Chapter 17

Today was always a day that made Jude nervous. What day was that, you ask? Well, it was the day that marked that last quidditch match of the year, and it would show who would win the quidditch cup for their house. Gryffindor had one it 3 times now, and Jude didn't want to disappoint Kelli by losing in this match.

He knew how fierce Ravenclaw was going to come at them. They were going to play just as hard as the other houses, and just as hard as last year. Jude beat Slytherin and Hufflepuff, and he beat Ravenclaw last year even with his stuttering heart and sweaty hands. His lucky streak, as he liked to call it, was what kept them winning. And Merlin, he was going to win this match if it was the last thing he ever did. Kelli put faith in him when Olivia couldn't. He was going to show her that it wasn't misplaced.

"You ready for this, mate?" James asked as they mounted their brooms.

Jude exhaled heavily, his hands tightening on the neck of his broom, "I guess we'll find out."

Players from both houses flew to the center of the pitch, flying next to each other as they usually did. The familiar voice of the announcer spoke, "Hello, students and staff of Hogwarts. This is Adrian Conners, coming to you live from the quidditch pitch. Today is the last match of the year, and you know what that means. That's right, folks. It's the Gryffindor lions against the Ravenclaw…well, Ravenclaws."

Jude snorted at that while many of the students laughed. Adrian chuckled, "On the Ravenclaw team, we have 6th year chaser and captain, Miss Amy Wyler." The brunette with the thin glasses narrowed her eyes at the opposite team. Jude was used to those kinds of stares now.

"For the other chasers, we have 5th years Joffrey King and Derek Star," Adrian continued. "For the beaters, we have 4th year Nicholas Benson and 5th year Robert Mattheson. For the keeper, we have 5th year Kevin Simms. And last but not least, 3rd year John Andrews for the seeker. Let's give it up for them, shall we?"

The houses cheered loudly for the Ravenclaw team. Jude glanced over to Andrews and was surprised to see him almost shaking on the broomstick. It was a bit saddening to see actually. Poor kid was probably afraid of going against him, especially after all the taunting some of the Gryffindor students did. He wouldn't be surprised if he didn't play as rough as some other seekers he knew about.

"Let's move onto the Gryffindor team," Conners said amicably. "We have our lovely captain and chaser, 7th year Kelli Sharp." Kelli gave a curt nod. She wasn't one for the whole spotlight. "Our other chasers are 4th years James Potter and Emma Thorne. Our beaters are 7th year Simon Boone and 6th year Louis Weasley. I want a huge round of applause for my best mate Louis. Don't be afraid to give him a standing ovation. I would if I wasn't holding the mic."

"Conners," Professor Alexander glowered. Jude let his shoulders slump a bit in relief; it was nice to have her back to her scolding ways. The games weren't the same without her cut ins.

Conners snickered, "Right, right. Sorry, Professor." He cleared his throat, "Onwards. Next we have the keeper, 2nd year Hugo Weasley. He's been doing great, and I'm sure he'll be even better as time goes on." Hugo blushed at that. "And lastly, we have our beloved seeker, let's hear it for 4th year Jude Porter."

"Oh, no. Conners, why?" Jude whined pitifully, lowering his head to hide his blushing cheeks. He hated being in the spotlight as much as Emma did. While he liked Conners' commentary, he always disliked his introduction of him a bit since it always brought the attention he didn't want. And it happened every time, without fail, when Conners was the announcer.

"Look at that beautiful child," Conners laughed. "Let's start this game. Professor Young will give the instructions and then they'll play."

After Professor Young gave the rules and instructions, Jude was quick to move out of the way of the chasers flying past and the bludgers that looked intent on hitting him again. He already got a concussion and a broken arm from them, he wasn't looking to have anything else injured in this match.

Jude kept his eyes and ears on alert. It was becoming easier to do so after every match. He began getting used to drowning out the announcer's voice, usually Conners, and the crowds cheers just so he could hear the zipping of the snitch's wings.

If there was one thing Jude wished he could do, it was watch his friends actually play the game. He only ever got to see his team play during practice. During the actual game, he was meant to be focused on the snitch. It was something he didn't like very much, but he'd deal with it if it meant Albus wouldn't be playing and taking his spot.

It wasn't long before he caught sight of the snitch, hovering close to the benches where the staff was gathered. He didn't know what the points were at this point in time, but he was going to end this match now.

He ignored Conners' comments on what was happening between the seekers. He ducked when a bludger got too close for comfort and raced towards the snitch that was determined to get him off his tail. A glance back showed that Andrews was behind him. Much further behind than any seeker he went against had ever been.

Was he really that scared that he wasn't even going to try?

With a shake of his head, Jude put his chest to the neck of his broom, willing it to go faster now that the snitch was nearing the ground. The gold ball was almost toying with him.

Finally, he thought to himself when he was closer to the snitch. He brought out his hand as everything else melted behind him. Nothing mattered anymore. It was only him, the snitch, and Andrews who he could feel brushing against his legs.

His hand latched onto the snitch just as a bludger charged at him. His eyes widened and, thinking on instinct alone, threw his body around. He felt the bludger graze his ribs.

Jude fell to the ground of the pitch, his broom fine on his chest. He was glad he didn't move the other way, or else his broom would've been done for. He heaved a breath, wincing when his now maybe cracked ribs protested at the movement.

He held up his hand, showing the snitch. The crowd, minus the Ravenclaw students, cheered loudly at Gryffindor's win.

The rest of the team flew down and helped him up. Kelli was beaming, like she usually did when they won the cup, and hugged him tightly. He didn't have the heart to tell her to let go of him even though he felt he might pass out.

Kelli was lifted in the air by Louis, James, and Simon. She laughed brightly and accepted the quidditch cup from Professor Young. Jude leaned on Emma, thankful she noticed his injuries.

This was a good win.

Later that night, after Jude got the okay from Madam Pomfrey, the Gryffindor common room was packed. Jude drank the punch in his hand as he watched Louis interact with his upperclassmen friends, James playing Hugo, Scorpius, Lorcan, and Lysander at Exploding Snap, and Emma and Leon converse in the corner.

He would've loved to go and play, but he wanted a bit of rest now, and this was the closest he could get without Louis and James protesting.

"You okay over here?"

Jude glanced up to find Kelli in front of him. He gave a small smile, "Yeah. The ribs are a bit sore, but sitting down will just make it worse."

Kelli smiled back as she refilled her cup of punch, "As long as you're standing, that's good for me." Before she walked away, she patted his shoulder, her eyes soft, "Thank you, Porter."

"For what?" Jude tilted his head curiously.

"For getting the snitch," Kelli replied. She chuckled when he stared in confusion, "I know you felt bad for Andrews because he was young. If you could, I know you would've thrown the game for him."

Jude scratched the back of his head, feeling an uncomfortable heat on the back of his neck, "I was that obvious?"

"No. I just know that's how you felt. Olivia knew that too whenever you went against upperclassmen as well," Kelli stated. "It's why she always told you that just because it's their first time or their last time, doesn't mean you should let yourself lose. They wouldn't do the same for you."

"Guess you're right," Jude mumbled, staring down at his punch.

Kelli ruffled his hair, "I can't wait to hear about the decisions you'll make next year, Captain."

Jude blinked, staring wide eyed as she went back to her friends. Oh yes, he almost forgot that he would be calling the shots next year since Kelli was graduating and Louis didn't want that kind of responsibility.

He could see where Louis was coming from now.