Merry Christmas, Everyone! (Azalea, Jake & Victoria)

Guest

Three in the morning...

Still no sound stirred in the house, well, no sound but her pops snoring from Humphrey's room. Victoria knew she should sleep, knew that Santa wouldn't come unless she was good and slept. But she was far too excited.

Four thirty in the morning...

Victoria tossed over once more, forcing herself back to sleep for the hundredth time that evening. It wasn't fair, having to wait. Nor was it fair that she couldn't see Santa. She only wanted to tell him that she thought he was amazing, and maybe ask him if she could go to the next couple of stops. But nobody understood.

Six in the morning...

Victoria gave up waiting, as she always did at this time. Slipping out of bed, the witch slipped on her dressing gown and slippers and moved across her room. It was dark, but the little flash-light she owned lit enough of the room for her to move out in to the landing and down the stairs. The witch was at the bottom of the stairs only a few moments later and slowly pushed open the lounge door, smiling as she noted the two sleeping figures. Switching the light off, Victoria moved to the bed, beginning to bounce softly on the end by the feet of her brother.

"Up, up, Jake! Santa has been! Did you see him? Did you, did you? Azalea!" The witch coaxed happily before dropping down to her hands and knees and crawling up between her brother and Azalea. "Happy Christmas!" She added, still talking softly as she kissed each of them on the cheek, looking between the duo to see who would wake up first.

It wasn't exactly sleep that Azala succumbd to after her breif run in with Henry. No, sleep would bring with it the risk of another dream and Azalea could not afford to tremble like a leaf on Christmas. She had done enough to be the only person spoiling the perfect family picture without showing outward signs of it. As a result, the witch rose dizzy and disoriented, feeling the vines inside working to remove the dark circles from under her eyes and even evaporating the physical exhaustion from her body.

Externally, Azalea would look perfect.

Even if the mutations inside her could never take away the strain of emotions.

"Up, up, Jake! Santa has been! Did you see him? Did you, did you? Azalea!"

"We must have missed him," Azalea managed, her tiredness being disguised by having recently woken up. The witch tried to force a smile as Victoria launched herself on the mattress between the duo, her bright spirits for once not lifting Azalea's mood. It would come though, she would have to make it.

"Happy Christmas to you too" the older witch replied, reaching to kiss Victoria on the forehead and pulling out a huge bouquet of bright yellow sunflowers from behind Victoria's head.

"Your first present of the day," Azalea managed, sitting up in bed.

Guest

"Up, up, Jake! Santa has been! Did you see him? Did you, did you? Azalea!"

"M'up." Jake replied sleepily, the movement in the bed enough to confirm to his sleepy mind that it wasn't Azalea waking him up, nor his mother. No, the only person capable of such energy first thing in the morning was Victoria. A smile touched Jake's lips as he reached up to rub his eyes and face to the point where he could see, only to find a bouquet of flowers in place.

"Your first present of the day,"

Ah, that would explain it, Azalea playing her tricks as Victoria let out a soft squeal of excitement. The sound of another kiss signified Victoria thanking his girlfriend for the present before the face of his little sister was very close to his own. "You said you would talk to Santa, Jake!"

"He's magic, Vic, I couldn't catch him if I tried!" Jake insisted, pulling his little sister in to a hug and kissing her cheek. "You'll have to make do with me instead!" He added, tickling the witch so that she would forget about it all and move in to a stream of giggles. It was childish, Jake should have probably known better, but it was Christmas, and all the young man cared about was relaxing for the day and making sure Victoria had the best Christmas they could offer.

As Victoria fidgeted in bed, Jake hadn't noticed the movement on the stairs, the arrival of his mom and dad a few moments later. "This is what all the noise is!" Alexis breathed, shaking her head and trying to look dismayed but inevitably smiling warmly at her children. "Your grandparents are on their way down, Jake." She added, looking pointedly towards his clothes.

With a soft groan, Jake slipped out of bed, pulling his jeans and t-shirt on. It didn't exactly matter, he was old enough now, but he respected his mom's wishes.

"Can we open presents now, mommy?" Victoria asked, getting up from the make-shift bed to hug her parents. "Happy Christmas!" She added a moment later, taking their hands and pulling them towards the tree. Saying no to Victoria had never been an option to anyone, but Christmas was probably the biggest show of that.

With his parents occupied with Victoria, Jake looked back to Azalea, leaning in and stealing a kiss from the witch. "Your present is back in Canada." Jake mumbled, hoping she'd understand that he'd learnt his lesson from last time.

As Jake and Victoria spoke to each other, Azalea took the moment to make herself decent, knowing that all the noise was going to bring someone down. She had just pulled on a cardigan over her tank top when the sound of Alexis and Henry coming down the stairs was heard.

"This is what all the noise is!"

