Chapter 17

If there was one thing Jude didn't like besides Lazarus, people working for Lazarus, and arrogant pricks, it was running. He didn't get why anyone would like the burning of their lungs and the dryness of their throats. The muscles in his legs were beginning to ache a bit and he still didn't know where he was going.

The worst thing was that he couldn't hear Emma's or James' fights anymore. He didn't dare let his mind slip into the inevitable thoughts.

He finally halted his running, bending over and panting harshly. His throat burned causing him to gag. He set his hands on his knees and let himself stand still in order to get his head back together and rest his straining body.

He tensed when he heard a twig snap ahead of him. He swallowed, ignoring the pain that the action caused, and straightened himself up to stare at the person in front of him. Professor Miles appeared from the shadows, smirking amusedly as he took in the boy before him.

"I'm impressed," Miles stated, putting his hands together and smiling behind them. "You guys actually managed to get those dunder heads back there."

Jude clenched his jaw, his hand twitching towards his wand, "Why are you doing this?" He already knew the answer; he just really wanted to know the reason.

Miles brought out his arms and shrugged nonchalantly, "It's simple really. We just want your blood to fulfill our mission. I just don't get why you won't cooperate. Liam was even nice enough to try and be your friend before you found everything out."

He said Lazarus' name so naturally, so casually. How long had they known each other before they started this mission? Jude mentally shook his head; he didn't care for that. He needed to find Lazarus and stop him from using the stone. "So the lightning stone really exists?"

Miles grinned widely and chuckled, "It sure does. Most elemental stones exist just like the Philosopher's Stone. It was hard finding it, I'll tell you that, but Liam wanted it since you managed to escape his grasp last time." His eyes took on a wicked glint, "He let me test it out during some of the quidditch games just to see if it actually worked."

Jude felt something in his chest begin to roar as realization dawned on him. He glared harshly at the professor, "You were the one who shot the lightning at James."

The elder male laughed almost sheepishly, "That was my bad. I meant to hit you, but for some reason, you moved out of the way and I had to get something else valuable to you. What better than your best friend James Potter whose father also took out our other great dark lord."

The blue eyed boy clenched his fists tightly, feeling his palms sting as his nails punctured the skin. The roaring in his chest grew louder the more he stared at the former professor's amused face. "You…" He growled through his gritting teeth, his body heating up. "YOU BASTARD!"

Flames ripped through his very being, heading straight towards the man. Miles yelped and ungracefully dodged out of the way. When the fire died down, the trees before them were all burned away, leaving a large clear path ahead.

Miles huffed while getting back onto his feet. He dusted himself off as he regarded the young male, "So what they said was true. You really are a hot head." He reached into his pocket, taking out his wand. He smirked, "Too bad you won't be lasting that long against me to actually see Liam."

Jude swallowed, the roar in his chest simmering down to a small dull. His hands slowly made their way to his wand as he watched Miles ready his. He had to act quickly. If Miles shot his blast fir-

"Stupefy!"

The spell shot out from behind Jude and slammed into Miles who flew into one of the still standing trees behind him. Jude turned around quickly, his heart stopping in relief when he laid eyes on James and Emma. James had a cut on his cheek while Emma had a red welt on her forehead.

He rushed up to them, taking them into his arms. He almost sobbed into their shoulders from his happiness, "Man, am I glad to see you guys."

James patted his back with his free hand while his other pointed his wand at the recuperating Miles. "Told you not to doubt us, mate. Now get going to Lazarus. We'll take care of dear old professor."

Jude sniffled, rubbing his nose as he frantically glanced towards the older male behind them, "Are you sure?"

Emma smiled reassuringly, patting his shoulder, "We've got this, Jude. Now go."

Jude bit his lip but nodded. He'd have to trust that that they knew what they were doing. His friends weren't stupid. They knew how to handle themselves. He just had to trust them.

He gave them once last nod before running off, dodging the dazed Miles who made a grab for his leg. He breathed harshly, feeling his throat and lungs burn back up when his body to exert itself once more.

"You little runt!" He heard Miles' voice shout out to him angrily. "This is the last time you'll see your little friends alive, Porter, if you don't give yourself up." He then heard him yelp once more, "What the heck is that? Gah, is that my-"

Jude shook his head and keep his feet moving. He didn't have time to stop. He had to find Lazarus and stop him once and for all. From the sounds of it, James and Emma had everything under control so everything was on him now. He could do this. He was the only one who could do this. He wasn't going to back away.

He stopped at a large clearing several ways away from James, Emma, and Miles. He gazed around, seeing an empty pot before him. He tensed when he heard chuckling.

Lazarus stepped out into the clearing, smirking, "I knew you'd come, Jude. It was only a matter of time."