Author's note: I feel that I didn't update for so long! Thanks for reviewing and special thanks to Carma Bain Bentley for pointing one of my mistakes. XD thanks again!

I apologize in advance if you saw some (in fact many) typos and grammatical errors here. I haven't edited it much. (I am currently at a computer shop where I couldn't really concentrate because of the noisy kids who's playing online games)...-sigh-

I'll edit it after a few days…I hope.

Anyways, enjoy reading and don't forget to leave a review! –Winks-

Update (12-11-11) - just finished editing it, though I will still apologize in advance if you found some errors here. =)

Chapter thirty one:

When things are getting out of hand

Renee nervously picked her food on dinner. She should be happy and excited for today's arrangement; as she had been waiting for this day to come. But instead, she was nervous and worried for one of her friends. Today was Harry's first day of detention with Umbridge and she couldn't get out the feeling of being worried for the boy who lived.

Must be woman's instinct, she decided.

Her worry began to intensify when he didn't show up on dinner; in fact Harry was nowhere to be found as he wasn't on the tower too. Hermione and Ron began to worry too, as the trio saw the toad reached for her seat with a bright smile on her face.

This shouldn't be good.

She continued to observe the professor, who seems to be in a very good mood.

Where is Harry anyway?

Snape stood up on his seat, gave her a glance before exiting the great hall.

"Go on Ren, we'll meet you on the common room later" Hermione told her as she noticed the potions masters' departure.

Renee snapped from her deep thoughts and noticed Snape's disappearance. She nodded to the brunette girl and stood up.

"I'll see you guys later" she said before exiting the room, leaving Ron and Neville having a questioning look on their faces.

She unconsciously reached the potions lab as her mind was still drifted at Harry. She half heartedly opened the door and didn't even notice that the tables were moved on the sides, making a space on the middle.

"Miss Matte" she jumped on the voice, cutting her deep thoughts.

"Good evening professor Snape" she greeted as she gave her a timid smile.

His eyebrows arched up, but didn't comment anything. The potions master stood up at his desk with his wand on his hand.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes sir" I have other time to worry those later, focus or you'll face his wrath! She chanted to herself as she pulled her wand.

"We're going to practice your non verbal spells and reflexes, same old rules; any questions?"

Renee shook her head.

"Good. At the count of three, one…two…three!" red lights shoot into her.

Protego! She shouted in her head and the invincible shield blocked the red lights on her face.

Expelliarmus! Red lights shoot into him, which he blocked easily.

Purple light shoot into her, making her slights stumble as she cast the shield a little late.

Their mock duel continued as that, while her focus on it was beginning to deteriorate. Her too much concentration on the duel makes her see things, a vision she wasn't really expected to see.

The whole room was pink, with photos of cats all over the room.

"You knew what to do dear" the familiar sickening voice said.

She looked where the toad was looking and saw Harry sitting on the chair, with a quill and parchment on hand. He glared on the professor as she begins to write lines and a blood drop on the floor…

Red flashes were in front of her that she completely didn't block, making her slammed into the nearest wall. Snape rushed into her and helped her to stoop up.

"Sorry" she mumbled as he guide her into the nearest chair.

"You're lack in focus" he stated, as his eyebrow arched up.

"Sorry, just remembered something"

"When we're having lessons, I want you to completely focus on it. Do you understand me?" she meekly nodded as she touched her aching shoulder.

She heard him let out a sigh and cast a diagnosing spell on her before she could complain.

"I'm fi—"

"Silence, Matte" he growled as he finished the spell and gave her a vial.

"Drink" he ordered. She wanted to complain, but the intimidating looks of the professor made her stop.

Its Anti-pain potion, she noted as she recognized the taste and her aching feeling starts to fade.

"Thank you" she offered him a smile as she gave the empty vial on him.

He nodded on response and returned the empty vial on the cupboard and began to serve tea.

"Why are you still sitting there?" he snarled at the dumbstruck girl. She consciously sat at the nearest chair of his desk as he poured tea on the cup in front of her.

