Chapter 9

Jude stared at the ceiling of the Gryffindor common room in immense boredom. It had been a week since the Christmas vacation had started and he was starting to feel the effects of not having James around.

He sighed, getting up from the couch and walking out of the common room. Emma said she would be in the library, finishing her homework before school started again. He would go down there, but not to do his homework. He guessed he would just be looking at the books.

He stretched and groaned as he walked into the library. Like most of the school, it was empty except for the two students who sat at the tables. He wondered if it was like this on regular school days.

He gave Emma a small smile and gestured that he would just be in the next aisle if she needed him. He began to walk down, gazing at the books, trying to find something to read. He was seriously bored out of his mind.

Once he found a book that looked interesting to read, it was something titled Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander, he was brought out of his thoughts by a shadow looming over him. "That's a good book you got there," A deeper voice said above him.

He jumped, startled and turned around quickly to gaze at the newcomer. The older boy was tall, much taller than him, obviously. He had sandy blond hair, pale blue eyes and a sharp nose. He smiled at him and Jude could see a bit of an under bite on him. He was in Slytherin, that much Jude knew since he was wearing his robe and the sigil of Slytherin was on it. There was another sigil, but Jude couldn't figure that one out; just looking at the older boy made the scars on his back burn.

"Great book, actually," The older boy spoke, glancing at the book in the other boy's hands. "I've read it a few times." He then moved his gaze to younger boy and smiled, "Sorry, it seems I'm very bored at the moment."

Jude blinked slowly, "U-uh yeah. I get it. I'm a bit bored myself." He glanced at the book in the older boy's hand. "You're reading about the Wizarding Wars?"

The blond grinned widely, "Oh yes. This book really captures my interest. It talks about how the Wizarding War came to be. I love reading about Tom Riddle and how he tried to gain power."

Jude tilted his head, "Yeah, but wasn't he stopped by Harry Potter? That's what my friends say."

The blond's grin slowly faded into a scowl, "Yes that is true. I have to say, Tom Riddle was a man to be reckoned with. No one was as great as him."

"What about Albus Dumbledore?" Jude piped up questioningly. He didn't get how someone was such an enthusiast of Voldemort. From what he heard from James and Emma, Voldemort and his army of Death Eaters killed so many witches and wizards.

The blond rolled his eyes before putting on a small, tight smile, "You gotta look on both sides of the coin, okay?" He held out his hand, "I'm Lazarus, by the way. Liam Lazarus. I'm a 6th year and a prefect."

Jude tentatively shook his hand, wincing when he felt the scars on his back burn fiercely. "Jude Porter. I'm a Gryffindor 1st year."

"Porter?" Liam mumbled, tilting his head curiously. "That name sounds a bit familiar to me."

Jude perked up eagerly, "Really? You've heard of my last name before? I don't think anyone has."

Liam gazed at him intensely before shrugging with a loose smile, "Maybe I mistook it for Potter. Your names are very similar."

"I guess," Jude muttered. He smiled back, "Thanks for the conversation anyways. I better get back to my friend."

Liam nodded, "Hope you enjoy the book. It really is great."

Jude nodded back as he watched the older boy's retreating back. The scars on his back were cooling down with each step the blond took. It was like he was playing a game, and he knew he had just hit a check point or something just by meeting him.