…Questions…

Mum and dad invite Blaise back home with us. He hesitates at first but accepts it all the same. I give mum and dad a hug once I had wormed my way out of Ava and Izzy's grasp. We head 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 jump down the stairs. They were asking for more details about the hunt. I watch from the doorway until Aithne appears on my shoulder startling them.

Ava, Lucas, and Harry come running in to see what the commotion was. Grandma Black watches the scene giving me and Blaise the same knowing look his mum and aunts gave us.

She winks at me and I feigned innocence. Izzy brought sandwiches, tea, and cakes in from the kitchen. She sits on the arm of the chair I was sitting in. She giggles. Mum looks at her.

"It was a gift from Blaise's great grandmother Lucia.", I explain 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 complains. I tsk at them. "She's only a baby Lucas." I shake my head and whistle a few notes of an Italian song. Aithne looks at me then flies to an empty shelf and lay down.

Lucas' mouth dropped open. He starts to ask me something, but I stuff a sandwich in his mouth. Ava was looking at pictures I'd taken. She began laughing. I look over. She asks me about it.

"Blaise and Cesco after stuffing themselves with food while we were visiting the Amalfi Coast." I reply grabbing a sandwich. She rolls on the ground laughing. "That reminds me. Ginny and Luna wanted to know if we wanted to meet for lunch one of these days." I turn to Izzy.

Izzy gives me a thumbs up since she has a mouthful of sandwich. "Rochelle would love to meet you as well, but Blaise thinks you might be busy chasing dragons in Romania." I sighe quietly so only she could hear me. Izzy was caught so off guard she spat out her tea she was sipping on. Aithne chirps at her. I double over in laughter as she motions to the others that she was okay.

Blaise went home after lunch. I wave bye and close the door. Grandma Black was smirking. I shoo her off. I sit back in my seat. Mum and dad were enjoying a slice of cake. "That ring is quite lovely." mum smiles. "Isn't it. Lucia thought I should have it." I explain.

Dad looks at it. He grins. "I think it is very lovely." he smiles genuinely. "How was your overall trip to Italy?", grandma Black asks slyly. "The food was lovely, the hunt made realize I should exercise a bit more, and the history and art made me wonder." I reply. She looks slightly disappointed. "What are you going to do now?" she asks. Mum and dad perk up their interest peaked.

"Lunch with the girls, job hunting, maybe a bit of pranking." I answer. Mum claps her hands at the mention of job hunting and dad smiles broadly at the mention of pranking.

I help mum cook dinner. She wanted to see exactly what I learned while I was in Italy. Everyone walks in dazedly enticed by the smell of the food when dinner was done.

I served the Focaccia first, then soup and salad. I watch in anticipation as they ate. They loved it so I served the freshly made pasta dish. I sit down and eat. "Can I go with you next time?" Lucas pleads.

I get 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 looks stunned that I agreed.

"You just have to study Italian first." I nudge him. He nods like he was expecting that answer. I eat my gelato as the others chat. Aithne flies over and starts chirping at mum.

She looks stunned. "All you have to do you use song notes to talk to her." I tell mum slicing myself another piece of crostata. She look at me in disbelief. I wave at her. She tries it and Aithne sings her response back.

Everyone was highly entertained watching them talk. I pour everyone some tea. "How is Auror training going?" I ask Harry. "It's very difficult. If Hermione asks, tell her that me and Ron are studying very hard." he whispers. I nod my understanding. Everyone heads off to bed. I clean up quickly and go to bed.

…Work…

The next morning, I wake to Blue and Aithne chirping. I chirp at them and they settled down. I shower and dress. I grab my art portfolio and bag. I head down the stairs humming softly. Izzy was already at the door. Mum came rushing from the kitchen.

"Don't you have to start on a restoration piece?" Izzy asks as she shrugs on her traveling cloak. Mum waves her words away like they were flies.

She slips into her traveling cloak. I step around the two and opening the door. They follow me out the door. Izzy closed the door softly. We head to the Ministry.

