A/N: Okay you all get a short author's note because the thanks are long. I tried my best to get this up quickly, and here it is. Thank you to everyone who favorited me or this story, followed me or this story, or reviewed. There were so many that I didn't want to wait to post the last chapter until I had found all of your names. Thank you to Welsummer, Saddarkjoker, Elfen Children, Beukie, nursing a hangover, Lovely Spell, Kat Von, L'usine.c0m, Whatdachizburger, Mamastei, audrey09, Twiiliighter, boredperson7, Svetlyachochek, nessa-inglorion, 13Sarah94, MiraclesHappen94, kokotheevilone, & Womenreligiousfan. You all mean so much to me.
Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I'm not JKR. I don't own Harry Potter. I'm not making any money from this.

The trio entered the courtroom, each surprised for separate reasons. Amanda Lux looked around the nearly empty courtroom, stunned to not find it full. With such a prominent figure adopting a child, she expected a greater turnout since the courtrooms are public places.
Minerva was surprised to see anyone other than the people they had invited to the hearing. She had made sure to keep every piece of this hearing under wraps because she didn't want the crowd to intimidate Annabelle. This was a private affair. They didn't need the entire world hearing about Annabelle's personal life and voicing their opinions. She knew there would be rumors at Hogwarts, but the elder witch had done her best to minimalize the talk by keeping the crowd as small as possible.
Annabelle's eyes immediately found the two blondes on the left side of the courtroom. They hadn't seen her, so she took a moment to observe them. They were dressed in their nicest clothes. They looked clean and well put together. This pulled Annabelle's heart in numerous directions. She was scared that they might be convincing to Judge Shacklebolt, but it also reminded Annabelle of the moments where life was less than horrifying at their home. There were times when her parents stayed sober for one reason or another, and they were pleasant. They watched movies with her. Her mother taught her to braid her hair. She missed them, and seeing them like this only made it worse.
Minerva caught her daughter's gaze and sighed. Kneeling down in front of Annabelle, she took the girl's face in her hands. "What are you thinking, love?"
The elder witch shook her from her thoughts, and she tried to shake her head. She couldn't admit her thoughts - even to the Minerva. She couldn't tell her just how much she missed them. Then, Minerva would know just how messed up she was. She missed people who threw her around like a rag doll. That wasn't right. Something had to be wrong with her.
Sniffling, the blonde removed her gaze from the ebony-haired witch. "Nothing. I'm just nervous." She shrugged her shoulders and looked up to locate Ginny.
Minerva didn't believe Annabelle, but she also didn't want to push the girl at that moment. There would be another, better, time for them to dicuss the thoughts plauging the girl's head. Right now, Minerva's only concern was taking care of her daughter.
The professor had already spotted their friends - the Weasley's hair being an easy find. Standing, she led Annabelle to her friend and grinned as she watched the pair embrace. Frowning, she noticed the glassiness of her daughter's eyes. She wanted to wipe any of her tears away, but she knew that Annabelle needed to stand on her own two feet for the moment. Minerva was confident that the child would come to her when she needed her comfort.
The girls sat down between Minerva and Molly, leaving Minerva at the end of their row. She was closest to the center, which also put her nearest to Mr. and Mrs. Wyte. She knew this was a dangerous to be in, but she told herself that she would keep her cool. Still, she placed her hand on her wand. Just in case.
It wasn't long before Karmen Shacklebolt entered the room. It was rare for her courtroom to be this empty, but she assumed that the witch in question caused this. What little she knew of Minerva told her that the older witch was very private. It was no surprise that she would want her court hearing to be as quiet as possible. Clearing her throat, she addressed all parties involved, speaking clearly that this was a family court and that her courtroom would remain civil.
Annabelle observed the regal witch at the head of the room. Dressed in deep purple and blue robes, she looked like a goddess standing before all of them. Her robes were adorned with gold etching and her hair was tied back in braids, the pattern mimicking a crown on top of her head. Her piercing brown eyes searched each of the adults in the room before finding their way to Annabelle.
After spotting the young child in question, Karmen smiled. She wanted this case to go smoothly for the sake of that terrified child. The small blonde met her gaze, and she nodded - hoping to dispell some of her fears.
Annabelle took hold of Minerva's hand and squeezed it, needing the reassurance of her touch. Judge Shacklebolt looked nice, but so did her biological parents at the moment. She couldn't fight the fear consuming her. This was all becoming real, and it was overwhelming.
Minerva squeezed the small hand in her own and gave the child her best smile before whispering, "It's going to be alright, lass. You don't need to worry. We've got you. We'll take care of you." She ended her speech with a light kiss in the girl's hairline, doing her best to believe her own words.
Karmen then adressed Amanda Lux and Jeremiah Bozum, informing them that the trial was beginning. Madame Lux was the first to present her case, explaining that Annabelle would be better taken care of by Minerva McGonagall than by a couple of muggles who have purposefully neglected and harmed her. Jermeiah Bozum, the representative assigned to the Wytes, argued that the Wytes were perfectly suitable parents who had been confused by magic, given that neither of them were magical folk, that they were no harm to their daughter.
