Chapter 5

The second week of school marked the start of quidditch tryouts. Hufflepuff had gone first, Ravenclaw second, Gryffindor third and Slytherin fourth. Jude was just excited; he had really wanted to James tryout for the team. He knew his friend was way better than him which is why he protested on being on the team at first.

As of now, since some of the quidditch members graduated, they needed two chasers and a beater. Jude knew James was trying to become a chaser, so he hoped that spot went to him.

When he got to the pitch that morning, he was greeted by Louis, Olivia, and Kelli who were also in their uniforms. Olivia grinned, ruffling his hair, "There he is; the best seeker in Hogwarts."

Jude blushed modestly causing Kelli to chuckle and Louis to give him an affectionate noogie. He smiled at his captain, "So, how many people are trying out?"

Olivia leaned on her broomstick, pondering, "Last I checked, over 10 people. Only 3 were trying out for the beater position, so we're focusing more on the chaser position. Louis gets final pick for his partner anyways."

Louis nodded, throwing his arm around the smaller male, "I'm gonna miss Fred. We were a good pair, him and I. I don't think we can ever replace that." He glanced at the entrance of the pitch and grinned, "Here they come."

Jude turned his gaze as well and grinned when he saw James walking in the front. The remaining three players stood by their captain as she began speaking, "Alright everybody. Anyone who is trying out for chaser, stand with Kelli. Anyone trying out for beater, stand with Louis. Anyone who is trying out for substitute seeker, stand with Jude. Substitute keepers, come with me. The four of us will see if you will be able to be on the team. If you are trying out for more than one position, tell the team player first and you will go on ahead and tryout for both positions."

Two people went to Louis who took them to the end of the pitch. James went up to Kelli with two others. No one stepped up with Jude or Olivia. They didn't feel offended; they felt good knowing they had their position securely to themselves.

"Now-" Olivia began again before she was cut off.

"Wait, wait!" Jude and James stared in shock as Emma and Leon ran onto the pitch, panting lightly. "I'm so sorry I'm late," The red head said apologetically. Leon nodded in agreement.

Olivia pursued her lips, "Chasers go with Kelli, beaters go with Louis, sub seekers go with Jude, and keepers with me. If you're trying out for more than one position, tell the player first."

Emma and Leon nodded in relief. Emma stood next to James, smiling at him while he frowned at Leon who told Louis he was trying out for chaser and beater.

Jude and Olivia flew into the air on their brooms and watched as the others trying out lifted themselves in the air as well. Leon had gone first, holding the bat for beaters. He and Louis were able to keep the fake bludger in the air for a while before they missed it and it fell to the ground. Louis was at least impressed.

The rest of the beaters went on to do the same thing with Louis while Kelli had the chasers on her. Like Jude predicted, James was a natural and scored more points than the others. He was surprised that Emma came in second and Leon came in third.

After watching for an hour or so, the tryouts were over. Before dismissing them, Olivia told them she was happy that they tried out and would know the results in a few days. Both Jude and James walked up to Emma before heading to the locker room.

"Why didn't you tell us you were trying out?" James demanded weakly. His knuckles were white as he gripped his broomstick tightly. "We could've practiced together over the summer if you told us."

Emma frowned, putting her broomstick in the supply closet, "Sorry. I didn't think I was going to try out. I just practiced over the summer and I didn't really get the chance to actually get on the broom since my dad didn't want people to see me flying. I didn't think I'd be any good so I didn't tell you."

"But you were good," Jude smiled and patted her arm. "You almost beat James too and he's been flying longer than both of us combined. We understand that you weren't confident, but we still would've supported you."

Emma sighed, "I know, I'm sorry. Like I said, I didn't want to try out anyways."

James furrowed his brow confusedly, "Then why did you?"

"I told her to." They all turned to Leon's voice as he came to drop his broom off as well. Emma was smiling at him, Jude simply raised an eyebrow at his response and James glared at him heatedly. "I was gonna try out and she told me that she was practicing flying as well. I told why not try out together."

Jude glanced at James who was gritting his teeth. The brown eyed boy threw the team broom in the closet before stalking off to the locker room. Jude smiled apologetically before rushing off after James.

He found him in the locker room, changing into his school clothes. Jude could tell he was angry by how he was throwing his other clothes on the floor and how he got so easily frustrated with the buttons on the shirt.

"James-"

"She didn't tell us," James muttered through his gritting teeth. "She didn't think to tell us because she thought we would judge her or something. Why the hell would she think that? Does she not know who my mother is? How could she-" He cut himself off and clenched his fists tightly.

Jude smiled sadly, putting his hand on James shoulder, "I know. I wish she would've told us too. I honestly can't believe she told Adams instead of us."

"It's like she doesn't trust us," James grumbled as he finally got his shirt buttoned. "What does Adams have that we don't?"

"Good grades," Jude joked.

He grinned when he saw James try to fight the small grin trying to burst from his lips. He laughed, finally hearing James laugh with him. He snickered, holding out his hand. His friend grinned and they did their secret handshake.

Jude changed into his school clothes as James sat on the bench waiting for him, "I think we should wait till Emma says something to us. We have to show her we trust her and that she should trust us."

James nodded, frowning, "I think the only reason she feels like she can trust Adams is because he actually takes school seriously."

"We would too," Jude stated as he buttoned his shirt. "It's hard to try and concentrate on school when you're wondering when a mad man is going to strike you down."

"Exactly," James nodded in agreement. "And besides, we still have above average grades. It's not our fault we're not geniuses."

Jude tightened his tie, smiling, "Like I said, she knows she can trust us. Let's just give her some time. We can't just jump to conclusions because she chose to tell Adams and not us."

"Alright," James sighed, walking out of the locker rooms with his friend.

…

A week later, the new team members were announced. James and Emma were the new chasers with Kelli. Simon Boone, a 5th year, was the new beater with Louis. Leon was the alternate chaser and beater for the team. James was happy that the boy didn't beat him in taking that spot.