Chapter 14

There were many reasons why Jude disliked Albus Severus Potter. For one, he was whiny. He glared at him every time they so much as passed in the halls. Two, he was one of the reasons James was so miserable. Not only had James felt that he was unloved by his parents, his father almost solidified that thought with how many times he brushed him off in favor of Albus. And three, he was always, always trying to take his spot on the field.

Jude understood why some people found it unfair. He did come on the team on his first year. The only other person to do that was Harry Potter; Jude cringed at having that in common with him. With being on the team since his first year, he had an extra year of having seniority over anyone who wanted to take his position. Add that in with the fact that the team never lost a match with him as the seeker.

Albus found it unfair, but Jude didn't care. He found it unfair that Albus got Harry's firebolt when surely that should've been given to James who was older and player on a harder position.

Besides, James and Emma never complained even though he had an extra year of seniority which meant that he was in the running to become captain because of it. They never said a word of protest about it. Louis surely didn't complain when he caught whiff that Jude was most likely going to be captain when Kelli graduated. Hell, he wanted him to be captain because he didn't want that responsibility.

How did Albus retaliate after all these facts? He wanted a match against Jude in who was overall the best seeker.

"I'm not doing it," Jude reiterated his previous statement when Albus brought out the proposition once they got on the pitch for practice. "Just because you're pissy that you can't take my position doesn't mean I have to do everything you say. I'm not trying to get on your good side, Potter. I don't feel sorry for you. I know that's probably the first time you've heard that."

Albus sneered, "You're going to play against me."

Jude scoffed at his absurdity, "No, I'm really not. Not an ounce of me cares that you're sad because you're a reserve. Lily's a reserve and you don't hear her whining."

The tips of Albus' ears became red as he gritted his teeth and gripped his broom tightly, "So I can just tell the captain that you forfeit."

"It's not a forfeit if I'm not playing to begin with."

"Come on, Porter," Leon jeered from his spot next to Louis and Simon. "What? Are you scared Little Potter's gonna beat you?"

James glared at the reserve beater but did not comment. Jude didn't hold it against his best friend. Anything he said, Albus would probably tell his dad about it. Emma was silent, but she couldn't exactly say anything either.

Jude dragged his hand over his face exasperatedly, "Merlin, it's like you guys don't understand." He straightened, gaze locking onto his reserve's, blue hitting green. He shook his head and gave a small shrug, "You can cry all you want about wanting my spot. I don't care. You can get everyone in the school to back you up, but Kelli's word is final. I'm not giving up my spot to you, so you can stop your whining."

As he turned away, he heard Albus give an angered shout before grabbing his arm. Jude locked eyes with him once more, feeling a familiar roar in his chest at the other boy's persistence. The blue eyed boy was surprised when James and Emma grabbed onto him next, their eyes wide and cautious.

The fire. They were scared the fire was going to start on him again.

He exhaled deeply, trying to calm himself, "You know what? Fine. I'll play, but when you lose, I want you to stop with your whining until I'm gone. No more crying because you're not able to play even though you're a year younger than me."

Albus glared at him but nodded. It seemed like he was pretty confident in his arrangement that he didn't cut the deal right then and there.

Leon smirked, grabbing a golf ball that was next to the box of the balls they played with, "Well, shall we start then?" He waited for the two seekers to get onto their brooms before he threw the ball as hard as he could in the sky.

Both boys shot off on their brooms. Jude felt the wind whipping at his face, the warm sun pressing heat into his dark trousers. It didn't deter him; he was used to heat as much as he was used to the cold.

He leaned his body flat on the broom, making note that Albus wasn't that far from him. The other boy was at his shins and trying hard to catch up once the ball was falling. His gloved hands tightened on his broom as he forced himself to fly at an even quicker pace.

The next move that took place, he shouldn't have been surprised considering what he knew the other boy was capable of. After all, he knew it was him who cursed the bludger to break his arm on the first game.

Jude felt the air rush out of him as he fell off his broom. He tried not to panic, even though his heart was hammering away, almost trying to burst out of his chest. There was no way anyone would count that as a win since everyone saw Albus kick his leg.

But it shouldn't have come as a surprise when he felt his broom between his legs, as if it belonged there. It always came to his rescue, and he loved the broom almost as much as he loved his friends.

With a grin, Jude let himself shoot back up. He was moving fast, faster than he ever did when he was practicing or playing a match. He flew up and caught the golf ball, flying right past Albus' outstretched hand.

He slow lowered himself to the ground, trying not to let his triumph show as he held the golf ball, displaying it for his teammates to see. Louis and Simon cheered while he turned to the glowering Albus and tossed the ball to him, "Remember our deal. You're not going to play until I'm gone."

"You brought this upon yourself," Kelli's voice floated in. Sheepishly, they all turned to their captain. She waved them off as she stared at Albus, "The best thing about this whole thing was that you didn't even care if my word was law on this team." She passed by him, bumping his shoulder, "If I was captain the next year, I'd have you benched until I was gone."

She turned to her teammates, "Well, what are you lot waiting for? Let's start practice already. Stop lollygagging."

They all got onto their brooms quickly, shooting off into the air after her.