So choose your last words, this is the last time (Jazalea)

Hope had started to build within the Auror as the months passed by. With the acceptance of the invitation to the Ministry Ball, and the underlying... yes to being seen publicly together, Jake couldn't help but feel a little bit excited for... well, perhaps a future. They hadn't spoken about this arrangement since it had begun, they hadn't suggested anything was going to change, and yet... it was changing. They would be foolish to believe otherwise.

The only thing that hadn't changed was how Azalea would leave for Wales each weekend to spend time with Ethan.

It was still the unspoken understanding that Azalea could not leave the child, and despite understanding that Azalea would never do that to a child, Jake also could see the happiness grow upon the witch's face when Monday came around, and the knowledge that she would be with him and the children.

Not to mention how much Azalea had fit in to the family, helping them all through the week, and in to the new dynamic they'd found. Especially the bond that had developed more recently between Azalea and Ivan. At first, Jake hadn't understood what had happened between the two, but Ivan had eventually sought him out whilst Azalea was busy with Adrienne to talk about Veronika. They'd spent quite some time talking about the mother of both the children, filling in the holes Ivan had in his knowledge, and answering all the questions that had been posed. The question of whether he minded talking about her with Azalea around now had thrown Jake completely. His answer had been what Ivan had already heard from Azalea (the boy had confessed as much before realising what he'd said and looking panicked) which made him happy. Jake had reassured his son that the conversation was always okay to have, and that Azalea and he would never mind talking about Veronika if the children wished.

Satisfied, Ivan had left the conversation there and returned to the living room to see what Azalea and Adrienne were up to.

It hadn't been the last time talk had returned to the children's mother, the next couple of times had been in front of Azalea which had made the man hesitate for a moment, before the witch assured him that she would also like to hear the stories the children had asked for. It was a new dynamic, but one that made the children happy, and Jake realise how lucky he was to have a woman by his side who did not mind discussing previous relationships. It also felt... good, to remember his wife after all this time with the positive light the children needed. Veronika would never have wanted him to be sad, and in a way, he was quite sure she would never have expected him to be on his own with the children either.

March gave way to April, and April in to May. The routine remained unchanged, and the end of the school year loomed. Ivan's last year at primary school, from September he would be heading to Hogwarts...

The thought had been dizzying for Jake -- his first experience of sending a child off to Hogwarts, rather than realising one of his students was his daughter -- but Azalea had steadied that worry when he'd insisted Ivan couldn't be old enough.

Before that, though, the Ministry Ball had arrived.

Jake had had the easy job of just getting his tux to the dry cleaners for the evening. He'd insisted Azalea use his card to buy her outfit for the occasion as it had been his request for her to join him. Eventually she had relented, and the man was eagerly awaiting the choice she'd made that evening.

Clara, helpful as ever, had kindly agreed to look after the children for the night. The twinkle in her eye had been unmistakable when Jake had dropped them off, making sure both children agreed to behave before they ran off in to Furz Croft behind Clara. Another thank you for the favour Clara was doing for them both, and the psychic had turned towards the children with a 'who wants pizza' before wishing Jake and Azalea a fun evening.

Heading home, Jake had tried to seek out Azalea before they had to get ready, only to find the witch already in preparations for the evening, and the subtle reply of leaving her be until she was ready. With a slightly put out face -- that he was told wouldn't work -- Jake had done as asked, leaving the witch to get ready as he instead turned his wand to the house to tidy up a little bit. With forty minutes left before they needed to leave, Jake had moved upstairs to shower, trim his beard, and pull on the tuxedo.

With little else to do, the man had returned downstairs to the lounge, switching on the TV for idle background noise as he fussed with the cufflinks of his shirt to get them straight. Merlin knew those things were never made with practicality in mind.

From there, all he could do was wait for Azalea to be ready to leave.

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~ Auror ~ Profile ~ DADA Professor ~
~ In a Relationship ~ 36 ~ Father ~ 6' ~ American Accent ~

Ever since Mother's Day week, talk of Veronika around the Newbury house had become common. Azalea wasn't entirely sure when Ivan had turned to Jake but she was glad the boy had. Together, she and the Auror had made sure the little boy growing up too fast always felt after speaking his mind under his own roof. Adrienne had been a little surprised at first but had taken the conversation in good stride, choosing to find Azalea's continued diet of vegetables and protein based meals more interesting than anything else going on a the dinner table.

