…Questions…
Mum and dad invited Blaise back home with us. He hesitated at first but accepted it. I gave mum and dad a hug once I had wormed my way out of Ava and Izzy's grasp. We headed to the car and Izzy and Lucas put our bags away.
I put my bags away quickly not wanting to leave my parents and Blaise alone for long. I jumped down the stairs. They were asking for more details about the hunt. I watched from the doorway until Aithne appeared on my shoulder startling them.
Ava, Lucas, and Harry came running in to see what the commotion was. Grandma Black watched the scene giving me and Blaise the same knowing look his mum and aunts gave us.
She winked at me and I feigned innocence. Izzy brought sandwiches, tea, and cakes in from the kitchen. She sat on the arm of the chair I was sitting in. She giggled. Mum looked at her.
"It was a gift from Blaise's great grandmother Lucia.", I explained to Izzy who was looking at my ring. Blaise was recounting the troll room to dad and Harry. Aithne kept pecking at Ava and Lucas for treats.
"Char! Aithne keeps pecking us and we don't have any treats.", Lucas complained. I tsked at them. "She's only a baby Lucas.", I shook my head and whistled a few notes of an Italian song. Aithne looked at me then flew to an empty shelf and laid down.
Lucas' mouth dropped open. He started to ask me something, but I stuffed a sandwich in his mouth. Ava was looking at pictures I'd taken. She began laughing. I looked over. She asked me about it.
"Blaise and Cesco after stuffing themselves with food while we were visiting the Amalfi Coast.", I replied grabbing a sandwich. She rolled on the ground laughing. "That reminds me. Ginny and Luna wanted to know if we wanted to meet for lunch.", I told Izzy.
Izzy gave me a thumbs up since she had a mouthful of sandwich. "Rochelle would love to meet you as well, but Blaise thinks you might be busy chasing dragons in Romania.", I sighed quietly so only she could hear me.
Izzy was caught so off guard she spat out her tea she was sipping on. Aithne chirped at her. I doubled over in laughter as she motioned to the others that she was okay.
Blaise went home after lunch I waved bye and closed the door. Grandma Black was smirking. I shooed her off. I sat back in my seat. Mum and dad were enjoying a slice of cake. "That ring is quite lovely.", mum smiled. "Isn't it. Lucia thought I should have it.", I explained.
Dad looked at it. He grinned. "I think it is very lovely.", he smiled genuinely. "How was your overall trip to Italy?", grandma Black asked slyly.
"The food was lovely, the hunt made realize I should exercise a bit more, and the history and art made me wonder.", I replied. She looked disappointed. "What are you going to do now?", she asked. Mum and dad perked up interest peaked.
"Lunch with the girls, job hunting, maybe a bit of pranking.", I answered. Mum clapped her hands at the mention of job hunting and dad smiled broadly at the mention of pranking.
I helped mum cook dinner. She wanted to see exactly what I learned while I was in Italy. Everyone walked in dazedly enticed by the smell of the food when dinner was done.
I served the Focaccia first, then soup and salad. I watched in anticipation as they ate. They loved it so I served the freshly made pasta dish. I sat done and ate. "Can I go with you next time?", Lucas pled.
I got up and served dessert, a crostata and gelato. "Of course, you can. You'll probably get along great with Cesco, Uberto and Jino are closer to Edwin's age." He looked stunned that I agreed.
"You just have to study Italian first.", I nudged him. He nodded like he was expecting that answer. I ate my gelato as the others chatted. Aithne flew over and started chirping at mum.
She looked stunned. "All you have to do you use song notes to talk to her.", I told mum slicing myself another piece of crostata. She looked at me in disbelief. I waved at her. She tried it and Aithne sang her response back.
Everyone was highly entertained watching them talk. I poured everyone some tea. "How is Auror training going?", I asked Harry. "It's very difficult. If Hermione asks, tell her that me and Ron are studying very hard.", he whispered. I nodded my understanding.
Everyone headed off to bed. I cleaned up quickly and went to bed.
…Work…
The next morning, I woke to Blue and Aithne chirping. I chirped at them and they settled down.
I showered and dressed. I grabbed my art portfolio and bag. I headed down the stairs. Izzy was already at the door. mum came rushing from the kitchen.
"Don't you have to start on a restoration piece?", Izzy asked as she shrugged on her traveling cloak. Mum waved her words away like they were flies.
