I can't believe the response that Chapter 24 received! Have I mentioned I adore you guys? I have a lot of people to thank so here we go: thank you dsrtchck, AryaElf, MiraclesHappen94 (twice!), ruth hammond, khaoula McGamoura, Aslin's Fire, & a guest for commenting. Also, thank you khaoula McGamoura, satsuki75, Poppinswannabe, MiraclesHappen94, & ruth hammond for adding TC&W to their story alerts or favorites!

Disclaimer: I don't own J.K. Rowling's magnificent work.

The blonde witch slowly turned her head to the side. Her muscles felt so stiff and she really just wanted to go to sleep. Her mind had been constantly going since she'd been Petrified and she was ready for a good, long nap. Yawning, Annabelle pealed her eyes open and found herself staring at her soon-to-be mother.

Minerva was standing, frozen, at the infirmary doors. She couldn't seem to force herself to move any closer to her daughter. Miss Weasley was sitting on the bed next to Annabelle's, alternating between looking at Minerva and looking at her best friend. The professor gathered that she had more than simply an inkling as to what was going on between them.

Annabelle flexed her fingers and curled her toes upon instruction from her aunt. She moved onto the more difficult movements with ease as she bent her legs and rolled her shoulders, but she wasn't focused. Minerva was simply standing at the infirmary doors, staring at her and this bothered Annabelle. Why wouldn't she come closer?

Minerva watched as her daughter began to move her muscles again, face occasionally screwing up in pain. The professor hated to see her cubs in pain and hesitantly began to move towards her before breaking into a full-out run and enveloping her daughter into a hug as she sat down. "Belle, I am so sorry."

Annabelle was shocked by the professor's sudden movements, but wrapped her arms around her figure anyway, feeling secure in her embrace. She heard Minerva sniffle and soon felt a drop of water fall into her hair. "Professor, why are you crying? I'm okay." They weren't in private, so Annabelle didn't dare call her by her first name.

Minerva smiled at her naivety. "I was afraid I was going to lose you. I can't live without mo chroí, lass." She hugged her tighter before releasing her, knowing that their secret would be spread through the school by the end of tomorrow. She ran a hand down her daughters jaw, loving the smile that came with it. "I've missed that smile so much."

Again, Annabelle was surprised by the professor's openness and blatant disregard for their rules. She wanted to ask, but there were more important things right now. "Did you figure it out? Did you catch the Heir of-"

Minerva lifted up a hand and silenced her student. "It is dealt with, mo chroí." She involuntarily glanced toward Ginerva, but smiled anyway. "We're all safe now, lass, though I think our secret is not." A sheepish grin spread across the professor's features, making her seem years younger.

Annabelle shrugged. "It was out before today. Ginny's known for months and everyone who's been Petrified have known for a couple weeks."

The younger witch sounded so nonchalant, but Minerva's mind was thrown for a whirl with the simple statements. "You could hear me?"

Annabelle shrugged again and nodded. "Aunt Poppy didn't think we could hear you guys either. She told Ron and Harry that. It's okay. I understand why you didn't want to sit in here. I just missed you." By the end, her voice was barely a whisper and her gaze was fixed firmly on her lap.

Minerva made a point to store that fact into her memory. She'd have to let Poppy know later. Petrified victims could hear and see. That was amazing. "I missed you too, Belle. Do you know why I missed you?" The child shrugged, causing Minerva to grin. "I missed you because I love you, lass. I missed you because mo chroí was missing. How can one live without a heart, Belle?"

Belle's head shot up. Love? There was no way Minerva loved her. Sure, she wanted to take care of her. Sure, she wanted to protect her, but those things didn't amount to love, did they? Maybe they did, but how do you respond to that? Annabelle wasn't ready to say she loved Minerva. Do you say thank you? Do you say it back just because they said it first? Her ministrations were put to a stop as Minerva's voice rang in her ears again.

"Love, whatever it is you're thinking, stop. It's not important. Just believe me when I say I love you and that's all I need." She stood up and looked towards the group of Weasleys, smiling. "Would you like to head down to the feast with us? I believe it's about time for it to begin." Two of her cubs had already left the infirmary by now, so she felt perfectly fine heading down as long as Annabelle came with. Ginerva was surrounded by family and would be alright now as well.

Molly and Arthur looked between their two children since Ronald had joined them since Minerva arrived. Ronald immediately looked to Ginerva ,who nodded on cue. The group got up and began to make their way down to the great hall, where they found out the feast was already taking place.

Annabelle, Ginny, and the rest of the Weasleys all took their seats at the Gryffindor table while Minerva made her way up to the head table, smiling at the varying colors and styles of pajamas. Even Albus had changed into his night clothes, making Minerva feel slightly out of place. She was, of course, wearing her emerald robes from the day before. However, once she reached the head table, she transfigured them into a set of pajamas and a dressing gown before pointing her wand at her daughter and doing the same.

Annabelle dropped her spoon and jumped halfway out of her seat. Her clothes had just changed while on her body. How in the world did that happen? Glancing to her left, she noticed that Ginny's clothes had also changed. She nudged the red-head, who then almost fell off the bench.

"You scared me, Belle. What?" Ginny's eyes had grown wide in momentary fear and she was gripping her fork tight enough to turn her knuckles white.

Annabelle reached out her hand and laid it on top of Ginny's. "I'm sorry. I was just going to ask if you knew how our clothes changed. I didn't mean to scare you."

Ginny nodded, forcing herself to calm down by chuckling. "That was McGonagall. I saw her point her wand at you and she did the same for me. I guess she didn't want us to feel out of place." She shrugged and turned back to her food.

