A/N: Hello lovely readers! Your author is out at the moment and so I (Kayla) will be uploading your 27th chapter. Since she's absent all the thanks for reviews and such will be done when she gets back, and if she's able to write more chapters while away I'll be the one uploading them. I believe that's all I was told to state so I'll go before I get myself into trouble. Good night and happy reading! :D

Disclaimer: I am most certainly not J.K. Rowling and neither is the author of this delightful tale.

The next few days went without any major occurrences in the McGonagall manor. Annabelle was nearly finished with her homework for the summer and Minerva was glad to be on break because she didn't have to worry about marking inadequate essays any longer. Albus was being called away to the Ministry every couple of days to help Cornelius with some sort of task, and Minerva was beginning to grow frustrated with his continual absences when their family was supposed to be getting settled and ready for the trial.

Annabelle was, however, growing increasingly worried about the upcoming court case. It would be the first time she'd seen either parent since Christmas break. How was she going to face them? How could she?

Poppy and Ro had both already written back, stating that they could make it and would certainly be there, with her wand at the ready in Rolanda's case. Pomona had also written back by now, but she was unable to make it. She and Filius had plans to be in India for them each to do their own research and enjoy themselves together for their anniversary. Minerva had failed to remember that their anniversary was the day following Annabelle's hearing, but Pomona simply laughed, telling her that she was growing forgetful in her old age.

Minerva was most aggravated that Albus had decided to inform her mother of what was going on. For some hellacious reason, he felt the need to let her know, so she could be there to support them, but now she wanted to meet her granddaughter first. In fact, she was due to arrive within the hour and Minerva was certainly not ready for that intrusion. She and her mother had not gotten along since her father had passed away, and it was definitely not something that got better with time. Minerva's relationship with her mother was about as civil as Albus' relationship with his brother, Aberforth.

Annabelle was upstairs diligently working on the remainder of her homework, or so Minerva thought. Really, she had just received her letter from Ginny regarding the time and date of the trial, so now she was reading over it.

Belle,

I wanted to check with Mum and Dad before writing back to you. I'm able to come to the hearing, but only if Mum can come too. Is that alright? I understand if it isn't. Oh, don't worry about testifying. I'm sure you'll be fine. McGonagall won't let anything bad happen.

Also, I wanted to let you know that we're leaving for Egypt soon and Mum wants you to come over some time before term starts. She wants to make sure you're eating enough and claims that she can only do that by actually seeing you in person. Let me know when you want to come over.

With love,

Ginny

Annabelle immediately stood up, not bothering to pick up the book she knocked over in the process, and sprinted downstairs. She collided with a solid figure and, guessing it was simply Minerva, spoke up. "Mu - er – Minerva, I just got a let-"

The figure stepped back and looked the child up and down, chuckling as her eyes grew wide with shock. "I daresay my daughter's probably in her study. She tends to spend most of her time there. She always has." The elder witch shook her head and guided her granddaughter toward the study, saying, "Why don't we go find her so you can tell her about whatever it is you're so excited about?"

Annabelle simply nodded and walked with the witch until they made it to the study. She then separated herself from the witch and moved to sit near Minerva, not knowing whether she should just ask or how to go about it now that the other witch was around.

Minerva looked between the pair before standing up, effectively blocking her mother's view from Annabelle. "You could at least try announcing your presence when you arrive, Mother." Though she bit the word off, she had to admit that she'd missed saying it over the past few years. As much as she despised how the woman had shown up and she would still hate many things about her later, she loved her and missed her.

The elder McGonagall bristled. "Last I heard this was still McGonagall manor, Minerva." After all, this had been her home for years before Minerva was even born.

Minerva guffawed. "Well, last I heard, you were no longer a McGonagall. You didn't even wait a week after Dad's death to change your name. He left the manor to me, Mother. The cottage is yours. The manor is mine." This was an age old argument between the pair and Minerva knew they weren't getting anywhere. Sighing, she turned back to her cub, knelt down and kissed her forehead. "Give us just a minute, okay, Belle?"

Isobel raised an eyebrow at her daughter's sudden change in demeanor as she addressed the child. Maybe her daughter had finally found the second half of her heart. Isobel had always known that there was something missing, especially after the stillborn, but how do you tell your daughter that you think she's missing a part of her heart? How do you tell her that she's becoming heartless?