She slipped into her traveling cloak. I stepped around the two and opening the door. They followed me out the door. Izzy closed the door softly. We headed to the Ministry.
We'd been inside before helping mum take in art. We got off the elevator at level seven heading to British and Irish Quidditch League Headquarters. Mum dropped off quite a few works for them.
When she was done, we went to the Leaky Cauldron. Mum headed off into Diagon Alley for a supply run. Izzy went off when she saw her interviewer.
I saw an Italian and French wizard waving me over. They were sipping on wine. I sat across from them and the interview began. They rifled through my portfolio asking a multitude of rapid-fire questions. They slipped in and out of their accents. I got a bit confused and responded to them in their native tongues.
They were stunned and questioned me in their native language instead. When they asked me why I pushed the interview back I told them all about Italy and the hunt. They were so stunned the questions stopped. I sipped on some butterbeer.
They talked in whispers to each other. The French wizard held out his hand and told me I'd passed their interview. They gave me the location of the office and how to get there and what time to report to work. I collapsed in relief once they'd left the Leaky Cauldron.
I went into Diagon Alley to find mum. She scanned my face as I approached but I rifled through the books in front of me. Izzy joined us a bit later. She had a poker face too.
Mum wandered off. I winked at Izzy and she winked back. It was our way of letting each other know we passed the interviews. We left and got some necessary supplies.
Mum paid for her things and we went home. Dad, Harry, Lucas, and Blaise were in the garage. They were working on the motorcycles. I took a photo silently. I went to the kitchen for a quick snack.
I sent letters to the other girls organizing a lunch. Aithne took them. I ate my snack while I waited. They replied quickly. I ran upstairs to Izzy. Ava was pestering her asking for homework help. "Fred and George say hi.", I told Ava. She blushed and ran from the room. I held the responses out to Izzy.
She read them quickly. She immediately got ready to go. I ran down the stairs to the study. "Mum, me and Izzy are going out really quickly.", I told her. She waved from the desk.
Izzy jumped down the last steps startling mum. I heard her yelling as I went into the backyard. Izzy followed moments later looking very red. We apparated.
Hermione ran towards us. Ginny and Luna were chasing after her. I hugged Hermione first. Ginny, Luna, and Izzy joined the hug. I laughed.
We headed back to the house. Hermione had offered her family's summer home in the country. We sat in the garden eating a light lunch and catching up. I told them about the Italy trip. Not every detail but just enough.
"Mrs. Zabini had you two stay in the same room?!", Hermione gasped. I busied myself with my food. "How come Blaise didn't mention that detail?", Izzy asked. Luna laughed.
Ginny stared at her uncomprehendingly. "Mrs. Wrackspurts!", she gasped. "You didn't! You two slept together, together!", Ginny shrieked. "Well…", I started to speak but the squeals emanating from my friends drowned me out.
"That must be why grandma Black kept looking at the two of you like that and asking all those questions.", Izzy smacked herself on the forehead.
"I'm more so shocked he left no evidence. I still remember after Quidditch class and she was wearing that hoody to cover her hickeys.", Ginny sighed. "He has more self-control than Charlotte though. You have to remember he's a potion prodigy.", Hermione chuckled.
I rolled my eyes at them. We finished lunch. "Now we just have to worry about the rest of you.", I sighed, "Maybe once we've all settled into our work we can go on a girl's trip with Blaise's cousins. They'd love to meet everyone."
We made plans to meet again when we had time. Everyone apparated home.
Izzy and I walked in the house and found chaos. Mum was chasing dad around the house while everyone watched entertained. We walked over to the others.
"Your dad accidentally destroyed your mum's restoration piece she was working on and tried to hide it. She found him in the kitchen eating the dessert she'd been working on for hours.", Blaise explained as we joined them.
Izzy tsked. "How'd your interviews go?", he asked as mum threw a paint bottle at dad. "Passed.", we mumbled as dad hid behind the couch.
Mum caught dad and the rest of us scattered not wanting to get caught in the crossfires. I went to the kitchen with Harry, Izzy, and Blaise.
Kreacher brought us some cake, sweets, and tea. We ate silently. Kreacher went to his room covering his ears. The other room went silent.
Harry and Izzy went to go check and see if it was safe. The fight had ended. We crept silently up the stairs to my room.
I collapsed on my bed. The others sat on the floor. "So, who interviewed you?", Izzy asked. I filled them in on my interview glad to have a distraction.