"Happy Christmas," she managed to greet them before Victoria flew off the bed and to her parents instead, asking to open presents. As the three moved off towards the tree, Azalea managed a tired smile at Jake when he kissed her.

"Your present is back in Canada."

"That's alright," she replied, resting her forehead against his for a moment. "Does Victoria know dad sent her presents along earlier so she could open them with the rest?" she asked a moment later, her gaze following the young Wormwood to the pile of brightly wrapped packaging.

Guest

The festive cheer rolled off Alexis as well as Victoria as they moved off. Victoria due to the excitement of the whole day, Alexis because she got to play host to a lot of people. It was enough to make him smile as both his mom and dad bid both of them a happy Christmas before following Victoria to the tree.

The sound of more feet made itself known as Jake's grandparents moved downstairs, but Jake didn't move away from the closeness with Azalea. They may he old fashioned, but Jake knew they would understand the actions.

"Does Victoria know dad sent her presents along earlier so she could open them with the rest?"

"Uncle Kit's presents got here too!" Victoria answered the question a moment later, making Jake laugh softly before looking up.

"She does now." Jake mused as his grandma and Pops entered the room. "Happy Christmas!" Jake spoke to them, smiling to his grandparents as Victoria hurried over to give them a hug and then hurried back to the presents. But unlike any other person, Victoria set about finding everyone else their presents and distributed them.

Victoria had picked out both Jake and Azalea matching Christmas jumpers this year, a reindeer on the front with a flashing red nose. But a more serious present came in the shape of matching key rings. Each key ring had a broomstick with vines twisted around it, "J&A" emblazoned over the top. It wasn't much, but Victoria hadn't been sure what more the duo needed.

"Happy Christmas, Jake, Azalea." Victoria whispered, passing them their parcels and watching them hopefully.

Another chorus of "Happy Christmas" was exchanged as Edgar and Alice laboured down the stairs and into the living room, making Victoria jump to her feet and skip over to hug them. The little girl was full of boundless energy as she shot back to the tree and presents. A soft smile touched Azalea's features when the girl exclaimed that Kit's present had arrived too, the long thin bright pink packaging a dead giveaway as to the nature of the recipient.

But instead of tearing into the packaging like any other child, Victoria made it her business to distribute the presents to their respective addressees first, leaving her own pile by the tree.

"Those jumpers are adorable," Azalea praised, putting hers on right away. "And they key rings are such a beautiful design, did you do it yourself?" she asked, taking in the intricate vines worked around the miniature broomstick. "This must be the best key chain in the entire word," the brunette grinned.

Guest

Once given his package, Jake opened it carefully, coming face to face with a reindeer jumper. With a soft chuckle and checking Azalea's package, Jake pulled his on too. They probably looked silly, but Jake was rather fond of the idea of matching jumpers.

The jangle of a keyring made Jake frown before he realised what it wad. The intricately used burgundy and dark green of the vines and broom displayed the nightshade and Belladonna colours, and the gold spoke of Salem. It wasn't just any design, Victoria had put a lot of thought in to the idea. "It's great, Victoria!" Jake told his sister as Azalea asked if she'd made it.

"Of course, I got a little help with the drawing, but the idea was mine." Victoria replied, smiling happily. "I sent a lot of things off to get specifically made." She added, a knowing smile on her lips.

"May I see?" Alice asked Azalea as she settled in her seat behind the witch. A clear show that she was trying with the younger witch in the moment.

"May I see?"

"Of course," Azalea smiled up a the elderly witch, passing the keyrings to Alice. "And now Victoria gets to open her presents from Daddy," she announced, catching the witch's eye before letting out a laugh that no longer felt as difficult as it had upon waking up. "Daddy said to make sure you open them right away so you don't have to wait," she added, pulling the long pink parcel out first. It had been an inspiration on Kit's part when Azalea had written to him to tell him that Victoria had made the Quidditch team. He had placed an order for the custom made item and only told Azalea once it was finished.

Inside the bright pink packaging lay a gleaming firebolt Two, the only one in the entire world with a pink finish. Kit had the broom made to suit Victoria's taste complete with the young witch's name etched in silver underneath the brand name on the handle.

The card attached to the broom simple read "Heard you made the team kiddo, now show them how to fly with style. Love K. Harrington".

"And Clara's too," Azalea pointed out to the bigger box containing a matching broom care kit also encased in a pink box courtesy of her godmother.

The rest of the morning was spent opening presents until the doorbell rang once more, signifying the arrival of the guests from Carmel. This time, it wasn't' only Victoria who shot to her feet to get the door, Azalea was right behind the Wormwood, for once just as excited to see her daddy as Victoria.