Together, the foursome had found their regular routine once more. Despite the knowledge that Azalea would have to go back to visit her family on weekends, the children made most of their time with her where they could. School kept everyone busy at different levels and for the witch, another aspect of Hogwarts had now taken over ehr time.

During the first few weeks of changing her diet, the Potion Mistress hand't noticed much difference. Her routine trips to the greenhouse, siting in the cellar and communicating with her vines had not yielded much in the way of results. Consulting the notes Jake had dug up from his old apartment however indicated that she had to be patient. Azalea had spend the better part of her former life acquainting her body to whatever lay whispering beneath the greenhouse. It wouldn't be likely to return in a few weeks.

However, in the beginning of May, something unusual happened.

Azalea's visits to the greenhouse normally consisted of the witch sliding down the trapdoor and feeling her way as far as in she could before the vines warned her to stop, that going any closer would hurt her. That she wasn't ready. That day however, as she made the long, dark, blinding walk along the narrow stone path, no warning ensued.

It never occurred to the brunette to stop on her own. In fact, these days it made less and less sense for her to stay away from the dark tendrils. When that feeling had housed itself inside her, Azalea did not know. All she knew was that she was not afraid to go in further.

She was not afraid when something silken touched her face, softly, then a little more instant, as if a light branch tapping on her cheek.

She had shivered, but not for fear, when that same tendril had left her face for her throat, wrapping itself lightly around the witch's neck to familiarize itself with her flesh.

Her blood.

Azalea had been surprised to find out - one back in daylight - that there was a small cut on her cheek. It made sense tough, the vines were rejuvenated on her trip back. Just a few drops of ehr blood had done he trick.

She wondered how much she would have to give to go back to full force.

That evening, when Jake had seen the mark on her face, she had explained everything with an undercurrent of excitement that had not quite managed to quell his concern. Regardless he had healed her tiny wound and not objected to her going down to the greenhouse some more.

Final days of classes cam and went with students all prepping for their yearly exams or their government issued OWLs and NEWTs. Thee fifth year group seemed particularly nervous, all barring a certain Slytherin. Azalea had made sure to sign up for invigilation so she could keep an eye on Mimosa and the rest of her students but that was still a week away.

Tonight, she thought as she sat in the dark caverns, feeling more and more vines crowing over her body, was for a bit of fun.

The vines had grown better with their third for ehr blood. They at least didn't make shallow, superficial cuts. These days, they sucked droplets from along her veins, laving it healed (albeit red for the next hour) completely. Azalea had not told this to Jake, fearing he would not approve of these methods.

But it was working. Because today, Azalea was not laving the greenhouse alone.

The ball she had agreed to attend in March was nearing now, making her realize what it was she had agreed too. Still, denial was the name of the game and if anyone did ask why she was there with Jake, she could merely say he was a colleague and a dear friend. Once again, the woman hid behind all her outings with Jacques Clement. no one ever questioned when she was seen with him. Why would Jake be any different?

Jake had offered to pick up the kids ghat day and drive them straight to Clara's. In return, Adrienne had demand to see pictures of "mommy and daddy dressed up". The little girl was growing more and more comfortable with the term and Azalea didn't want to discourage it, despite being unsure how it made Ivan feel. Jake and Azalea had given into the child's demands anyway, promising her pictures the night before. Now though, Azalea made her way to the Newbury House alone, setting the clock for when they had to leave.

She arrived perhaps an hour before Jake, which was cutting it close but she had wanted to make a good impression.

No, she wanted to feel like her old self.

A thorough shower and scrub later, Azalea had emerged in her dressing gown. It was while she was drying and styling her shimmering chocolate hair into large waves that she heard Jake coming up the stairs. As soon as he entered, he was told to leave her be, though with a smile to soften the blow, the witch promising it would be worth the wait. He had eyed the hanger with her dress zipped up from view before leaving to get dressed himself.

About half an hour later, as the brunette was putting on a final coat of lipstick, she heard the television turn on downstairs. Jake was ready and waiting.

Taking a look at herself in the mirror, the witch reached to pull down the hem of her dress a little, feeling conscious now that she couldn't do anything about her selection. When Jake had insisted she get a dress on him, the witch had known she couldn't get something she would normally wear now. Another ballgown or respectable dress befitting a senior teacher.