"What about you Blaise? Do you have any upcoming interviews?", Harry asked. I turned my head. "I start my apprenticeship. I got such high scores in potions that I was recruited before I ended my 4th year.", he sighed. I threw a pillow at him which he dodged. "That was too nonchalant!", I whined.
"What was your meeting for Izzy?", Harry asked smiling at Blaise. "Magizoologist. I had an interview for a new apprentice to help study magical creatures.", she sat up. "I thought you'd be gone to Romania.", Blaise muttered. She threw an empty box of pencils at him.
He dodged it. We chatted a bit longer. We hear dad trudge up the stairs. We heard him close their bedroom door. Ava and Lucas scurried in. We could hear mum walking around downstairs.
"Dad's been put in timeout.", Lucas murmured. I laughed quietly, "It's not the first time and it won't be the last. We'll probably have to wait about 35 minutes before we can leave."
Aithne popped her head out between some books on my shelf chirping in agitation quietly. I tsked at her and she calmed down. Blaise was at my desk with Harry and Lucas.
I was just getting ready to pick a book to read when I heard mum skipping up the stairs. She rapped on my door and entered. She beckoned us down the stairs.
We slid past her and went down the stairs. Dad came down the stairs with mum behind him. "So sorry about the noise earlier. Dinner is done.", mum waved us into the dining room.
Dad sat beside mum looking wearily at her. I sat beside Blaise. We ate silently. "How did your interviews go?", dad asked trying to create conversation. "Passed with flying colors.", Izzy reported.
"I passed too.", I stated focusing on my food. "Fae said your interview ended quickly.", dad looked at me to continue the conversation. "They kept trying to find the proper English words since they were from Italy and France, so I spoke to them in French and Italian. The interview sped up since they didn't have to translate.", I explained.
Mum's jaw dropped. I smiled a bit before returning to my food. "Merlin's beard are you still trying to understate your value?", mum reached across the table tapping my forehead. Dad helped her back into her seat.
"No. they asked me why I pushed the interview back and when I told them about Italy they were overjoyed. They want to use my talents to depict hidden messages that may have been left behind for family members that they weren't able to receive.", I ranted. Blaise placed a hand on my shoulder. I calmed a bit but kept m defiant look.
Mum sat back in her chair looking taken aback. Dad looked back and forth at us. Mum smiled after a bit. I smiled back. She spoke in Latin to me so that the others could not understand.
"Finally decided to use the talents that have been passed down.", she fixed me with her stare. "I have to. I can't exactly ignore it anymore. No matter how much I want to.", I stared back at her. Our eyes glowed.
She nodded at me acknowledging me. our eyes stopped glowing. We went back to our food leaving the others looking at speechless. Dad and Blaise kept looking at each other and then at me and mum. When the meal was over the others left the table at mum's wave.
Dad and Blaise were told to stay seated. Mum quickly explained what happened at the table. "She has fully awakened the gifts that have been passed down through the family. That's why sometimes she sees moving artwork. She can see everything the artist did when they made it. She can even see the secrets and messages. I can see them too. She's been able to see them since she was four, she's just chosen to ignore it."
The room was so silent that I begun tapping the table gently. Dad rose from the table. Mum joined him as he left the dining room and into the kitchen. I realized Blaise motioned for them to leave so we could talk.
"Charlotte Black!", Blaise growled quietly. I shivered. "Do you remember when I told I didn't like it when you called yourself weird. Now I found out you've been denying a gift your family has been passing down for ages. And your eyes glowed…", he growled lowly and I looked down at the table.
He turned me to him. He had a pained expression on his face. Every time I tried to look away, he turned me back to him. "Love. I wish you had more confidence in your gift. Just as much confidence as when you rode Fluffy, jumped into the rapids, took on two trolls, a group of dementors, and threw those stones at Voldemort.", he spoke softly which made me feel worse.
Tears sprung into my eyes and I wrapped my arms around Blaise's neck and buried my face in his neck. He wrapped his arms around my neck as I muttered multiple sorries. He shushed me as cried quietly.
Blaise picked me up and took me up to my room. He laid me on my bed and crawled in beside me. I'd begun to hiccup and shake as my crying ceased. He patted my head comfortingly.
I kept mumbling. Blaise kissed my forehead. I looked up at him. "Do not deny your gift! Stop holding yourself back! Do not underestimate yourself anymore! Do not!", he whispered urgently. I nodded and he kissed my forehead once more. I buried my face in his chest and he covered me with a blanket.
