~T E A R S~


Charlie woke up early the next morning, as she always does. It was a curse; she couldn't sleep past nine…ever. She didn't mind though, she got more time to herself, since her dad left for work early and her mom was off in her office writing an article or designing the next photo shoot for her magazine, Runway. She was the editor-in-chief of the Wizarding World's most popular fashion magazine. All Victoria Hampton had to do was frown in the slightest and a designer would change their whole entire piece for the season…in the fashion world her opinion was the only one that mattered. Her dad was a world renowned lawyer who could probably justify Voldemort's actions if Rowan was defending him. Her father had never lost a case, not once in his career. But the morning after a ball, the two of them slept in. So Charlie pretty much had the house to herself.

Charlie was still lying in bed thinking of what she would do this morning, when she realized she was not in her pajamas. She slowly lifted the covers and saw her dress, she groaned to herself as she remembered what had happened the night before and what she had said. Hopefully Blaise had thought she meant it in a friend sort of way. Yeah, he definitely thought I meant it that way…right? She sighed as she slowly removed herself from her bed, padding over to her closet slipping the dress off on the way. She observed herself in the long mirror in her walk in closet, as she delicately hung her dress up her fingers still uncoordinated from lack of use. She was wearing a black corset that was tied tight, and black lace underwear. She was petite and slender with curves thrown into the mix. Charlie always thought she was prettiest right after waking up; her eyes still half glazed over with sleep, her lips plump and pouted. Her hair was still in the bobby pins and curls it had been the night before just rumpled now. She sighed and walked out of her closet and out of her room to the bathroom connecting her wing and Cooper's wing. She knew the three older boys would still be asleep so she didn't have to worry about them walking in on her in her under garments. Although she didn't think she'd mind too much if Blaise walked in.

Charlie yawned, and ran the water in her sink. The whole bathroom was marble, and had two sides to it, one shower to stand up on either side, two sinks, and two cabinets, but one large tub in the middle of the room. Charlie loved this most; she could lie in there for hours just soaking. She brushed her teeth quickly and thoroughly. She looked back up at the reflection, violet eyes resting on her hair as black as night in the pins that were beginning to itch. She let each bobby pin loose from her head; they felt as if they had been nailed to her scalp. She counted a total of 146 bobby pins, she looked at her reflection once again, and her hair cascaded down in curly black silk-like ribbons. She smiled at her hair and grabbed her bottle of Boucles, a French holding spray that her best friend from Beauxbatons had given her, she missed Genevieve she needed to write her and soon.. She quickly sprayed the golden liquid all throughout her hair. It stayed on the surface of her hair making it gold, after a few seconds it glowed bright yellow and sucked into her hair with a swish, and Charlie smiled knowing it would stay until she showered next.

She quickly left the bathroom after peeing and went to change. She slipped on her favorite pair of dark wash skinny jeans, a white tank top, and loose plaid shirt that she tied at her waist. Charlie slipped on her riding boots and set off to the stables.

She easily maneuvered the large house as if it was nothing, she spent her childhood exploring the halls and learning their secrets. She exited the back of the castle, to the large grounds. The Hamptons property extended for about 100 acres. But surrounding the house and about three acres on was a beautiful rose garden that Rowan had created the night his baby girl was born; he said "She deserves something as beautiful as she is." Thus the gorgeous, lovely smelling, all year round garden was created complete with fountains and hammocks in trees and a tire swing into a lake.

Charlie took in the beauty around her, and wished she could stay there all day but she remembered why she had come out here in the first place. She walked past the rose garden and just beyond the lake was a large building, filled with Pegasi. Her mother had always been fond of the animals. And there was one mare that had been given to Charlie when she was three. He was all black, black as midnight with black wings to match. He had grown up alongside Charlie and she was the only one that he allowed to ride him. He was a very smart horse, Charlie had named him Beau, meaning handsome in French and also the word for boyfriend. He was Charlie's Pegasus and she loved him.

When she arrived at the stables, she grabbed a bucket of carrots and fed them to the six other Pegasi the Hamptons owned. She fed them each, and spoke to them in a soft motherly way. She loved them all, but she loved Beau the most. He was her baby, and he protected her. She gave him an apple, a sweet treat that he absolutely loved. He whinnied contently as she brushed his wings.

