A/N: This would have been up here a week ago if it wasn't for that Error 2 thinga-ma-jiggy... But thanks to a fantastic friend, I can update! ^.^ Those who reviewed, I thank you. Those who only read, I can't make you review but I thank you anyway. Hope you enjoy and I plan to update soon.

-FT-

The Children Just Know

Thank You

Minerva and Albus continued their scour for the children in silence. Neither wanted to speak about the random yet secretly enjoyable kiss. First Millie who had said her goodbyes to Horace and slipping their potion in her pants pocket. Then Celeste who dreaded leaving the library. The twins and Allison said their sad goodbyes to Sybill and then Julie who hugged Poppy as tightly as possible, afraid she'd wouldn't see her for a very long time. The girls followed the adults closely but not so they couldn't talk amongst themselves without Albus or their mother hearing.

It wasn't difficult to see that something strange had taken place. "What could have happened?" Celeste asked softly.

"They aren't angry. They seem almost embarrassed." Millie said as if she wasn't sure of herself. They curiously watched as they walked much farther away from one another than they had normally seen. Julie of course wasn't interested in watching her mother walk the corridors with Albus. Instead her attention was elsewhere. She watched curiously as a certain poltergeist flew the opposite direction. She stopped for the shortest moment, or at least that's what she thought. She looked the other direction to where her sisters and mother should have been seen but they weren't. She took a few steps, three corridors to follow. She felt a tad bit afraid when she turned to the left catching another glimpse of that mischievous spirit.

They had reached the entrance of the school when Albus turned to Minerva. "I hope my bringing the girls here didn't bother you."

"Of course not Albus I trust you with my girls." She said rather softly. Minerva turned to her children. Her eyes widened with fright as she noticed one missing. "Millie, where is Julie?"

"She was right behind-" She looked behind but Julie wasn't there.

...

Julie began to panic. Her heart was racing when she didn't see her sister, mother, or Albus. She didn't see any staff members but she had a feeling that she was going the wrong way. She turned around trying to remember which way she had came but all the corridors looked the same. The portraits were watching carelessly as she began to run down the halls. The sound of her shoes hitting the floor echoed.

She turned in a circle and began to cry. "Mama." She said softly. The Red Baron came towards her about to ask her if she needed help. She was scared and when she seen the floating man that was stained with blood she ran as fast as she could the other direction. She turned left and then right. Afraid of anything else come through the walls. "Mama!" She cried but there was no answer.

She now ran where there were no portraits on the walls. It was silent except for her soft sobs. Why did she stop? Why didn't she stay with her sisters. Why did she have to get separated? Her eyes began to burn with tears and rubbed her fists in her eyes to try and make it stop.

Julie's face was flushed as the tears continued to fall. She couldn't breathe, and her legs were too tired. She heard a large crack and a shrill laugh from behind. Peeves came speeding down the corridor. Behind him, yelling cruel words, was the Red Baron. Julie turned and ran as fast as she could seeing a large door at the end of the hall. When she opened the door she saw the dark blue sky and without another thought she ran for the only shelter she could see that ghosts wouldn't be able to find her, and that was the Forbidden Forest.

...

"Julie!" Albus bellowed as he ran down the hall with Minerva by his side. The girls quickly followed making sure they didn't separate. They stopped at the East Wing and looked in circles. A few tears fell down Minerva's cheek. Peeves and the Red Baron had rushed to Albus saying the little girl was running for the forbidden forest.

"I've lost my own daughter." She whispered. "What kind of mother am I?"

Albus hugged her tightly. "She just needs to say my name and we'll find her." He said. "I promise"

...

Julie jumped over branches and pushed through bushes. It was getting darker. She looked around and found a ditch close to the tree. She sat down in the dirt making it hard for anything to see her. If her mom came she'd see and if it wasn't her mom she'd be safe stay hidden. She was so tired. Her eyes hurt and she felt dizzy. She slid down, pulling her knees to her chest. She'd be safe here. She sat there for minutes and closed her aching eyes. She didn't remember which way she came from and was too scared to go any further, even if there were ghosts.

...

Julie opened her eyes not sure if she had fallen asleep or not, but it was now very dark and she couldn't see hardly anything. The light breeze became stronger and she hugged her knees getting a bit cold. Her mother would be so angry with her when she found out that she wasn't paying attention. She looked around. She heard sounds but wasn't quite sure what they all were. One sounded like yelling. A lot of yelling but it was too hard to tell. There was some noise that sounded like hooves.