When I woke it was late in the morning. Blaise was at my desk showered and dressed in fresh clothes. He'd probably gone home at some point. He looked at me. He held a handout. I reached my hand out and he walked over and took it. He lifted me out of bed. "Feeling better?", he asked. I shook. I felt dizzy. Blaise put me on the ground. He motioned for me to get showered and dress, so I did. I walked out of the bathroom dressed. Blaise was on the landing that led downstairs. I joined him. He led me to the study.
Mum and dad sat inside. There was a tray of food inside. Mum sat beside dad behind the desk. She motioned for me and Blaise to sit. I sat down. Some sort of communication passed between dad and Blaise as he sat.
"Now then. Charlotte you should eat something.", dad beckoned towards the tray. I grabbed a scone and nibbled at it. Blaise tsked and I ate properly. Mum shot him a thankful look. "You'll be slightly dizzy for a few days now that you've fully recognized your gift. Dad and I have to do some work abroad so we thought you might rest until you went to your first day of work.", mum spoke as if she thought I was going to pass out.
I nodded grabbing another scone. They left the room to pack and Blaise sat in front of me. he handed me a cup of tea. I eyed it suspiciously. I drank it. Blaise grabbed a scone. He ate silently.
When we were done Blaise led me to mum's studio. I hesitated but followed Blaise slightly unwillingly. He sat on a stool and I stood by his side. He uncovered an old work and turned to see I had closed my eyes. He tsked. "Love. your mum wants you to try. You have to get used to it. Please love."
I trembled and shook my head. He placed me on his lap. "Love. You have to.", he whispered against my neck. I slowly opened my eyes. The painting moved. The memories whisked past. I trembled and whimpered wanting to tear my eyes away.
It finished and I collapsed against Blaise. I panted heavily. I closed my eyes and heard him cover it. He kissed my neck and turned to another one. I opened my eyes on my own. I didn't tremble this time.
He covered it and repeated the process again and again for the rest of the morning. He stood me up. I swayed a bit but steadied myself. Blaise was on his feet and held my hand leading me to the kitchen.
He placed me on the countertop. Kreacher bustled into the room. he talked to Blaise for a bit. Blaise led me over to the kitchen island. I sat on the stool and rested my head on the cool marble top.
Blaise rubbed my back. He went over to the fridge. He brought me a cup of juice. I drank it and put my head back down.
When Kreacher and Blaise were done a plate of piping hot food was in front of me. I ate slowly. Blaise placed a glass of water in front of me. Kreacher gave me a slice of cake before scurrying off into the house.
I took my time eating as Blaise watched me. Mum and dad appeared in the kitchen. "We're done packing. Remember the instructions we gave you Blaise. Here is a key just in case you need to get her.", mum said to Blaise.
Dad gave me a hug and kissed my head. Mum waved at me and they disappeared from the room. I stared at my food. Blaise grabbed a fork and took a bite. I smiled and began eating.
The next day Blaise woke me up. I groaned and turned away. He groaned. I heard him walk to the door and exit. I heard talking in the and then multiple sets of footsteps descend the stairs.
I covered my head with a pillow. I heard Blaise reenter the room. I felt icy cold-water splash on my skin. I jumped up with a yell. I shivered. Blaise stared at me unashamed.
I stormed past him into the shower. I took a shower, cut my hair back to waist length since it was near my knees, and washed my face. I exited wrapped in a towel and robe. I shuffled into my room.
Blaise was sitting on my floor the water had been cleaned up and my bed made. I closed the door pretending to not see him. I went to my closet. I put on a skirt, boots, halter, leather jacket, and cap.
I exited my closet and gathered my bag and walked out of the room. I had just made it to the front door when Aithne chirped at me. I gave her a treat and went out the door. I walked to the park and sat on a bench.
I closed my eyes listening to the sounds of nature. I opened my eyes. Blaise was in front of me smirking. He pulled me to him, and we set off.
He took me to an art museum and made me spend the day staring at the different pieces. We museum hopped all day long.
He led me along the streets of London. He stopped at a set of luxury flats. He led me up three flights of stairs. He stopped in front of a door. he put a key in the lock and turned the knob ushering me inside.
He closed the door behind us cutting on the lights. It was decorated just like his room. I walked around exploring while he busied himself elsewhere. I laid down on the couch. "Just moved everything.", I heard him say from somewhere I couldn't see.