"Beau want to go for a fly?" She asked excitedly, he whinnied and nudged her. She smiled grabbing the saddle and watched as it laced itself onto her Pegasus. She smiled as she let him out of his pen and held onto the reins until they were outside. She used a step stool and still had to jump on to him. They started off on a slow trot, then that turned into a gallop, which turned into flying. Beau was an amazing flyer, he was better than a broom. He was smooth and she loved the feeling of flying with him. They flew around the grounds of the Hampton Castle which was more than enough room. She saw the lake and the rows of grape vines and apple trees, as well as her rose garden and of course the castle itself. On the outside the house was old but inside was rather modern. After being out there for quite awhile Charlie brought Beau back to the stables with a promise she'd return to him tomorrow.

She quickly walked back to the house and ran into the kitchen her stomach grumbling, she decided to turn on coffee. Charlie loved coffee, her brothers often teased her saying this was the reason she was so short. She turned to the coffee pot and saw that a pot was already made; this puzzled her as she poured herself a mug.

"I made a full pot," The familiar voice of Draco Malfoy sent shock waves of fear throughout her body as she jumped not seeing him behind her, spilling her coffee on her arm.

"Bullocks," She hissed under her breath as she wiped off the hot liquid and quickly cleaned her mess. "You scared me Draco,"

"So I noticed," He smirked and she smiled at the boy who had become something of another older brother. She observed him as he did her and concluded that he was very handsome. Not that he hadn't always been, but he seemed to loose his arrogant air and that made him three hundred times sexier than he had been before.

"Thanks for making the coffee," Charlie smiled as she went to the fridge and grabbed cream and sugar from the pantry; she could feel him watching her. "What are you doing up so early?" She asked as she took a sip of her warm drink, enjoying its sweetness.

"I could ask you the same," He said she nodded they stood at either part of the kitchen Charlie sitting upon a counter and Draco leaning against one. "I woke up and couldn't fall back asleep, I saw you riding a Pegasus…Beau I'm guessing."

"Yup, he's my baby," She smiled, yawning again, "So what's this I hear you have a fondness for a certain, Astoria Greengrass?" She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively as he laughed behind his mug trying to conceal the blush that crept up on his cheeks. She gasped, brushing a curl from her face, "Is Draco Malfoy blushing?" She looked around, "Is this a joke?" They laughed together. He was quiet in the hopes she'd forget but Charlie wasn't that daft, "Come on, Drake, I pinky promise I won't tell a soul," She extended her pinky towards him, which after a few minutes of contemplating he took three long strides towards her and interlocked his pinky with hers.

"I do really like her," He smiled and looked at his feet, "More than she'll ever like me," Charlie snorted at that. "What?" He asked smiling, she shook her head, "Come on, we just swore on pinkies! You can't back out on me now!" He flashed his most charming smile,

"I just find it amazing that you both say the same exact thing about each other," She smiled as Draco realized what she had just said. He grinned and kissed her on the cheek,

"Thanks, Squirt," He smiled using his nickname for her, she sighed, "You don't like this Garrick Bloke do you?" She was taken aback by his comment, his steel gray gaze had her flustered it was like he could see every emotion she had like she wore them on her sleeve.

"W-What makes you say that?" Stupid fucking stutter! She thought angrily at her tongue, she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, "Of course, I like Alex."

"Cut the bullshit, Squirt," Draco smiled at her, "I can see right through you," She blushed even more, "Just like you can see through me." Charlie huffed in defeat,

"You're right okay? I don't like Alex; like that at least," She admitted blushing brighter, "The person I like would never like me back, so he's not even worth it." This had Draco interested.

"Do I know him?" She shook her head no, skillfully hiding the small smile on her lips, "Want me to beat the love into him?" She laughed at the thought of Draco and Blaise fighting, and shook her head. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," She said flashing a smile as he raised an eyebrow at her, "Really Drake, it's nothing," He let it go with a shrug. The two of them sat in contented silence for a few minutes until Charlie started moving about the kitchen grabbing pancake mix, eggs, milk, fresh blueberries, a banana, chocolate chips, a bowl, a pan, a spatula, and a mixer.

