A/N: Hello, guys. I bet you all thought I was gone for good. Well, that's not quite true, even though it probably felt like that. I recently started reading fics again and realized how much I miss writing, so here you go. I may also start a few other stories because the creative juices are flowing like crazy suddenly. I could tell you everything that happened, but it doesn't really matter as long as I'm back, right? Anyway, have a chapter. I will try to have the next one up very quickly.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters affiliated with Rowlings' creation.
Stepping out of the flames, the girls were enveloped in Mrs. Weasley's arms. "Alright, girls, there is no need to worry. In just a couple hours, everything will be as it should be." As the pair stepped out of the protective matriarch's grasp, Annabelle couldn't help but believe that the woman in front of them was even more worried than they were. This fact concerned the little blonde even more.
Pretty soon, the rest of the women filed out of the floo and formed a subconscious circle around Annabelle and Ginny. They all felt they needed to protect their cubs. It reminded Belle of when she learned about settlers in America circling the wagons in times of danger in order to protect the women, children, and animals. These were her protectors right now and they cared enough to guard her.
The unit found their way toward the elevator. Annabelle was amazed by the flying paper airplanes and snickered as she saw one zoom near Minerva's head. The elevator was already half full, so adding their party nearly filled the small compartment. They quickly chose their floor and prepared for their descent into the ministry.
The elevator stopped multiple times to let other patrons off, but once they reached the tenth floor, they exited and passed through an eerie, dimly lit, hallway. Minerva hoped the courtroom had been brightened up a bit. Their courtroom was room 3, which happened to be one she'd never seen prior to today. She couldn't help but wonder if this was intentional.
They quickly passed by rooms one and two, coming across courtroom three on their left. Standing beside the door was Madame Lux. The petite young woman smiled upon seeing the group and stuck out a hand for Minerva to shake. "Good morning. I am Amanda Lux. We've spoken through letters over the past few months. I will be representing you today."
Minerva accepted the hand and attempted to smile at the woman before her. "Thank you. It's lovely to meet you. She vaguely recognized her and tried to remember her from Hogwarts. "Were you a Ravenclaw?"
The young case worker smiled, but shook her head. "No. I was in Slytherin actually, but Alexis and Aaron were both in Ravenclaw."
Nodding again, Minerva's smile filled out some. "That's right. I remember now. Both your brother and your sister ended up in Ravenclaw. You were the youngest. Were you not?" Minerva could practically see the worried ten year old walk up to the Sorting Hat nearly two decades prior. She could remember hearing Aaron and Alexis cheering for her – even when she didn't land in their house.
"Yes, ma'am. Alexis was five years ahead of me, but Aaron was only two years older." Miss Lux smiled to herself, remembering the day she was sorted. After a few moments lost in memories, she shook her head and turned her focus back to the group in front of her. "I appreciate you arriving early. I wanted an opportunity to go over our case in person before the trial began. Will any of these women be testifying on your behalf?"
Hearing the word, 'testify,' still worried Annabelle. She was glad to see that Aunt Poppy was going to be testifying as well. Miss Lux and Minerva agreed that it would be a good idea for the four of them, including Poppy, to go discuss their case in another room for a few minutes. She said she wanted to work out any kinks and make sure everything was going to go smoothly. She also wanted to discuss testifying with both Poppy and Annabelle.
They left the rest of their group to find seats inside and they moved to an empty courtroom. Miss Lux immediately whipped out her wand and transfigured her surroundings into a more comfortable setting for their conversation. The walls were no longer stone and the floor became a dark blue carpet. A toffee-colored couch also appeared in front of an emerald armchair.
Minerva chuckled despite the tense situation as she moved to sit down, "A Slytherin even down to your choices in colors, I see." Not that Minerva really had room to talk about colors given that she was nearly always sporting the colors of a forest regardless of her house colors being crimson and gold.
Still, the younger woman laughed. "At least I know how to represent my house. It appears Annabelle does, as well." She gestured to the young girl's yellow and red dress, causing her to beam beside her mentor on the couch.
They all paused momentarily, preferring to stay in the light-hearted moment. They knew it wouldn't last, and finally Ms. Lux broke through their reverie. "Madame Pomfrey, I know you have testified in court hearings prior to today. This one should be no different in the way you handle it, regardless of your affection for any of the people involved. Your job is to present the facts. You healed Annabelle, so you - more than anyone - are aware of the severity of her injuries. That is what I need you to talk about."
The medi-witch nodded, understanding her job perfectly. She would explain just how significant Annabelle's injuries were when Lindy brought her back to the castle, but she wondered about further questioning. "What if they ask about Min and Albus? Their abilities to care for her?"
Amanda Lux smirked before shrugging her shoulders. "You tell the truth. You tell them how Professor McGonagall has been caring for Annabelle already. They should not ask about Professor Dumbledore at all, given that the hearing is for Annabelle's custody to be awarded to Minerva McGonagall. If they're asking about the people whom Annabelle will be around, then they could and should inquire about all of Hogwarts' professors. They should not focus on any one professor, unless - of course - that professor is Minerva McGonagall."
