13 December 1890 — Zach's Study, High Street

Juliana may not have been particularly religious, but everyone loved Christmas, as far as she could tell. What was there not to love? Family and warm hearths, snow and sleigh bells, the scent of freshly cut pine and holly, and a whole myriad of delicious foods and drinks that were only ever made during the Christmas season. Presents were a bit besides the point, as far as she was concerned; they were for children. For Jules, every day in December might as well have been Christmas.

She'd helped her mother deck their halls from top to bottom, and had paid a visit to Hugo and Rosie to have a little tree trimming party with the children — which left her wondering about Zach. She knew he was putting a lot of energy into the festival and his shop, but wondered if he might have neglected bringing some festive cheer to his own quarters as well. So she'd taken it on herself to investigate, by showing up unannounced. She had a whole bag of decorations at her side, too, in case she found anything that didn't quite meet her standards.

She'd expected to encounter Zach and perhaps have to overcome some objections, but when she flooed in to his study it wasn't Zach seated in the arm chair at all.

"Why, hello!" she greeted quite cheerfully. "Happy Christmas, Miss Globetrotter. What's brought you to my brother's study?"

Jupiter Smith Zachariah Binns

  

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules

Later, Jo would realize that perhaps she had gotten too comfortable in Zach's loft. Some of her things were always scattered about: a hair brush on his nightstand, her cloak on the coat rack, a pair of slippers tucked beneath the study's chair. Hell, Jo even had her own stack of books besides his for when she felt up to reading. Anyone who visited would easily be able to see that Zachariah didn't spend much time alone, but the only visitors he had was his mother on Tuesdays. At which time Jo cleared out, taking every scattered belonging with her.

Today was a Monday, though, which meant she had a few more hours before she had to start the routine collecting. Or so she thought.

Thankfully, Jo was dressed in more than just one of Zach's shirts when his sister walked through the floo. "Miss Binns!" Jo exclaimed, her surprise evident on her stunned features. "Za- Mr. Binns allows me use of his study during the day. It's... quieter here than it is at home." The explanation, while true, was an obvious lie, one Zach's obviously intelligent sister would likely see straight through. Tucking her damaged hand out of sight, she continued, "was he expecting you?"

  

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beautiful set by mj

Jules supposed that Zach's home would be much quieter, given that he lived alone — but she would also have wagered that the quiet wasn't the only benefit, in Miss Smith's eyes, to him living alone. Juliana could be a trifle out of touch at times when it came to matters of society, particularly if she was distracted by something that interested her, but it didn't take a Witch Weekly subscriber to put two and two together in this case.

"No, I don't suppose he was," she said with an offhand shrug. "I meant to surprise him. I come bringing good tidings of great joy," she teased lightly (quoting the Christmas carol; she had no particular news, of great joy or otherwise), "And a sack full of Christmas cheer in case he was lacking any. Are you here every day for the quiet, then?" she asked with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "I imagine our Christmas morning will be much quieter than yours, too, with such a large and devout family as you have. Should I add you to my Christmas shopping list?"

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   Jupiter Smith

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules

"Oh, how lovely." Jo commented. The loft hadn't been decorated much for Christmas, but the shop downstairs had. "Do you do so for him every year?" Her relationship with Zach was still so new, after all, whatever his previous holiday traditions were were still foreign to her. (Had she ruined any with her newfound residence in his flat? Merlin, she hoped not.)

She moved the book she was reading to the pile on the table and stood from the chair, her injured right hand tucked behind her left. It was too late to find where she discarded her gloves, but she didn't intend on staying long now that Miss Binns was here. Especially not with the questions she had turned on Jo, fuck.

"No, certainly not." Jo insisted. "I'm only here every so often and will be spending Christmas with my family." She intended on slipping away early and waiting for him to return from his festivities, but perhaps that would be a mistake. "In fact, I should leave you to your decorating. Would you like me to go summon him for you?"

  

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beautiful set by mj

"No, don't," Jules responded immediately. "It'll be so much nicer to surprise him with it, don't you think? He'll just wander into a winter wonderland," she said with a grin. "You ought to stay and help me decorate, if you didn't have anything pressing to do," she suggested. It was clear from the way she'd discarded the book she'd been reading that she didn't have anything else going on at the moment and that she hadn't been engrossed in what she was reading; it was probably just meant to fill the time until Zach finished whatever he was doing, if she had to guess.

"He might suppose it was your doing anyway," she pointed out. "If he left you unattended in his flat and came back to find it covered in magical snow and whatnot. That's a more reasonable assumption than Christmas fairies, anyway," she teased lightly. "So if you're likely to take the credit — or the blame — you may as well help me decide where to put things."

  

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules

For a split second, Jo was frozen in place. She had never encountered any of her lovers' family before, but she had always envisioned the interaction to include outrage, possibly even a breath of scandal. Not this subtle acceptance Miss Binns was giving her. There was no doubt in Jo's mind that Miss Binns knew what this was, and to not react negatively was perhaps the best Christmas gift Jo could've asked for. If nothing else, it gave her hope for the future.