"Why don't you get grab your wand? You're a witch, for Merlin's sake!" Draco commented from his seat on the island in the kitchen. Charlie rolled her eyes and mocked him silently as she was measuring the mix. He laughed and she smiled at him.

"Four reasons, Drake. Number One, I'm underage. Number Two, magic and cooking don't go together, unless in vast quantities. Number Three, I'm a housewife in training," She smiled wickedly as he laughed, Cooper always commented when his sister was doing anything around the house saying 'Good little housewife to be,' then followed it up with a 'While your up can you….for me?' and when she said no, he'd say 'You're going to need the training to be a good housewife.' "And Number Four, it's more fun this way."

"You Hamptons and your lack of house elves," Draco smiled at Charlie as she cracked the eggs into the bowl.

"You love us," She smiled wickedly knowing she was right, "Almost as much as you love Astoria's-,"

"Good Morning everyone," Victoria Hampton entered the kitchen in plain Muggle jeans and a flowy white top. Charlie blushed as Draco was trying to bite back his laughter. Rowan was at her side, in a button-down white shirt, "Why are you two so giggly?" Charlie blushed brighter and Draco laughed harder shaking his head.

"Well mother," Charlie began, a meek smile played on her pout, "If I told you, I'd have to kill you." Victoria shrugged it off grabbing a cup for herself and one for her husband who was right behind her going to grab the same mug, their hands brushed. They stared at each other for a second and started kissing. Draco looked away; Charlie faked vomiting into the bowl but secretly smiled to herself. Most Pureblood families didn't have more than one child, and she could clearly see why it was so easy for her parents to have four.

"Oh gods, Mum, Dad, I'd like to not vomit into my morning pumpkin juice thanks." Cayden waltzed in making his presence known; he was dressed only in his sweat pants without a shirt on, displaying his handsome muscles. Charlie could easily see why he was so sought after. Her older brother yawned and rubbed his striking blue eyes, he ran a hand through his forever unruly dark brown hair. Victoria and Rowan broke away from each other and smiled. Rowan walked up to his daughter and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"What are you making baby doll?" He asked curious, his blue eyes gently observing his daughter as she put butter in a pan and whispered the spell that started the flame. Cooper and Cayden were both the spitting images of their father, with some slight differences. For example, Cayden had his mother's eye shape big round and wide, but his father's blue eyes, often described as bluer than the Mediterranean Sea. While Cooper had his father's nose and shape face and cheek bones, he had his mother's hair color and her striking emerald eyes, with flecks of gold in them. All of her brothers were tall and muscled, but Cooper and Caleb were stocky, where as Cayden was more lithe. Caleb had a pair of sea green eyes that seemed to be a mix of her father's sapphires and her mother's emeralds, his father's curly hair but not as dark as Rowan's or Cayden's, and nearly not as dark as Charlie's it was somewhere in the middle with the slight golden undertone from Victoria. Now Charlie, she was a different story entirely, her mutant eyes, her midget size and midnight black hair set her apart from her entire family but the structure of her face and complexion of her skin still tied her to them. It was odd, but she wouldn't have wanted to look any other way.

"Pancakes, Daddy, want some?" Charlie replied her father as she began to make the first pancake with blueberries. Rowan smiled at his daughter and nodded taking a seat next to his wife as he answered read this morning's Daily Prophet.

The next people to arrive in the kitchen were Caleb, Anastasia, and Tristan. Tristan with a bottle hanging from his mouth, he smiled at everyone as Cayden sat him on his lap, playing with him as Caleb and Ana got coffee, kissing quickly. Ana was in Muggle yoga pants and a loose boat neck long sleeve t-shirt that displayed her 3 month bump and Caleb was dressed similar to his father, but with a polo on instead. Draco had on sweat pants, but had a shirt on over it he and Cayden entertained Tristan who laughed as Draco played peek-a-boo with him. Shortly after Ana and Caleb had come, Blaise and Cooper had arrived. Charlie blushed slightly when she caught Blaise's eye as her own roamed his bare chest.