After both opening arguments were heard, the real trial began. Amanda presented their case, explaining the severity of the Wytes' actions and the longevity of McGonagall's care. She explained their trip to Diagon Alley and Annabelle's stay at the manor prior to term beginning in the fall. After explaining the basics, she brought Minerva up to tell her side of the story.
Minerva stood and stalked to the front of the room, her entire presence emitted an air of authority. She watched as Poppy took her seat on the end, taking Annabelle's hand. Her gaze then fell on her young witch as she mindlessly stated her name and swore to tell the truth. She would be gentle because her daughter was watching her. Eyes never leaving Annabelle's green orbs, she retold the story of how she met the young witch, how the entire situation was peculiar and how her mother had thrust Annabelle out of the house upon hearing the news. With a sense of unease, she looked away from her young witch as she recounted how the elder blonde had been elated at hearing her daughter wouldn't return until Christmas - and that even that was optional.
Amanda Lux took this opportunity to discuss the winter break. "Minerva, you mentioned that returning home for Christmas break was optional. Are you aware of why Annabelle returned to Dundee for the break?"
Minerva slowly nodded, recalling the day that the witch had received her letter. "Her parents wrote to her and informed her that they wanted her to return home."
"So, Annabelle went to Dundee over break. Did she talk to you about her Christmas when she returned after break was over?" Amanda Lux knew that the witch was slowly growing angry, which was exactly what they needed. As much as the witch had displayed tenderness in her retelling of their story, they hadn't seen any passion for the young witch. It was affectionate but not necessarily loving. They needed to see the fire in her eyes. And they received just that.
Minerva's hand hovered over her wand as she recalled the night Annabelle returned to her. She shook her head as she looked from Madame Lux to the Wytes. "No, we didn't discuss after break because Annabelle had to come back to school before break was over." She clipped her answer off, afraid she was going to blow up in front of everyone. She wasn't ready for Amanda to push further.
"Professor McGonagall, what caused Annabelle to return early? Why did she come back while she was supposed to still be on break?"
Minerva gripped her wand, not noticing the glow it emitted. "She didn't return by choice. She was injured, so my house elf retrieved her. She called for Lindy's help, so Lindy brought her to me. Her injuries were extensive, so I had to call upon the school's medi-witch, Poppy Pomfrey. Even I was incapable of properly healing her without assistance."
Amanda nodded, as if lost in thought, but she was actually stalling. She glanced at Karmen, noticing the impassive face twitch slightly. "So, after this you applied for custody? Why did you do that?"
Minerva confirmed her application wordlessly before continuing, "Due to the severity of Annabelle's injuries, I believed it would be best for her to stay out of her parents' custody. After speaking with her, I agreed to apply for custody because I believe I would be well-suited to parent a child."
Madame Lux smiled definitely before gesturing to Mr. Bozum. "That will be all. Thank you."
Jeremiah hated being on this case. He knew there was no winning it, but he stood up anyway. There was no fighting Minerva McGonagall on this one. It was a solid case, but he still had to try. That was what he was paid for. His best shot was to make her look incompetent, and he inwardly cringed at the thought of attempting to do that to a witch like McGonagall. "Professor, you stated that you would be well-suited to parent a child. You plan to raise her alone?"
Minerva squinted at the man, trying to remember him as a boy. She placed him as a timid Ravenclaw, but she wasn't entirely sure. She remembered his messy hair and his older sister. She had been a Gryffindor, definitely the brawns of the family. She had been a beater for their team, a damn good one at that. Removing herself from her thoughts, she met his gaze with force. "I am married, but I will be the primary caregiver for my child, yes."
Jeremiah outwardly cringed at the malice in her voice but forced himself to push forward. "Why do you think you're suitable to be a parent? When you stood in as headmistress this past term, a student was taken into the Chamber of Secrets. Hogwarts was nearly closed while you were in charge. Would you consider this to be in support of your theory that you would be a good parent?"
Minerva's confidence wavered before her eyes were alight with a new fire. "How dare you use that tragedy against me while the very child taken into the chamber sits in this room? How dare you bring that up when the child I'm attempting to adopt was petrified during that nonsense?" Her voice was oddly cold, but her eyes stated their message clearly. He had crossed so many lines.
Mr. Bozum did his best not to look the infuriated witch in her eyes as he pushed on. "That is my exact point. Miss Wyte was petrified under your watch. You allowed that to happen. How can we expect you to take care of her after that? How can we see you as a reliable source for her?"
Annabelle sat stunned, watching all of this occur. Minerva looked enraged at the man asking questions, but she also looked scared - hurt. The young blonde did not appreciate seeing that expression on her face. It seemed as if Minerva didn't know what she was going to do. She was faltering.
Minerva looked up to Karmen Shacklebolt, wondering when the woman would put a stop to this nonsense. She also spared the Weasleys a glance, noting that Ginny couldn't look at her. She hated this Mr. Bozum for bringing up such a traumatizing experience for both the young girls. "What happened at the school was a tragedy that was poorly handled by our government. I will not totally deny fault for what occurred because I was in charge when it happened, but you cannot blame me for the actions of a basilisk for I do not have fangs or a petrifying gaze." Though in that moment, she wished she had both of them.
