Chapter 9

The first thing Jude was aware of when he came to was the familiar, albeit blurry, ceiling of the infirmary. Next was the sobbing close to his bed. He didn't even feel the pain in his lower back until he tried to shift his body on its side. He winced, yelping when pain flared through his limbs.

"Jude," Emma's relieved, yet congested voice was heard next to him.

"Glasses," He hissed through his teeth, his jaw tightly shut. The pain was slowly dying to a small dull throb, but it was still annoying.

Emma was the first thing he saw clearly, and he could make out her bloodshot eyes, the tear tracks over her cheeks which were puffy, and her red nose. He frowned, putting his hand up, trying to reach for hers, "What's wrong? What happened?"

She caught his hand, clutching at it tightly, "It's James…he…he…" She whimpered, squeezing his hand as more tears streamed down her face.

He blinked slowly before moving his gaze to where Pomfrey was hovering. When she moved a bit, he could see James unconscious on the bed next to him. He was frightened by the weird branching on his chest. Was that from the lightning strike?

"He was struck by the lightning and falling fast," Emma was able to say between her sobs. "You caught him but hit the floor a bit too fast. Madam Pomfrey said we were lucky we got him when we could or else he'd be suffering from deafness and brain damage."

Jude clenched his jaw tensely, trying to stop the closing of his throat. Why was it always James who took the brunt of everything? He didn't deserve it; he was a good kid and a great friend. He swallowed dryly, moving his gaze back to the red head, "So, he's fine right?"

Emma nodded, wiping her eyes, "He'll be out for a few days because he has to recover from the shock, but he should be fine. The only lasting damage is the scar on his chest."

"What about his parents?" He asked, trying to sit up. The pain in his back flared once more but he was able to power over it. Who cared about his pain when his best friend was in a worse condition? He didn't. He'd rather focus on James than whine once more about his back.

"Mr. and Mrs. Potter were informed," She replied, sitting down on the stool next to his bed. "I'm sure they don't like hearing their son is in the infirmary again."

He swallowed, rubbing his eyes, "What about his brother; Albus? Has he been here?" He furrowed his brow in confusion when his female friend bit her lip and gazed at her lap. "What happened?"

"Albus, well he…" The red head frowned, fiddling with her fingers. "Since you also landed in the infirmary with James, Albus is trying to see if he can be your alternate. He even sent an owl to his parents to get permission as well."

Jude knew it was childish and stupid to feel the burning rage that boiled in his chest. He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white. He didn't get to protest to Emma since the team all filed in the infirmary. Some looked full of regret while Leon and Albus, who walked in with them, looked a bit smug.

Olivia cleared her throat awkwardly, "Well, Jude, after much discussion on this matter, we believe that it be best that you sit out the next game and let Albus Potter take your place. And since James is out, Leon will be taking his place."

"Hell no!" Both Jude and James barked much to everyone's surprise.

Jude jolted, turning quickly to James who was trying to sit up with much difficulty, "James-"

"James!" Emma exclaimed happily though Jude could hear the concern in her voice.

"Mr. Potter," Pomfrey scolded the boy, laying him back down on the bed.

James grunted, holding onto Pomfrey's hand when she tried to push him back down, "Adams isn't going to replace me next game because I'm fine. The spot isn't open so why don't you end this discussion."

Jude grinned at his friend, happy to see him up. James panted lightly, grinning back weakly. The blue eyed boy turned back to his team, "Albus Potter is not going to replace me. I'm fine and I'll still be fine when the next game starts. The spot's not open."

Albus glared at Jude who glared right back. Leon looked irate at James being up and Emma putting all her attention on the other boy. As the for the Gryffindor quidditch team, they looked so relieved it made Jude want to laugh.

Jude turned away from Albus who continued to glower and stared at his team, "So who won? I don't remember much after I caught James."

Olivia chuckled, moving over to his bed and ruffling his hair, "We won actually. You had touched the snitch before going to help James. Christianson tried to catch it when you went to help James, but the snitch automatically goes to the person who had touched it to prove who actually won."

Louis bumped fists with Jude, grinning, "You are like a superhero, Porter. You won the game and saved your friend."

"Because Potter always needs saving," Leon snarked, smirking at said boy.

James bristled while Jude rolled his eyes, "Shut up, Adams. No one wants to hear useless comments. Either you have something to say about the game, you can walk your arse out of the infirmary. My back is aching a bit and your whining about how you're still not playing a game isn't making it any better."

Simon snorted, covering his twitching lips while Louis walked out of the infirmary, his laughter bellowing through the halls. Olivia smirked and Kelli chuckled amusedly. Leon sneered at the two bedridden boys before storming out of the room.

Jude waved his hand, lying back down on the bed, "That includes you too, Potter. I don't need you glaring at me because you don't get to play either. Stop trying for shortcuts and get out."

James roared in laughter when his brother walked out of the room as well. Emma was shaking her head in slight disappointment, "Honestly, can't you boys just get along with others? It's like pulling teeth when you guys are around Leon or Albus."

"Thanks mate," James snickered, holding his hand up.

"Anytime, mate," Jude grinned, walking over with a bit of difficulty and did their secret handshake.