Minerva walked past her mother, anger seeping from every pore. She listened as the elder woman followed her out of the room and shut the door to keep Annabelle from hearing. As she turned back to her mother, she waved her hand at the door, casting a silencing spell. "I understand that you might want to be a part of her life, but barging into my house is not a smart way to start this. She needs consistency and reliability right now. I need her to feel safe in this house, and that's not going to happen if people can just floo in at any time they want."

Isobel's eyebrows rose. No matter how upset Minerva had been with her, she'd never used that tone of voice before. She'd never sounded so motherly before now, but she was flawed. "I believe you're mistaken, Minerva. I can only come in because of the blood wards. You never warded me out, though you threatened to more often than your father did."

Minerva's lips twitched, as if to form into a smile, but she stopped them. "He had good reason some days. You could be a royal pain back then. In fact, you still can be, but I believe you're here for a reason, so I'll let you say your piece before I make my final decision."

Isobel's composure faltered. Surely, her daughter wasn't giving her a final ultimatum, right? She had to get this right if she wanted to be a part of her granddaughter's life. "Minerva, I'm not here to apologize, but I am here to make things right. We've both done things that I don't believe are right, but part of my reasoning was fear. Ever since your father died and you lost Timothy, you've not been yourself. You've grown cold. You've grown distant. Now, again, I realize that a lot of this is my fault. I shouldn't have distanced myself from you like I did, but it's just how it is now. I want to be a part of her life." She sighed and looked straight into Minerva's gaze. "I don't want to lose her and you."

Minerva laughed again. "You never had her. She's been mine, and you didn't even know about her until Albus wrote you to tell you. So, I don't want to hear that you don't want to lose her. Now, in regards to your losing me: you haven't had me for years. Don't claim that you missed me. You would have answered one of my owls. You would have told me that you were okay. You wouldn't have let things get this bad between us." Minerva stopped her rant and leaned against the wall, growing tired of this dispute. "You can try to fix things, Mother, but don't you dare try and make excuses for your decisions, and never try to guilt me again"

Isobel was finally shocked into silence, so she simply nodded. She couldn't deny that she'd tried to guilt Minerva into letting her see her granddaughter. What else was she to do?

"Now, I'm going back in to spend time with my daughter. You may either join us, or leave, but I expect you to be peaceful towards her at all times. If I hear a single example that might discount that, then I swear to Merlin, you will not live to take another breath, let alone see another day. Is that clear?"

Again, Isobel nodded and followed her daughter back into the study where her granddaughter was reading the book that Minerva had discarded, labeled Transfiguration Theories for Strong Stomachs. Minerva quickly made her way over to her daughter and gently pried the book out of her hands. "Give this one a few years before you try and take it on, alright Belle?"

The eleven-year-old's eyebrows knit together and her bottom lip jut out. "It makes sense, Minerva. Why can't I read it now?"

Minerva scowled right back at her, but her eyes held a playful spark. "Because I don't even let my N.E.W.T. students read this book. It's in the restricted section, young lady. However, I have something that will be just as challenging to handle for you." The child's eyes lit up and Minerva giggled. "Let me formally introduce you to my mother, Isobel Ross. She would like to accompany us to the trial on the 9th, but I want you to know that it's up to you. I honestly don't care whichever way you choose."

Annabelle's scowl lightened a little as Minerva began to toy with her. It was so different from the face she put on at school. "Can I choose later?" Both women immediately nodded and Annabelle smiled. "Thanks, and Minerva, I was wondering what you thought about me spending a night at the Weasley's house? Molly and Ginny invited me over. Molly said she wants to make sure I'm eating enough. Will you let me go? Please?"

Minerva grinned. Of course she would let the child go. "Tell Ginerva to have Molly write me about a date and time and we'll figure it out."

Annabelle nodded and bolted from the room to go write Ginny.

Ginny,

Minerva said it is fine, but that she wants to talk to your mum about it. Can you have her write my mum?

Annabelle realized her mistake and hastily tried to cross out the words, 'my mum.' However, it wouldn't fade, so she simply went with it.

Also, I'm alright with your mum coming to my hearing. I just really need you there, though I wouldn't mind having another skilled witch on my side. Anyway, I'll talk to you later.

-Belle