***

Christmas dinner had been beyond extraordinary, leaving everyone in awe at Alexis' ability to manage such feats in the kitchen. Even Azalea who ate little and kept her portions tiny was feeling full as the meal was cleared away, for once not getting up to help with the cleaning up. Instead the witch allotted herself wine duty which suited her much more as the congregation migrated to the living room once more.

"Can i get you a refill?" the witch asked Edgar politely, noticing his glass was nearly empty. Once the glass had been refilled, she grabbed a beer for Jake who had yet to ask for another, knowing he would finish his soon. She may not be psychic like Clara but she knew Jake well enough.

'Daddy, there's more coffee in the pot," she offered only for Kit to wave it away as he relaxed on the floor, Clara propped up against him by a throw cushion with her eyes closed. The seer had already claimed she was too full to do anything but breathe until the digestion process took its course.

Taking her own glass to white wine, Azalea settled down beside Jake on the sofa, unconsciously curling closer to him. The alcohol had made her slightly giddy but it had also put a somewhat permanent smile on her face.

Guest

Victoria sat beaming as Azalea passed the keyring up to her grandma, she'd only shown her mom before wrapping the presents up, so when the older witch smiled at the design, telling Victoria she had done very well, the Wormwood couldn't help but smile in thanks.

"And now Victoria gets to open her presents from Daddy,"

At those words, Victoria's grin widened, watching as Azlaea pulled the long package out and gave it to her. Victoria didn't have a clue what might be in the box, but as she carefully undid the wrapping paper to find herself face to face with a Firebolt Two, Victoria's eyes went wider than ever before. It was with soft encouragement from Azalea to open the box that Victoria continued, pressing the lid open to find the real treat.

A personalised, pink Firebolt Two with her name engraved in the handle.

"Oh... my..." Victoria breathed, reaching out carefully to touch the perfectly polished wood of the broom before looking up to Azalea. A small nod from the older witch confirmed this was real and Victoria's head span. These brooms weren't cheap, she was more than aware of that, but a personalised one.

"And Clara's too,"

The witch had believed that it was from both Kit and Clara, given the expense, but when another present was set in front of her, Victoria looked up to her parents. Alexis was smiling fondly, and Henry let out a soft chuckle, waving his daughter on. The broom kit was matching in it's pink, making Victoria smile to herself. They knew her so well!

The morning continued with the opening of presents, Victoria as enthusiastic as ever as she distributed everyone's presents in between opening her own. Jake and Azalea mainly getting small helpful items for around the house, and work, nothing of note but presents no less.

When the doorbell went, Victoria had been first to her feet, skipping to the door and letting in Uncle Kit and Clara. Though not before she had given them both a big hug and told them thank you repeatedly as she held them. She had never known what she'd done to warrant such a present, but it would never be said that she was ungrateful for Kit Harrington's kindness.

***

After dinner, Victoria had helped her mom clear the table and wash everything up. Everyone else seemed far too full to move by now, something that amused Victoria greatly. Azalea was about the only one still capable of moving as she refilled everyone's glasses. "Thank you for dinner, mommy." Victoria told the witch, leaning up to give her a kiss on the cheek. "You did amazing, as always!" She complimented, putting the last dried plate away as Alexis moved to wipe the surfaces over one more time.

"You're welcome, now go play, sweetheart." Alexis replied, waving Victoria off in to the living room. The young witch made a beeline for Kit, sitting the other side of him from Clara who looked to be asleep.

There was a lull in conversation in the room, something Victoria took to just watch everyone for a moment, but possibly the most amusing was that her grandma was watching Jake and Azalea with a warm smile on her lips. "Did Jake and Azalea do something funny, Grandma?" Victoria asked, the hint of curiosity in her voice as she looked to the young couple on the sofa.

"Oh, no, my dear. I was simply wondering how long I'll be waiting for a wedding invitation." Alice replied, the smile on her lips growing a little as she looked up to her own daughter who had re-entered the room and moved towards her husband.

"Jake told me that they will, 'one day'." Victoria piped up, the innocence in her voice ringing through. Of course the Wormwood didn't understand complications, she merely saw her brother was happy, and that was all that would ever matter. "But not soon, he said. In the future. But I'll let you know when he changes his mind!"

"Vic!" Jake whined, though he wasn't in any way mean about it. Victoria saw the slight shake of his head and gave him a reassuring smile. The Wormwood figured everybody already knew that anyway, the couple were so happy together, that's what always happened. Jake and Azalea would get married and live happily ever after.

"He told you?" Alice chimed, giving Jake a knowing look before concentrating back on Victoria. "Did he say when he was moving back towards home? I'll need to be closer if there is a chance of great-grandchildren on the way!" She added, totally innocent in her comments. Victoria could only beam at the idea, nodding slightly.

"I hope they move closer to home." Victoria conceded, looking up to Jake for an indication of whether that would happen, but she saw nothing.

"Did Jake and Azalea do something funny, Grandma?"

