Chapter 12

It was that time of year again. The time where the snow was falling, as it had been for weeks, and people were singing their hearts out on Christmas carols. If Jude had liked those kinds of songs before, he really didn't have a favorite anymore, especially since Carlos sang one every single morning. Now he knew their friendship, if he could even call it that, was tentative since their making up, he really just wanted the boy to be quiet.

Though, thankfully, he wasn't staying to hear anymore of that music. No, like the two years before, he was going to the Burrow to celebrate Christmas with Neville, Hannah, the Weasleys, and the Potters while Emma was spending this Christmas with her family instead. He just hoped it would be a bit better this year, though there was no guarantee since Harry and Albus still disliked him.

It was fine. He didn't like them all that much either. Besides, at least he had James, Lily, and Ginny on his sides. They were the better Potters, he always thought.

"Are you okay?" Lily asked a bit worriedly after he left the bathroom.

Jude gave her a reassuring smile, hitching his thumb towards behind him, "Yeah, I just had to let go of my breakfast. Apparation doesn't agree with me, but it's the fastest way to travel, so I bear it for Hannah and Neville."

Lily giggled at his feigned exasperation. He chuckled with her, trying to settle the tremors that raced through his body from the moment when he stepped foot on the Weasley property. He always knew it was coming, but he could never stop the nausea that slammed into him every time he apparated with Hannah or Neville. He hated to think how he'd have to travel when he was older.

The red head in front of him cleared her throat, slowly rocking on her heels as she spoke, "I just wanted to thank you for saving me from the chamber. It was very brave of you."

"You're welcome," Jude replied, his smile becoming small. "I just wish Lazarus hadn't gone after you. His fight is with me, not any of you. So I'm sorry you had to be involved like that."

Lily shook her head with a frown, "No, it's not your fault. It's not like you asked him to take me. He's just a horrible, big headed dark wizard who thought he could do whatever he wants. It's not your fault, so don't blame yourself."

The smile grew softer as he stared into Lily's brown eyes, "Thanks, Lily. I'll remember that."

The girl stared at his suddenly shining blue eyes and blushed, walking away stiffly. She sat next to Ginny who glanced over and chuckled before rubbing her daughter's shoulder.

Jude watched her, raising an eyebrow confusedly. He shrugged and walked over to where James was speaking with Fred, Teddy, Louis, and Roxanne. He sat with them, grinning along with James recounting the last quidditch game. He laughed when Louis interjected with a loud voice and flailing arms.

Once there was a lull in the conversation, he excused himself to the kitchen where he found Mrs. Weasley hard at work with pots and pans flying every where. He cleared his throat weakly, "Do you need any help, Mrs. Weasley?"

Mrs. Weasley shook her head frantically, "Oh, while I would love some, Jude deary, I don't want to make you work on your days off."

He smiled, walking over to the stove, "It's fine, Mrs. Weasley. Before I went to Hogwarts, I made breakfast, lunch, and dinner for myself and the man I lived with. He would never make anything so I had to learn."

While he had been better than an amateur growing up, he never realized how close he was to the stove until now. His eyes widened when his sleeve caught fire, but like always, he couldn't feel anything.

Mrs. Weasley gasped, shooting a water spell at him before bringing his hand to the sink, pulling up the sleeve of the jumper she had given him 2 years ago. Ever since he got it, it was the only thing he wore all throughout winter.

"What…?" Molly gasped when she saw his unmarred skin. "I could've sworn…you…the fire it was there on your arm."

Jude slowly took his arm back with a forced smile, "I guess it wasn't on there long enough." He chuckled nervously, "Let's get back to the cooking, shall we?"

Ignoring the matriarch's confused and questioning stare, he walked back over to the stove, trying to help in any way he could. It seemed a bit difficult since most of the stuff in the kitchen was either being powered by or made by magic. Manuel labor didn't seem like an option, but damn it, he wanted to help.

Almost 2 hours later found him exhausted while happily eating the food Mrs. Weasley set out on the dining table. He was seated between James and Neville. Across from him was Lily who would make eye contact for a brief moment before averting her gaze.

He still didn't know what was going on with her.

The gift exchange was always nice for him since he spent most of his life thinking he never got one because he didn't deserve it. Most of the things he got were clothes from the adults. James had gotten him a jersey with the Puddlemere United insignia, Lily had gotten him a journal, and the rest of them gave him some stuff for his broom.

Before long, everyone went to their respective rooms to go to sleep. Jude was surprised many were still awake to open presents; even he thought he'd pass out from that filling meal.

Jude stayed in the kitchen even in the dead of night, making himself a cup of hot cocoa while the others slept. He didn't feel like going asleep. Around this time of year, he always got nightmares and he really didn't want a repeat of that.

He glanced up when he heard footsteps coming closer. He exhaled in relief when he saw Lily walk in, "Hi."

"Hi," Lily mumbled, rubbing her eye tiredly. She blinked, sniffing the air, "Is that cocoa I smell?"

Jude chuckled, lifting his cup, "It is. I didn't feel like sleeping and this was always the thing to keep me up through the night." He took a sip, raising a curious eyebrow, "What are you doing up?"

Lily exhaled heavily, sitting next to him, "Nightmares."

"I hear ya," He muttered, pushing his cup down the table in hopes it would comfort her. "Is it Lazarus related?"

The red head took a sip of the cocoa, slowly nodding, "Sometimes when I close my eyes, I can still see him. The only thing he told me before he knocked me out was that he need your blood and that your heart would make you come looking for me."

Jude gave a small nod, staring at the table, "He wasn't wrong."

"I'm glad he wasn't," Lily whispered with a smile.

The blue eyed boy chuckled lightly, taking the cup she held out to him. He took a sip, letting the sugar and steam open his heavy eyes a bit more. He gave it back to her and patted her hand, "It's a good thing he's gone now."

Lily glanced at him, her brow furrowed, "Do you really believe that?" Doubt coated her tone heavily.

"No," Jude sighed deeply. "But everyone else believes it." He shrugged, running his hands through his hair as he yawned, "Maybe it'll make me feel better if I start believing it."

"Me too," Lily murmured, leaning closer to him.

Jude smiled in slight amusement, "You cold?" He put his arm around her, feeling her shivering something fierce.

Lily leaned in closer, basking in his warmth with a happy sigh, "You're not." She snuggled into his side, both blushing without the other noticing, "James told me you never get cold. Even in the harshest weather, he says all you wear is some light clothing. I think he's a bit jealous that you have some kind of super power."

He snorted, his head lolling a bit to the side where Lily's head was at,"I guess I'm just immune to weather." He inhaled deeply, feeling his eyelids fall despite his attempts to keep them up, "I think I'm going to sleep. Sorry."

"Me too."

Ginny found the two the next morning curled tightly around the other. When they woke up, they jumped away from each other as if they were burning. They didn't make eye contact the rest of the day, but Jude was happy to find out that he didn't have any nightmares.