"Drink" he barked as he noticed that she was just staring on the cup.

Renee nodded and sipped on the cup, savoring the flavor of the tea while her thoughts were wrapped again. What did I just saw earlier…is that…

"I'm sorry professor, you're saying something?" she asked as she missed what he just said.

"I asked how your preparation for OWLS was."

"Oh, just fine…enjoying the toa- I mean professor Umbridge's lectures" she sarcastically said. She doesn't really know if she could really call those lectures, as the only thing they did was read and write. It's worse than history of magic class!

"Really?" he mock to believe her words. She growled in response as she sipped on her tea again.

"I'll rather have professor Trelawney than her. I bet she knew better about DADA than that woman" she replied, and waited for his correction on calling the professor like that. But that never came.

"Getting closer with Sybil are we?"

"Quite the opposite in fact, she's not bothering me anymore…she's actually avoiding me" she replied, thinking how the professor clumsily walked the opposite way when they were about to collide on the hallway.

"Oh" he replied, this time genuinely surprised.

"I'm not really surprise if only few people will pass DADA's OWLS. How could you really pass a subject that suppose to be practicing in actual if you're just reading the theoretical aspect of it, let alone reading a book for first years?" she exclaimed as her complains were pouring down.

"True. But how matter your anger with that woman, you should not cross her. She has more power that you thought she has"

"I know" she softly said and sighed. The two continue to talk until Renee noticed the tickling wall clock on the wall.

Dang it!

"It's getting late, I better go sir, I'll just meet you again soon" Renee stood up abruptly as she finally noticed the time and leave as fast as she could.

…

She exited the room, with her pace almost running. How dare I forget about Harry? She scolded herself as she totally forgotten her friend by just talking to the professor.

Renee slowed down as she heard faint footsteps behind her. She clutched the wand on her pocket, ready to pull it out in case of emergency. The footsteps were beginning slowed down too, as if equaling her pace. She turned on the corner, twirled fast to catch her so called stalker.

Pansy Parkinson squealed in surprised as she found her wand pointing at her.

"What the hell. Don't point that to me will you?"

"Why are you following me?"

"I'm not following you, you daft girl. Are you the only one who could pass this corridor? This is the dungeons, why are you here anyway? Go back on your filthy den! You talk as if you own the whole castle" she mumbled and continued to walk.

"Wait!" she called and the Slytherin stop walking.

"Didn't you saw anyone err…following me?"

"No I didn't. Now don't bother me you filthy Gryffindor!" she spat before disappearing into the corridors, leaving the young witch in deep thoughts.

Now that was weird, I swore someone's following me…

She snapped and scolded herself for being distracted again. She began to run and unknown to her, a person emerged behind the armor and watched her as she run towards her dormitory.

…

She didn't expect what she saw on the common room, though the worry feeling she had been starting to lift up. The trio was sitting on one of the tables, busy doing their own homework.

"Hey" she called as she sat on the stool next to Harry.

Hermione and Ron looked up at her greeting and smiled. Parchments and books were around them as they were struggling in finishing their homework. Renee looked into Harry, who seemed to be into his parchment too much.

"How's detention?" she asked.

"Fine" he answered though he didn't look up at her.

"What did she make you do?" she pressed again.

"Lines, she asked me to do lines" he said quietly though she swore she saw him gritted his teeth.

She looked at the two questionably.

"He's like that because Umbridge didn't agree on keeping his next Friday free for the Quidditch practice" Ron explained.

Harry sighed in frustration and Renee looked at him worriedly.

"I'm fine, really" he said, though she first thought that he was convincing himself than them.

…

Their 'Theory lessons' on DADA continued, to everyone's displeasure. Nothing could be learned on those hours that Renee would rather spend her time doing her remaining homework than wasting her time there.

It's really a waste of time

Hermione on the other hand seems to be thinking different. She was more focused on class…well that's the first thing that I thought.