We'd been inside before helping mum take in art. We get off the elevator at level seven heading to British and Irish Quidditch League Headquarters. Mum drops 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 spy an Italian and French wizard waving me over. They were sipping on wine. I sit across from them and the interview began. They rifle through my portfolio asking a multitude of rapid-fire questions. They slip in and out of their accents. I get a bit confused and respond 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 tell them all about Italy and the hunt. They were so stunned that the questions stopped pouring in and they stare at me like I'm a rare specimen. I sip on some butterbeer.

They talk in whispers to each other. The French wizard holds out his hand and tells me I've passed their interview. They give me the location of the office and how to get there and what time to report to work. I collapse in relief once they'd left the Leaky Cauldron.

I walk into Diagon Alley to find mum. She scans my face as I approach but I rifle through the books in front of me. Izzy joins us a bit later. She has a poker face too. Mum wandered off. I wink at Izzy and she winks back. It was our way of letting each other know we passed the interviews. We left and got some necessary supplies.

Mum pays for her things and we go home. Dad, Harry, Lucas, and Blaise were in the garage. They were working on the motorcycles. I take a photo silently then walk to the kitchen for a quick snack.

I send letters to the other girls organizing a lunch. Aithne takes them. I eat my snack while I wait. They reply quickly. I run upstairs to Izzy. Ava was pestering her asking for homework help. "Fred and George say hi." I told Ava. She blushes and runs from the room her hands clamped tightly over her ears and shouting all the way to her room. I hold the responses out to Izzy.

She reads them quickly. She immediately gets ready to go. I run down the stairs to the study. "Mum, me and Izzy are going out really quickly." I tell her. She waves from the desk.

Izzy jumps down the last steps startling mum. I hear her yelling as I walk into the backyard. Izzy follows moments later looking very red. We apparate.

Hermione ran towards us. Ginny and Luna were chasing after her. I hug Hermione first. Ginny, Luna, and Izzy join the hug. I laugh. 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 tell them about the Italy trip. Not every detail but just enough.

"Mrs. Zabini had you two stay in the same room?!", Hermione gasps. I busy myself with my food. "How come Blaise didn't mention that detail?" Izzy asks. Luna laughed.

Ginny stares at her uncomprehendingly. "Mrs. Wrackspurts!" she gasps in between bouts of laughter. "You didn't! You two slept together, together!" Ginny shrieked. "Well…" I start to speak but the squeals emanating from my friends drown me out. "That must be why grandma Black kept looking at the two of you like that and asking all those questions." Izzy smacks 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 sighs. "He has more self-control than Charlotte though. You have to remember he's a potion prodigy." Hermione chuckles.

I roll my eyes at them. We finish lunch. "Now we just have to worry about the rest of you.", I sigh, "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 make plans to meet again when we has time. Everyone apparates home.

Izzy and I walk in the house and find chaos. Mum was chasing dad around the house while everyone watches clearly entertained. We walk 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 explains as we join them.

Izzy tsked. "How'd your interviews go?" he asks as mum throws a paint bottle at dad. "Passed." we mumble as dad hides 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 creep silently up the stairs to my room. I collapse on my bed. The others sat on the floor. "So, who interviewed you?" Izzy asks. I fill them in on my interview glad to have a distraction.

"What about you Blaise? Do you have any upcoming interviews?" Harry asks. I turn my head. "I start my apprenticeship. I got such high scores in potions that I was recruited before I ended my 4th year." he sighs. I throw a pillow at him which he dodges calmly and elegantly. "That was too nonchalant!" I whine.

"What was your meeting for Izzy?" Harry asks smiling at Blaise. "Magizoologist. I had an interview for a new apprentice to help study magical creatures." she sits up proudly. "I thought you'd be gone to Romania." Blaise mutters. She throws an empty box of pencils at him.

He dodges it. We chat a bit longer. We hear dad trudge up the stairs. We hear him close their bedroom door. Ava and Lucas scurry in. We could hear mum walking around downstairs.

