Is this the place we used to love? (Jess)

[Deleted]

June 10th, 2025

Suddenly everything was red. The heat was intense even though they weren't anywhere near the Ministers box. Finley's jaw dropped as he took in the chaos of the stadium. He... had Elaine done this? Why hadn't she told him? Suddenly a sinking feeling pierced into him. He knew. He knew that she had figured it out, that he was going to leave her, and therefore he had been left out of this massive plan to kill off Hermione Granger.

A plan which had succeeded.

The sound returned to his ears and he recalled the important details. Jess was here with her whole family. Fin had seen them across the way. He made his way toward where he had seen her, fighting through the crowds.

@jessavette
(Elaine Lyra Dupree mentioned, and this may be a cameo later?)

[Deleted]

Jess didn't know anything about what was supposed to happen at the quidditch match. All she knew was that she really had to work hard to find tickets for her family. Her little brother was so excited to actually be at a quidditch match. The world cup, no less. For Jess, it was a little harder though. Ever since her breakup with Fin, she hadn't really left home unless it was for work or something necessary. Being out here for fun? That was not as easy as it should be. 

Then there was the explosion. Jess' heart dropped when everything burst into chaos. Something was wrong. Jess immediately started rushing to get her family out of here, to get them somewhere safe. She was so concerned about them, she didn't even see the danger she was in. Before her family got close to getting out, a beam fell from the stadium above, knocking Jess to the floor and breaking her leg. She screamed, then started to reach for her wand with trembling fingers. Surely she could come up with something that would help her get out of here with her family ... but what?

@finley

[Deleted]

He was getting closer, but it was hard getting through the crowds of people screaming and freaking out. Apparating left and right, but a lot of people where looking for the remnants of their families. He passed Victoire Weasly and they locked eyes. The fury in her face was... horrifying. He had to shake it off and kept moving forward. When he found Jess, she was on the ground, reaching for her wand. He rushed forward, "Jess! Jessavette! JESS," finally he was able to reach her and his arm grabbed hers. He lifted her off the ground in one swoop, grabbing her wand with the other and then holding her cradled in his arms. Her leg was clearly broken, her screams and the look of it made that clear. He started to shove through the crowd again, and as soon as he had enough space he apparated out of there, despite her protests.

@jessavette

[Deleted]

Jess was so focused on trying to get her wand that she didn't even notice Fin until she heard his voice shouting her name. She glanced up just as he reached her, eyes widening as she stared at him. Was it really him? He was here? Her heart jumped when he grabbed her arm and then cradled her against him. "Fin," she breathed his name, too shaken to be angry at him. "M-my family. I h-have to g-g-get them out," she stammered. He was carrying her along and it took her a moment to realize that he wasn't listening, wasn't trying to find her family. "N-no! Fin! My family!" she insisted, starting to fight against him, groaning and whimpering every time the movement twinged her leg. "Fin!" Jess screamed. 

Then they were gone. Apparated and her family was nowhere in sight. "FIN!" Jess screamed again, desperate. "My family!" What was he doing anyway? Wouldn't Elaine want her dead, as well as her family. "What are you doing?" she asked, her voice much softer now as she looked at him, trying to figure him out. Why was he doing this?

@finley

[Deleted]

She spoke about her family, how she needed to get them out. Then she was rising in hysteria and he didn't answer her, even when she screamed. He had a mission in his mind, and he wasn't going to mess that up. Once they apparated she creamed at him even more. He set her down, holding his hand up to her face and lightly pressing it against her cheek when her voice softened. "I had to save you, Jess. Every time, that's what comes first. Now shut up," she spoke affectionately, rubbing a thumb against her cheek. "I'll go back for you family. Jess, if they catch me..." he slowed down, then took a deep breath in, "I might not come back, okay? You need to understand that," he pulled his hand back.