No, she wanted to remember what it was like going out with him. What it was like being herself.

And Clara had been more than happy to help out.

As a result, Azalea Harrington now stood in a short, dark red number that spoke of her past Nightshade affiliation more than her current Slytherin one. Brown hair shimmering with tiny jeweled pins and swept to one side, Azalea completed her look with minimal hints of make up save her lipstick. The co lour stained her mouth a dark, inviting red in direct contrast to the light, neutral tones everywhere else.

Sliding her feet into four inch red stilettos, Azalea looked around for her clutch. Finding the shimmering diamante evening purse on the bed, she took it and checked for her phone and cards before heading out the door.

The small gasp of breath that greeted her put all of the brunette's fears to rest as she dismounted from the final step, making her way to Jake who had managed to clean up well enough himself. However, the evening's surprises were not over yet.

"No, Jake, come on, my lipst-" But there was no stopping as the man has he drew closer, wrapping an arm around her waist, ready to-

Be pushed back by a small, weak but insistent bit of vine snaking it's way out of her dress.

"Guess who's back?" Azalea announced softly, unable to hide the look of joy in her eyes as the tendril slowly receded into her dress. "I was with the vines again today and this little fella decided to follow me home."

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So choose your last words, this is the last time (Jazalea) Rsz_gr10

So choose your last words, this is the last time (Jazalea) Rsz_az10

So choose your last words, this is the last time (Jazalea) Rsz_li10

The wait for Azalea to finish getting ready might only have been a handful of minutes in reality, but Jake couldn't help but sit waiting with an air of impatience. Impatient because he was intrigued to see what kind of outfit the witch had chosen for tonight's event as he hadn't been gifted with a sneak peak before the reveal this evening. For a Ball, the man assumed the witch would go full length, knowing Azalea, it would probably be form fitting, and the man's mind had undoubtedly wandered to various ideas in the many musings he'd had.

Reality and a man's mind though, often turned out to be something vastly different.

Today, was no different, either.

As Azalea descended the stairs -- her entrance noted by the soft sound of her heels upon the stairs -- Jake shut off the TV and stood from his seat on the sofa. The witch entered the room with an air of confidence that usually surrounded her, and Jake's lips parted in awe as his eyes grew at the picture before him. There was no ball gown in sight, instead Azalea had opted for a cocktail dress that... Jake's lips grew in to a smile that showed exactly his thoughts on the dress as he moved to close the short distance between them without a word.

"No, Jake, come on, my lipst-"

The worry about such trivial things as lipstick did not make the man falter as he pressed a kiss to the witch's lips in reply. His arms encircling her waist as he pressed another, much more hungry, kiss to Azalea's lips in response to her words. Merlin knew the Ball could wait, he was not about to pass up on the opportunity to-

The push came at his chest. Not strong, but insistent enough to make him stop and take a half step back with a look of confusion resting upon his features. One that only deepened as he took in the vine sneaking it's way back in to Azalea's dress.

"I was with the vines again today and this little fella decided to follow me home."

The news was not a surprise, and yet... something Jake hadn't expected to have happened that day. Azalea had been working hard with the vines in the last few months, and her explanation of the progress she'd been making had been a recurring line of conversation between the two of them -- especially when the escapades had included him sitting her down at the dining room table and repairing the damage the plants were inflicting on her body.

"You managed to..." Jake started, the shift from his chosen topic for the foreseeable future being forced in to a change of topic that wasn't quite so interesting in the current situation. "Congrats!" He added, mind clearing of the thoughts of other activities in favour of celebrating the achievement Azalea had made that day. "Was that... Leafy?" The amusement on his lips was clear that it would have been that vine who would choose to come back with her, and not any other.

"You look beautiful, by the way. Very beautiful." He told her, an almost smug look upon his lips that he would be attending the Ball with a woman who looked as amazing as the witch stood before him. The compliment, however, would be quickly over shadowed as Azalea returned it in kind with the subtle hint that her lipstick wasn't being pulled off quite the same.

Five minutes later, with Jake's lips free of any sign of Azalea's lipstick, and Azalea's lipstick back in place on her own lips, the duo were heading out to London for the evening. Jake's questions had centred around how Azalea had managed the feat of getting the vine to come home with her, and Azalea answering the questions in turn with excitement clearly shown in her features. After months of trying, this was the breakthrough that Azalea had deserved, and as Jake had told her sincerely, he was really proud of her for the achievement.

