The Tabby, the Phoenix and the kitten

Chapter twenty-two

Minerva was sitting in her office marking some exams, quite a bit worried about what four of her Gryffindor's, including her daughter, had come and said to her. She had sent a letter to Albus telling him about what happened. She hadn't gotten a letter back so she assumed that everything was alright. It wasn't until Fawkes appeared distraught in her office, that she knew something was seriously wrong.

She went with Fawkes to Albus's office, finding Albus standing behind his desk waiting for Minerva to arrive. In the room already was Filius and Severus. Once Albus was sure everyone he wanted there was in fact there he began.

"I have been informed by Miss Granger that She, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter and Miss Winters had gone down the trap door in the third floor corridor, intending to stop whoever it was who was going to steal the contents being protected. Mr. Weasley was brought out by Miss Granger, unconsious, both students had numerus cuts and Madam Pomfrey is with them now. However I have been informed that both Miss Winters and Mr. Potter have gone further into the chamber, and to my knowledge are still down there." Albus said. Minerva had to sit down.

"I believe we know what it is we need to do." Albus said as they all rushed out of his office and to the third floor corridor. Minerva hoped that Arianna was okay. If she wasn't, Minerva didn't think she would ever be able to forgive herself. They had come and told her this was going to happen! And she had simply ignored them, thinking it could never happen.

Hagrid was already in the room handling Fluffy so the other staff could get through the trap door. As they made their way through the chamber, they saw that someone had indeed been through the rooms, the keys sticking out from the heavy wooden door that Filius had set up, the broken chess pieces on the giant chess board that Minerva had put together, the dead troll on the floor in the room that Quirrell had put together, and the empty potion bottle that Severus had set up.

By the time they reached the final room, everything was quiet. The first thing they saw was a pile of ashes, surrounded by the clothes of Professor Quirrell, then they saw an unconsious Harry Potter, the Philosopher stone and then there was Arianna. Tied from head to toe in ropes, with a gag in her mouth unconsious.

Minerva's legs gave out as she saw her daughter lying there motionless and bound. Luckily Severus was next to her and he caught her and turned her around. Albus ran to his daughter cutting the ropes and feeling for a pulse. Severus turned his head and watched Albus looking for a sign that she was alive. Albus gave a relieved sigh and nodded at Severus as he put her on a stretcher and began to levitate her, Filius doing the same with Harry.

"She is alive Minerva. She's alive, just unconsious, Poppy will be able to help her." Severus said, Minerva gave a relieved cry as the tears ran down her face. Severus had never seen her like this, of course he understood, he had known how excited she was to be having a child, and how devestated she was when her daughter was taken from her.

Minerva stood and turned to look at her daughter as they left the chamber. Albus took the Philosopher stone from Harry's hand, before they made their way to the Hospital wing.

Once they were in the hospital wing, Poppy told Filius to set Harry down on a bed in the main wing and she brought Arianna to a back room. She called in a friend of hers from St. Mungo's to come and help her out so she could focus all her engery on Arianna.

"Minerva! Wait in my office." Poppy said seeing her friend trying to follow her into the room. Poppy didn't know anything of Arianna's injuries yet, and she didn't want Minerva to have to see Arianna in a state that Minerva wouldn't be able to handle.

"No, Poppy I can't I have to-"

"Office! Now!" Poppy said sternly interuppting her, Albus took Minerva into Poppy's office and sat her down, trying to calm her down while Poppy began running diagnostic spells.

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Harry woke up in a bed, in what he was sure was the hospital wing. As he looked around, he saw a table with a large amount of candy, cards and flowers on it. His eyes went wide as Professor Dumbledore came up to his bed.

"Ah, good afternoon Harry," He said, then seeing that Harry was looking at him and then back to table he chuckled, "tokens from your admirers." He explained/

"Admirers?" Harry asked confused.

"What happened down in the dungeons between you, Miss Winters, and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret, so natrually the whole school knows." Professor Dumbledore said, "Ah, I see your friend Ronald has saved you the trouble of opening your Chocolate Frogs." He said with smile. Harry looked up at him quickly.

"Ron was here!? Is he alright!? What about Hermione, and, and Arianna, is Arianna alright!?" He asked quickly very concerened for his friends.

"Fine, fine, they are all just fine." Dumbledore said, leaving out the part of Arianna still being unconsious.

"But what happened to the stone?" Harry asked and Dumbeldore began to explain all about what he had discussed with Nicholas Flamel and all about how it was his mothers love that saved his life.

After their discussion, Madam Pomfrey ordered Harry to rest before he was able to leave, and Albus went back to the room occupied by his daughter. Minerva sat beside the bed holding on to Arianna's hand as if it were the only thing keeping her alive.

Poppy had said that Arianna's only injuries consisted of a few cuts, (most likely from the broken chess pieces) the head injury she had sustained from hitting her head on the steps, and some rope burns.