@jessavette

[Deleted]

To her great frustration, Fin ignored her. Instead of answering her or putting her down, he continued on with whatever he was doing. What was he even doing? He didn't answer until her voice softened and part of her wondered if he did that on purpose, but things were happening too quickly for her to really think about it now. She would think about that later. He touched her cheek gently and Jess found herself staring up into his eyes. Those beautiful eyes that she missed so much since they broke up. She missed him, still. He jaw dropped when he said that she came first, that his first priority was saving her. He rubbed her cheek as he continued and Jess found herself leaning into his hand. That is, until his words registered. "You ... what?" she reached forward, taking his hand in her own and squeezing it tightly. "No, Fin, you ... you have to come back. We need to ..." talk about this. She wanted to talk with him, to figure this out. She needed to know why he saved her, why she was still his first priority. She squeezed his hand, "Please come back to me." She wasn't going to argue him saving her family. They were so out of their depth, but Fin ... he was strong and clever. He could find a way out, couldn't he?

@finley

[Deleted]

She took his hand and squeezed, which made leaving her that much harder. She said he needed to come back, but that wasn't really her choice. She said that they needed to... then faded out. She squeezed his hand, begging him to come back to her. He nodded, and started to lean away before closing the gap between them with insane speed. He wrapped his arm behind her back around her waist and used his other hand to cradle her neck safely as he pulled her into a deep kiss. Sure, they were broken up. She knew his secret, she hated him but... she didn't. He knew she didn't. There was no part of his entire being that could possibly hate any inch of her. Even if she killed him right now because she didn't trust him, even if he called the authorities, he loved her more than he loves anything.

Especially himself.

He broke the kiss and a single tear broke free from his eyes. 'I love you, Jess Dupont. I love you."

@jessavette

[Deleted]

He started to pull away, nodding briefly, and Jess found herself beginning to freak out. That was it? He was going to save her life, leave to save her family and never come back? She only had a moment to worry though before he came close and kissed her deeply. Jess sighed into the kiss, allowing her arms to wrap around his neck. She loved him. She didn't understand what he was doing with Elaine and why he wouldn't leave her, but Jess still loved him. Against her better judgment, definitely. She couldn't help it. Fin was a part of her, a part that she couldn't lose. Not permanently. 

He was the one to pull away and Jess looked up into his eyes again. He was crying. She moved a hand, brushing away his tear as she allowed a small smile while she looked at him. "I love you, Fin O'Niell," she admitted. "Just ... come back to me. Please." She was crying now too. She didn't know what was so serious about him returning to save her family, but she wanted him to come back to her. "I love you," she whispered one last time, leaning in to give him a soft kiss. 

@finley

[Deleted]

She brushed the tear from his cheek, and that was almost enough to make him stay, but he had to go back for her family no matter what. Then... she said she loved him, and that made his lip start to shake with tears. She asked him again to come back to her and he nodded, now it was his turn to wipe away her years. "I will," they kissed one more time, "I will."

Then, quickly and abruptly, he separated himself from her and apparated back to the Quidditch pitch. When he found her father he rushed forward to take his arm and pull him through the crowds, "the others?" Fin asked, "I sent them with a friend of Jess's, looking for her, we have to go back," her father said. Fin resisted against her father pulling the other direction. Like father like daughter. Fin tightened his grip and pulled the back close to him, "I got Jess out. I'll take y-" and then he saw her.

Just a glimpse.

Maybe an illusion.

But Elaine had seen him whether it was through an apparition or not.

"She's on the outskirts of Kershings Bar in London," her dad nodded and Fin squeezed his hand then grabbed the nearest person, "this man's a muggle, get him to Kershings Bar," Fin commanded. He said it with such force that the person quickly grabbed her father and they both disappeared, but not before her dad made one more grateful look at Finley.

Fin took a deep breath and pocketed his wand. He knew he had no choice now. If Elaine knew he was saving people... he raised both hands over his head right before everything went black.

@jessavette (the end)
Elaine Lyra Dupree (for you to see)