"Hey, want help?" Ana asked Charlie who now had flour smeared on her forehead; she had taken her plaid shirt off for fear of dirtying it. She was padding around in jeans and a tank top barefoot and Blaise thought she couldn't have looked more gorgeous.

"Sure," Charlie smiled at her sister-in-law as Ana took over the pan. Everyone's chattering and the occasional outburst from the baby had created a lovely soundtrack to the pancake making, Charlie thanked the heavens above for Ana's help and in fifteen minutes they had breakfast out. As Charlie, Ana, and Victoria set out the plates for the men, Charlie set a plate in front of Cooper he commented, "Good little housewife to be," She rolled her violet eyes and went to get a plate for Blaise as she smirked at Draco who bit back his laughter.

"Hey while you're up can you-," Cooper started to as Charlie but she cut him off.

"No,"

"But I haven't even asked you yet,"

"It's still a no, Coop,"

"Please-,"

"No," She stuck her tongue out at him while he got up and got himself a cup and she set a plate in front of Blaise, they're hands brushed accidentally and Charlie blushed and looked away, as Blaise gently whispered, in a soft voice that sent chills down her spine, "Thank you,"

"You're welcome," She whispered back, her tone made goose bumps erupt across his tanned skin.

"Cold Blaise," Caleb asked as he gave Tristan back to his wife who was now sitting and Charlie was returning to her seat.

"Yeah, just a bit," He smiled at Caleb who smiled back, even though he and Caleb weren't as close as he and Cooper were, they were close enough. Caleb had gotten Blaise out of a few sticky situations when he was still in Hogwarts and Blaise had returned the favor.

"Well, I don't know about you guys," Cooper started up the conversation since everyone was quietly enjoying their pancakes, even Tristan was eating pieces. "But that was one hell of a party last night," Everyone started talking at once and starting conversations.

"Well we all know Charlie had a good time," Cayden smiled wickedly at his sister as she blushed a thousand shades of red, and with each shade Blaise's stomach fell more and more.

"Well did you see Alex?" Victoria commented smiling saving her daughter the embarrassment, "What girl wouldn't have had a good time with him. He looked absolutely stunning." Charlie sent her mother small smile gratitude. All the Hampton boys erupted in conversation at once along with Draco, Rowan, and Blaise.

"Mother, he honestly wasn't that good looking-,"

"-Did you see the way he was looking at her?"

"No, No, a million times-,"

"Lottie, he seemed…nice-,"

"He's almost as bad as-,"

"If he's what you want, go for it-,"

"Guys, guys, GUYS!" Charlie raised her voice over them standing as well, to get their attention, "Stop, okay? He's just another suitor and you say this about EVERY single one of them. Will ANYONE be good enough?" Everyone shut their mouths at her little outburst, Charlie rarely screamed or rarely got angry but when she did it was enough to make up for the years she wasn't. They all stared at her, as she sat back down and shoved a bite of blueberry pancake in her mouth angrily.

"No," Cayden spoke first, he acted as if it was the most obvious statement in the world; no one would ever be good enough for his baby sister. Charlie turned her gaze to him as everyone else did. A small smile slowly crept upon her mouth, Blaise observed, the mouth that he had been aching to kiss. She started hysterical laughing, and soon everyone was joining her.

"But really guys," Charlie said smiling wiping a tear from her eye, once everyone had calmed, "I don't mind the whole 'Big-Brother-needs-to-protect-Baby-Sister' but you guys can be such prats."

"Sweetheart, they're men," Her mother said smiling, and kissing her daughter's head as she stood at the sink magically cleaning her plate and making sure it was put away. "They're all gits,"

"Mom, we're sitting right here," Cooper said smiling at his mother who returned the gesture, and simply said, "I know, honey."

Everyone again burst out in laughter, smiling slightly. This is why Blaise loved this house so much, it was always filled with laughter and happiness never darkness or anger. It was peaceful, calm and lovely.

