Okay, so this chapter is really short, but I didn't think that it belonged in the previous chapter, and I wanted to end it there. I'll probably be updating later today anyway, so you shouldn't have to wait too long for more. :) (By the way, I love getting reviews, so let me know what you think! Thanks!)

Thanks to Linzbinz84 for adding me to their story alerts. :)

Disclaimer: I'm not J.K. Rowling

Minerva found herself hidden deep within her study for the rest of the night, until finally, she decided to see if Miss Wyte had found her way back to her dormitory. It was well past curfew, and even Albus had made his way to bed already. The wizard had attempted to coax Minerva back there, but she was having none of it. She couldn't sleep. Things were growing ever-stranger at this castle, and she wanted to know why. Damn it!

Making her way up to Gryffindor Tower in her animagus form, Minerva prowled carefully within the shadows. It was much easier to catch students out of bed when they couldn't see, or hear, you coming. Reaching the seventh floor without incident, Minerva quickly made her way over to the Fat Lady and transformed back. She cleared her throat and waited for the Fat Lady to stir.

Seeing the Deputy Headmistress, the Fat lady straightened up and smiled. "Password?"

Minerva shrugged and rolled her eyes before forcing her mouth to form the word, "Fibbertigibbet." The door swung open before her and she made her way into the Common Room before heading up the girls' staircase.

Reaching the first years' dorm, she slowly pushed the door open. Sighing, she noticed that there was one bed empty, but there was one bed whose inhabitant was certainly not asleep. She made her way over to the red-head's bed and lightly touched her shoulder. She felt the girl stiffen before slowly turning over, trying to hide her tear-stricken face. "Miss Weasley, I suggest you try and get some sleep. Worrying is not going to do you any good. I happen to know where your friend is, and she's safe. I expect you'll see her in Charms tomorrow morning."

The red head simple nodded before turning over again. Surely, Professor McGonagall would refrain from punishing Annabelle for not showing up to supper, right? Nothing says you have to be at every meal. Ginny sighed as the door clicked shut, and she knew she was free of the teacher.

Finding a small amount of solace in the professor's words, she pulled the curtains shut around her and found herself falling into a deep sleep.

Professor McGonagall made her way back outside, heading toward the Whomping Willow. As she neared it, she could barely make out the same cage from earlier. Walking just out of reach, again, Minerva called out to the tree. "Miss Wyte, I'll see you in detention tomorrow night after the feast. You're out of bed way past curfew, and I expect you don't have a good reason. You've also turned a valuable school structure into a violent hideout for your own use. You have a lot of explaining to do, Miss Wyte." With this, the professor turned away, not hearing the racking sobs that came from deep within the tree.

Annabelle curled into herself tighter and gripped at the wood, needing its sturdy security. After another hour, Annabelle picked up her wand and simply pointed it at the cave's wall. Immediately, the wall began to shrink back and she felt herself growing closer to the ground. Finally, the branch met the ground and she clambered off of it, whispering her thanks to the strange tree.

Walking back up to her dormitory, she suddenly grew terrified. What if one of the teachers caught her out of bed? She couldn't get detention twice in one night! Suddenly breaking into a run, Annabelle sprinted the rest of the way to the Fat Lady's portrait. Tapping the portrait, Annabelle found herself growing more anxious by the second. "Miss! Please, I need to get into the Common Room."

Finally, the Fat Lady opened her eyes and looked at the young blonde in front of her. "What are you doing out of bed?" The lady huffed and crossed her arms, glaring down at the child who'd interrupted her sleep. "Never mind. Just tell me the password."

Annabelle stumbled over herself and seemed to shrink back, much like the Whomping Willow, when she heard the portrait's stern voice. Mumbling to the portrait, Annabelle repeated the password and sprinted inside as the door opened. Trudging up to her dormitory, Annabelle opened the door and noticed that her three roommates were already fast asleep. She climbed into bed and curled deep under the covers, finding a refuge in sleep for once.