He came around a corner. "Harry's going to stay on the fourth floor, Draco is staying on the first floor, Ron's staying on the fifth, Charlie has a flat on the second floor, and the twins have a flat on the seventh."
I watched as he rounded the couch. I stared at him blankly trying to absorb the new information. I leapt up and hugged him. "Wow, if I had known doing this would get this reaction, I would've used it this morning."
He set me on the couch. I laid down and he laid on top of me. he placed his head on my chest and we there in silence. "I'd apologize for the ice water, but it took 4 hours to wake you up.", he muttered. I scoffed.
I danced my fingers across his shoulders as we talked about the things I saw. He asked me many questions and I answered them to the best of my ability.
The sun had begun to set. We ate some delivery food and then fell asleep on the couch.
When got out of the shower the next morning Blaise was at the door. I walked over tiredly and joined him. He was talking to Izzy and as I approached, she smiled at me.
Blaise handed me a bag of clothes. "I stopped by Charlie's and he said he saw you two yesterday looking very tired, so I brought you some clothes.", she explained pointing at the clothes bag. I nodded.
"We'll meet you guys at the museum.", she said quickly before going back down the stairs. Blaise closed the door and ushered me to the kitchen. Breakfast was on the counter. We ate while we talked about what museums we were going to.
"So, mum and dad told Izzy?", I asked sneaking a piece of toast from his plate when his back was turned. "Izzy, Charlie, and me. We all know and are going to make sure you behave and use your gift instead of neglecting it. You don't have to sneak and take the food love.", he smirked as he turned around.
I shrugged not really ashamed as I grabbed another slice. Blaise took a shower and dressed while I played with Agni. I wanted to stay indoors but he made me get dressed. I took my time changing out of the shirt he'd given me when I showered and into the jeans and tee Izzy brought me.
I sat on the couch and chirped playfully with Agni until it was time to go. We headed down the stairs. I winced as the sun shone overhead. I took a pair of Blaise's sunglasses I'd knicked out of my bag and put them on.
He led the way to the museum. Izzy and Charlie were already waiting by the entrance. They handed us the tickets and we entered. The presence of thousands of memories, messages, and secrets made me shiver.
Izzy was chatting excitedly about a statue just a few paces ahead. I suddenly remembered the instructions I'd been given after my interview. I followed the others scanning each piece thoroughly.
I stopped walking. It was exactly the piece that had been mentioned. I mentally captured the image of the piece in my mind and rejoined the others.
We took a break for lunch. "Was there something interesting in that Grecian piece you stopped at earlier?", Charlie asked after we placed our orders. They looked at me waiting for an answer.
"The people who interviewed me mentioned it. Said they were going to go looking for the rest of the series.", I explained, "I'll have to wish them luck on their trip." The others leaned in closer knowing there was more to the story. "The artist is a bit of a prankster. Hides his work in places that are very hard to get to. Doesn't want his work to be shown anywhere without his permission."
They thought my words over. "Charlotte are you saying the artist purposely hid his work.", Charlie looked very confused. "Well it's not exactly uncommon for an artist to hide a few of their works away. It's just that the artist in question was a wizard.", I muttered.
"Merlin's beard!", Izzy exclaimed quietly, "How did they find the one in the museum then?" we fell silent as the server brought out our food. We thanked her and she walked away. "It may or may not have been inside an active volcano that was about to erupt.", I stated nonchalantly as I began to eat.
"I think it's more important that you know exactly what he hid.", Izzy sighed as she sipped her lemon water. "Oh, no. it's not like any muggle could find them. No, that'd be to irritating. You'd have to be a wizard to find them. Or some relation to the artist.", I explained.
"Why does he sound like great grandma Lucia?", Blaise wondered aloud. "Some tactics for hiding secrets and memories are too good not to be used in modern times. However, this artist probably would've died in the middle ages.", I took a sip of my water.
We finished lunch and headed to the next museum. I held Blaise's hand as we walked through the museum. I let out a small inaudible gasp. I peered at the work in front of me. I let the secrets and hidden messages wash over me.
I heard someone calling me. It was the French and Italian wizard who had interviewed me. I waved. "You see it don't you!", the French wizard gasped.