After a while, everyone had left the kitchen going off in different directions, but a game of Quidditch was set for noon on the ancient pitch the Hamptons owned it was estimated to be built when the first of the Hamptons had built the castle, Hampton Manor had been handed down from generation to generation of Hamptons and it would probably end up going to either Cayden or Cooper because Caleb and Ana had settled in another Manor owned by the Hamptons but in an area they liked better. Besides, Caleb hadn't wanted to kick his parents and siblings out of their home.

Draco and Cooper had called first dibs on the shower in Charlie and Cooper's conjoined bathroom, Rowan and Victoria left together just as the young family had and Cayden muttered something about "owling a slag" and rushed up to his room. Leaving just Blaise and Charlie in kitchen as she piled all the dishes in the sink and with a flick of her mother's wand she had all the dishes washing themselves. She sat on the counter unaware there was anyone else in the kitchen; she jumped as her violet eyes rested on Blaise's dark stare.

"Oh Blaise," She said laughing silently holding her chest, "You gave me a fright,"

"I'm sorry, cara mia," He smiled at her, sitting on the counter opposite her so they were staring at each other. They held each other's gaze in a comfortable silence.

"I like that," She finally spoke, he raised a dark eyebrow at her, "When you speak in Italian, it sounds beautiful, I wonder what the country must be like if that's the way they speak,"

"You've never been there before?" He asked with an eyebrow raised he was sure she had been to his villa in Lake Como, she shook her head no. He could've sworn she'd been there; it wasn't likely he'd forget her presence.

"That time the five families went to your villa in Lake Como and our summer home in Nice, I was sick with venteritius, and I was stuck at St. Mungo's while the five families were off having a blast in the Caribbean, yeah not fun." Blaise cringed at the mention of that disease. Venteritius is a Wizard disease that is caused by a spell, this spell allows the caster to poison you're food with this disease that makes you get the chills, a horrible fever, and makes you vomit until you literally shrivel up from lack of liquids, luckily a cure had been founded back in the 1700s . Blaise knew the story of how she had gotten it; the Hamptons went out to eat a very high end restaurant in Nice, called Belle Lune. The owner's son, who was five at the time was just discovering magic and would send spells flying about anytime he got threw a tantrum, not knowing what magic was sent out dark or light. Well the young boy happened to be in the kitchen when he was throwing another fit

"I'd like that." She answered a sweet smile on her lips, "So how did your night go? Another notch in that extremely carved up bed post?" She was teasing but the way she faltered away from Blaise's stare told him that there was something hidden behind those violet eyes.

"No, actually," He said running a hand through his curls, that were waves now since he had cropped them short. A feeling of relief passed through Charlie, "There was no one that really caught my eye…well except for this one girl," Blaise started and Charlie's heart sank, Oh no, oh no, oh no, Charlie thought, "But she was in the arms of another man, the whole night." Charlie's intelligent mind started running through all the girls near her age who were dancing with guys last night.

"Would I know this girl that caught the infamous flirt, Blaise Zabini's eye?" She asked blushing and hiding her disappointment. The tears had started to well a little as well, she turned and picked her mother's wand up and made sure the dishes put themselves away to keep from crying.

"No, but I'm sure if you saw the face you'd know her in an instant," Blaise smiled as she had her back turned. She was perfection he thought to himself, her jeans hugged her hips perfectly fitting and her chest was perfectly proportioned to her small body but still considered big.

"Oh, is she pretty then?" Charlie pretended to care, she turned and faced him. He just smiled at her, giving her an odd look.

"Gorgeous, breath-taking, simply bella," He replied smiling at her, she nodded.

"Well she must be if she caught your eye," She said turning, tears pricking her eyes. Don't cry, don't cry. Go upstairs call Astoria and Daphne. Now. Blaise was confused, "I'll see you on the Quidditch pitch then?" She asked turning, her face was red and splotchy and her eyes were glassy

"Yeah, your on," Blaise said to her as she quickly walked out the door, he could of sworn he saw a tear fall from her perfect eyes. What the hell did I do?


hey guys, so i appreciated all the reviews, and please keep it up. this chapter had nothing to do with the plot of the story, it was just a filler but it was my LONGEST one yet! please keep up the reviews, and tell me what you think, i love to know what your thoughts are about the story and my writing. and it makes my day when you review.