"Dad's been put in timeout." Lucas murmurs. I laugh 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 tsk at her and she calms 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 waves us into the dining room.

Dad sits beside mum looking wearily at her. I sat beside Blaise. We eat silently. "How did your interviews go?" dad asks trying to create conversation. "Passed with flying colors." Izzy reports.

"I passed too." I state focusing on my food. "Fae said your interview ended quickly." dad looks 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 guess you could say that having French cousins and meeting Blaise's family helped things along." I explain.

Mum's jaw drops. I smile a bit before returning to my food. "Merlin's beard are you still trying to understate your value?" mum reaches across the table tapping my forehead. Dad helps 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 clarify. Blaise places a hand on my shoulder. I calm a bit but kept my defiant look.

Mum sits back in her chair looking taken aback. Dad looks back and forth at us. Mum smiles after a bit. I smile 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 fixes me with her stare. "I have to. I can't exactly ignore it anymore. No matter how much I want to." I stare back at her. Our eyes glow.

She nods at me acknowledging me. Our eyes stop glowing. We go back to our food leaving the others looking at speechless. Dad and Blaise keep 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 explains what happened at the table "She has fully awakened the gifts that have been passed down through the family even the muggle lines. 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. I didn't write it in the letter because it is not something easily explained in written words."

The room was so silent that I begin tapping the table gently. Dad rises from the table. Mum joins him as he leaves the dining room and into the kitchen. I realized Blaise motioned for them to leave so we could talk.

"Charlotte Black!" Blaise growls quietly. I shiver. "Do you remember when I told I didn't like it when you call yourself weird. Now I find out you've been denying a gift your family has been passing down for ages. And your eyes fucking glowed…" he growls slowly and I look down at the table.

He turns me to him. He has a pained expression on his face. Every time I try to look away, he turns 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 makes me feel worse.

Tears spring into my eyes and I wrap my arms around Blaise's neck and bury my face in his neck. He wraps his arms around my neck as I mutter multiple sorries. He shushes me as I cry quietly.

Blaise picks me up and takes me up to my room. He lays me on my bed and crawls in beside me. I'd begun to hiccup and shake as my crying ceased. He pats my back comfortingly. I keep mumbling. Blaise kisses my forehead. I look up at him. "Do not deny your gift! Stop holding yourself back! Do not underestimate yourself anymore! Do not!" he whispers urgently. I nod and he kisses my forehead once more. I bury my face in his chest and he covers 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 looks at me. He held a handout. I reach my hand out and he walks over and takes it. He lifts me out of bed. "Feeling better?" he asks. I shake my head. I felt dizzy. Blaise puts me on the ground. He motions for me to get showered and dress, so I do. I walk out of the bathroom dressed. Blaise was on the landing that led downstairs. I join him. He leads 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 beckons towards the tray. I grab a scone and nibble at it. Blaise tsks and I eat 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 speaks as if she thinks I'm going to pass out, which judging by how fuzzy my brain felt when I woke up she isn't that far off the mark.

I nod grabbing another scone. They left the room to pack and Blaise sits in front of me. He hands me a cup of tea. I eye it suspiciously and drink it. Blaise grabs a scone. He eats silently making sure I'm well fed and hydrated.

When we were done Blaise led me to mum's studio. I hesitate but follow Blaise slightly unwillingly. He sits on a stool and I stand by his side. He uncovers an old work and turns to see I've closed my eyes. He tsks. "Love. Your mum wants you to try. You have to get used to it. Please love."

I tremble and shake my head. He places me on his lap. "Love. You have to." he whispers against my neck. I slowly open my eyes. The painting moves. The memories whisk past. I tremble and whimper wanting quite badly to tear my eyes away. It finished and I collapse against Blaise. I pant heavily. I close my eyes and hear him cover it. He kisses my neck and turns to another one. I open my eyes on my own. I don't tremble this time.

He covers it and repeats the process again and again for the rest of the morning. He stands me up. I sway a bit but steady myself. Blaise was on his feet and held my hand leading me to the kitchen.

