A Water Break PV Finnegan Conner Finished

Finnegan gulped down half bottle of water, only pausing to suck in air through his nostrils in shallow, ragged breaths. He splashed his face with the rest of the water, not caring how much he spilled on the ground, then leaned forward and rested his hands on his kneecaps to catch his breath.

He looked out over the field of clovers and freshly mowed grass. The ground breathed the smell of rain from the day before and the sun pierced through the puffy, cotton wool clouds above. Today had been a perfect day for a game of football.

From the corners of his eyes he noticed the tall shadow of Alec waving at him with a smile. How on earth the older boy had managed to survive the warmth in jeans and a purple polo was beyond him, some people just managed to look cool and casual no matter the weather. Meanwhile, he busied himself combing the sweat out of his darkened, stuck-together hair with his fingers and hoped he didn't smell too much.

"Hi," he greeted, a little out of breath still. "Aye, I'm Finnegan, or just Finn if you like."

The unexpected compliment made him straighten up and if his face hadn't been flushed from exertion already, he might've blushed a little. He wobbled on one leg while he stretched and held up the other, pressing his heel against the small of his back before switching legs. "I just play football, but I'd like to play Quidditch, I'm not sure I'd be any good at flying though," he smiled faintly, "might get blown off my broom if it gets breezy."

The smears of green and brown across his shorts and plain, short-sleeved shirt proved that he'd gotten knocked over a few times, though he'd managed to dodge tackles at least as often. He knew he was on the light side and thought it better to point it out himself rather than let anyone knock him for it. "I'm a muggleborn, aye, you're not?" he arched an eyebrow at Alec.

While he hadn't given it much thought before he couldn't quite hide his suprise. So far he'd been able to tell the wizarding types from the muggle types pretty easily since the latter seemed to dress a bit more casually. Truthfully, it was the half-bloods that were hardest to pick out, though he didn't really care enough to try.

"You play pretty well, for a wizard." He'd been rather impressed how quickly the witches and wizards in the teams had picked up on the game. "You didn't cheat, did you?" For all he knew, Alec could've made the ground slippier with a flick of his wand, or steered the ball off course. "I'm only joking," he was quick to add, he hadn't seen anyone waving their wands.

Finnegan gathered his belongings under his arm and took in Alec for a moment. He was a good looking boy, blessed with curly brown hair, bright blue eyes and an athletic build that explained why he didn't seem all that winded. "I could go for a splash right now," Finnegan said. A shower would've been even better, but a swim was the next best thing. "Wanna come? I heard there's a ship you can dive off of, and a little beach. We might have to fight of some sharks though," he grinned.

@Alec Mason
OOC

When Alec first began speaking to Finn, the other boy seemed out of breath. There was a certain amount of relief that flooded through Alec when Finnegan confirmed he had the right person. The madlad who had accepted Alec's shark dare and even had some fun with it, the same person who had joined in on the multiple games of football. Not as much of a madlad as Alec originally thought, he could coin the term adventurous on this one. Finn confirmed he played football, he seemed to be interested in Quidditch as well, if not hesitant about the whole flying thing. Alec knew he certainly wasn't one to be of any help in that department. Finn joked about getting blown off his broom and Alec laughed. Finnegan did look a little light, but he'd gotten through football well, he hadn't been toppled over too many times.

Alec had asked if Finnegan was muggle-born or half-blood and he confirmed he was indeed muggle-born. Alec's first thoughts were that one weird muggle song 'baby shark'. He was trying to figure out the purpose of it. He hadn't gotten any straight answer from people who knew about muggle things so far. Sadly he had long since figured out this question was not the best way to make first impressions and held his tongue. Nodding as Finn asked about his blood status, “pureblood,” Finn seemed surprised to find out Alec wasn't muggle-born as well.

Finegan announced Alec played football pretty well, you know, for a wizard. He was surprised to say the least, it wasn't the sort of thing he expected to hear, if he had even expected to hear about his football skills at all. In trying to hold in a laugh Alec snorted. He folded his arms across his chest trying to keep a serious face. “I play pretty well, 'for a wizard' huh?” Alec questioned, teasing Finn. Alec wasn't tumbling and falling into the ground or anything of course there was a lot to improve on. Alec hadn't been playing football for very long, the sport was very new to him still.

Finn inquired about Alec cheating, and with a playful feeling in the atmosphere Alec raised an eyebrow. It was hard for Alec to continue holding a serious looking expression, luckily he wouldn't have to do it for long as Finn said he was only joking. Alec gently nudged Finn in the side with his elbow and a laugh, “you better be,” playfully Alec would pause, shaking his head and letting out a sigh, “Imagine trying to cheat at football.” Chances are it wouldn't work out, besides risking be dubbed as a cheater because you cheated once, it was not worth it in Alec's book.

