Chapter 20

Jude watched the scenery pass by as he sat in one of the compartments in the train going back home. He didn't feel as excited as he used to when they would go home. Yes, he would love to spend time with Hannah again, but knowing he was probably in trouble didn't really help his case at all.

"Jude?" Emma called worriedly, tugging on his jacket sleeve. "Are you alright? You've been quiet ever since we woke up this morning."

"You're not upset that we lost the house cup, are you?" James asked, leaning in his seat to get more comfortable. "At least we came in second and only lost to Hufflepuff. They deserved it. I rather it be them than anyone else this year."

Jude sighed and shook his head, "I'm fine." He shrugged, "I guess I'm just wondering what's in store for us next year. Lazarus is still out there and now we might restrictions on us."

"So we take it as we go," James stated reassuringly. "We don't know when Lazarus is going to attack, who he's going to attack with, and how hard he's going to come again. All we have to do is wait. Time will tell."

Emma smiled, "That was…really nice, James."

Jude resisted the urge to snicker at James' rapidly blushing face. The brown eyed boy scoffed, ignoring his heated cheeks, "Well, let's just let time tell us, alright mate? No use in fretting over it now and ruining summer."

Jude nodded with a small smile, "You're right. Thanks, mate." He sighed and leaned back into the seat. He turned his gaze to Emma questioningly, "So what classes did you guys sign up for?"

"I put Muggle Studies, Ancient Runes, and Arithmancy," Emma answered with a smile. "I only wanted Muggle Studies because I want to see how accurate some wizards are about the muggle world."

James waved his hand, "Cheater." He chuckled when the red head punched his arm, "I put Care for Magical Creatures, Muggle Studies, and Divination. No way am I getting those other classes."

"James," Emma scolded.

Jude raised his hand, "I put the same as James. Sorry, Emma but Ancient Runes and Arithmancy don't sound that fun really."

"That's what you think," Emma rolled her eyes.

"It's what we know," James muttered, picking at his jeans. "Anyways, my aunt told me not to get Divination but it just sounds too cool not to get it."

Jude nodded in agreement, "People say Professor Trelawney is mental and belongs in St. Mungo's but I think she seems really nice."

Emma shook her head with a frown of displeasure, "Don't say I didn't warn you."

"Come on, Emma," Jude smiled, hoping to cheer her up. "We still have Muggle Studies and most of our classes together. Next year will be fine in terms of classes."

"And we get to go to Hogsmeade," James grinned widely.

Emma perked up at that, "Oh, I totally forgot about that."

Jude tilted his head confusedly, "What's Hogsmeade?" He should really start asking Hannah and Neville a bit more about certain places in the Wizarding world.

"It's an all-wizarding village that only third years and above get to go to," Emma sighed happily. "There are so many places to visit there."

James nodded, counting on his fingers, "Honeydukes, Dominic Maestro's, Spintwitches, Three Broomsticks Inn, Weasleys' Wizards and Wheezes. My uncle George owns that shop and we could get the coolest things there."

"Ooh, ooh," Emma squealed excitedly. "There's also Dervish & Banges, Tomes and Scrolls, Gladrags Wizardwear, Dogweed and Deathcap, Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop, Potage's Cauldron Shop. I especially want to go to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop."

As Emma was distracted by her eager planning for Hogsmeade next year, Jude turned to James who was shaking his head at the last mention on Emma's list causing him to laugh into his hand discreetly.

Though Jude didn't know what exactly was in store for next year, he was looking forward to spending more time with his friends no matter what happened. In the end, that was all he ever wanted.