He places me on the countertop. Kreacher bustles into the room. He talks to Blaise for a bit. Blaise leads me over to the kitchen island. I sit on the stool and rest my head on the cool marble top. Blaise rubs my back. He walks over to the fridge. He brings me a cup of juice back. 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 eat slowly. Blaise places a glass of water in front of me. Kreacher gives me a slice of cake before scurrying off into the house.

I take my time eating as Blaise watches 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 says to Blaise. Dad gives me a hug and kisses my head. Mum waves at me and they disappear from the room. I stare at my food. Blaise grabs a fork and takes a bite. I smile and begin eating again.

The next day Blaise wakes me up. I groan and turn away. He groans. I hear him walk to the door and exit. I heard talking in the hall and then multiple sets of footsteps descend the stairs.

I cover my head with a pillow. I hear Blaise reenter the room. I feel icy cold-water splash on my skin. I jump up with an ear splitting yell. I shiver. Blaise stares at me unashamed.

I storm past him into the shower. I take a quick shower, cut my hair back to waist length since it was near my knees, and wash my face. I exit wrapped in a towel and a robe. I shuffle into my room. Blaise was sitting on my floor the water had been cleaned up and my bed made. I close the door pretending to not see him. I walk to my closet. I put on a skirt, boots, a halter top, leather jacket, and cap.

I exit my closet and gather my bag and walk out of the room. I had just made it to the front door when Aithne chirps at me. I give her a treat and walk out the door slamming it shut on my family's curious faces peering out of mum's study. I walk to the park and sit on a bench.

I close my eyes listening to the sounds of nature. I open my eyes. Blaise was in front of me smirking. He pulls me to him, and we set off. He takes me to an art museum and makes me spend the day staring at the different pieces. We museum hop all day long.

He leads me along the streets of London. He stops at a set of luxury flats. He leads me up three flights of stairs. He stops in front of a door putting a key in the lock and turned the knob ushering me inside.

He closes the door behind us cutting on the lights. It was decorated just like his room. I walk around exploring while he busies himself elsewhere. I lay down on the couch. "Just moved everything." I hear him say from somewhere I couldn't see.

He comes 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 watch as he rounds the couch. I stare at him blankly trying to absorb the new information. I leap up and hug him. "Wow, if I had known doing this would get this reaction, I would've used it this morning."

He sets me on the couch. I lay down and he lays on top of me. He places 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 mutters. I scoff.

I dance my fingers across his shoulders as we talk about the things I saw. He asks me many questions and I answer them to the best of my ability.

The sun had begun to set. We ate some delivery food and then fall asleep on the couch. When I got out of the shower the next morning Blaise was at the door. I walk over tiredly and join him. He was talking to Izzy and as I approach, she smiles at me.

Blaise hands 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 explains pointing at the clothes bag. I nod still yawning. "We'll meet you guys at the museum." she says before going back down the stairs. Blaise closes the door and ushers me to the kitchen. Breakfast was on the counter. We ate while we talk about what museums we were going to.

"So, mum and dad told Izzy?" I ask 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 smirks as he turns around.

I shrug not really ashamed as I grab another slice. Blaise takes a shower and dresses while I play with Agni. I want to stay indoors but he made me get dressed. I take my time changing out of the shirt he'd given me when I showered and into the jeans and tee Izzy brought me.

I sit on the couch and chirp playfully with Agni until it was time to go. We head down the stairs. I wince as the sun shines overhead. I took a pair of Blaise's sunglasses I'd knicked out of my bag and put them on.

He leads the way to the museum. Izzy and Charlie were already waiting by the entrance. They hand us the tickets and we enter. The presence of thousands of memories, messages, and secrets makes me shiver.

Izzy was chatting excitedly about a statue just a few paces ahead. I suddenly remember the instructions I'd been given after my interview. I follow the others scanning each piece thoroughly. I stop walking. It was exactly the piece that had been mentioned. I mentally capture the image of the piece in my mind and rejoin the others.