"I'm, uh, not entirely capable of magic at present." Jo attempted to explain, her embarrassment over her injury clear. Unlike with Zach and her family, she hadn't had time to prepare herself for the grotesque reveal. She felt exposed, vulnerable, moreso even than standing before Zach's bloody sister with bare feet. "There was an incident in Egypt. My hand...I can't." How was she to hold garland with only one useful hand? The other tremored so often that she was more likely to ruin the decorations than be useful. "Mr. Binns would know it wasn't me."

  

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beautiful set by mj

Jules frowned, less at the information presented than at the way in which Miss Smith spoke of it. It was obviously something she would have preferred not to have talked about, so although Juliana was quite curious about exactly what had happened (something exciting, no doubt, if it had occurred in Egypt and had such a lasting effect on the sturdy adventurer she'd met that summer) she decided not to ask about it.

"Well, perhaps he'll have to attribute it to Christmas fairies after all," she said with a wistful sort of sigh. "Nevermind that. You just sit and tell me where to put things, and I'll do all the rest. I imagine you might be spending more time here between now and Christmas than I will," she said with another knowing smile. "So I think your opinion on things might be more important than mine. I wouldn't want to put up something you thought was garish."

Without waiting for Miss Smith to agree to this scheme, she removed the bag from over her shoulder and opened the flap wide so that she could see the assortment of decorations she'd brought with her. "Do you think this room should be red and gold — you know, that traditional Christmas warm look — or silver and blue, for a more winter-y thing? I think red and gold is cozier, don't you?"

  

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules

Jo didn't quite understand how someone could be as kind as Miss Binns was being. Still, she wasn't about to encourage Zach's sister into some sort of hysterical meltdown over his affair. No, she would take the acceptance and run with it. Perhaps even forge a better friendship with the woman than they had the opportunity to earlier that year.

"I've always been rather partial to red and gold myself." The warm colors were what she spent the better part of seven years staring at, after all. "Perhaps the parlor and kitchen could be blue and silver. Having supper beneath falling snow would be lovely." Not that Jo much enjoyed the freezing cold or snow, but if it were magical the temperature wouldn't matter much. "Do you think we could put a small tree in the corner?"

  

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beautiful set by mj

"Oh, so you typically have supper here, as well?" Juliana asked, though of course she had already guessed as much. "If you're looking for quiet I suppose that makes sense. Meals are some of the most chaotic moments in a busy household. I hope my brother hasn't neglected his pantry too much... or the poor quality of the meal might almost negate the benefit of good company," she teased. Did Zach even have a cook, or did he put together his meals himself? That would do for a bachelor, she supposed, but if he was entertaining — she shuttered to think.

"I think... yes, I did bring it," she said warmly as she located a small potted pine within the depths of the magically enlarged bag. "One tree to order. The star seems to have gone on a walkabout, but nevermind. It'll turn up," she said as she placed the tree in the corner Miss Smith had indicated. "I knew you were important, you know. Didn't I say as much when you came for tea in the shop last summer? I just hadn't put my finger on how or why yet."

  

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules

She realized the slip too late, a faint blush came to her cheeks as Julianna narrowed in on the truth. Jo spent far more time curled up in Zach's loft than she did anywhere else. He made her feel safe and cared for, loved even. "Most days," she answered simply with a shrug. There was no point in lying when Miss Binns already knew so much. "The pantry serves just fine." Jo prepared some meals herself, too, her skills reasonably decent since spending so much time abroad.

The tree fit perfectly in the corner and already served to life Jo's spirits more than they had in weeks. "You did, though I didn't know then why either." Zach and she had grown closer in the weeks before her leaving and with their letters. Then, Greece happened and it was as though her world shifted on its axis. "What will you do now that you know why?" A most unsubtle question, but Jo wasn't known for her careful phrasing of words.

  

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beautiful set by mj

Juliana had moved from the tree back to her bag and had started to remove round red Christmas ornaments, creating a small mountain beside her bag. Once she'd gotten them out of the way, she removed her wand and used it to unfurl a long gold-banded ribbon from the depths of the sack. Directing it through magic, she started to fix it around the tops of the room, letting it droop in large semicircles between the fixed points.

"What do you mean?" she asked, with genuine confusion. She thought she'd made it quite obvious what she intended to do: decorate. The relationship between Miss Smith and her brother didn't affect her in any substantial way, so far as she could tell. Zach was still her brother, and Miss Smith was still a pleasant tea companion. Why should she have any opinions whatsoever on the two of them spending time together? Even if they weren't necessarily going about it in the most conventional way.

"Oh, you mean am I going to tell anyone," Jules realized. Miss Smith had probably expected her to be scandalized, and to run out and tell everyone — or if not everyone, at least her mother. "No, I don't plan to. It's for Zach to tell. Though I do think he should," she added. "It might stop Hugo from making all those comments about his cats."

