Thanks to AryaElf, Kokotheevilone, and DuchhessofWords for reviewing. I love hearing back from all my readers, so thanks! Also, thanks DuchessofWords, siriuslygoode, AryaElf, DeathDealer100, and kljrx08 for story alerting or favoriting! Oh, warning...there's like no Annabelle in this one... sorry!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter/etc. I'm not J.K. Rowling.

Minerva crossed her arms over her chest, giving each adult an inquisitive look in turn. What could be so important that they had to pull her away from Annabelle? Albus was the one who finally stepped forward and spoke, "Tabby, I think it's probably best if we sit down and discuss the condition of Miss Wyte and what's going to be happening now that she's out of her parents' care."

Minerva knew he was being logical, but she'd rather stay with Annabelle, especially since she was actually awake. She shook her head. "We can discuss it later, but right now, Annabelle needs me in there with her. She's scared. For Merlin's sake, I need to be in there with her!" She turned back to open the door, but a small, cold hand landed on her shoulder.

"Minnie, she'll be asleep by now. Her potion helps to heal her body, but it's also a sleeping drought. She won't be up for at least a few hours. We need to discuss this now." Poppy smiled as the transfiguration professor turned around. "Plus, if we're lucky and let her sleep, she might wake up in time for the New Year. Wouldn't you like to spend the New Year with her, Min?"

Finally, Minerva saw reason and resigned herself to her fate. They weren't going to let her get away without talking about this. She actually had to be honest with these people. She loved them and they loved her. Sighing resolutely, she directed everyone toward the connected den. She sat down in an armchair and placed her elbows on her knees so she could lean on her palms while kneading her temples. "I told her she doesn't have to go back." She almost sounded defeated, but there was still a tiny spark of hope in her voice. For some reason, she believed these people would discourage her ministrations with the child, but she was wrong.

Pomona was the first to respond as she kneeled in front of Minerva. "Min, what do you plan on doing about her custody? We," She gestured to the three other adults in the room. "don't see any reason for her to go back…In fact, we've decided that if you won't adopt her, either Filius and I will, or we're calling the Weasleys." Minerva just noticed that the short, Charms professor was missing. She supposed he had other business to attend to.

Poppy didn't have time to speak before Rolanda got in the way. She leapt up over the arm of the chair and hugged Minerva from behind. "Minnie, I ask you in all complete seriousness: can I teach her to be a professional Quidditch player? She and Ginerva will be a sight on the field, and I swear I'll take good care of your cub and your kitten." At the amused, yet slightly confused looks from all other adults in the room, Ro shrugged. "We all know she's going to adopt Miss Wyte. The only bet in place is how long it will take her to realize that she's adopting the child. Now, anyway, I get to be godmother, right? You know, I'll settle for being an aunt." Rolanda's slightly childish side was beginning to show through, partially due to the couple of drinks she'd already had at the Three Broomsticks. Plus, if there was going to be an addition to her family, she was going to darn well be involved. She'd been mad enough when Poppy got pregnant without telling any of them. Now, she was going to be involved long before anything like that occurred.

Albus sat across from Minerva, looking more than slightly bemused. "Tabby, what do you think? This is your decision. You and I both know that Fudge would never let both of us adopt her, even if we're married. He feels threatened by us, as is. We don't need him feeling threatened by Annabelle, so in the end, it's completely your decision. I'll support you either way. Though, I already told Filius that if they adopt her, she's getting a daily delivery of lemon drops from me. It'd be the least I can do." His blue eyes twinkled playfully under his half-moon spectacles as he continued to gaze at his overwhelmed wife.

"Ro's right, Albus." Rolanda began to gloat and Minerva cut her off. "About some things. I will write Cornelius in the morning and discuss An-Miss Wyte's case with him. My goal will be in the pursuit of adoption, however, I need to discuss this with Miss Wyte first. I won't adopt her if she doesn't want me to." Minerva had planned to continue her calm, cold explanation but was interrupted by a spiky haired witch.

"What a load of horse wallop, Minnie. Merlin! I thought you were smarter than this."

Minerva spun her head back to look at Rolanda. "Yes, because you certainly know everything, Rolanda. Now tell me something if you're so bright. Why would a brilliant young witch want to live with an old hag like me?" Now she directed her gaze at each witch and wizard in turn. "Can any of you tell me why?"

Silence consumed the room for a moment, in which Minerva feared that maybe her mind was right. Maybe there was no reason for Annabelle to want to be with her. However, Albus gave her a sad smile and leaned forward as he began to speak. "Minerva Marie Dumbledore McGonagall. Tell me something. Why is there a ring on your left hand?"

Minerva mumbled something incoherent about weddings and the Imperius curse, which made all three other witches chuckle. Albus, however, was serious for once. "What have you already done for the child?"

Minerva raised an eyebrow and awkwardly shrugged. It was an odd thing to see the professor do and Rolanda found herself snorting through her laughter. "Rolanda Hooch, would you grow up?" Though Minerva was slightly aggravated with the spiky-haired witch, she couldn't help but laugh at her snorts. They'd always broken through her composure, no matter how hard she fought it. This was, after all, the woman who had gotten Minerva to laugh the day of her father's funeral. Not even Albus had managed that feat.

"Minerva, you've rescued her twice now. She's already coming to rely on you. You told me how she clung to you during your trip to Diagon Alley. You've told me about a number of occasions where she's clung to you or reached out to you. Stop looking through blind eyes and see what's happening." He chuckled as an image flew through his ever-wandering mind. "Imagine the day she has to choose whether to keep the name McGonagall or go with her husband's name."