He was looking for a way to cool off from all this heat, and as luck would have it Finnegan seemed to have his mind on the same thing, inviting Alec to come swimming with him. Alec would nod and gather his things, when he'd picked everything up he turned his attention back to Finnegan. “Shark fights you say?” Asking, Alec would feign surprise for only a few seconds before his eyes narrowed “I always knew they would be out to avenge their fallen friend.” Of course they would come back to avenge their friend!

There was, however, one thing to address before they head over to deal with that little shark problem. “You've got a little...” Alec trailed off for lack of any better words. He would point towards Finnegan's shirt, “let me help you,” and reached for his wand. If Finnegan let him, Alec would cast scourgify to clean Finnegan's shirt.

They were walking there meaning Alec could ask a few more questions on the way. He liked to be able to get to know other people, and after years of social shyness Alec figured he had to make up for it somehow. “What year are you going to be in, when school starts?” One could reasonably assume Finnegan was going to Hogwarts and not any other school, It was his accent that gave it away. Alec was asking what year because there was totally a chance Finnegan was in another house and Alec had never noticed him before because of that. Secretly he was hoping it was going to be Finn's first year, leaving a chance for the two to be in the same house.

@Finnegan Conner

"Yeah, for a wizard," Finnegan repeated, "I mean, I don't think you play football regularly," he shrugged. The jab into his side elicited a childish, bubbly laugh before he jumped out of the way of Alec's reach. That didn't stop the older boy from casting a spell on him however. With little more than a flick and swish, the stains vanished completely from his shirt and shorts, and Finnegan couldn't help but grin widely. "My mum would absolutely love you, you know," he beamed. "She's always on me case 'bout my clothes, I can't much help it though, I try to keep clean but it just kind of happens," he said breathlessly.

Soon they were back at the heart of the camp out of which little winding paths had started to emerge by virtue of hundreds of children flattening the ground underfoot. They followed the signs that lead up a hillside, then sloped down again on the other side where a pirate-themed ship lay docked against a beach of white sand. "I'm going to be in the first year at Hogwarts, it's all new to me, I didn't know I was a wizard until just a few weeks ago. You probably can't imagine... what year are you in?"

Two large planks jutted out of the ship's port side, but Finnegan couldn't spot anyone aboard. The only sign of life was a group of youngsters on the other side of the ship, playing in the cool, intensly blue water. "Looks like it's just going to be us," Finnegan said while they boarded the ship via a third gangplank that extended all the way down to the small beach. Frankly, he was relieved there weren't too many other children around that might steal his clothes or shove him overboard.

He dropped to one knee near the center mast of the otherwise deserted ship. The sun was on its way down and the smell of food and herbs wafted towards them from the camp. The soft rumbling of his own stomach told him why there was no one else around, but he could wait a little while longer with stuffing himself, he was still feeling rather hot and clammy from the game.

Once he'd undone his laces and peeled off his smelly socks, he pulled off his shirt and added it to the pile. "I suppose we should've gotten our swimming trunks, and towels, but eh," he shrugged. He couldn't be bothered to walk all the way back past his tent just to get the proper clothes. Besides, Alec probably knew a spell that could dry them afterwards and if he didn't the lingering heat of the sun would do its job.

Hugging himself, Finnegan approached one of the planks barefooted and glanced down. The wind tickled his skin offering a tantalizing promise of the blissful cold that awaited him down below. He cast a glance over his shoulder at Alec, waiting for the boy to join him. "Are you coming or not? Or are you too scared of the sharks?" he grinned and took a few steps backward on the plank until he was about halfway down its length. "Last one in is a wuss!"

Amused would not be a proper word to describe how hilarious Alec found Finn's excitement over a simple cleaning spell. It wasn't hard to do, Alec was almost completely sure one learned it in their first year. Finnegan's mother wasn't the only one to get on their child's case about cleanliness and hygiene. Alec supposed his mother's obsession over it had been less for hygiene and cleanliness and more for appearances. Clearly Alec had picked the habit up, but he didn't quite mind, it was rather useful.

Walking didn't take long and Alec would only be able to get one question in. Thankfully it was the one Alec most wanted the answer too, he was glad he'd gone on instinct and asked. Finnegan mentioned everything being new to him, him only recently learning about being a wizard, confirming he was going to be a first year. Nice there was a chance of the two ending up in the same house then. Finn asked what year Alec was going to be in but he held off on answering for a moment.