He introduced himself to the others, "Sorry, my name is Landon Moulin, and this is my colleague Juliet Rossi.", he motioned too himself and then the Italian wizard. "We interviewed Charlotte here. We work in an art tracking division that uses special gifts and talents."
"You see the story now?", Juliet asked me but stared at the piece I had been peering at. I nodded quickly. She motioned for everyone to scooch closer. "The artist who made the Grecian piece you mentioned in the interview was murdered by the artist who made this one.", I explained quickly waving at the piece. "He died not wanting his work to be shown. He was murdered because he did not want to show his work. His murderer did not want to but was under orders from the government. He later killed himself because he could no longer live with what he had done to his fellow artist for he understood why he did not want to show his work. This was his last work he finished."
Everyone stared silently at the work. Juliet and Landon shivered. "Are you sure you want to continue searching for the works?", I asked them. "We want to find the works but not show them. However, should you choose to help know this. It was not just the government who ordered the wizard's death but his father. He thought his son should show his work to the world and when he refused, he convinced the other people he worked with to kill him.", Landon spoke quietly.
"Damn, he could convince others to kill his son, but couldn't do it himself. Why? Was there a protection spell of some sort?", I questioned them, and they nodded. I shook my head. "I'll help, but only enough to find them. I may be a bit of prankster, but you'd have to be a master of pranks to get past his defense systems he's set around the remaining works."
We continued walking through the museum. We talked about the different pieces as we passed them. "What is your gift?", Izzy asked Juliet. "I can see exactly how the artist died like it's happening to me and Landon can sense where art is hidden like an art detector.", Juliet chuckled lightly. She seemed to be very calm despite her gift.
We stopped at a statue and a shiver passed through me and Juliet. "It's going to be an adventure working with those two.", Landon sighed as he glanced sarcastically at some pottery. "They're fakes.", he pouted.
We left the museum and, Landon and Juliet went back to the office. "They seem nice. Those stories were chilling though.", Izzy shook her head. We chatted a bit about the works before everyone went home.
I woke early. I finished all my art training, and it was my first day of work. I got ready and grabbed my bag. I fed Blue and Aithne quickly. They climbed onto my shoulders as I left my room. I went into the backyard and disapparated.
I opened my eyes and found the office building. I entered following Landon and Juliet's instructions and found their office. I knocked and entered. Their owls were hooting at each other from their perches. They looked up from their desks.
Blue hooted at them and Aithne chirped. They greeted me and motioned me over to a desk. I sat and Blue and Aithne began investigating.
They came over and sat in front of my desk. "Wow! When you mentioned the phoenix, I had no idea that it was this gorgeous!", Juliet cooed at Aithne who chirped playfully. Landon handed me a file and I perused it while they played with Aithne.
I closed the file. I scanned the artworks that the artist had given permission to be shown. I felt my eyes glow. The messages rose from them and into my mind. I turned away and back to the file.
The picture of the artist was moving. He was pointing out a window. "Where is he pointing?", I asked Landon. Landon glanced at the picture, "Argos, Greece." I nodded and turned back to the file.
They turned to me. "Ready?", Juliet asked. I nodded and we began to research. Hours passed and Landon got up and stretched.
"Merlin's beard! It's near midnight!", he cried gathering his things. Juliet chuckled as he left. "His mother has him on a curfew still. The boy is 26.", she shook her head.
I laughed lightly and we packed up. I waved to her as she turned to the left and me to the right. She waved as she disappeared into the night. I disapparated and looked around. I was on a cliff above a beach.
I sat down. I pulled out my notes, a glass, a bottle of firewhiskey and continued working. I heard a crack as someone arrived. "Why aren't you at home?", Izzy questioned me.
"I'm working. Do you want a glass?", I sighed as poured myself a glass. Izzy sat beside me. "Rough first day?", she mumbled. "Nope, I just thought if I drank the artist's favorite drink, I might understand him better, you?", I downed the glass.
She rolled her eyes and downed her glass too. We sat on the cliff downing the firewhiskey, and then we heard the sound of apparition. Charlie was behind Izzy looking relieved to find her but angry at her state of being. I tried to explain but they were gone before I could open my mouth.
I continued to absorb the information and firewhiskey. I heard someone behind me. "Charlotte Black. It is near 5 in the morning. What are you doing?", Blaise questioned. I couldn't answer let alone focus on his steadily blurring figure.
I woke on Blaise's couch. I winced and groaned as light came in the room. "Get up. Go on lazy.", I heard him call from the kitchen. I groaned and rolled over. Blue, Agni, and Aithne were watching me.
