Author's note: My update got so late! So sorry! XD real life keeps be busy, as Christmas is just around the corner –glance at the Christmas tree literally in the corner-. Just to make it up to you, I've got this chapter longer! (Man, fifteen pages for one chapter sure are hard to type!)

I got my laptop back from repair (yay!) so I could type freely now. My updates would be faster this time around. –winks-

Special thanks to 'Carma Bain Bentley' and 'A.K. Riddle and Company', hope you guys have a nice holiday.

Enjoy reading!

Chapter thirty two:

Detention with Umbridge

Books and parchments were scattered over the long table that no one could see a certain fifth year student in the middle of it. Renee scratched her head with her quill as she was too absorbed from what she was doing. She had been doing plans for their first day of practice for almost an hour since it was her who will lead their first practice.

What spell should we first practice? What about Stufery? Too advance for first day…how about…

She had taken the job seriously even though she was just forced to do it. Several defense spells were written on the back of her journal, including some of the spells Snape taught her last year. All of them were all advance level spells, she noted as she checked it one by one in their library books.

No wonder I struggled on trying those

Renee decided to include them on the succeeding lessons, but definitely not for their first day. She gathered all the books and returned it on their rightful places as she felt contented on her plan. She glided at the bulletin board and gazed at the newest notice about prohibiting all students in creating unofficial clubs.

To hell with that toad, she couldn't help but sneer at the note. But what was really nagging her was how the new professor found their secret meeting. Those who attend must not tell anyone about it or else…

She tensed as felt the nagging feeling again of someone watching her. She looked around; surely no one was looking at her.

But you can never be sure about that.

She felt silly on running for something she can't see, heck I even don't know if I was just being paranoid or not. She reached the grounds panting for air. Paranoid or not, it's not funny anymore! Ugh I'm getting insane.

She continued to walk, savoring the sunlight before the sun sets. Maybe I should tell someone about this crazy thing…a teacher perhaps?

"Oh dear Merlin" she suddenly groaned when she saw Malfoy and his gang walking towards her direction.

"What do we have here? A Gryffindor, alone in the grounds?" he spat, looking at her from head to toe.

"Leave me alone Malfoy" Renee rolled her eyes and passed them, thinking that the boy's bullying was getting ridiculous every minute. Malfoy grabbed her arm and twisted it, making her halt on her walk.

"Don't. Touch. Me" she sneered, making him instantly dropped her arm and look scared for a minute there.

"Who do you think you are to order me?" he questioned, finally gained his confidence back.

"I'm tired of your bullying, go find someone that you could pull your neck with" she said, though her wand was already on her hand, ready from whatever Malfoy the great will do.

She wasn't really surprised when he shouted a spell towards her; it was quite expected with the boy. A snake came out from his wand and landed in front of her. Renee stiffened on her spot as she stared at the snake; it was her first time in so many years to encounter a snake personally again. The snake noticed her presence, bended down and hissed something in Renee's astonishment.

Malfoy and the two boys stepped back as the snake turned into them and hissed angrily. Before they could react, a high pitched voice echoed the grounds and made the snake disappeared in an instant.

"Explain yourselves" Umbridge eyes turned at the three Slytherins.

"We were just passing by and she…she made the snake appear to attack us!"

"That is not true! It's Malfoy who did the spell!" I didn't even know what the actual spell is on the first place!

"It's seems that I've seen enough. The snake was about to attack them, don't you think? And your wand was on the ready too. I've think I've stated the obvious"

"Malfoy has his wand on his hand too! I've told you, I didn't—"

"Detention tomorrow, Miss Matte for using an offensive spell on your fellow classmate"

"It's not fair! You're bloody bias! I didn't—"

"It will be three day detention for questioning a professor's judgment Miss Matte" she finally said and before storming back at the castle.

The three Slytherins snickered at her before following the professor. It took every inch of her body to resist herself in hexing them all at once. Talk about bending my own words about not crossing the toad's way…just great, she groaned in dismay.

Renee stared on the same spot where the snake was earlier. She really wondered if she just misheard what the snake hissed at her. It was really disturbing that the thought of it makes her shiver all over.

Mistress…the snake just addressed me as his mistress

…

Renee was sure came late at the great hall for dinner and still dazed on from what happened earlier. The snake…Umbridge…Malfoy…

"Are you okay?" Harry suddenly asked as he noticed her food untouched.

"I think I'm in trouble" she blurted out, making Hermione and Ron shifted their attention at her.

"What did—"

"I've got detention with Umbridge"

Ron almost choked his kidney pie and Hermione gasped in surprise that the other Gryffindors glanced at their direction.

"What happened to your advice 'not to cross her way'? What happened?"

"Malfoy and his gang got me cornered earlier and…they turned the story against me…the toad believe that crap, well it's pretty obvious that she only favor Slytherins" Renee sighed in resignation.