Julie began to cry not sure what she was suppose to do. She turned left and then right. She took a few steps and could see something running in the distance. She knew for sure it wasn't human and ran the opposite direction. She had only made it a few feet before she saw a half man half horse throwing himself back in attempt to not hit her with his hooves. She turned the other direction seeing a giant man run forward yelling for others. It was then when Julie covered her ears and closed her eyes tightly.

"Albus!" She screamed. And in an instant the terror was over. Julie looked up to see Albus there running in her direction. Julie stood up jumping in his arms and crying as she laid her head upon his chest. She heard him talking to the horseman and she heard the name Hagrid. Julie continued to cry when they found Minerva and the girls. "Mommy!" Julie whimpered as she reached for her and Minerva held her tightly in her arms.

Julie seen very little of what was happening around her. But what she did see was a lot of people, and some of those half horses. She watched Albus shake a few hands but her eyes shut against her will, falling fast asleep.

...

When Albus took his first step into the forbidden forest he sent Fawkes for the Ministry, called the staff, and found the centaurs, to help him find Julie. It had took them over an hour to find Julie and Minerva was terribly shaken up by the whole ordeal. Albus insisted on traveling with them that evening. Albus had held Julie in his arms when Minerva became too tired. Julie continued asleep, her face still pink from crying.

"I'll get the other girls to bed, you know where Julie's room is."

Albus climbed the stairs after the others then turned left to Julie's room. There was a nightlight by her bedside making it easier for Albus to see. Albus laid her down and used his wand to change her into her pajamas.

To Albus' surprise Julie's eyes fluttered opened. Albus smiled sitting on the side of her bed. "How do you feel?" He asked quietly.

"Tired." She said softly. "Thank you for getting me away from those scary things."

"You're very welcome."

"Albus?"

"Yes?"

"You won't leave will you?"

"What do you mean?"

"One time daddy left and he didn't come back for a long time." Albus was confused. When ever did Daniel leave Minerva?

"I promise I will never leave you."

"Pinky promise?" Julie held her pinky out. Albus did the same.

"Pinky promise." He smiled.

"Good. I don't want you to go. I'd miss you too much." What Julie said had warmed Albus' heart seeing her smile so brightly. Albus kissed her head and she closed her eyes.

Albus turned for the door to see Minerva watching him. He wondered how long she had been standing there. They walked down together and Albus followed Minerva into the dining room. He sat opposite of her and he waited.

"She loves you. You know that right?" Albus didn't answer. It was meant to be a rhetorical question. Minerva looked down laying her hands on the table. She looked so distant, as if she was lost in thought. "I'm sorry for kissing you." She said softly. She looked to her right. Nothing in particular, just so she could avoid eye contact. They sat in silence for such a long time. Albus watched Minerva. He hadn't seen her like this since she received that letter of her husband's death.

Albus reached for her hands, covering them with his. She turned her eyes to him now. And the moment she did, few tear fell from her eyes. "That was the first time I've lost any of my children."

"Minerva it wasn't your fault. She wasn't paying attention."

"But I should have been paying more attention to my children." She said harshly. She sighed. She had let her anger get the best of her. So she took his hands and touched them to her cheek. "I'm sorry." Albus smiled lightly. She sighed. "I'm tired is all." Minerva let his hands free and he stood up. Minerva followed the gesture and stood up as well.

He walked to the door and Minerva followed. Before he had said farewell she kissed him lightly on his lips. She looked up to his eyes. "Thank you for finding Julie." She whispered and then he left.

...

It was about two in the morning when Minerva seen her door open. She watched as Julie tip toed into her room. Julie stopped at the bedside and whispered. "Mommy are you up?" Minerva smiled.

"Yes honey."

"Can I sleep with you tonight?"

"Yes sweetheart." Minerva pulled the covers back so Julie could climb in and get comfy. Julie moved close to her mother and Minerva pecked her forehead. "Did you have a bad dream?"

"No." She whispered. "Are you mad at me?"

"Why on earth would I be mad at you?"

"Because I left the castle."

"Honey I'm just happy you are safe."

"Who were all those people?"

"Friends of Albus. He was so worried you were hurt that he called the Ministry and the centaurs to help find you."

"Are the centaurs the horse people?"

"Yes sweetie."

"Mommy?"

"Yes?"

"Do you love Albus like you loved daddy?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I don't know."

"I love him as a friend."

"Are you sure?" Julie asked. Minerva was surprised with all the odd questions. She looked at Julie though she saw very little in the dark.

"I'm sure." Minerva said, though she wasn't sure with herself.

:D =Spring Break dear readers! A week of nothing planned and a computer all to myself! I hope I update soon. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it.