Chapter 7

Today was different. Yes, the halls of Hogwarts were filled with bustling students every day, but Jude knew today was different. The students seemed more excited, especially the older ones. He wondered what was going on. The next quidditch game wasn't until next month.

Jude turned to James as they walked down the halls quickly to get to their next class, "Do you know what's going on today? Everyone seems jittery for some reason."

James glanced at him before keeping his gaze forward, "A guest speaker comes once a year for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Many people get excited to hear from him."

"Who is he?" Jude asked as they finally made it into the class. He dropped his stuff down next to his seat and stood with James as Professor Lamb smiled at the class.

The blond man clapped his hands, "Students, I am pleased to announce that Mr. Harry Potter has come to the class to be our guest speaker." Jude blinked as the first years cheered enthusiastically. The professor laughed, "Settle down, settle down." He nodded to the man beside him as he stood in front of the class.

Harry Potter was very different from how Jude imagined him from the little information he was told about the man. The man had messy black hair, just like James, and bright green eyes behind his circular framed glasses. He was barely above average height, and was lean and muscular. James said it was because he was an auror which required much skill and training.

The man stood in front of the class with his head held high. Jude wondered how long it had taken him to stand like that. He smiled at the class, "Hello, everybody. I'm Harry Potter. Some of you may know me as the Boy-Who-Lived. I was one of the wizards who fought Voldemort and survived the killing curse twice."

Jude blinked as he heard gasps of awe and astonishment. Mostly every first year's eyes were bright and each one was listening very intently to every word Harry Potter was saying. James looked as though he had heard all of this before and he just wanted to get out of there. Jude himself tried to focus his attention on the man, but it kept floating away.

Once Harry was done talking, the first years and Professor Lamb clapped loudly for the man. Jude tapped his fingers on his palm, hoping it looked like he was clapping. James sighed, clapping his hands twice before standing and gathering his stuff.

Jude glanced at him, tilting his head curiously, "You all right, James?"

"Fine," James muttered, shoving his quill and parchment in his bag. "Just want to get to the next class is all."

Jude packed hurriedly as well, not wanting the other boy to be alone. They were halfway towards the door before they were stopped by Harry's voice, "James, aren't you going to say hello?"

Jude stared at his friend as he watched him clenched his jaw and turn to his father with a forceful smile, "Hey, Dad. It's nice to see you."

Harry noticed nothing and walked up to them, "Did you like the speech? I was a bit nervous this year since I knew you were going to be here."

"It was fine," James shrugged, his gaze still on the ground.

Harry glanced at Jude who was fidgeting awkwardly. He plastered on a smile, "Who is this, James?"

James cleared his throat, gesturing towards Jude but keeping his eyes on the floor, "Dad, this is my friend Jude Porter. Jude, this is my dad Harry Potter."

Jude stood a little straighter and held out his hand, "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Potter. I've heard a lot about you."

"James talks about me?" Harry questioned amusedly.

Jude shook his head slowly; his brow furrowed confusedly, "He says enough. I was talking about the professors and Neville."

"Neville?" Harry muttered questioningly. "You're on a first name basis with one of your professors?"

"Hannah and Neville took me in when I got kicked out of my home," Jude explained softly. "The man who was watching over me didn't like witches or wizards, I guess."

"I know how you feel," Harry nodded understandingly. "My aunt, uncle and cousin made my life hell for years. I lived in a cupboard under the stairs until I started going to school here."

Jude was taken aback; how could any person do that to another? That was cruel, and he felt that what happened with Piers was nothing. James tugged on Jude's arm, looking ready to leave, "Jude lived with a horrible man because his parents died in a fire when he was two. He has the scars on his back to prove it."

"Me too," Harry lifted his messy hair, showing the boys the lightning bolt scar on his forehead. "It used to hurt like hell, but it hasn't so much as sizzled since the war ended."

"That's nice," Jude mumbled, wondering how he was supposed to respond to that. He didn't want to say anything that would start the man up again since he knew James just wanted to leave.

Harry smiled at the two, "Well, I don't want to keep you waiting. I can't wait till next year when Albus is here. He'll love it so much."

Jude felt James stiffen and his grip on his sleeve tighten, "Well, we might be late for class, so see ya, Dad."

Jude let himself be tugged at the door. He didn't give the elder Potter a second glance as he walked out with James. He noticed his friend's eyes shine with unshed tears, and how his jaw moved slowly as he gritted his teeth. "James?" He spoke cautiously.

"Albus," James hissed tremulously. "I knew he was going to mention him. Everything's always about Albus Severus Potter."

Jude grimaced; who would ever name their child that? He sobered, bringing his attention back to his angry friend. "That's all he talks about; Albus this, Albus that. He was named after two great men. He has his grandmother's eyes. He looks just like his father." The brown eyed boy clenched his fists tightly as he mocked what his father and others had said before. "What am I? I feel like no one notices me anymore. It's always just Albus."

Jude gazed at his friend sympathetically. He put his hand on his arm, stopping him. He smiled at the confused boy, "I notice you, mate. You're the funniest, coolest guy I know, and you're my best friend. Besides, I would never be friends with anyone named Albus Severus no matter how great of men they were."

James stared at him for a moment before sniffling and breaking out into a grin. Jude never had to comfort anyone growing up, but he felt himself grow lighter when he saw his friend's beam. That was something Jude wanted to see on everyone's face.