"You've got to be kidding me"

"No I'm not. If it' the only way to learn, why not?" Hermione calmly replied.

"Do you think no one will know about it? The toad might have already recruited spies for all we know!" she exclaimed in her low voice.

"That's why we will choose carefully who will join. Come on Ren, I know you know it's the only way to pass DADA" she urged her.

Renee looked around the library before turning to Hermione. As much as she don't admit it, she was right. If they don't act soon, they will all fail OWLS.

But still…

"I know you're right, but me as a teacher? You have to be kidding me"

"Why? You're perfect for the job"

"And cows could fly on the muggle world"

"Renee Ann!"

"No. I really couldn't do it Hermione"

"Ron and I will help you both on facilitating and planning the lessons. Trust me, you'll do great. And besides, you're the only one whose practicing spells since last year and still—"she sighed in defeat. There is no way she could get away from her friend.

Sometimes I really wished I didn't told Hermione about my lessons with Snape

"How did the boys respond to this plan of yours?" she cut off, before someone would hear whatever Hermione was trying to say.

"Same as yours actually, but did agree in the end. Harry is a bit…distracted"

"Yeah, could really see that" she said and smiled. Harry has been taking half of his time on staring at Cho these past few days.

Like a love sick puppy dog.

"Besides about that, He's been…I don't know. I can't seem to finger on it" Hermione chews her bottom lip as she thought deeply about their friend.

Renee understood what the brunette girl was trying to say. She also noticed how distracted Harry was (not just because of Cho).Ron has been acting strange too, but soon discovered the reason why, as she saw the ginger boy flying into the night sky when she was about to go back at the tower after her lessons with Snape.

Ron is secretly practicing for Quidditch try outs.

"How are you going to work to this plan of yours?" she asked.

"Oh we could conduct a meeting on Hogsmeade next week. I've got this all planned out, don't worry" Hermione replied, with her mysterious smile on her face.

That's why I'm worried about

…

The corridor has fewer students now, as it was almost time for dinner. Renee walked alone towards the great hall as Hermione was called for a prefects meeting earlier and agreed to just meet later on the great hall. She's worried about Hermione's plan, as it all contradicts all of her mother's warning on her.

She will surely kill me if she will know about this plan.

"Harry!" she suddenly called as she saw him on the corridor, walking the opposite way to the great hall for dinner. He looked back at her and she noted how pale his face was becoming.

"You're pale. Are you- oh my!" she exclaimed as she saw blood dripping on his hand. He covered his wounded hand with his other hand.

Renee gripped his sleeves and pulled him towards another direction. Harry seems to know they were heading as he squirmed at her grip.

"No!"

"We've got that wound to be treated Harry!"

"No! I'm not going anywhere than the tower!"

"Don't be stubborn, you're losing blood"

"I'm fine really"

"We need to get your hand fix!" she shouted, making her voice echoed through the hallway.

"I'm not going anywhere! I'm fine!" he spat.

Renee sighed at his stubbornness as she pinched the bridge of her nose. She gave him a handkerchief for his hand and dragged him into the common room.

"Stay there" she ordered as she pushed him into one of the armchairs and run towards the girl's dormitory. After a while, she came back with a box on her hands and settled next to him. She was glad that her mother insisted to make her bring a first aid kit with her luggage and wondered if the woman knew she will later need those.

"Drink this" she gave him a vial with red fluid which Harry gave her a questioning look.

"That's blood replenishing potion. Guess you're bleeding for a while now" she said as she as busy pulling her things out of the box.

"Hand Harry" she ordered once again. He cautiously placed his wounded hand on the armchair as Renee gasped on the site of the wound.

What the? Renee looked at him worriedly. Harry looked down on the floor, like he was guilty about everything. She didn't spoke as she began to clean the wound.

"This will sting a little" she forewarned before spreading the ointment on the wound, making Harry hissed in pain. She spread it carefully and evenly and bandaged it, making it not too loose or tight for him.