"So that's why the toad was really happy today, did you guys see how big her grin was? Wait…how long you are going—"

"Three days" she sighed once again. It wasn't really the detention she was worried about; rather it was her unusual encounter with the snake and the upcoming raging mother she was thinking of.

Mum must be livid by now…she will kill- no, she will first kill me before killing Umbridge…

"Three days? The words will surely…"

"It's not that I could do anything about it"

"What are you two talking about? Isn't these detentions was just doing lines?" Hermione asked, very confuse at the two's conversation.

"It's not just lines…" Renee quietly said. Hermione raised her eyebrow and glanced at Harry for confirmation. Then suddenly she hissed when she realized something.

"That obnoxious little…We've got to tell—"

"No!" Harry stood up in everyone's surprise.

"Why not? It is against the rules! That stupid little twerp is abusing her power!" Renee stared at the very angry Hermione since it was the first time she first heard her swearing besides Ron.

"You knew it already? How—"

"We're prefects Ren. We heard rumors from other prefects too. It seems that it was only Slytherins who got the least detentions from her" Ron finally spoke when Hermione still fuming on the corner.

"Wait…does the professors knew about this already?"

"We told those from McGonagall…I'm not just sure from the other prefects, they're too scared from the toad to do that" Ron shrugged.

Renee glanced at the teacher's table. Sure enough, Umbridge was jolly like Ron had mentioned a while ago. She looks like humming from afar and smiling every now and then, unlike the rest of the professors (except from Dumbledore of course). She was sure she caught the transfiguration professor glared at the happy toad before giving too much pressure on her fork.

Harry sat down and tried to explain from the two his point about not telling.

"That's exactly the point. She has power. That's why she could do things like that"

Hermione wasn't really convinced at him, though she finally shut up and continues eating her food. Ron and Renee looked at each other before resumed to their plate, quietly glancing at the two after their bickering.

…

Renee took a deep breath before knocking on the door. Here goes nothing…

"Come in" a small voice squeaked behind the door and she entered the room.

The room was similar to the ones she saw on her vision though it was hurts her eyes more than the last time. The room was utterly full of pink things, from the walls and to the rag on the floor. Several photos of cats were also hanging on the wall, eyeing the new visitor suspiciously.

"Good evening Miss Matte, right on time" the professor beamed at her behind her desk.

"Good evening" she mumbled but didn't move at her spot.

"Now, let's get started shall we?" she gave her another sardonic smile and motioned her to sit on the empty chair.

"What am I going to do?" she asked, though it was already obvious for her. A parchment and quill was already prepared for her.

"You're going to do lines for me"

"What and how many will I write?" she asked with her teeth gritted.

"Eager are we? You write 'I will control my temper'. You will stop when I told you so. You may begin now" she said and focused again on her own parchment, watching her in the corner of her eye.

Renee glanced at the professor before she started to write. I will control my temper. She hissed in pain as she could feel something on her hand and saw the same words she wrote. Damn this witch…

I will control my temper. It carved again on her hand, making it more painful than the first time.

"You're the transfer student last year, isn't it?" the professor suddenly asked.

"Yes ma'am" she answered as she hides the pain in her face.

"I think it's too unusual for Hogwarts to have a transfer student. I should ask the ministry to look on it further. Why didn't you attend the school anyway? Didn't you receive an acceptance letter before?"

"My mother didn't like for me to leave our muggle village to study at Hogwarts before, so I'm being home schooled…following Hogwarts curriculum" she answered as she hissed on pain again when she unintentionally made the quill pressed harder on the parchment.

"A muggle village…so you're a muggle born?"

"No, I think we're pureblood"

"Ah," her voice became stern as she learned some details of her student's life. And Renee noticed that the toad didn't tried to be friendly anymore.

Ah, she's one of those people who dislike blood traitors…why didn't I get surprised on that?

"Keep writing" she said, no longer smiling.

She kept on writing and her hand was hurting very bad. She no can't control her voice; she gasped in the pain when the words carved again on her hand.

"Let me see your hand. That should make you learn your lesson. You can go now Miss Matte" she had a contented look on her face as she saw the engraved words on her student's hand.

Renee left the room immediately as she couldn't take another breath the same air with her. It made her sick, that little twerp…she took the bandage in her pocket and began to wrap her hand. It was really painful and it was her wand hand in her dismay.

Three days of detention will surely be hell for me

…

Renee was right about her detention with Umbridge. It even affects her classes, as she couldn't perform well with a wounded hand, heck I just had my first detention, how more if I finished it? Her friends were also begun to worry at her when she couldn't hold her utensil at meal times. The medicine she was putting didn't help much further, even the healing spells she was trying to use (all written on my mediwizard book of course).

I will control my temper. The words carved on her hand again, making the wounds deeper. She tried to lighten her writing, hoping it will lessen the pain but no avail. Instead, her hand began to bleed, dripping the red fluid on the parchment she was writing with.

