. He never liked going to class on an empty stomach. Especially going to a class like Muggle Studies. He needed to be at full function or else he'd get glares from not only Emma but Professor Wainscot as well. He wasn't strong enough for that.

Once they were done with Muggle Studies, they went on to History of Magic with Professor Alexander. While Professor Alexander was always a happy camper unless she was in the presence of Adrian Conners, anyone could sense that she wasn't giving 100% in the lesson for them or any other students.

Rumors went around at dinner saying that the only reason she was like that was because Professor Harmon was away. Some said it was because the two were best friends, others said it was because they were way more.

Jude didn't really care what they said. He just felt bad for both professors, especially since Harmon got caught by that werewolf because she was with him and his friends. It wasn't his fault, he knew that; it was Lazarus' fault.

At midnight, they had Astronomy with Professor Neal. While Jude didn't normally care for the stars and planets, he felt at ease knowing seeing the dark sky and the twinkling stares in his vision. It was the one time so far this year where he felt happy. He only blamed himself for that though.

The next day, he and the rest of the Gryffindor 4th years went to Transfiguration with Professor Walton. That was the one class Jude really excelled at on his own. He didn't know why, but it was like it was in his blood to know the subject so greatly. It was also the only class he and James were better than Emma at.

She was more of an every other class girl.

After some fun times in the common room and lunch, they had gone to History of Magic again, and this time Jude could spy the puffiness of Professor Alexander's eyes. She must really like Professor Harmon for it to effect her this much. Then again, being bit by a werewolf really changes a person; so Emma and James said.

Potions was next with Professor Young, and Jude and James needed all the help they could get from Emma. Though James kept to himself, even ruining his potion, when Leon came to their desks as well. Jude felt bad for James and Emma, but what could he do; they were 14 and neither of them knew the extent of their feelings for one another.

On Wednesday, Jude's and James' first class was Divination while Emma had to get up earlier to go to Arithmancy. Once again, Professor Trelawney was being a bit mental, as James put it, but Jude didn't have the heart to drop the class as he first thought.

After lunch and Potions, they saw their new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor; a Professor Steven Wilson. He had dirty blond hair and twinkling blue eyes that most of the girls and boys swooned at. Jude was just glad he didn't get any creepy vibes from him like he did with the former Professor Miles.

The man was kind, smart, and he didn't make anyone feel like an idiot when they didn't understand the spell the first time. Jude was already liking him; but damn it, James, he wasn't swooning.

Throughout the week, the trio had pleasant times in class. They had only wished Professor Alexander would get better and that Professor Wilson wasn't a dark wizard like a couple of his predecessors.

Jude could only hope and wish, but wishing never did him any good.

"I don't know," Jude mumbled as he bit into his delicious meal during supper. "I just don't wanna drop Divination just yet. I know you're planning on it, James, but I don't know if I should yet."

James scoffed, stabbing the meat on his plate, "You're just scared you'll break 'Ol Trelawney's heart."

"Shut up," Jude hissed lowly.

Emma snorted in the cup of pumpkin juice she was drinking, "Really, Jude. It's not like a teacher notices just one student. It won't make a difference if you drop it or not."

Jude grimaced, "You don't see her, Emma. Every time I'm in her class, she treats me like I'm some kind of treasure. It's weird, but I don't wanna hurt her feelings."

"Just rip it off like a band aid," James mumbled around his mashed potatoes.

Their redheaded friend rolled her eyes at the dark eyed boy, "I see which one of you actually has feelings."

"I have feelings."

"Oh, right."

Jude sighed as the two began bickering in front of him. They were like an old married couple, and he'd seen that many times. At least Neville and Hannah never bickered as much as these two did. He didn't know if he could handle that.

"Hey, Porter!"

The blue eyed boy cringed when he heard an all too familiar voice approach his end of the table. He turned around, finding a slightly subdued Carlos and a quiet Jared. "W-what can I do for you?"

Carlos shuffled his feet nervously. Jared rolled his eyes at his friends before taking the newspaper from the boy's hand and handing it to Jude, "You've made front page, mate."

Jude furrowed his brow as he read the text in front of him. "What the…?" He breathed in disbelief as he saw the moving photo of a man being hauled away by Aurors.

"What is it?" Emma asked worriedly.

Numbly, Jude handed her the newspaper. She and James read over it, the small print revealing 47 year old wizard Sherlock Smith was arrested on Sunday after Aurors found that the man was threatening to take 14 year old Jude Porter's life. Many have heard of Jude Porter over the last 3 years as the boy who is fighting a man named Liam Lazarus whose only intent is to terrorize the poor boy. Is Smith innocent, or is he another left over Death Eater willing to do anything to get his dark lord back?

"This can't be real," Jude whispered desperately.