Annie sat on her bed and put the finishing touches to her makeup on. Tonight was the night of the Yule Ball. She had chosen one of her mother's green dresses to wear and had her hair in a tight bun with a few strands going down the side of her face. The carriage door opened and Madam Maxime appeared. Annie stood, put her shoes on, and then followed Madam Maxime out. It was only them walking to the castle and for a bit it was silent.
"I zee so much of your mother in you now that I think about it," Madam Maxime finally says. Annie looks up at her, but Madam Maxime continues to look forward. "I can recall the young Minerva quite clearly, so full of energy, power, and a good heart. Now that I think back on your yearz, I see that zame girl."
Annie didn't know what to say to that. She blushed a bit and they continued walking to the castle. They reached the castle and parted ways. Annie found Jacob and a professor lined up the champions.
"You look beautiful." Jacob says and kisses her hand. Annie smiled and linked her arm with his. Annie took a deep breath as the doors opened and Jacob led her through. Everyone clapped for them as they walked in. Annie spotted her parents and observed them. Minerva, like Annie, was wearing a green dress but had her hair down. Albus was in blue robes that also had streams of silver. It nearly matched his grayish white beard. She looked away and to Jacob when they reached the center of the hall. The music began and they danced. Annie couldn't help but smile as they twirled around on the dancefloor. As the dancefloor grew crowded Jacob brought her closer. Although, something didn't feel quite right to Annie; it wasn't Jacob, but the atmosphere around her. She saw a couple members of the press and then there was the band, but she had a strange feeling. She brushed it away as the music went from classic to rock and continued to have fun.
Meanwhile, off the dancefloor and at the staff table Albus was sitting with the same strange feeling as Annie. Everybody else was chatting away and that's when Minerva noticed something wrong with Albus because he wasn't talking. She put a hand on his arm,
"Albus, what is it?"
He shook his head. "Nothing dear."
He then saw Annie and Jacob appear from the crowd, having a good time, and going to the punch bowl. That's when it hit him. He quickly moved from the table and to his daughter. Before Annie or Jacob could take a sip Albus took their glasses. Jacob frowned and Annie almost said "dad". Minerva appeared at his side.
"Professor Dumbledore, what is it?" she asks. Annie knows it was a show for Jacob. Albus took out his wand and mumbled something. The punch then turned green and his eyes widened.
"This punch has been as the muggles would say, spiked. Jacob, please get the nurse."
Jacob nodded and raced off to the staff table. Annie had a look of horror on her face.
"It was meant for me, wasn't it?" she asks. Albus and Minerva did not have time to answer because Jacob returned with Poppy. Poppy examined the punch and her eyes widened.
"We must find out if anybody else has drank this, it is meant to paralyze the body for unbearable pain until the person is begging for death." Poppy says. This time, without thinking, Minerva grabbed Annie and brought her close. Jacob frowned, but said nothing. Minerva realized what she had done and let go, but kept Annie close.
"How do we survey the crowd without panic breaking loose?" Minerva asks. She looks out at all the students enjoying themselves. "How much time, Poppy?"
Poppy bites her lip, "Ten minutes maybe less. I must run for the antidote."
Albus shook his head and told Poppy to stay. He waved his wand and then turned to the crowd. Annie watched her father with wide eyes as he said something and pointed his wand to the crowd. Minerva and Annie watched as he did something and only someone looking closely would see a clear liquid flow through the crowd.
"Is there a problem over here?" a squeaky and annoying voice asked. Minerva bit her tongue and turned to see Melinda had wandered over here.
"Everything is fine Miss. Skeeter." Minerva answers with a cold shoulder. Albus put his wand away and nodded at Poppy. Whatever Albus had done, he administered the potion to everyone.
"I have a question for you Minerva," Melina began. Annie and Jacob were about to walk away when Melinda stopped Annie. "Oh Miss. May, I have one for you, too."
Fear struck Minerva's eyes and Albus saw it.
"Hey Annie, I'm going to go get us some food. I'll be back." Jacob said with a frown and walked away. Melinda had a nice smile on her face.
"I couldn't help but notice the fuss over here and then I see you, Minerva, taking hold of the Beaubaxton champion in what looked to be a protective embrace."
Minerva frowned and Albus could see her walls going up.
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Minerva answers. Melinda smiles and walks around Annie and Minerva.
"I have picture proof, now I can't help but wonder about other things," Melinda says. "Perhaps the Phoenix necklaces you both have or the resemblances between the two of you."
"You're mad." Annie said. Minerva flashed Annie a look and Albus did the same. Melinda just laughed. What they didn't realize was that the music had died down and the dessert was going to be served. Students and staff began to watch the encounter.
"Am I? If my memory serves me correct it is your birthday… isn't it Miss. May?" Melinda asks. Annie doesn't answer and Melinda takes it as a yes. "Christmas Eve like a child born seventeen years ago! Your daughter!" Melinda yells and points at Minerva. Albus notices people are now watching and whispering and knows this needs to end.
"Enough Melinda!" Albus says angrily. "You are walking on a thin line."
"I'm just bringing to light what others are thinking Professor!" Melinda says. Annie rolls her eyes and walks away to find Olivia, but she knows everyone is watching her and staring.
"Enough!" Minerva yells and is very tempted to pull out her wand. Melinda just gives her sneering smile.
"Pity," Melinda says and takes a step back from Minerva. "At least it has been brought to light and it might explain why Ariana has the powers she has."
Minerva, Albus, and Annie caught what Melinda had done there and Annie stopped dead in her tracks. Now the whole room was watching and whispering. Melinda took her camera and headed towards the door with people watching her, too. Annie turned and watched Melinda leave. Annie knew she still had the photo. She took her wand out and with a flick; she fired a spell and hit the camera. It dissolved and Melinda screamed. Annie gave a small smile and watched Melinda storm away. The whole hall was silent and Minerva had tears coming down her face. Poppy put an arm around Minerva for comfort. The staff then ordered the band to continue on and soon the schools were back having fun; however there were still conversations of what just happened floating around. The minister came over to Minerva and apologized for Melinda and assured her that it would all be handled. Annie was standing alone near a table still in shock. Olivia made her way over, but didn't say anything for a little while. Annie watched Minerva and Poppy and then her eyes drifted to Albus. He was standing next to them with Slughorn.
"You know," Olivia began. Annie turned her gaze and looked at her friend. "I know the world can't know your father, but remind me again why the world can't know your mother?"
Annie sighs. "It's not my call to make." She says and sits down. So much for a happy birthday. Olivia shakes her head.
"Minerva can't be comforted by your father right now, you're the next best thing for her."
Annie looks up and sees Minerva walking out of the hall with Poppy. Jacob approaches her and Olivia, but Annie doesn't stay. She races off and out of the hall to find her mother. She finds her and Poppy heading towards the Grand Staircase.
"Mom!" Annie yells. Her necklace begins to warm up and turn red. The same for Minerva. Poppy gasped as Minerva turned and looked at Annie. Annie comes closer and then hugs Minerva. Minerva doesn't respond for a moment because of shock, but soon returns the hug just as tight and full of love. Poppy watches with a smile on her face and a tear rolling down her cheek. "I love you." Annie whispers to Minerva.
"I love you, too," Minerva says and kisses Annie's cheek. They both smile and Minerva hugs her again. "Happy Birthday."