"You owe me an explanation" she finally said after placing back her things on the box. He didn't spoke or looked at her.

"Is that from that toad?" she whispered.

He nodded.

"Did you tell anyone about this?" he shook his head, figured that out.

"She doesn't have the right to punish you like this! That disgusting toad…I swear…"

"Don't tell anyone about it!" he suddenly said.

"Why? This should be reported to McGonagall…or even Dumbledore!"

"They already have enough on their plates already. No, we can't tell them about it. Not now"

"And what? Let her treat students hand's like parchment?" no, I can't let her do this.

"Just think Ren. Umbridge had already power in sacking teachers. We can't afford to lose them now. The only thing we could do now is warn the students about crossing her. And besides I think Umbridge only does that to me" Harry shrugged.

Renee sighed again.

"Fine, but don't expect me to keep those a secret for a long time. You have to tell Hermione and Ron about it" she warned.

Harry nodded and gazed on the fireplace, with his deep thoughts again. Harry's right…Dumbledore has already too many things to worry about.

But is it wise to keep them away?

…

Renee consciously looked around. The place wasn't really neat for a pub (well this is Hogs head for Merlin's sake! What do I expect?). She glanced at Harry, who seems to be nervous too about the place.

I thought this place wasn't for minors?

Their rented space above the pub was soon filled with students, mostly she didn't know by name though she was quite familiar with their faces.

"I don't want to receive any complain letter from you" her mother's voice rang once again into her hear but did dismissed it.

I'm doomed for sure

"Err…Hi" Hermione started as the group was completed. Everyone shifted their attention at her.

"Well…erm…you know why you're here…well Harry here had…I mean I had the idea that it might be good if people who wanted to study DADA and I- mean, really study it. You know, not the rubbish that Umbridge is doing with us"

"Because nobody could call that DADA" Renee muttered and several nodded in agreement.

"Exactly, well I thought it would be good if we took matters into our own hands" she glanced on Harry before continuing.

"And by that I mean learning how to defend ourselves properly, not just theory but real spells-"

"You want to pass your DADA OWLS too though, I bet"

"Everyone does want to pass. You sure you're going to pass using those ridiculous books she prescribed?" Renee snapped into the boy who spoke, not being pleased for interrupting Hermione's speech. Ron tugged her sleeves and shook his head.

"Of course I do…but I want more than that. I want to be properly trained in defense because…Lord Voldemort's back" Hermione interjected.

Everyone's reacting seems to be predictable for Renee. Some slopped her butterbeer, one gave an involuntary twitch, and even Neville gave an odd yelp.

"Well…that's the plan anyway. If you want to join us, we need to decide how we are going to-"

"Where's the proof 'you-know-who's' back?" the blond boy asked. Renee hissed in irritation.

"Well Dumbledore believes it-"

"You mean Dumbledore believes him" the blond boy said again, nodding at Harry.

"Who are you anyway?" Ron suddenly asked, almost as irritated as Renee.

"Zacharias Smith" the boy said "And I think we've got the right to know exactly-"

"Why are you here anyway Smith? This isn't supposed to be a storytelling about what happened on the triwizard event if you thought it was. This meeting was supposed to be about making a group" she glared at the blond boy. Now this is why I'm suspicious that many people came…they just wanted to know what happened at the triwizard event!

"It's okay…what makes me say you-know-who's back? I saw him. But Dumbledore told the whole school what happened last year, and if you don't believe him, you don't believe me. And I'm not wasting an afternoon trying to convince anyone" Harry stated, with a hint of irritation on his voice.

The entire group became silent (even that scumbag). She gave Harry an encouraging smile and he returned it with a nod.

"All Dumbledore told us last year was that Cedric Diggory got killed by 'you-know-who' and that you brought Diggory's body back at Hogwarts. He didn't give us details; he didn't tell us exactly how he got murdered"

It took every inch of her body to restrain herself in putting the boy on a silencing charm. Ron continued to tug her sleeves as he could sense her impending outburst, though it was also visible that he might also burst out any moment.