She told Albus and Minerva that Arianna had a concusion but that seemed to be the worst of her injuries, but they would have to wait until she woke to know more.

Albus sat on the other side of Arianna, watching her even breaths and glancing at Minerva who never once let go of Arianna's hand, nor looked away from her. As he sat there Albus realized that Minerva blammed herself for their daughter's current state.

"Minerva." Albus said quietly, Minerva turned her head to look at him.

"I know you blame yourself my dear, but you mustn't, you didn't know this would happen, it wasn't your-"

"No! It was my fault! They told me someone was going to steal the stone and that WE had to do something. But I dismissed them, because I thought 'they couldn't possibly be right. They're just children!' So yes, Albus, it is my fault." Minerva said her voice raised.

She wasn't mad at Albus, she was mad at herself. She was thinking of everything she could have done differently that could have changed the outcome of that night. Albus was watching her, knowing she was mentally beating herself up about this.

The two were so caught up with their thoughts they didn't notice Arianna stir.

She felt someone holding her hand before she opened her eyes. Her head was pounding like a bass drum but she ignored it as she opened her eyes, immediately shutting them again, the light of the room hurting them.

When she finally did manage to fully open her eyes, her site was a bit blurry but she knew who was sitting next to her.

"Mommy." She said taking Minerva out of her daze. Minerva's features softened, tears coming to her eyes hearing the name she had longed to be called for eleven years. She smiled and nodded, bringing Arianna'a hand to her mouth and kissed it.

Arianna smiled and looked over to Albus, who's eyes were twinkling madly, and who's smile reached up to those eyes.

"Daddy." Arianna said and Albus nodded. She smiled even more then her smiling face contorted into one of pain. She withdrew her hand from Minerva and put it on her head trying to make it stop.

Minerva desperately called for Poppy. She ran in and after seeing Arianna's face ran back out again. After a second she came back in with numerous potions, uncorking the first one she helped Arianna get it down and after a few minutes Arianna's pain faded.

Poppy ran some test and gave her a few more potions then sat on her bed as Arianna finished them.

"What did I tell you about getting hurt?" Poppy said with a smile glad that she was alright. Minerva had told her about the potion Severus had brewed proving Arianna was their daughter.

"Sorry" she said quietly with a small smile.

"How's the pain now?" She asked

"Better" Arianna replied.

"Good, now rest, it'll help. You call me if you need anything." Poppy said before turning, putting a hand on Minerva'a shoulder giving her a smile and leaving the room.

Albus and Minerva got up, each kissing her on the cheek and going to leave when they heard a small voice.

"Would you stay, until I fall asleep?" She asked, her voice rough from not being used.

"Of Course." They both said together, and sat back down, each taking one of her hands as she fell asleep.

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For Arianna, the next few days were devoted to rest, by order of Madam Pomfrey, or Aunt Poppy as Arianna had been told to call her in private. Minerva and Albus had been by at some point everyday to visit her, and Arianna was getting used to calling them mum and dad in private as well. Though it was strange at first, it felt right and soon Arianna had no problems calling them mum and dad.

On one of these visits Minerva and Albus had asked Arianna if she wanted to live with them. She immediatly told them yes before they had even finished talking. Minerva couldn't have been happier, it felt like everything was turing around for them now, all for the better. She was so happy in fact, that she let her hard exterior soften a tad, much to the confusion and terror of the students.

The next morning when Arianna woke, her mother and Poppy were there. Minerva smiled at her when she saw that she was awake.

"What's going on?" She asked wondering why they were both there before she was even up.

"Well, if my diagnostic comes back clear, you can leave the hospital wing, and go catch up with your friends." Poppy said. Arianna's face lit up at th mention of her friends.

"Well don't look so excited." Poppy said winking at her and Arianna appologised before Poppy began the spell. Arianna sat perfectly still with a hopeful and excited look on her facee, Minerva chuckled at Arianna's excitment.

"Well, the diagnostic has come up clear." Poppy said.

"Does that mean I can go?!" Arianna asked excitedly. Poppy looked to Minerva and Arianna in turn looked to her mother.

"Can I go Mum?" She asked expectantly.

"Here are your clothes." Minerva said with a smile of amusement as Arianna took the clothes and ran into the restroom to get washed and dressed.

When she had finished Minerva and Poppy were in idle conversation about summer plans. But stopped when they saw Arianna.

"Now don't over do it young lady. And if you feel off at all, even just the slightest bit, you come straight to me, understood!?" Poppy fussed and Arianna nodded.

"Good, then off you go." Poppy said and Arianna ran off to the door, she stopped, turned and ran back, straight to her mother, whom she gave a big hug to. Minerva wrapped her arms tightly around her daughter, and then pushed her out the door with a smile.

After Arianna left Minerva and Poppy sat down in Poppy's office for a cuppa.