“It's a lot... There so many big changes when you first go to Hogwarts whether your from muggles or magic users. . . Are you excited?” Alec understood being nervous, but to him, the idea of finding out magic exists had to be exciting. Alec had seen some of strange machine muggles had to invent to work around not having magic to make life easier for them. “I'll be a fourth year, it's been a while since I was a first year and augh- even saying that makes me feel old,” Alec chuckled and shook his head, knowing he was still in the prime of his youth meant nothing. It simply felt weird to be saying he was a fourth year. It felt like there was a certain weight, certain expectations attached to the title. Often Alec worried he wasn't ready for them yet, he wasn't ready for any of it.

The young teen would clear his mind of his doubts, saving them for another day as they entered aboard the ship. Finnegan pointed out how little people were here and Alec shrugged. “More sharks for us to fight,” before Alec had the chance Finn hurried to get ready to get in the water, Alec already at the edge of the plank. Finn asked if he was coming, probably to hurry him along and Alec knelt down, “Be patient, I'm not going in with my shoes,” It did of course hurry Alec along, he wasn't scared of any shark. No matter if it was the fluffiest pygmy puff's friends coming for revenge.

Taking his shirt off Alec left it in the pile with his things. Alec would roll up his jeans to be more like shorts before walking onto the plank. Finnegan said something about the last one into the water being a wuss and Alec chuckled, “hurry up, you better get in then!” Then of course in the nicest way possible, Alec would shove Finnegan off the plank. With a smug smile Alec stood atop the plank. Posing dramatically Alec would shout; “as the last person standing atop the plank I now proclaim myself the Pirate King!” What? It had a nice ring to it! With that very important proclamation Alec would finally take his turn and jump off the plank into the water. “Cannonball!” Alec said on his way down.

After falling into the water and resurfacing it was time for Alec to turn his attention back to Finn. “Are the sharks coming for you yet or were you able to properly fend them off? As the Pirate King surely I can help you fend them off if need be.” Pirate Kings were shark hunters always. No exceptions. Alec would be not only a shark hunter, but an excellent shark hunter at that.

Permission given from the writer to shove Finn overboard
@Finnegan Conner

Finnegan gave Alec a pensive look. Excited wasn't the right word exactly. Oh he had been excited when he'd stepped out of Olivander's of course, and yet...

Somehow, someway he'd been unable to shake the uneasy feeling that none of this was real. Every other morning he'd wake up with a jolt, bathing in a pool of sweat convinced that it had all been a dream. A fantastic dream, but a dream nonetheless.

And then he'd look to the tiny desk in his little apartment bedroom and see the strange, old-looking bindings of his spellbooks and his pewter cauldron in the corner, and his neatly folded robes on his chair. If it was a dream, it was a neverending one.

"Anxious is more like it. In a good way but also frightened, of being away from home for so long, or that it will all just end one day, or that I will say or do something wrong and-" he cut himself off there. "Never mind." Finnegan let out a soft snort at Alec calling himself old. He might be tall verging on lanky but he was decidely still a boy, barely a proper teenager.



The air was knocked out of Finnegan. He barely had time to scream as he plummeted to his icy demise. He hit the water with all the grace of a brick. Deafening water slammed against his ears and the world was reduced to little more than a muffled noise and a play of shadow and lights above him. A few seconds later he sputtered to the surface cursing in Welsh but all that came out of his mouth was water.

Just when Finnegan began to regain his sense of orientation he was splashed again by Alec barreling into the water. Pirate King? Alec had a vivid imagination to be sure if he fancied himself a king of anything.

Shivering, Finnegan swam closer to Alec and decided that it was high time for some revenge. "Oh aye cap'n, I was able to fend the buggers off, but there's plenty sharks about. You oughta be careful, they love to chomp on sailor's legs!" Without warning he suddenly dove below the water, pinched his nose with one hand and sought around with the other. Not a moment later Alec would feel a sudden pull at his ankle but it wasn't until Finnegan used both hands on both of Alec's ankles that he managed to gain some traction. The pirate king might be stronger, but with the full weight of the young shark pulling him down and without the ability to move his legs freely, it would only be a matter of time until he would be submerged.

@Alec Mason

To think about magic and the excitement that came with it was one thing. Another was Finn's complete and open honesty when Alec asked if he was excited. Explaining it, and Alec nodded. Confused with Finn stopped and said 'nevermind' but kept those comments to himself.