"If you're come here to hear to exactly what it looks like when Voldemort murders someone I cannot help you. I don't want to talk about his death, all right? So if that's what you've here for, you might as well clear out" he finally sat down as he waited someone to stand up and leave. But no one did, not even the Smith guy.

"Nice one Harry" Renee whispered at him.

"So I was saying…if you want to learn some defense, then we need to work out how we're going-"

"Is it true? That you can produce a patronus?" the girl with long plain down hair back asked. Several murmurs could be heard around.

Renee just listened attentively as they began to ask him questions of what he did since first year. Basilisk, corpereal patronus, sorcerer's stone…wow, Harry did have adventurous years. Can't really blame Snape getting angry with the trio…Reckless…too adventurous…

She gave him a teasing look when Cho joined in complementing him. He coughed nervously and began to flush furiously, like he was never heard a compliment before. He began to talk modest, saying he did require help from all of those…

"Are you trying to weasel out of showing us any of this stuff?" said the Smith guy. Ron couldn't longer contain himself. He stood up, loosening his grip on Renee and glared at him.

"Here's an idea-"

"Can you hell shut the fuck off?" Renee spat at the boy as she stood and gave him an evil glare. The whole group shut up too, quite shocked that the timid and shy girl on class could swear like that. Even the bartender shut up; wow…I never thought Sirius' words could really make this kind of impact…

"Thank you" she smiled sweetly and sat back, making her attention on Harry again, who was also shocked on her swearing.

But the Smith guy sure never gave up in bashing the boy who lived.

"Well, we've all turned up to learn from him, and now he's telling us he can't do any of it"

"That's not what he said" Fred (or is it George?) snarled at him.

"Would you like us to clean out your ears for you?" George (or is it Fred?) asked, pulling a long metal instrument into his bag.

Renee slowly turned to Smith, with her lips forming an evil smirk that everyone wanted to shiver through their spines.

"Actually, I'm going to help him supervise the practice. Do you also want to question what I could do? I could demonstrate some spells I've learn last vacation on you" the whole pub seems to be on the edge as she spoke and Smith unconsciously shivered. When no one spoke nor moved from their seats, Hermione coughed to get their attentions again.

"Err…we don't need to have demonstration today…moving on…the point is, are we agreed to take lessons from Renee and Harry?" Hermione took over again, as Renee still staring on Smith.

There was a general murmur of agreement though some of them were eyeing Renee if she will really do a demonstration any moment.

The meeting process from how often their meetings will be. Renee continued to eye Smith, who seemed to become included in her 'most annoying person' list. (Who placed next to Malfoy)

"I think I know a perfect place for us" Renee piped, thinking about the room of requirements. Everyone listened to her description of the room. (Or they were just quite because they thought I would snap at them if they interrupt me) They agreed to let Harry checked the place first before declaring it to be their official practice room.

She put aside the thought of her Mum killing her if she will know what they will be going to do as she finally signed on the piece of parchment, a proof that she will be a part of their little group.

Everyone cleared out as they finished writing their names, leaving the four of them. Harry still has a dreamy look on his face when Cho waved him goodbye.

"Well, that turned out great" Hermione suddenly said as they finally out of the pub, following the two boys towards the quill shop.

"Yeah, and I will really hex that boy back there" Renee said as she nodded on Smith's back.

"Renee Ann!"

"What? Don't tell me you like him? That scumbag doesn't know how to shut up"

"Well, I don't like him either. But that's beside the point. We should be careful not to get into trouble"

"Fine" she spat, though she knew Hermione was right. But at the back of her mind, she swore that she will make the boy regret if he would say another bad remark at them.

The four chatted all the way to the bookstore, in Hermione and Renee's insisted to visit (we have to prepare for the lessons plans anyways) and to Harry and Ron's dismay. Renee was teasing Harry once again, as he was still dazed from earlier happenings. And unknowns to them, a shadow emerged just behind the Hogs head and watch them walked through the crowd.