Chapter 4
The sun was shining and there was not one cloud shining in the sky. It was a beautiful day, really. So beautiful, that Kelli decided to have the tryouts today. Really, Jude could already see that she was going with Olivia's plan of attack. Though, he thought to himself. Olivia chose whatever day her gut told her was the best. That's why their second year, when days were filled with nothing but storms, she chose any day since it didn't seem they were going to let up.
Either way, Jude was just glad that his spot on the team was more secure this year than it was last year. Other than the new captain and Louis, he had been on the team longer than anyone else so he had seniority over his position.
Take that, Albus Severus.
Jude walked onto the pitched with James and Emma. Leon and Albus were a few paces behind them. Kelli was standing in the middle with Simon and Louis by her side. A glance to one end of the pitch showed the new people that were trying out. Jude smiled when he saw Lily and Hugo among them.
Once they were on the pitch, the blonde captain cleared her throat, "Right then. Now that Olivia has graduated, I've been elected as captain. It may only be for a year, but you will still do as I say just as you did what Olivia said. We've got a spot to fill; keeper. Most people that are trying out are going for either that or chaser. Though we are filled on every spot, we may need reserves since you lot can't seem to stop getting injured."
James coughed awkwardly while Jude glanced everywhere but at Kelli. The new captain sighed deeply, "Anyways. Potter, Thorne; you're with each other. You're going to see who our new chaser alternates are going to be. Potter #2, you're with Porter.
When Albus began to protest, she cut him off quickly and firmly, "He still has seniority over you by 2 years, so no trying to take his spot. No matter how good you, your siblings, and your parents are; you'll never be as good and as lucky as Jude when it comes to seeking. We haven't lost a single game since he's been our seeker, and I'm not about to end that streak just because you're pouty. Olivia gave you a chance, and you lost."
Jude put a hand over his mouth, smothering the smug grin that had erupted on his lips. He gave Kelli a discreet thumbs up while Albus fumed, his Firebolt clutched tightly in his hands.
Kelli rolled her eyes, "Anyways. Boone, Weasley; you're taking beater alternates. Adams, you can either go with the chasers or the beaters. You're choice today. I'm going to be seeing who our new keeper is. Now, off with you lot."
The rest of them mounted their brooms and flew into the air while Kelli went to the newbies trying out. Jude floated on Lightningbolt, his head resting on his arms while he stared at James and Emma talk to Lily and some of the newbie chasers.
He smiled when the new members started their training session. Lily easily maneuvered through everyone, even her own brother. Everyone was impressed. James had to right himself on his broom before chasing after her. None of them should have been surprised. James was a great player himself, and though he had never seen Albus play, Jude had to begrudgingly admit the boy was great as well. It was obvious Lily was going to be just as good and spectacular as them.
At the end of the tryouts, Kelli dismissed them and told them she announce the results tomorrow. Before he could follow his teammates, the new captain pulled him by the hood, "I need to talk to you, Porter."
Jude exchanged confused glances with his friends. James shrugged, "I'll wait for you here, mate."
Emma gave him a small smile, "I'm going to change. I hope that's alright."
The blue eyed boy waved to his friends as he was pulled into the captain's room. He'd never been in there before, but Louis told him that it was the room where the captain would come up with the plays for future games.
The room wasn't very big. The space was mostly taken by the chalkboard in the middle of the room with a table and chair in front of it. There was some spare equipment in the corner, and on the walls were moving pictures of every quidditch captain for Gryffindor since the beginning.
Jude narrowed his eyes at Harry Potter's solemn face on one of the latest pictures. He smiled when he spied Ginny's grinning face. He then tilted his head curiously when he saw Olivier Wood; Olivia's father. So that's what he looked like.
"Porter." Kelli's voice knocked him out of his reverie. She crossed her arms, her broom lying on the table behind her, "As you know, it's my last year at Hogwarts, which means I only get to be captain for this year. Now I'm not bitter or anything; Olivia was a great captain and I'm glad to have been on her team. But I have to put in word about who will be the next captain."
Jude swallowed dryly when he realized what she was getting at. Kelli sighed, bringing her green eyes to him, "Obviously Weasley isn't going to be captain, and you're the only one I really trust. I know you're barely going to be a 5th year, but Olivia was younger than you when she became captain. And she wanted you to be captain as well." She gave a small smile, "Porter, you've got a gift coming. Don't muck it up and don't tell anyone about this."
"I-I won't," Jude breathed happily, his eyes bright behind his glasses. He grinned widely, "Thank you so much for this, cap. You won't regret it. Truly, you won't."
"Don't make me."
Jude tittered out of the captain's room on light feet. James raised a bemused eyebrow as the two made their way to the locker room. Once they got there, they put their broomsticks away and began changing.
James cleared his throat as he buttoned his shirt, "So, Jude. I was wondering…what your thoughts were on that whole Sherlock Smith thing?"
"Oh…" Jude trailed off, his hands straightening his tie. His delighted mood dampened a bit at the thought of a new wizard threatening his life. "I…I don't really know. I mean, they could just be saying that for attention. We don't have any proof or anything. Neville and Hannah never noticed anything suspicious. I think it's best not to dwell on it."
"If you say so," James muttered, tugging on his sweater vest. "I'm just saying we should more than likely look into it."
Jude hummed tonelessly, tugging on his robe, "Yeah."
Maybe the nightmares he was having about Lazarus were right. It wasn't over. It was just the beginning of all the horrors to come.