Conversation of the vines had been cut short as Jake showed Azalea in to the venue for the evening, their names being ticked off of the list before they moved in to the grand hall for the evening. Champagne flutes were bobbing around, and Jake had taken them each one before trying to locate his colleagues so that he could introduce Azalea.

Trey's face was the easiest to spot in the crowd, and Jake diverted their path towards the man. Already looking bored of the conversation of his colleagues and their significant others, Trey's eyes were roaming the room in search of someone else at the event on their own. Jake had caught the man's eyes as they scanned the room, offered him a small smile and navigated through the other people congregating until they were finally with the small group of Jake's colleagues.

"Hey Trey," Jake greeted, before turning slightly towards Azalea. "This is Azalea, Azalea, this is Trey, I've mentioned him to you before. We often run patrols together."

Trey had already offered his hand out to Azalea in greeting, his eyes not overly subtle as they took her in, but the man was harmless. "Jake said you were beautiful, but he definitely hadn't been clear enough in just how beautiful you are." He complimented the witch, the smile upon his lips genuine. Jake took the time to introduce Azalea to his other colleagues from there, each warmly greeting her before conversation took off. Trey wasted no time in asking about Azalea's work as he made her feel part of the group without hesitation.

Jake just smiled amused in to his drink as he joined in the conversation where needed, glad to have Azalea by his side at the event because it made everything seem just that... little bit more normal. Whatever they had, it wasn't hidden behind closed doors anymore, something he appreciated all too much.

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~ Auror ~ Profile ~ DADA Professor ~
~ In a Relationship ~ 36 ~ Father ~ 6' ~ American Accent ~

Her warning was not enough to stop Jake, nothing would have been at that point anyway as he moved to devour her whole. Fortunately, before she could lose herself to his enthusiasm, the vine did what it was supposed to do. As it traveled towards the man, Azalea could almost feel everything it was feeling, if vines could even feel. She felt the weakness, the exertion, the hesitation, the frustration and then...

The memory flashed into her mind the same moment Jake spoke. These very vines strong enough to dangle him over her bed, before tying him to it...

"You managed to..."

The witch nodded, coming back to the here and now. The tendril receding back into her dress was not strong, not by a long shot, but it was definitely there. And ready for cultivation.

"Was that... Leafy?"

I don't know," the brunette replied honestly. She wasn't skilled enough to identify individual tendrils yet. She just knew this one, for some reason or the other, had decided it wanted to stick with her for the time being. "Maybe? Though I don't know if all of them have names."

Jake gave a slight laugh before explaining the origins of the name as Azalea fixed her lipstick and them helped remove it from his own mouth, tongue and teeth. The look would not have gone well, she teased a she used her makeup removing wipes to clear his skin. Finally, they left the house hand in hand, Azalea explaining her day's work with her vines and the sign up for OWLs invigilation.

Not used to visiting the Ministry for Magic, the witch had nonetheless heard the entrance was less than glamorous. Today however it was different. The facade to the entrance came in the form of a grand hotel lobby which descended into a decorated atrium, gold and bronze shimmering on every surface. The Fountain of Magical Brethren took place of pride to one side and a grand stage had been set up on the other to welcome the speakers for the night.

Jake hadn't mentioned that the charity this event was supporting was a St. Mungo's one. Regardless, Azalea was glad to contribute to the cause, reminding herself to get something on auction later.

For now, she was being introduced to Jake's friends and colleagues.

"Hi Tray, of course, Jake talks about you all the time too," she smiled back, shaking his hand delicately before moving to other members of the squad. Towards the end, she shook hands with a tall American southerner who looked gruffly surprised to see her. He mustn't have been part of the usual friend group, she assumed. At least Jake had never mentioned a "Bo Miller".

Regardless, she wasn't subjected to the giant's company for long as Tray captured her attention again, asking her about her job. Moving loser to Jake and slipping a hand into his arm, she spoke of her job at Hogwarts and her ongoing studies in Potions and Herbology. Tray merely shook his had, muttering soemthing along the lines of "She's way too smart for you, Newbury."

Just as talk had turned to the current turmoil plaguing America, the emcee's voice rang through the atrium, politely asking for everyone's attention.

"Goo evening everyone, we apologize for the interruption but our guests of honor are running a little it late. We kindly request your patience for the next twenty minutes or so."

