Mistakes {a Cursed Child spinoff}

13-Lies

Second year

"Merlin Hellenberg!" A Slytherin boy yells.

I watch angrily as Calum is scooped off the floor, only a bloody nose in the place I smashed his face. I know it will probably bruise tomorrow but I really wish I knocked him out cold or broke his nose.

"What the hell?" He spits.

"She trusted you, she cared for you. I saw you here only moments ago, you care for her too and this is how you treat her in her time of need? You said before that you weren't sure what I thought of you, well I'll tell you right now you are nothing but a selfish prat that doesn't care about anyone but himself." I yell before bending over and scooping Rue off the hard floor.

I don't turn around while walking her out of the library but I know I probably crossed a line. The look Calum gave me before I looked away from him wasn't that of anger but instead his eyes filled with sadness and pain when I spoke. Yet he stood bye while his friends continued to disrespect Rue.

...

"Don't worry Jude she will be fine, you know how these things go." Neville says as he pats my shoulder.

An hour has gone by since I brought her to the hospital wing. Her eyes stopped moving and I know she is probably out for the night and won't wake till morning.

"She would want you to sleep before your game ya know. She'll probably scold you if she sees you next to her when she wakes." Neville continues.

"I-I know. I just can't find the strength to leave right now. I'm sorry." I mutter.

"Don't be sorry, I'll come and check on her in the morning, Goodnight." He says before giving me one last pat on the back and leaving.

As I squeeze her hand and look at her peacefully sleeping I only get more angry. How could someone say anything hurtful to such an innocent person such as Rue. James, Rose, now Calum and his dumb Slytherin friends?

"Hey."

I don't need to turn around to know who was behind me. And I really didn't want to turn around because if I did I'd for sure punch him again.

"Leave, or I won't go easy on you this time."

"Just, please hear me out. It surprised me is all, I wasn't sure what was happening to her. I know I should have stuck up for her and I'm sorry for that. Just please tell me she's okay."

Any other time I'd turn around and knock him out cold, or even for good, but the fear in his voice told me he was genuine. I turn around and see Calum nervously gripping his robes and staring at Rue with regret in his eyes.

"Fine. Come sit here." I say standing from my seat and offering it to him. He looks at me surprised for a moment but when he sees my patience wearing thin he rushes over and sits down.

"What happened? What was happening to her?" He asks.

"She's had seizures since she was very young, sometimes they are quick and don't end up like this but every now and again she passes out and doesn't wake up till morning." I explain.

"Seizures? Are you sure?" Calum questions.

I look at him angry.
"What do you mean? Of course I'm sure, her parents explained it to me the first time I witnessed one. I've been friends with her since I was one I think I'd know."

Calum throws his hands up in defense.
"I know I know it's just... I mean my mother used to have seizures when she was alive, and they never looked like that. Maybe there are different kinds. I'm sorry I didn't mean to question you."

I knew more about Nott now than I ever did the almost 2 years of going to Hogwarts with him and that made me wonder if I was just as bad as James and Rose for assuming the worst In people. Although Calum Nott had picked on me the year prior he had definitely matured more this year. I couldn't help but think maybe he was nice all along and had only been acting a certain way to make friends or even keep friends. Maybe he didn't have anyone else until now.

"Your- your mom died? I didn't know." I say.

"Well you never asked Hellenberg. But yes, she did. I was around five. She was selfish and took herself out. I mean I don't blame her, my father is a monster but I thought I'd be enough for her to stick around a little longer. Guess not."

"Calum, I'm-"

"No, don't say sorry. I've heard that enough in my life." He huffs.

"Me too." I reply. We both look at eachother and without saying anything we smile.

"Well don't let me break up the moment." Rue snickers from the bed.

"Rue!?" Calum and I speak in unison.

Rue sits up in the bed and rubs her head as if she had a painful headache.

"Rue are you alright? You didn't hit the ground as hard as you have in the past but you still were out cold for quite sometime, I didn't expect you to wake till morning." I explain.

"Jude. You can't play tomorrow." Rue says quickly interrupting my blabbering.

"What?"

"I said you can't play tomorrow, but you also can't tell my father I said anything about it okay? You can't play tomorrow, pretend to be sick or maybe Calum can punch you in the face and- wait Calum did you get punched in the face?" Rue says while looking at Calum.

"I deserved it, don't worry. I'll get him back another day." He says with a smile.

"JUDE!? you punched Calum in the face?" Rue exclaims.

"Yeah he deserved it."

"I did."

"Ugh I dunno why or how you two are getting along now but we have to focus." Rue says before rubbing her temples.

"I'm playing tomorrow Rue, why stop me? What's wrong?" I question.

"I can't tell you." Rue says.

"Can't or won't?" I question. Clenching my fists out of frustration.

Rue looks at me then Calum then back at me. Looking like she had something to say but wouldn't. She had a secret or secrets and she knew I was onto it, yet she wouldn't tell me anything. 11 years of friendship yet she didn't feel comfortable enough to tell me anything.

"Teddy was right. Our friendship is all surface. You can't even tell your best friend your secrets? I know you just as well as Calum does, maybe even less, yet I've been friends with you since I was one!? What's that about?" I question.

"Jude I-"

"Don't."

I put my hand up to silence her and turn to leave. Right before I get out of earshot I hear Calum reassuring her that I'd come around. That was supposed to be me in there comforting her yet I was the one walking away, what happened to our friendship?

Why didn't she want me playing tomorrow? Was it really upsetting James that much that he persuaded Rue to get me to quit? I didn't really care though, I was playing tomorrow no matter what.