"Okay, perfect. I just wanted to check. I didn't know if I was supposed to emphasize anything in particular. As long as I'm just telling the truth about Minerva, I shouldn't have any worries at all." Poppy grinned, relieved about how easy her job was, and then glanced at Madame Lux again. "So, shall I go sit with the rest until the trial starts?" She figured that Amanda Lux would like to speak with Minerva and Annabelle without her. Plus, the two latter witches would probably need a moment to themselves when they were done being briefed. This was going to be a very trying day for the pair of them.
Miss Lux glanced at Minerva McGonagall before confirming that the medi-witch could be on her way. Following Madame Pomfrey's exit, she turned back to the remaining two witches. "I think it would be prudent to discuss Annabelle's testimony first."
Annabelle's head shot up upon hearing her name. She had been doing her best not to pay too much attention to the conversation prior to that moment. It took everything in her ability to keep her cool, so she was focusing on that small accomplishment.
Minerva nodded before glancing at her ward and laying a hand on her knee. "How is this going to work? I know children's courts work differently than adult's courts, but I don't really understand the differences."
Amanda Lux gave the elder witch what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "There really are not as many differences within the magical courts when children are involved. I know muggle courts employ an entirely different system, but we don't work that way within family courts. The primary difference is that only the judge can ask minors questions, so you don't need to worry about Annabelle being questioned from different angles." Before continuing Lux looked at the petite blonde, who sat nearly clinging to the elder witch. "The judge for your hearing is Karmen Shacklebolt, Kingsley's younger sister. Her specialty is family court, so she knows how to speak with young witches and wizards. She won't try to scare you or make you uncomfortable. She'll only ask you questions if she thinks that they'll be pertinent to your case."
Minerva was relieved to hear that Karmen Shacklebolt would be their judge. Although she didn't know the woman very well, she knew that she shared many of her brother's ideals and morals. She was a good woman who would have an unbiased approach to this hearing. She would want whatever was best for Annabelle, and Minerva believed that she was exactly that.
Annabelle wrung her hands together and softly hummed before returning her gaze to Ms. Lux. "What will she ask me? Where will my parents be sitting? Will they see me? Do I have to talk to them?" The moment she opened her mouth, all of her concerns began to slip from her lips.
Amanda nodded thoughtfully, noting the anxiety breeding in the young witch's posture. "Your parents will be seated on the left side of the courtroom, quite a ways from you. You will be seated with all of your friends and family on the right side of the courtroom. You will not have to look at them while you're sitting. When Judge Shacklebolt begins to ask you questions, you'll be facing the judge, so you still won't have to look at them. That is another benefit to being a minor. Most testimonies will be given facing the court room, but you don't have to do that."
Minerva pulled Annabelle tightly against her side, and tilted her chin up so they were eye to eye. "Mo chroí, we're going to take care of you. Remember what I told you. You're not going back to them. I won't let it happen." She leaned forward and kissed the young girl's forehead. "You don't even have to look at them. When they speak, you just look at me or Ginny, okay? You don't have to spare them even one glance. They don't deserve it, little lass." She was beyond relieved to hear that Annabelle would not have to face the courtroom when speaking with Judge Shacklebolt. She wouldn't have to look those monsters in the eye.
Madame Lux beamed at the display of affection in front of her. If she had any doubts about the deputy headmistress being a competent caregiver when it came to Annabelle's emotional needs, she just received the evidence she needed. "Annabelle, I think this court hearing is going to play out perfectly in your favor. Judge Shacklebolt is a very wise woman. She'll make the right decision." Seeing the relief on both of their faces, she turned back to the elder woman. "Your testimony, Minerva?" Lux let the question hang in the air, not entirely sure how much direction the professor needed.
Minerva smirked. Oh, how she wanted to speak to the Wytes without any authorities or Annabelle present. She still hated that she hadn't been able to strike more fear into their hearts. They deserved to suffer for what they had done to the little girl they brought into this world. No child deserved to endure what they forced her to. "Let me guess, stay honest, but keep hostility to a dull roar?" Chuckling, she continued, "Just a joke, Madame Lux. I will be perfectly civil. I will explain how I came to meet Miss Wyte and how she came to live in my care. I will attempt to be as calm as possible."
Amanda Lux shook her head, "No. Calm is not necessary. Feel free to show emotion regarding Annabelle and what she went through. The court needs to know you care. Just don't let your emotions get the best of you." She had been thrilled to hear of the stern professor turning into a compassionate mother, but the court would likely need to see it to believe it. Most of the attendants had been children under the care of Professor McGonagall, so they were going to need to see this change. "It sounds like, otherwise, you know what to do. If you're both ready, we can actually head into the courtroom."
Annabelle was itching to get this day over with. She just wanted to go home to the McGonagall Manor. She was still scared she might never return there, but the conversation with Madame Lux had eased a lot of her worries. "I'm ready, Minerva."
Minerva stood, gesturing for Annabelle to follow suit. "Then let's do this."
The trio left the empty courtroom, not bothering to transfigure the walls back into their normal, dull state. They approached courtroom three, and Annabelle held her breath.
Here we go.