Chapter 28

School was over and Jude could finally take a deep breath and relax. He didn't have to worry about quidditch matches, no more homework, finals were over and done with, and the yearly attempt on his life was already squashed. He could let his shoulders slump and ignore his problems while he hung out with James and Emma again.

Things weren't as good as his friends made it seem, but he was fine with pretending they were just so he could finally sit down and rest his weary mind.

It was only a week into summer that James invited him and Emma to his house. At that moment, Jude knew things were going to be weird now, especially when he asked Neville and Hannah for permission to go and they practically fell over themselves trying to give him whatever he wanted.

Things would get better once everyone stopped making it seem like he was going to walk away when they were the ones who turned their backs on him first.

It was nice to be in James' house and not get glared at for once. He even shared a grin with Harry before the older male left for yet another mission. Albus was civil towards him, something Harry had his hand in, no doubt.

"17 and you haven't even let off one spell since your birthday," James commented, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "Mum had to take my wand away because I wouldn't stop shooting off hexes at Al."

Jude smiled slightly, taking amusement in Emma glaring at James for his immaturity and recklessness. "I was a bit busy for a while after my birthday. I didn't have time." He shrugged, ignoring the somber mood that settled on them, "Besides, it's not like I used a lot of spells when I was at home. Though it is nice knowing I can use magic without someone keeping tabs on me."

"Just don't get too crazy with it," Emma advised.

"I feel like I'm not the one who should be telling that too."

"It's too late for James."

Jude and Emma snickered, tickled by James' pouting face.

James huffed, crossing his arms, "Whatever. I'm just glad we're 17 before 7th year comes. It'll make things a bit more interesting."

"Won't make N.E.W.T.s more interesting," Jude mumbled, grinning when it had the desired effect on his friends.

Emma sighed dreamily, "Oh, I can't wait to work for the Ministry. I'll finally be making a difference in the wizarding world."

"Taking N.E.W.T.s is going to be such a hassle," James groaned. "And unlike you, Jude, I have to get a good score on them if I want to become an auror like my dad."

Lily walked in, eyes confused. "Dad and Uncle Ron didn't even attend their last year of school and they're still aurors. Dad's even the head of the office."

"Yeah, but Dad saved the world. I can't compete with that," James retorted. "The only thing I've ever done was beat a few Death Eaters."

"That's still an accomplishment no one in our year can say they have," Jude reassured with a small smile. "You're going to be an Auror, James, I know it. You're too good to be anything else, really."

James smiled gratefully, nudging his friend's shoulder, "Thanks, mate." He chuckled amusedly, "And I very well can't be a professional quidditch player. Not with you getting on the pitch. You'd blow anything I can do out of the water."

A pink hue appeared on Jude's cheeks. "That's not true…"

Ginny popped her head in, grinning. "What's this I hear about a professional quidditch player in our midst?"

Jude stared, disgruntled as James grabbed his arm and lifted it. He pulled away from his friend and nodded to Ginny bashfully, "I got offers from a few teams in the country."

"Few teams, he says," James scoffed. "More like every team in the country. If the Holyhead Harpies recruited men, I'm sure you would've been the first on their list." He rubbed his chin. "Just knowing that makes me doubt my own skills."

"You're a chaser. I'm a seeker. They're two different positions. You can't compare them," Jude mumbled.

Ginny shook her head, "Really, James. I've seen the way you all play. None of you should be doubting your skills." She held out her hand to Jude. "Now let me see those offers so I make sure they're legitimate."

After he gave the business cards over, Jude excused himself from the room and made his way into the kitchen, ready to devour the cookies Mrs. Weasley had made for them (specifically him, but he didn't want to deprive anyone of the chocolaty goodness.).

"Don't eat all of them now."

Jude jolted forward, the cookie flying out of his hand as he startled. He whipped his head around, finding Lily entering the kitchen, hiding her smile with her hand. He let out a rough breath as he knelt down to clean up the mess, "Don't scare me like that."

"Sorry," Lily chuckled as she knelt next to him to help. "I just figured you would be in here eating the cookies. You're a glutton for sweets."

"Especially your grandmother's," Jude joked, eyes on the floor as he made sure every last crumb was in his hand.

When he lifted his head, he found himself gazing into Lily's brown eyes, the color she shared with her mother and oldest brother.

Jude swallowed roughly. His heart raced in his chest and his cheeks began flushing, giving his skin an uncomfortable heat. He licked his lips, tasting the chocolate from the cookie he consumed. He could feel her breath mingling with his own. His noticed her eyes darting to his mouth.

He followed her example, staring at her shiny pink lips. He wondered if they were as soft as they looked.

"What are you two doing?"

Jude yelped loudly, throwing himself back. The cookie and the crumbs in his hand flew into the air. It landed on his head and clothes. He shook the crumbs out of his hair with shaky hands, his ears burning and his stomach stirring with something he hadn't felt since the quidditch game against Mahoutokoro.

Ginny grinned mischievously above them, arms crossed, "Making more than one mess in my house is a sure way to get yourself uninvited, Jude."

"Y-yes, Mrs. Potter. I'm sorry, Mrs. Potter," Jude mumbled fearfully as he began cleaning up the mess again, his fingers shaking as they curled around the mess of a broken cookie in his palm.

Realizing her mistake, Ginny leaned down and put her hand on his shoulder. "I'm just kidding, Jude. Forget about the cookie. I'll clean it up later." Seeing him take a deep breath, she glanced at her daughter, "Do I need to give you two the talk?"

Lily blushed to the roots of her hair. She shook her head vigorously as she all but ran out of the kitchen, "No, I'm not listening to that again!"

Apprehension took a back seat as Jude tilted his curiously at the mother, "The talk? What's that?"

Ginny cleared her throat awkwardly, "Well, Jude, when two people love each other very much, sometimes they want to feel each other in ways that-"

"Oh, you're talking about sex."

"W-what?" Ginny was taken aback. "You…you know what that is?"

Jude shrugged, brow furrowed in confusion, "Yeah. Doesn't everybody?"

"So why did you act like you didn't know what ogling meant? James told me you thought 'checking someone out' was checking them for injuries."

"Why else would I check them out?"

Realization settled in Ginny's eyes. She chuckled, shaking her head, "Really, Jude, don't ever change. You're too good for this world." She ruffled his hair before making her way back into the family.

Jude exhaled lightly, finally feeling that uncomfortable heat diminish. He rubbed the back of his neck, wondering when these feelings for Lily decided to make themselves known.

This was complicated.