The question made Azalea look up from where she sat, her glass of wine still nursed carefully in her hands as she waited for Alice to reply. The witch hadn't said a word really apart from offering to get people a drink so it was interesting what the elderly woman had found so amusing.

"Oh, no, my dear. I was simply wondering how long I'll be waiting for a wedding invitation."

Azalea's posture stiffened at the words, her relaxed air all but dissipated at the mention of... the future. Her fingers clutched the stem of her wineglass desperately as her back rose straight to attention and her eyes fell back to her lap, looking at the living room rug which was the only safe direction to look at when such things were being discussed.

"Jake told me that they will, 'one day'. But not soon, he said. In the future. But I'll let you know when he changes his mind!"

The brunette did not dare look up at Jake beside her, unsure if she even wanted to know when and where the Newbury siblings had had such a talk. A small ache of sadness blossomed inside her but the witch let it go, of course Jake would talk to Victoria without talking to the first. She was his sister after all, and the world wasn't the same as it had been a few years ago. Now there were so many more mistakes to make up for.

So many more ways in which to reveal how fundamentally flawed she was.

"Did he say when he was moving back towards home? I'll need to be closer if there is a chance of great-grandchildren on the way!"

The soft clink of broken glass met Azalea's ears befoe she realized that the wineglass had slipped from her grasp, landing on the floor and shattering into irreparable pieces.

So much like her.

"Sorry," the Herbologist murmured, getting down on her knees in an attempt to salvage the broken glass. "Sorry," she repeated, blinking hard to keep the tears out of her eyes and looking only at the mess she'd made, once again ruining the an otherwise perfect picture.

"I'm sorry."

Guest

As the topic of the future came up, Jake could feel Azalea start to tense next to him. The arm that was wrapped around his girlfriend drew her closer, trying to silent relax her the best he could. His grandma had been slightly shocked at the idea of him getting a flat with Azalea before they were married, but his mom had kindly pointed out that this was the modern way.

Jake had brushed it away a couple of years ago, and it didn't worry him now.

Their time would come, and Azalea knew that. They'd spoken about the future and put it off for a while. Right now they were content. Though, the Quidditch star understood her fear, and he tried very hard to calm the witch without drawing attention to that action. Everyone in the room didn't need to know the way they worked, it only mattered between them.

"Did he say when he was moving back towards home? I'll need to be closer if there is a chance of great-grandchildren on the way!"

Jake went wide eyed at the notion of children in that moment. He hadn't written it off, but he had put that to... well some time away at the very least. But it wasn't Jake's reaction who caught everyone's attention, it was the shattering of glass that pulled everyone's attention to Azalea.

"Sorry,"

The young man was on his knees beside Azalea, wand out and fixing the class not a moment later. A quick vanishing charm for the spilled wine and the mess was cleared. No harm done. Except for the tears in Azalea's eyes. Not noticeable to the rest of the room, but to Jake... The gut wrenching feeling that something was wrong made itself known as he looked to his girlfriend, lifting the glass to the table.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Jake whispered, helping Azalea back in to the sofa and sitting beside her. His arms wrapped around the witch, holding her close as her eyes remained downcast. Something was wrong with Azalea, Jake knew that much, but what... "I promise, Grandma, that you'll be the first to know, if there any developments." Jake told his grandma, still holding Azalea close to him. The young man didn't miss the look from Kit, but his confused expression must have been enough for the man to know that he didn't know the problem either.

It was by that point that Alexis had piped up about some new news in the family, something boring that Jake didn't even begin to listen to as he held Azalea close to him.

***

There was no mention of the glass breaking for the rest of the stay, though Azalea remained quite quiet throughout the last dinner and evening back home. Jake knew that this was not the place to press her for answers and just kept the reassurance that everything was okay with small gestures towards Azalea. Holding her close, giving her reassuring smiles when her eyes managed to lift from her lap. And most importantly, keeping the topic away from their relationship.

Kit had left late that evening, wishing his daughter a Merry Christmas and giving her a hug before he left. Jake had moved outside to ask the man if he knew anything Jake should, but a shake of Azalea's dad's head had told him that they were all in the dark. But Jake had promised to let Kit know. The whole family had headed to bed shortly after, Jake curling up beside Azalea and holding her close to him in an effort to reassure himself everything was okay.

The duo had left the following morning, Azalea looking both keen and reluctant to leave at the same time as they bid farewell to his family and got in to the Spyder. He'd wait until they got home, allowing Azalea just a little more time to get everything ready that she needed to.

» It Was Christmas Eve, Babe (Azalea, Jake & Victoria)
» Merry Christmas, Jake. (Jari)
» Have a very merry Christmas (one-shot)
» Christmas Day, the Newbury Way (Jari & Victoria)
» When You're the Best of Friends (Jake & Victoria - Closed)