I hung my head off the couch. "What were you doing?", Blaise's voice came from overhead. "I was trying to understand the artist. Thus downing 6 tall glasses of firewhiskey every 2 minutes. Don't worry! I already told Landon and Juliet what I was going to do. They're not requesting I come into work today.", I mumbled as I slid off the couch and onto the carpet.
Blaise put me back on the couch. "Hey! You're only slightly blurry today! Isn't that great. Hey! Is Charlie mad I got Izzy drunk too? How'd you find us? Where are my files and my bag?", I rambled looking around the room.
Blaise pulled up a chair, sat in it, crossed his arms, and looked at me waiting for me to shut up. I fell silent.
"Aithne came and got us. 6 glasses of firewhiskey every 2 minutes! Yes, Charlie is mad! Your things are in my room. I confiscated them and notified your parents. You shouldn't have drank to point where people were that blurry. Even though you neglected to ask I'm mad at you too! When did you even have time to get firewhiskey? Never mind I don't want to know. You are in serious trouble missy!", he ranted for a full 30 minutes.
"Don't you have to go to work?", I asked when he calmed down. He shot me a look and I sank back into the couch. We sat in silence. I twiddled my thumbs not wanting to look up. I heard Blaise get up.
He returned with a glass of water and gave it to me. I took it and drank a bit. He was dressed for work. "You are not to leave this flat until I get back. Do you understand?", he looked at me, serious expression on his face. I nodded. He kissed my forehead and left.
I rolled on the couch a bit. Then I got up and went hunting for my files. I was searching the kitchen when I heard the sound apparition. Izzy was in the living room. she looked worse than I did but she'd drunk less. "Charlie's mad at me!", she whined.
She was wearing one of Charlies shirts. I stared and she waved me off. "I threw up and had to change."
I took her a glass of water and began my search again. "Are you not going into work?", she followed me. "They knew exactly what I was going to do. I've been given the day off to explore the artist's mind. Blaise, however, has hidden my files. Damn!", I slammed another cabinet after not finding my files. Izzy winced.
We went back to the couch. "I still can't believe Aithne told on you!", she gasped after I filled her in. I shrugged as I took off my jacket. She stayed and chatted until 4 in the afternoon. She left before Charlie could realize she'd left the flat.
I fell asleep once she was gone. I didn't sleep long. I woke an hour later to find Blaise sitting on the couch. He'd put my legs in his lap.
I waved at him. He did not answer. I sat up. "Rough day?", I asked. he grunted in response. I slid closer and put my head shoulder.
When Blaise finally opened his eyes two hours had passed. He looked around. "Did Izzy leave Charlie's flat?", he grumbled. I did not answer I was too busy playing with his hands. He pulled his hands out of mine. I pouted. He observed me for a second. "Still drunk.", he sighed, and I giggled. "I did not want to return you to your parents still drunk, but I guess I'll have to."
I froze. I shook my head furiously in answer. He glanced out the window. "Time for Charlotte to go home.", he spoke to no one in particular. I wrapped my arms around him. He patted my head gently. He began grabbing my things.
I ran into a different room and closed the door. Then I realized I was in the pantry. Blaise knocked on the door. I kept silent. He opened the door and picked me up. He grabbed my things and opened the window so Blue and Aithne could head home.
He led me to the roof of the building. I fought him the whole way up. "Next time don't drink until you're about to fall off a cliff then.", he muttered as I sat down refusing to move. He picked me up and we disapparated.
My house appeared in front of us. Mum, dad, Charlie, and Izzy were in the living room. Izzy looked very ashamed and harassed. I turned to run, but Blaise put me over his shoulder and strode into the house.
I sat next to Izzy as the four of them ranted. Izzy was crying and shrinking back from the volume. I looked at the ground counting the wood grains.
Mum and dad left the room after 3 hours. Izzy looked very put out. Charlie escorted Izzy to her room. Blaise tsked at me. I stood and went upstairs.
He followed me. he closed my door. I held out my hand. He handed me my bags. I rifled through it. "Where's my firewhiskey?", I started to ask but Blaise glared. I sighed in exasperation.
Aithne and Blue were hunting outside. I changed for bed. Blaise nodded approvingly. I glared at him. He raised an eyebrow and I rushed over into bed. He kissed my forehead, I fell asleep, and he left.