Minerva's lips split into a small smile, hoping that she'd keep her name before realizing… "Albus! The child is eleven years old! She's not getting married anytime soon if I have anything to do with it, and if you're right, then I darn well do!"

This is what Albus had been waiting for. She was growing defensive of the child again. This is what they'd been waiting for. She needed to see that not only did she want to protect the child, but that she was more than capable of it as well. "The next matter to discuss is what to do with Mr. & Mrs. Wyte then."

Vivid images of Minerva's earlier thoughts swam through her head in rapid succession, but she quickly shut them out. "If I'm going to gain custody of her legally, there will be a trial with the Wizengamot. If that's the case, then I suggest we simply let the Wizengamot decide what needs to be done with the couple. If I had my way, they wouldn't see the light of day for years, and I'm sure you can all imagine what their time would entail." Now, she stood up and walked into the kitchen, finding that she was quickly followed by all three witches and her husband. They didn't seem to trust that she wasn't going to apparate away and viciously murder Annabelle's parents. The thing was, if she didn't have to worry about Annabelle getting into her custody safely, she would certainly go do that right now. She could easily be back by the time the blonde witch woke up if she left now, and that would leave plenty of time to arrive home before midnight as well.

Minerva set about making tea for the six inhabitants of her quarters when another thought occurred to her. Someone did need to go inform her parents that their daughter was alive. She poured a cup of tea for herself and tightly curled her hands around the mug. "Poppy, Rolanda, how skilled are you guys at immobilizing me if necessary?" She didn't want to take Albus because she wanted to be the one doing any of the intimidating necessary. This was her cub on the line, and not his.

The pair of witches shared a worried glance before Ro simply shrugged. "I bet I can still take you, Minnie. However, I'd recommend handing over your wand."

Minerva's hand instinctively twitched toward her wand and she gave a resolute, slightly embarrassed, smile. "You're right. I suggest we head that direction after finishing our tea."

Poppy and Rolanda nodded and poured themselves a cup of tea before Poppy also poured one for Albus and Pomona. She levitated them over to the others in turn and smiled. "Albus, we'll keep her in check, but she needs to do this."

Pomona nodded her agreement. "I wouldn't be much help while gone, so I'll stay here and keep watch over the kitten. I may not be a certified medi-witch, but I'm certainly more skilled at this sort of thing than Gilderoy Lockhart!"

Everyone except for Poppy began to laugh, but the medi-witch simply shook her head. "I'm telling you. Potter should have been brought straight to me. I can mend bones in a heartbeat, but growing them back…." She trailed off and sighed. "I trust her in your care while we go pay the Wytes a visit." She cleaned and put the mug away with a couple flicks of her wand. "I'm ready when the two of you are."

Minerva immediately set her cup down and glanced to Rolanda who was fiddling with her wand. "Ro, I suggest we apparate nearby and walk the rest of the way there. First though," She waved her wand at both witches and grinned as their party clothes transfigured into muggle dress suits. Rolanda was outfitted in grey slacks and jacket with a deep plum blouse with matching heels, while Poppy wore a white pencil skirt and jacket with a blue blouse under it with a set of white heels.

Now that Minerva was pleased with their outfitting, she waved her wand in front of herself and grinned as her robes turned into a suit resembling Rolanda's and her hair pulled itself back into a tight bun. Her slacks and jacket were black though, and her blouse was a crimson color, eerily close to that of blood, which also matched her flats. Finally satisfied that the trio looked professional she covered her eyes and stuck her wand out. "One of you better take it and don't tell me who it is." A hand snatched the wand, and Minerva waited a few seconds before opening her eyes.

Rolanda and Poppy stood in front of her, ready to link respective arms with hers. The professor chuckled and stepped in between them. "She lives on the west side of Dundee. One of you better do the directing for this apparation. I am not getting splinched."

Rolanda and Poppy caught one another's eye and next thing Minerva knew, she was being pulled by side-along apparation. They landed in a deserted alleyway, which Minerva soon realized was mere blocks from the Wyte residence. She took the initiative and began to lead the way, feeling her anger bubble with every step. Their magic seemed to crackle in the air, responding to each other's intense emotions.

The Wyte residence quickly came into view and adrenaline began to course through Minerva's veins. She told herself to stay calm, but simply seeing the house was driving her crazy. They finally reached the front door and the three separated themselves, Poppy and Rolanda each taking a half a step back to let Minerva in front. The professor cleared her throat and knocked three times.

They waited outside for almost five minutes before the door was open by a petite blonde woman holding a beer in one hand, leaning against the doorframe. "What do – oh…you're that woman who came and told Anna that she's a freak, right?" Mrs. Wyte rolled her eyes and gestured inside. "She's asleep. It's late." Her voice seemed very clipped, and Minerva wouldn't have believed it even if she was unaware of where Annabelle was.

Minerva grinned sweetly and took a step forward so that she was almost standing inside the house. "I daresay she is asleep, but she's not here. She is at my quarters with a rather significant injury, no thanks to you." Her hands began to ball into fists and she felt Rolanda and Poppy practically standing on top of her, each with a hand brushing her arms. "I look forward to seeing you in court because you will never see her again if I win. Consider this a preliminary warning that you will be served." Before Minerva let her temper get the best of her, she grinned again and took a step back. "Good day, Mrs. Wyte and Happy New Year."