Chapter 22

The air was filled with smoke so thick it was almost suffocating the witches and wizards who were trying to save the school from the nightmare that was the Inferi. As Jude learned from his teachers and now from experience, these dead creatures were not going to go down with regular spells that would take down a living being easily.

No, they had to rely on running out of their path, conjuring a patronus or any other light based spell, or fire. Fire was the only thing to take them down permanently, but too much of it might put the living down too, and they couldn't risk that.

Try as he might, the fire Jude usually felt, the roar that was always in his chest, was diminished and he knew it wouldn't be strong enough if he actually did bring it out, considering the fact that there were just too many of the creatures. He wasn't fighting against beasts or against Lazarus and his death eaters which was why it was so hard for his anger to rise over his fear.

Jude panted as he kicked an Inferius away from him. He swallowed dryly, feeling his saliva coat the dryness of his throat. He turned to James who ended up next to him, "What are we gonna do? We can't keep going like this."

"Gotta get them cornered," James breathed heavily, spitting on the ground. He wiped the sweat off his brow, "They're coming at us too fast, and even with all the teachers here, we can't slow them down."

"Either a firestorm or a large, strong patronus could do the trick, but no one has enough energy to do that," Emma commented as she halted next to them. She had a small cut on her chin and she was sweating profusely, but other than that she didn't look too tired.

"I can't even think about making a patronus, much less one that will take these things down," James said, shooting off a light spell to get one of the Inferi that was getting very close to Professor Wilson. He turned to his friends, raising his eyebrow, "Do either of you have a plan as to how we're going to kill these things?"

Jude licked his dry lips, his legs trembling anxiously as he tried to rack his brain for ideas. He wasn't like James or Emma; he didn't know enough about the wizarding world to think of something on the fly. Anything he came up with would just be shot down because everything he thought of would just be a fantasy.

When he saw the look of desperation and fear cross his professors' faces, he knew that no matter what he came up with, it was better than nothing.

"What about a patronus that comes from all three of us?" He asked, knowing he sounded pretty stupid when his friends turned to him incredulously. He shrugged, his hands shaking as he shot a spell at the Inferi, "I-I'm just saying. Ha-has anyone done it before? Maybe it's not impossible." He pressed his foot on an Inferius' face and kicked it away, "Maybe we should try it."

James and Emma exchanged looks before turning back to him. He was relieved when they began walking towards him. At least they were desperate enough to participate in the outrageous idea as well.

"What do you think will come out of this?" James asked as he and Emma stood on each side of Jude. "How would one even create a patronus together?"

Jude grimaced, holding his wand out, "Just…put the tips of our wands together and keep in contact. Maybe it'll work."

The three of them put the tips of their wands together. James gripped Jude's shoulder, Emma placed her arm around Jude's waist while Jude kept his hand on James' back.

Jude could see their hands trembling but he knew it was now or never. He closed his eyes tightly, taking a deep breath that only brought him more of the smoke filled air, "Expecto Patronum. Expecto Patronum."

Wisps of white began floating out of his wand. James and Emma began chanting with him as well, "Expecto Patronum! Expecto Patronum!"

And suddenly, it was as if they were seeing their lives through each other's eyes.

James could see the day he met Jude and felt great relief and happiness at meeting someone who knew nothing about him or his family and wanted nothing more than to be his friend. He could see Emma reading A History of Magic while chewing on her muggle pen even though she was writing with her quill. He felt a swelling in his chest but still didn't know what to make of it; all he knew was that it made him feel warm and full.

Emma could see the day she and Jude stayed at Hogwarts for Christmas break. They bonded over their muggle interests, and she felt happy that someone was taking the time out of their life to get to know her and relate to her interests. She could see James standing in front of Jude, his protective aura washing over her. No matter where she was, she knew she was safe when James was around.

Jude could see his friends. He could see every day he spent with them. He felt the love that they showed him cling to him. He never felt like he belonged until he met James and Emma, and every day they made him feel more loved. They went out of their way to care for him, to protect him from the dark terrors that were after him.

They loved each other, and no matter if this was their end or not, they would die holding each other because that's all they ever wanted to do.

"Expecto Patronum!"

A large, bright, white dragon flew from the combined tips of their wands. With wide eyes, they watched as it shined its light every where, causing the Inferi to scream and halt their movements. The older witches and wizards watched in awe as its power outshone anything they could've come up with.

James nudged Jude dazedly, his mind still reeling at their patronus and the happy memories and emotions flowing through him, "Now would be a good time to take them out."

Jude nodded jerkily, "Oh, right."

He didn't know how he was going to bring out fire when he was so happy he could easily float in the air, but he knew he had to try. Even if bringing out bad thoughts would cause the dragon to dissipate, this was their last chance at beating the Inferi.

Imagine his surprise when he clenched his fist and a fire hotter than ever before burst onto his sleeves. Maybe love burned bright than anger?

"Is that all of them?" Meghan asked as the sky began lightening.

Jude nodded, patting out the flames on his arms, "I think so."

"Good," Professor Young gave a wide smile that made the three students uneasy. She then grabbed Jude by the hood of his sweater roughly, "Because you three are in so much trouble. Again."