Alec opted to to slip in a soft and hopefully reassuring, “I know what you mean,” and ended it at that, answering the question about his year.
-----------
Jumping from the plank Alec landed into the water with a splash. Swimming was exactly the exhilarating activity Alec needed and as he saw Finn once again Alec has brought up the sharks. Finnegan mentioned how there were many a shark lurking about deep in the water. Alec nodded seriously, “aye, I'll keep a watchful eye out. I know how much these sharks can be feisty imps!” He spoke, shouting the end of his sentence. As Alec watched he realized it seemed like Finn had a plan, Alec hadn't gather what his plan was, or it's purpose, and wasn't prepared when the other suddenly dove under the water. It couldn't have been more than a few seconds later when Alec felt a tug at his angle. Alec hadn't seen it coming and he yelped in surprise, about to tug his leg away when he realized he was there and remembered 'oh right, finn's there' and smiled.

He didn't struggle, mostly because he was worried about accidentally kicking Finnegan in the face, but also because Alec was amused by the prospect of Finn playing into it. As Finnegan would play the shark, Alec would be the shark's lowly victim. “I knew the fluffiest pgmy puff's friends were going to be out for revenge one day!”

Alec went from false panic to getting into his role, pretending to be in a reflective state as Finn tugged on his ankles. Alec's eyebrows would furrow, “you know, that's actually a rather unfortunate name to give a shark considering the-” Alec would pretend to be taken by surprise as he was pulled underwater. He held his breath and as Alec swam to the surface did what Alec amazing actors did and did the death scene. Alec swam to the surface and once he reached it said, “blah,” sticking his tongue out, yep that- that was totally how acting out those scenes worked.

Directing his gaze on Finnegan Alec smiled mischievously. “Lucky for me I've got multiple lives, but a shark came after me when you mysteriously disappeared, Finn.” Alec smiled warmly as if he'd been let in on a secret(which was of course that Finn was a crewmate by day, shark by night). Dramatically he made a face of false disappointment, he wouldn't looking Finnegan in the eyes and frowned letting out a sigh. “Sadly this means I have lost my title as Pirate King.” A lost title what a shame. But wait... Unless-!

When Alec glanced back up a would grin rapidly spread onto his face, his eyes settled on Finn with a play and determined look. “Meaning we must battle atop the plank until one falls and the other claims the title. Are you in?” The battle was perfect, It would determine everything. Alec was going to keep the playing field even this time and not shove Finn off the plank. If he lost his title as Pirate King then so be it, it means someone else, a better Pirate King had received the title.

Permission given from the writer to describe Finn letting go of Alec
@Finnegan Conner

"Of course I'm in," said Finnegan. Alec's dramatic death scene had put a smile on his face and though he didn't think he could win any kind of battle against a boy three years his senior, he would go down swinging!

They swam back to the ship, climbed up the side using the netted rope that hung overboard and Finnegan took a moment to catch his breath once he'd made it back up to the deck. The soccer game weighed his legs down, the swimming had only added to it, and now the climbing. He wasn't in any condition to fight Alec, not with these heavy, weighed down limbs. Even on a good day the lanky teen, by virtue of being taller, older, and stronger could probably knock Finnegan off the ship by just breathing in his general direction.

"I need a moment," he said. Alec might not admit it, but he imagined the teen would start to feel his arms and legs burn too by now, no matter how athletic he was. Finnegan combed a hand through his matted hair and made a mental note to get proper swimming trunks next time, apparently wet polyester clung horribly to skin and he disliked the sticky feeling of it.

With cold water dripping down his legs and forming a little puddle at his feet, he weighed his options. There was perhaps one edge he had. He knew he was quick, Alec would have a harder time catching him than the other way around. The trick then was to be on the offense and not be caught on the defense.

"Alright, I'm ready," panted Finnegan, making sure to exaggerate his breathing so that Alec would not expect an attack. "Ladies go first," he added with a smirk while he motioned toward the plank they'd jumped from mere minutes ago.

No sooner than Alec had set foot on the gangplank, Finnegan jumped up to tackle the boy from behind. It was a cheater's tactic, but a surprisingly effective one. Alec crumpled under Finnegan's assault like a cardboard box being jumped on by an overweight cat.

For a split second he thought that maybe Alec was letting him win, but his pride couldn't allow him to hold that thought for long. Within seconds, Alec was on his back and at Finnegan's mercy. "You're about to regret throwing me in the water," he laughed, and he meant it.

Quick little fingers danced across Alec's skin, first digging into his sides, then shooting up to tickle his armpits, then back down again. Every time the poor teen tried to fend him off, Finnegan would find a new spot of exposed skin to tickle. "I will only stop when you promise to grant me one wish, anything I want, only one thing, but I get to decide. Until then," he grinned widely, "it's tickle torture for the Pirate King!"