Mr. Bozum knew he was fighting a losing battle, so he turned away from the witch, stating, "That's all." He would have to try to find fault in someone else. His low blow with McGonagall had made him look heartless, but it had not negatively impacted the witch in the slightest.
Amanda Lux breathed a sigh of relief as she dismissed Professor McGonagall and called forth Madame Pomfrey. The medi-witch's testimony was a breeze. No one could dispute the injuries Annabelle received. Poppy stuck to the facts and only faced a few counter questions from Mr. Bozum before being led back to her seat.
Annabelle knew that she was next as a seat was conjured in front on Judge Shacklebolt. Amanda called her forward and walked with her, being sure to block her gaze from the Wytes. Annabelle hated leaving her mentor behind and found that she was shaking the entire duration of the short walk. Sitting down across from the beautiful older witch, she wrung her hands together.
They had her state her name and swear to tell the truth before Karmen officially introduced herself. "Hello, Miss Wyte. Or would you prefer Annabelle?" Noting the girl's nod, she continued. "Okay, Annabelle. I'm Karmen Shacklebolt. I've already heard a few people talk about you, but now I want to hear from you. Your opinion matters to me, so you need to be sure to tell me your thoughts."
Annabelle simply nodded again, not finding her voice until Karmen began to ask her questions about her life at home with the Wytes in comparison to life staying with McGonagall. Annabelle found that questions about Minerva were much easier to answer than questions about her biological parents. Each time Judge Shacklebolt asked her a question about her parents, she found herself in tears. She didn't even want to think about them.
Karmen took in all of the child's answers, giving her time to recover before continuing. She hated to see the girl cry, but she could tell that Annabelle was being honest with her. "Okay, just one more question. Annabelle, who do you want to live with? Can you turn around for me and point them out?"
Annabelle's eyes grew wide at the last question. Was it really that simple? Did she get to choose who she was going to live with? Standing up, she nodded vigorously. "I want to live with Minerva McGonagall." Turning around, she pointed to the older witch, who couldn't stop the tears that had started to spill down her face.
Karmen smiled at the young witch, who had turned back to her. "Okay, you may go sit down with her again." She glanced at the still-seated Amanda Lux. "Madame Lux, do you have any more witnesses to present?"
Amanda shook her head before looking to Mr. Bozum smugly. This case was an easy snitch catch.
Jeremiah sighed, frustrated with the muggles he was representing. He stood and began to present his case, claiming that her birth parents were a better option than the woman whom allowed her to be petrified. He called each Wyte up to the stand in turn, starting with Mr. Wyte. The businessman was easy to question. He played the role of confused, but caring father very well. That was, until Amanda Lux began to question him.
Amanda Lux didn't know the man in front of her, but she knew she hated his very being. She hated his act. She wanted him to show himself for who he truly was, so she pushed his buttons. She asked about Annabelle's flute. She asked about how it made him feel to throw his daughter around the room like a rag doll. She asked if it scared him when her head began to bleed all over his carpet or if he was just frustrated that he would have to pay to remove the stain.
He faltered. He was caught in the woman's trap. Her rapidly asked question mixed him up and angered him. No freak could talk to him like that. Mr. Wyte began to shout and eventually declared that his freak of a daughter deserved to have her head cracked open. He said he hoped it would knock some sense into her.
Judge Shacklebolt had to put a stop to the man's yelling. She had heard enough from him anyway. She wanted to close the case right there, but instead she simply dismissed the volatile man. "Mr. Bozum, if you have another witness, I'd recommend calling them now."
Jeremiah directed Mrs. Wyte to the front of the room before questioning her. Every bit of confidence he had for this case had been shattered with Amanda's questions. Mrs. Wyte's testimony finished smoothly, and Madame Lux denied wanting to question her.
Karmen Shacklebolt announced that she would be back momentarily to announce her decision. She entered her office and made a call to her connection in the muggle world. She informed them of her decision and asked that it be made official in their documentation, as well. Judge Shacklebolt made one more call before entering the courtroom again.
All in attendance were silent, waiting for her to speak. "Custody of Miss Annabelle Wyte had been awarded to Deputy Headmistress Minerva Marie Dumbledore McGonagall." Karmen paused as she watched the two witches embrace before continuing. "I have signed the paperwork that the deputy headmistress had forwarded to my office in case of this outcome, so Annabelle's name change is also official. She is now Annabelle Rosalie Dumbledore McGonagall." She winked at the older professor before turning to the two muggles in the room. "I've been in contact with the muggle authorities, and you will be charged with child abuse and neglect. Mr. Wyte, you will also be charged with attempted murder, given that Miss McGonagall would have died without the use of magic on New Years Eve. Be glad you are muggles or you would be back in my court for that hearing. As it is, you will not be, but I am enforcing a restraining order. As of today, you will not speak with Annebelle McGonagall. You will not be within 100 meters of her at any time. You will not enter any wizarding establishment again. You will be escorted out. This hearing is over."