"Minerva I owe you a great apology." Poppy said. Minerva looked confused.

"Whatever for?" She asked.

"You came and told me that you thought Arianna was your daughter. You were right and I didn't believe you. I should have believed you, you're my best friend and I tried to convince you that it wasn't your daughter. What does that say about me? Oh Minerva I'm so sorry!" Poppy said and Minerva smiled.

"Poppy! You have no reason to apologize! You were only trying to save me from the heartbreak I would have felt had it not been Arianna. That tells me that you are a true best friend. And besides no one believed me, not even Albus, but now he is happier than I have ever seen him." Minerva told
Poppy.

"He isn't the only one! I've never seen you so happy!"

"What do you mean!?"

"Minerva you are smiling again. You are terrifying the students with your happiness." Poppy said and Minerva laughed.

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Arianna walked through the halls of Hogwarts, hearing the excited chatter of the end of year feast that night. She made her way up to the Gryffindor common room where she found Hermione, Ron, and Harry.

"Arianna!" Hermione said and she jumped up and hugged her. Harry and Ron did the same.

"How are you feeling?" Hermione asked her once they all sat down.

"Much better, but listen I've got something to tell you all, but you can't repeat it to a single soul!" Arianna stressed, and the three swore they wouldn't tell anyone.

Arianna began the tale of how when Harry showed her the Mirror of Erised she saw Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore. She then told them all about the night they first saw Fluffy and about her dream.

"So McGonagall and Dumbledore are your parents!?" Harry whispered. And Arianna nodded.

"Bloody hell!" Ron said looking horrified.

"That's why McGonagall has been looking so, so happy!" He continued. Arianna laughed.

"I knew you would find them Arianna." Hermione told her with a smile.

"Oh! And that's not all, while I was in the hospital wing, they asked if I would come live with them!" She said with the biggest smile.

"What did you say!?" Hermione asked eagerly.

"Yes, of course! I can't believe it, I never have to go back to the Winters again! It's like a dream come true!" She said. Harry felt a twinge of pain. He and Arianna were in similar situations. Both hadn't known their parents, both lived with people who treated them very poorly, though Arianna had it worse than him, Harry felt as if everything was going so right for her and so wrong for him.

"Harry, are you alright?" Arianna asked seeing his face. Harry came out of his thought rather quickly.

"Yeah, I was just thinking. So are you excited for the feast later?" He asked quickly, changing the subject and the four of them began to talk about what might happen that evening.

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The feast that night went off without a hitch, all seemed lost for Gryffindor when it was announced that they were in fourth for the house cup and Slytherin first. That is until Professor Dumbledore awarded some last minute points to Harry, Ron, Hermione, Arianna and Neville, putting them in first. The entire Gryffindor table couldn't be happier, they were all patting the four on the back and cheering so loudly, the whole hall would probably go deaf. 

Slytherin on the other hand, was furious. Arianna glanced at the table to see Malfoy seething and jealous. She smiled and waved to him only making him fume even further.

That night was the last night the students had in the castle, they would be leaving on the train the next morning for the summer holidays and Arianna couldn't have been more excited. She was going to ride the Hogwarts Express back to King's Cross station with her friends, where her mother would then pick her up and bring her to her new home.

That night as Arianna slept she had dreams of the Winters and what they did to her. The next morning she became self conscious and worried about going to live with Minerva and Albus. What if after a little bit they decided they didn't like her? Would they hit her? She thought but soon banished that thought from her mind, they would never hurt her, she didn't know why she knew but she did. She still felt this self consciousness and worry as she went down for breakfast.

She didn't eat much, as her mind was running a mile a minute about small things that she felt self concious about. Like her scars from her beatings and bites. Or the fact that she didn't know much about living with others and depending on other people. For most of her life she was forced to do everything herself, a solitary figure who worked on her own accord. Having no one to worry about her she didn't know what it would be like to have caring parents in her life. 

"Arianna?" Ron asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"Sorry?" She asked clearly she had missed something.

"I asked if you were alright." Ron said. 

"Oh yeah, sorry. Just thinking. I'm a bit nervous truthfully." She said with a nervous smile. Hermione smiled at her.

"It's going to be just fine! You are going to have so much fun, think of all the amazing things you are going to learn this summer! I'm jealous of you really!" Hermione said making Arianna laugh. 

"Let's go, before we miss the train!" Harry said and they all got up from the table and headed out of the hall.

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Minerva sighed as she watched the four of them leave the hall. She had noticed that Arianna had bareley eaten a bite of her breakfast. 

"Do you think she's alright?" Minerva whispered to Albus. 

"I think she has much to get accustmed to. It's going to be a great change from her life before. I believe she feels a bit of anxiety." Albus said putting a hand over his wife's. She sighed and hoped that they would be able to help her through whatever it was she was feeling. It wasn't until later that they realized how scared she really was.