OOC/Mod note:

The young teen grinned as Finnegan agreed to battle for the title and swam through the water, using the rope to make his way back onto the deck of the ship. Finnegan looked worn, they were probably going to have to retire from swimming soon but until then Alec waited and watched, giving Finn a moment to catch his breath. It didn't take much to allow a person to catch their breath. Alec himself needed a minute. He was a fairly active kid but it was different when a person was using their energy against other people compared to Alec running around the grounds to work off his energy and hope he would sit still for longer than an hour to study.

Alec was about to ask how Finn was doing when he turned to tell Alec he was ready. “Let's do this thing,” yes, his wording did make it seem more extreme then it actually was, who could blame him? Finnegan said 'ladies first' and Alec rolled his eyes, “why aren't you taking your chance to step on the plank then?” he playfully jeered. Alec took a moment to stretch, showing his seriousness for the competition before he stepped on the plank. There were many moves, many tactics Finn could take and out of all the world's many ones he hadn't expected Finn to pick the one he did.

Finnegan went Alec immediately, Alec felt like dog owner being tackled by an over-active puppy, the giant ones full of energy that try to sit on the couch with you not realizing their a big dog. Finn said something about Alec going to regret throwing him in the water and he shook his head, eyebrows furrowing, “I have no regrets, In fact, be careful because I would do it again, Finn.” What was his plan? Alec couldn't entirely work out what the other boy had in mind.

Until the other began to tickle him. Alec burst out in laughter and squirmed, “not fair! You're playing a cheater's game!” Alec would say, though he smiled. Alec would try to avoid his attacks and take the upper-hand in the situation, before he could however, Finnegan would Alec find another weak point. The situation was looking grim and he wasn't sure he'd be able to fend the other boy off. His methods were far too creative and unexpected, Alec couldn't have possibly prepared for them.

Tickle torture for the pirate king... Strange. Alec lived with no regrets, and if Finnegan was calling him the Pirate King, clearly his title had some claim to it. Laughter poured out of Alec and his never surrender attitude quickly vanished, changing his mind, perhaps he was going to have to subject himself to a loss this once. Even if the terms were strange. “ALright! AlrIGht!” Alec said still caught mid-laughter, he would shake his head over the craziness of the whole situation before he continued. “I surrender and agree to your terms! Gosh Finneagan, how did you even come up with the idea to-” If they had an imaginary audience, they imaginary audience would be just as confused as him. Alec wondered what Finn intended to do with his wish. Alec wasn't exactly a genie.

@Finnegan Conner

"A wise decision, great king," Finnegan smirked. He didn't really want to stop, it felt good to have the upper hand for once and Alec's bright laughter was infectious. To think that he had the power to make someone a head taller than himself squirm and flail about just with his fingers. Maybe he really was a wizard after all.

Seated comfortably on top of Alec's belly, Finnegan stopped torturing the poor teenager but did not yet stand up. "Easy really," he said with a shrug, "I never said, I'd want my wish fulfilled right now. I just figured it'd be useful to have a fourth year owe me. You know, just in case I get into trouble." He feigned a very innocent look at that as though the mere thought that he could ever get into trouble was ridiculous, then smirked.

Someone had lit a BBQ in the camp and the smells of charcoal, meats and other unhealthy things that boys of eleven and fourteen craved drifted toward them. "We should probably get back soon, I'm starving..."

But it wasn't quite time to go back just yet. Finnegan had one more trick up his sleeve and it was entirely Alec's fault for even mentioning that he would've thrown him in the water again, given the chance.

Finnegan just couldn't let that one slide. Not while he was yet in control. Grinning, Finnegan booped Alec's nose with his finger. "You know," he started, "if I'm going down, you're going down too." There was no doubt in his mind that Alec would shove him off the plank the minute he'd let the teenager get up and so the solution was simple, he would not let Alec get up. Instead, he leaned forward until their noses almost touched and pulled the teenager into an awkward embrace-

-then he rolled to the side and off the plank. He didn't let go until they hit the water and were momentarily submerged. No sooner than he had resurfaced and sucked in a deep breath he announced another shark attack and went below the surface again, this time aiming for Alec's waist instead.



After several more pirates and sharks had been defeated, they returned to the ship and gathered up their belongings. Carrying his shoes and shirt under his arm, Finnegan headed back to the camp with Alec at his side and followed his nose in the direction of food. "You have to tell me what kind of sports you play Alec," he noted on their way to the nearest BBQ. "You don't seem to tire all that quickly."

The same could not be said of himself. He was dragging his feet and if he didn't get at least ten hamburgers and three diet cokes in him real fast, he was sure he was going to faint dramatically right before Alec's eyes.

@Alec Mason