Annabelle nodded. That did make sense. She then tuned into the conversations around her and occasionally took part in them.

After about an hour, Minerva called for the attention of the student body. Albus had asked her to make the following announcement, though she didn't approve in the slightest. "After the recent events, it has been decided that all exams have been canceled as a treat to the school." Students rose to their feet, applauding and cheering to their hearts content. Even the Ravenclaws were cheering, but Hermione Granger wasn't and neither was Annabelle. Both witches reminded Minerva of herself she decided.

The rest of the night went easily for Annabelle and Minerva and eventually Dumbledore sent everyone to bed. Annabelle was more than ready to retire and practically ran up to her dormitory and passed out the moment her head hit the pillow. Ginerva was not far behind her, but then, none of the Gryffindors were.

About a week later, while Minerva was teaching her 7th year NEWT's, a letter arrived by owl post. She was explaining a complex theory when she heard a tapping at the window. Every head spun in that direction and Minerva began to ignore it when she recognized the ministry seal. She turned back to the class, "Please read this theory on page 296. We will discuss it in ten minutes." She then practically ran over to the window, hoping beyond hope that the owl held what she'd been waiting nearly six months for. She opened the window, letting the owl fly into the room and land on her arm. Removing the letter, she quickly ripped it open and read,

Mrs. Minerva Marie Dumbledore McGonagall:

We are writing to inform you that the court date for custody of Miss Annabelle Rosalie Wyte has been set. Miss Wyte's temporary custody has been awarded to you, but her final destination will be determined at an 11am hearing on July 9th at the Ministry of Magic. You both are required to be in attendance for the entirety of the hearing.

Yours sincerely,

Amanda Lux

Magical Child Services

Ministry of Magic.

Minerva reread the letter twice before finally realizing what it meant. Annabelle could be her legal daughter within the month. Immediately, she turned back to the class and began to teach with a new energy. The rest of her day went the same way, but she had to fight not to engulf Annabelle in a hug the moment she walked into the room. She wanted to tell Annabelle, but she also wanted to wait until term ended and they were alone, so she did.

Albus was told that night, but Minerva found that the term quickly ended and the next thing she knew, she was walking children down to Hogsmeade station. Again, she watched Annabelle and Ginny say goodbye and swore to herself that she wouldn't keep them separated all summer. They were too close for that, and had spent too much time away from each other as is. Plus, Minerva could tell that Annabelle was close to opening up to Ginerva. She just needed a little bit more time.

Annabelle followed Minerva back up to the castle and finished packing her bags with Lindy's help. Lindy shrunk her belongings before putting them in her trunk and shrinking the trunk so it could sit in Annabelle's pocket.

Annabelle began to walk towards the door when Lindy cleared her throat. "Little Miss…"

Annabelle quickly turned around. "Yes, Lindy?" The elf had a way of making Annabelle feel very formal, yet relaxed at the same time.

"Lindy can apparate Little Miss directly to Mistress and Mater's quarters if Little Miss would like."

Annabelle had forgotten that house elves could apparate within Hogwarts and immediately grinned. "Sure thing, Lindy. I'd appreciate that." She reached her hand out to the house elf and clamped her eyes shut as the elf took her hand and turned. The pair disappeared with a soft 'pop' and found themselves sitting in Minerva's sitting room, where Sylvanna had already decided to take up residence. Sylvanna had left Gryffindor Tower early that morning and hadn't come back yet. At some point during the day, she'd made her way inside with Albus and had been curled up on the couch since.

Albus and Minerva's quarters were in a state of chaos. Different items were flying throughout the rooms, packing themselves as Minerva stalked from room to room, flicking her wand in different directions. By now, most the walls were bare except for her bookshelves, so she was busy sending the books to pack themselves.

Lindy stepped away from Annabelle and began to assist her masters in packing. Soon, every item was safely in its spot and they slowly made their way back into the room with Albus on their heels. They sat down by Annabelle, but quickly determined they'd wait until they got home to talk any further.

Minerva stood up, shrunk all of their belongings and activated the floo so she could send them through. She then turned back to her family, gesturing them forward. "After you, Albus. I'll take Annabelle with me."

Annabelle watched as Albus walked into the fireplace, dropped some silvery powder, and then disappeared in a flash of green flames simply by saying the name of McGonagall manor. As the flames died down, Minerva urged Annabelle to walk forward and into the fireplace. She did, but was scared that the flames would hurt. She paid careful attention to Minerva as she grabbed a handful of the powder and stepped inside, standing close to Annabelle. "I'd recommend keeping your eyes and mouth shut as the ash and soot swirls around you as you travel."

Annabelle nodded and inched closer to Minerva, taking hold of her empty hand as she did so. "Will it hurt? I mean, will the flames burn me?"

Minerva chuckled and leaned down to place a reassuring kiss on the girl's forehead. She had grown some this year. "No, Belle. The flames don't hurt at all. Though, they tickle a little in my opinion. Are you ready?"

Annabelle nodded, and Minerva dropped the powder, speaking, "McGonagall Manor!" Soon, Annabelle felt like she was swirling through the air and she clamped her eyes shut. Wizards travelled in such strange ways, but they seemed to be extremely convenient. Soon enough, the spinning came to a halt and Annabelle opened her eyes to see Minerva's sitting room at the manor. The professor quickly dusted herself off and walked out of the fireplace. Annabelle followed suit and sat down upon instruction. "Albus is going to get us some tea, but I wanted to tell you something before he came back."