Chapter 15

The pitch was empty. Spring break had come and instead of staying in like he used to, Jude decided to go to the Leaky Cauldron with Neville once he was finished grading. He only chose to do so when Emma and James left to their own houses. Usually when it was just Emma, he and James would stay and just play random games. Now for some reason, James felt it better to go home with his family.

Jude couldn't stop him even if he wanted to. He didn't want to be the one who held James back when he felt he needed to do something, and since he felt their friendship was still on fragile rocks, he knew it was best for James to work out whatever was going on in his mind with his family if he didn't feel comfortable telling his friends.

So he spent the day flying around the pitch, waiting for Neville to finish so the two could go home to Hannah. It wouldn't be long, but even a few hours without Emma and James made him bored out of his mind.

"I knew I'd find you here," A familiar voice called out from below.

Jude moved his gaze down and felt a grin form on his lips when he saw Professor Harmon gazing up at him from the pitch. "Professor Harmon, what are you doing here?" He greeted, lowering the broom to the ground.

Meghan huffed lightly as the boy dismounted, "I don't even get a hi?" She grinned wolfishly when the young male began to sputter, "I'm just messing with you, Porter." She ruffled his hair and ignored his narrowed eyes, "So what are you still doing here? Neville said you were going home with him this year."

"You still keep in touch with Neville?" Jude questioned a bit dubiously, staring at her with a raised eyebrow while leaning on his broom. "I mean, why wouldn't you keep in touch with Professor Alexander? You seemed closer to her than anyone else here."

The professor glared at him lightly. She put her finger on his forehead and pushed him with a strength he was not expecting. She shook her head as the boy rubbed his forehead, "Your professor and I have bit of history that you don't need to know about. And besides, I'm friends with everyone here."

She nudged the boy's shoulder with her knuckles, "Enough about me. What's got you so sad? I don't think I've ever seen you with that type of face when you're on the pitch."

Jude rubbed his shoulder, shrugging, "Guess I'm feeling a little down. This is the first time I'm going home. It's not like I'm not happy to go with Neville and Hannah, but…" He trailed off, trying to find the exact words to describe this crippling slump he was in.

"You miss your friends," Meghan ended.

"Yeah," He nodded a bit sadly. "This year's been a rollercoaster ride and it doesn't seem to be getting better."

Meghan patted his shoulder reassuringly, "Don't worry so much, Porter. You're young. Not much can happen that will make your life horrible." She winced when the boy stared in disbelief, "I didn't really believe myself there either."

She exhaled heavily, "All I'm saying is, yes, you may have a hard time right now, but things will look up. Potter and Thorne will maybe get their heads out of their butts and realize they like each other. That'll solve at least 10 of your problems." The two shared a laugh at that.

"Jude."

The two turned to find Neville waving to them. Jude smiled at his former professor, "Thanks, Professor Harmon. It was nice seeing you again."

"You too, Jude."

Time at home was refreshing for Jude. He didn't realize he craved for a change of scenery until dinner came around and he, Neville, and Hannah were talking about the past few months they hadn't seen each other. The warmth he felt from the two of them was the same he felt from James and Emma, but there was a feel to it he never got from his friends.

They were a family, he thought to himself. His first family since his parents died.

A knock on the door caught his attention. Jude shut his book as he answered, "Come in."

Neville came in, a small smile on his lips, "Just wanted to catch you before you went to sleep. You feeling better?"

"I'm fine," Jude mumbled as the older male sat in front of him on his bed. He tapped his textbook, "I'm just practicing the patronus spell. I can't seem to get it to make a form yet."

"Patronus?" Neville raised an eyebrow. "I didn't even try to make one until my 5th year and even then it was hard to do. Why are you working on it now?"

Jude shrugged, "Just something Emma, James, and I wanted to do as a group. We even found the animals we could change into if we were animagi."

Neville grinned slightly, "Really? And what are you guys planning to do with those?"

"Rule the world, obviously," Jude joked, garnering a laugh from the other male. "No. We just wanted to do something that would put us ahead of our other classmates. With everything that's happened these past few years, it'd be nice to be one step ahead."

"I know that feeling," Neville stated. "When I was in my 5th year, Harry, Hermione, and Ron created Dumbledore's Army so we could stop Voldemort. I actually still have my coin." He reached into his pocket and took out a golden coin that had DA on it.

Jude gazed at it, slight awe in his blue eyes, "That's wicked. Does everyone have those?"

"Everyone who joined, yes," Neville responded as he put the coin away. He smiled softly at the younger male, "Jude, I know you're going through a lot, and it must be hard for you, but I just wanted you to know that Hannah and I are here for you whenever you need us. You don't have to be afraid to tell us anything."

Jude stared at Neville, feeling the same warmth flood through his veins. He nodded, "Don't worry, I won't."

Neville nodded back, "Okay." He stood, patting the younger boy's head and putting away the text book before walking to the door.

"Goodnight, Dad," Jude said softly.

Hand frozen on the doorknob, Neville turned to find Jude with his back towards the door. He gave a small grin and left the room.