  

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules

The relief Miss Binns provided with her discretion was tainted by the offhand comment that followed. She knew Zach's mother wished for him to be married off, knew that he would likely even prefer to be married if for no other reason than the ability to go out in public. However, Jo was still of the firm resolve to never marry. Mrs. Jupiter Binns left such a sour taste in her mouth. No, she wouldn't ever marry. Not even for a manwho was as wonderful as Zach.

"Perhaps in time," she answered after a minute. Her stance on marriage was not something she would willingly discuss this evening, and it was certainly not something she would discuss with Zach's sister. "The ribbon looks beautiful. It's been years since I last partook in decorating for Christmas." The natives in Central America didn't celebrate it, after all. "Probably before school now that I'm thinking of it. My mother always had it all done before we arrived home for the holiday."

  

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beautiful set by mj

Preparations for the festival, holiday shoppers, and rehearsals for the Christmas Eve performance of 'A Christmas Carol' had gobbled up much of his 'spare time' at work. It left those around him cautioning him to slow down, but he wasn't about to oblige. The more he accomplished in the day, left more time for him to spend with Jo in the evening. Thankfully, his industriousness allowed Zach to slip home without arousing any sort of suspicion from those who worked with each day.

For once, he had found himself leaving work at a reasonable hour, but the detour he took to the Three Broomsticks to snatch up some sort of sustenance for the two of them, left him delayed. Especially since he had been surrounded by carolers, a few of which were young readers he was quite fond of. After many excuses, he was finally able to slip away.

As he climbed the stairs behind his shop to the apartment that sat above, Zach found himself humming one of the many ditties he'd been serenaded with. By the time he spilled in through the door, the humming had turned into full blown singing.

"Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen. When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even." While not a seasoned vocalist, Zach had a pleasant voice that was as gentle as he was. It wasn't often that he found himself singing, but Christmas brought it out of him.

Unwrapping his scarf, he hung it by the door, his coat soon joining it. So distracted, he didn't immediately clue into the voices coming from his study, or his entrance might have been more thoroughly considered. Instead, he deposited the food on the table, cast a warming charm and continued down the hall.

"Brightly shone the moon that night, though the---" He paused in the door, the words nearly turning into a cough when they reached the back of his throat. Jules and Jo seemed to be...decorating? Together? What in Merlin's name was going on?

"...Well...this is a surprise." Though, it wasn't clear which part he meant.

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Pretties thanks to Olive! <3

Jules noticed the hesitation when Miss Smith answered, and it gave her pause. How to interpret that? Had Zach given her some indication that he wasn't planning to introduce her to the family? Or did Miss Smith not think it advisable, for some reason? Juliana opened her mouth to ask a question, but was distracted by the sound of Zach singing in the other room. That snapped her back to attention; she waved her wand furiously to finish the ribbon and get the red ornaments into place in each of the pinnings. The last ornament was still swaying from its journey when Zach opened the door.

"Yes! Surprise! That was the idea," she said brightly, clapping her hands together. "Though I'd hoped to have more of it done before you saw it. Maybe we can keep going and you could make Miss Smith and I a cup of tea?" she suggested. "Then when you return you can pretend to be surprised all over again."

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules

Zach's sudden appearance was a welcome intrusion on her and Miss Binns' conversation. Jo kept her eyes locked on her lover in a silent plea for him to not leave he alone with his sister once more. She didn't dare risk the conversation drifting in the direction it just had. Miss Binns was determined when she wished to be. Hell, such determination was how the became acquainted, after all. The floo accident and all.

She thought to excuse herself to make the tea for them, but realized a moment before the excuse came that to do so would mean revealing just how intimate her and Zach were. "We have plans for the rest of the loft as well," she commented instead. "Your sister came very prepared."

  

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While Zach looked like a veritable 'deer in the headlights' the ladies seemed awfully calm. He knew they were acquainted, but he hadn't really expected them to team up to decorate his home. Then again, Jules had that effect on people. What had they been speaking about while he was gone? Surely, his sister would have put two-and-two together by now. The look Jo shot him seemed to speak volumes about her own discomfort.

Unwilling to acknowledge the giant, flipping elephant in the room, he plastered on a smile and opted to play along, as if it were commonplace. "Perhaps, I could make the tea on the fire and help you decorate?" he commented, attempting to compromise with his sister's insistence and Jo's silent pleas. "I think I did alright on the shop. The cats seem to like it at least." The little gremlins had been a right nuisance batting about the decorations. He and one of his staff had to place sticking charms on some of the baubles and candles.

He glanced between the two of them with a grin, but all he wished to do was figure out what was going on. Christmas spirit, be damned. At least it hadn't been Hugo who had visited. Or mother. Perish the thought.

  

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Pretties thanks to Olive! <3