We took a break for lunch. "Was there something interesting in that Grecian piece you stopped at earlier?" Charlie asks after we place our orders. They look 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 explain, "I'll have to wish them luck on their trip." The others lean 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. He'd be livid to find out that his work is in a museum."

They think my words over. "Charlotte are you saying the artist purposely hid his work." Charlie looks 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 mutter.

"Merlin's beard!", Izzy exclaims quietly, "How did they find the one in the museum then?" we fall silent as the server brought out our food. We thank her and she walks away. "It may or may not have been inside an active volcano that was about to erupt." I state nonchalantly as I begin to eat. "I think it's more important that you know exactly what he hid." Izzy sighs as she sipped her lemon water. "Oh, no. it's not like any muggle could find them. No, that'd be too irritating. You'd have to be a wizard to find them. Or of some relation to the artist." I explain.

"Why does he sound like great grandma Lucia?" Blaise wonders 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 take a sip of my water.

We finish lunch and head to the next museum. I hold Blaise's hand as we walk through the museum. I let out a small inaudible gasp. I peer 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 wave. "You see it don't you!" the French wizard gasps.

He introduces 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 witch. "We interviewed Charlotte here. We work in an art tracking division that uses special gifts and talents."

"You see the story now?", Juliet asks me but stares at the piece I had been peering at. I nod quickly. She motions 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 explain 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 who wanted to show the Grecian's art and they got a bit greedy. This artist 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 stares silently at the work. Juliet and Landon shiver. "Are you sure you want to continue searching for the works?" I ask them. "We want to find the works but not show them, maybe even make sure they are locked up safely somewhere. We're even trying to convince the other museum to hand over the Grecian's work. 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 whispers 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 question them and they nod. I shake 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 continue walking through the museum. We talk about the different pieces as we pass them. "What is your gift?" Izzy asks 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 chuckles lightly. She seems to be very calm and present despite her gift.

We stop at a statue and a shiver passes through me and Juliet. "It's going to be an adventure working with those two." Landon sighs as he glances sarcastically at some pottery. "They're fakes." he pouts his eyes glowing brighter.

We leave the museum and, Landon and Juliet went back to the office. "They seem nice. Those stories were chilling though." Izzy shakes her head. We chat a bit about the works before everyone went home.

I wake early. I finished all my art training, and it was my first day of work. I get ready and grab my bag. I feed Blue and Aithne quickly. They climb onto my shoulders as I leave my room. I walk into the backyard and disapparate.

I open my eyes and find the office building. I enter following Landon and Juliet's instructions and find their office. I knock and enter. Their owls were hooting at each other from their perches. They look up from their desks.

Blue hooted at them and Aithne chirped. They greet me and motion me over to a desk. I sit and Blue and Aithne begin investigating.

They come over and sit in front of my desk. "Wow! When you mentioned the phoenix, I had no idea that it was this gorgeous!" Juliet coos at Aithne who chirps playfully. Landon hands me a file and I peruse it while they play with Aithne.

I close the file. I scan the artworks that the artist had given permission to be shown. I feel my eyes glow. The messages rose from them and into my mind. I turn away and back to the file.

The picture of the artist was moving. He was pointing out a window. "Where is he pointing?" I ask Landon. Landon glances at the picture "Argos, Greece." I nod and turn back to the file.

They turn to me. "Ready?", Juliet asked. I nod and we begin to research. Hours pass and Landon gets up and stretches. "Merlin's beard! It's near midnight!" he cries in surprise gathering his things. Juliet chuckles as he leaves. "His mother has him on a curfew still. The boy is 26." she shakes her head. I laugh lightly and we pack up. I waved to her as she turns to the left and me to the right. She waves as she disappears into the night. I disapparate and look around. I was on a cliff above a beach.

I sit down. I pull out my notes, a glass, a bottle of firewhiskey and continue working. I hear a crack as someone arrives. "Why aren't you at home?" Izzy questions me. "I'm working still. Do you want a glass?" I sighe as I pour myself a glass. Izzy sits beside me. "Rough first day?" she mumbles pouring a glass for herself. "Nope, I just thought if I drank the artist's favorite drink, I might understand him better, you?" I down the glass.