"Fucken' rich people," Tray grumbled before catching himself at swearing in front of a lady.

"Oh don't mind me, please," Azalea laughed at his apologies. "I work with students who get very competitive, I think I've heard it all from the Gryfindor boys."

Tray let out a laugh of his own at that, following it up with perhaps focusing more in school if he had teachers who looked like Azalea. At which point, the witch politely reminded him that Jake taught too, and his students did very well. This lead to a playful verbal scuffle between the two Aurors that left a soft smile on her face.

This was nice, going out and socializing as a couple.

This felt... like home.

The speakers around them came to life once more, the master of ceremony announcing their chief guest had arrived. "And with that, wizards and witches, please give a warm round of applause for our patron, Doctor, Healer, Lady Elanor Murray."

The words didn't click at first, Azalea placing politely and Jake just barely as he had one arm wrapped Rudyard her waist, the other softly tapping her bare shoulder in a clapping motion. The horror of the situation dawned only when the grand double doors opened, letting in a distinguished looking blonde witch on the arm of...

Joshua Murray.

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The day had been a normal one, in Murray Manor, truth be told. Nothing out of the ordinary, nothing out of place, everything running just as it should have. Joshua had been left to his work for the day, Ethan had been looked after by the nannies. His mother had been floating around the Manor house that day with a list of instructions for the staff to ensure everything was going to be ready for the evening that was coming. A charity event for his mother's ward at St Mungos was being held at the Ministry that evening.

His presence had been requested by the woman that evening. Eleanor Murray did not wish to arrive on her own. Joshua had found that notion to be ridiculous, in truth, but his mother had not taken no for an answer. What did he have to stay home for anyway, she had countered at his refusal. Not liking the idea any more than he was expected to, Joshua had not said no again, though he hadn't agreed either.

With Azalea at Hogwarts, he didn't have a reason to be home.

Which was precisely why the man had pulled on his tuxedo for the evening, looked unimpressed with his mother's choice of dress when asked how she looked, and then driven her to London for the charity ball. The man had not thought anything would come of the evening as he waited for his mother to rise from the car and join him. He'd not had anything on his mind about the location or those gathered in the atrium of the Ministry of Magic, or the cause he was supporting as he walked in to the room with his mother on his arm. Where Lady Eleanor Murray might have been all demure smiles, and faux greetings, her son remained entirely untouched by the scenes around them.

The cold blue eyes looked over those gathered without truly seeing anything but a see of black tuxedos dotted with vibrant splashes of colour of the dates that joined each suit. There wasn't a soul in the room that interested the man in the slightest, but for his mother's sake, he would endure-

Joshua's eyes came to rest upon one individual in the room.

One individual who was not supposed to be in the room.

The blue eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he took in the sight of his Azalea. Not because she was here -- despite the fact she'd denoted she would be marking her students essays that evening, and not at the charity ball she was currently located. He could forgive the witch that oversight. No, it was the hand around her waist, much too familiar, much too comfortable... Josh's eyes found the culprit a moment later, and though he did not know the face, he had made note to never forget it.

Josh's eyes moved away from the man and to his Azalea in the next moment, her eyes were on him-

"Joshua, this way." Eleanor Murray's soft voice broke through, averting Joshua's gaze as he was led away from the temporary stop he'd made and towards the main stage for the evening. The blonde's jaw was heavily set in place by the time he'd seen his mother to the stage, and not a moment later, the head of the Murray household had turned back in to the crowd, beelining straight for his Azalea and the man who dared to put his hands upon her.

By the time he'd arrived, the arm draped around his Azalea's waist had moved away, but the two were still together.

"Good evening, A-Azalea." Joshua greeted, not waiting for a reply as he possessively pressed his lips to hers in greeting. "I thought I told you to join me with the rest of the sponsors." He stated, his arm snaking around her waist and drawing her close to his side almost too sharply in that moment. Josh's eyes found the man who's arm had been around his Azalea only moments before. No threat would have been spoken aloud, but the eye contact -- brief as it was -- denoted that this was not over.

Turning the witch away from the group, Joshua would bring the witch back to the seats that had been set aside for him and his mother. No further words left his lips.

But the hold on his Azalea's waist did not loosen even for a second.

And would likely leave a bruise upon her skin in the morning.

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» Now my bed sheets smell like you (Jazalea)
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