She rolls her eyes and downs her glass too. We sit on the cliff downing the firewhiskey, and then we hear the sound of apparition. Charlie was behind Izzy looking relieved to find her but angry at her state of being. I try to explain but they were gone before I could open my mouth.

I continue to absorb the information and firewhiskey. I hear someone behind me. "Charlotte Black. It is near 5 in the morning. What are you doing?" Blaise questions. I can't answer let alone focus on his steadily blurring figure. I wake on Blaise's couch. I wince and groan as light comes in the room. "Get up. Go on lazy." I hear him call from the kitchen. I groan and roll over. Blue, Agni, and Aithne were watching me.

I hang 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 mumble as I slide off the couch and onto the carpet.

Blaise puts 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 ramble looking around the room. Blaise pulls up a chair, sits in it, crosses his arms, and looks at me waiting for me to shut up. I fall 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 if 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 continues to yell for a full 30 minutes.

"Don't you have to go to work?" I ask when he's calmed down. He shoots me a look and I sink back into the couch. We sit in silence. I twiddle my thumbs not wanting to look up. I hear Blaise get up. He returns with a glass of water and gives it to me. I take 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 looks at me, serious expression on his face. I nod. He kisses my forehead and leaves.

I roll on the couch a bit. Then I get up and go hunting for my files. I was searching the kitchen when I hear the sound apparition. Izzy was in the living room. She looks worse than I do but she drank less. "Charlie's mad at me!" she whines. She was wearing one of Charlies shirts. I stare and she waves me off. "I threw up and had to change."

I take her a glass of water and begin my search again. "Are you not going into work?" she follows 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 slam another cabinet after not finding my files. Izzy winces.

We go back to the couch. "I still can't believe Aithne told on you!" she gasps after I filled her in. I shrug as I take off my jacket. She stays and chats until 4 in the afternoon. She leaves before Charlie could realize she'd left his flat.

I fall asleep once she was gone. I don't sleep long. I wake an hour later to find Blaise sitting on the couch. He'd put my legs in his lap. I wave at him. He does not answer. I sit up. "Rough day?", I ask. He grunts in response. I slide closer and put my head shoulder.

When Blaise finally opens his eyes two hours have passed. He looks around. "Did Izzy leave Charlie's flat?" he grumbles. I do not answer I was too busy playing with his hands. He pulls his hands out of mine and I pout. He observes me for a second. "Still drunk." he sighs and I giggle, "I did not want to return you to your parents still drunk, but I guess I'll have to."

I freeze. I shake my head furiously in answer. He glances out the window. "Time for Charlotte to go home." he speaks to no one in particular. I wrap my arms around him. He pats my head gently and puts my hands in my lap. He begins grabbing my things.

I run into a different room and close the door. Then I realize I'm in the pantry. Blaise knocks on the door. I keep silent. He opens the door and picks me up. He grabs my things and opens the window so Blue and Aithne could head home. He leads me to the roof of the building. I fight him the whole way up. "Next time don't drink until you're about to fall off a cliff then." he muttered as I st down refusing to move. He picks me up and we disapparate.

My house appears in front of us. Mum, dad, Charlie, and Izzy were in the living room. Izzy looked very ashamed and harassed. I turn to run, but Blaise puts me over his shoulder and strides into the house.

I sit next to Izzy as the four of them rant. Izzy was crying and shrinking back from the volume. I look at the ground counting the wood grains. Mum and dad left the room after 3 hours. Izzy looks very put out. Charlie escorts Izzy to her room. Blaise tsks at me. I standd and walk upstairs.

He follows me and closes my door. I hold out my hand. He hands me my bags. I rifle through it. "Where's my firewhiskey?..." I start to ask but Blaise glares. I sigh in exasperation. Aithne and Blue were hunting outside. I change for bed. Blaise nods approvingly. I glared at him. He raised an eyebrow and I rushed over into bed. He kisses my forehead, I fall asleep, and he leaves.