"You're smarter than your friends" Umbridge began her speech once again. The professor was trying to recruit the student on her little squad. She wanted to snort, there is no way I will join that little circus.

She didn't spoke. Instead, she focused on writing her lines. I will control my temper…I will control my temper…I will—

"If you join our high inquisition squad, you will not be suffering anymore. Do you actually believe about his resurrection? I assure you those were—"

"Have you seen someone dying, just once?" she spoke, as the woman was now getting below the belt in insulting her friends.

"So you actually believe them? I thought you have more common sense than them"

"I believe you didn't saw one. Did you go outside? Do you feel the place was getting invaded by death eaters already? No, because your minds were already fixed that the dark lord was not coming back"

"Because it is true. There is no need to believe other people's insanity miss Matte"

"You're wrong. You and the damn ministry are wrong. I won't be surprise if the ministry will fall someday. Open your eyes to reality before it's too late!"

Umbridge finally rose to her seat, with her face read in anger. She slowly went next to her and gripped her quill so hard on the parchment that Renee hissed in pain as it makes her wound deeper.

"You will not insult the ministry, no can do. You're being blinded by your friend's bended beliefs" Her voice was firm and no longer friendly. Renee shouted in pain as Umbridge thrust the quill harder. Blood was dripping faster on her hand, coloring the parchment with red all over. The professor smiled contentedly on her agony and put away her hand on the quill.

"Very well, suit yourself. Believe those little friends of yours. Let's try if that loyalty of yours will keep you out of pain" she said airily and resumed in her seat.

Their silent war continues. Blood keeps dripping on her wound as she continues to write, but she didn't care anymore. All she wanted was to prove the woman that no one could make her betray her friends and bend her beliefs.

She was already feeling dizzy when the woman let her stop writing, but did give her one last word about joining her high inquisition club.

Ha! I win, you toad! She went straight on the dormitory instead of going to dinner. I'm late for that anyway, she thought as she began to treat her hand. The girl's dormitory was deserted in her relief.

I should lay down first before going to Snape's lessons…I still have time anyways.

She lay on her bed after finishing two vial of blood replenishing potion, hoping those will help her elevate the dizziness she was feeling.

…

"Oh my God!" a girl's voice shrieked in surprise.

"Do you think she's still breathing…?"

"Oh course she is! Wake up Renee, oh for the name of…RENEE!"

Renee finally stirred up and opened her eyes. Her dorm mates were swarming around her, with panic looks at their faces.

"What's happening…what…" she slowly sat and suddenly felt her world twirls.

"You alright?" the brunette girl asked, as no one dared to speak up.

"Of course I'm fine. Why you ask? Oh dang it…what's the time?" she suddenly asked, I didn't anticipate to sleep this much!

"It's six in the morning, you sure you're alright?" Lavender Brown asked that Renee swore the girl was looking to green at the moment.

Damn, Snape will kill me.

"I'm fine. Why are guys asking me about that?" she felt irritated by their questions and looks.

"Your hand…and your bed…" Pavarti trailed; her face looks so green to, like she was going to pass out any minute.

Renee finally realized what they were talking about. The bandage on her hand was soaked in blood and the sheet of her bed has also blood stains all over the place.

So that's why they all look like going to be sick. Pavarti and Lavender looks like going to throw up any minute while Hermione and Ginny look at her full of worry.

"I'm…alright" she assured them, though she wasn't even sure about that.

"We should get you at the infirmary"

"I could sort this out. Don't worry…I think I just need a shower" she stood up and headed for the bathroom with their eyes following her.

She could still hear murmurs as she closed the bathroom door. Oh Merlin, they thought I tried to kill myself. She groaned as she could hear them and thankful that her two friends were there to back her up.

Renee slowly removed the bandage that was soaked in blood and frowned at the sight.

They all have the right to be scared and throw up.

She really wanted to hug the two when she came out of the bathroom and found the two other dorm mates were already out of the room.

Knowing those two, I wouldn't be surprise if I hear rumors that I almost killed myself.

"We really should go to the infirmary, NOW" Hermione's voice was stern.

"I got this covered, don't worry"

"You didn't look so good either" the younger Weasley spoke.

"I just need some blood replenishing potion, the wound doesn't react on healing spells"

The two still tried to convince her until breakfast, but the girl didn't budge. Sure enough, half of the student body looks at her peculiarly at breakfast to her very much displeasure. Renee tried to make other see that she was fine, but the throbbing hand has other plans for her. She couldn't even hold her spoon right that she just settle for toast instead. The bandage on her hand makes the rumor more intense, saying she almost cut her whole hand from Hagrid's pets (which of course wasn't true, but still probable) or from Snape's cruel potion lessons.

She wasn't really worried about those rumors, or even when McGonagall asked her after class because of those reasons and made her showed the wound on her hand. She wasn't worried about it even the transfiguration professor was so livid about it that she went straight to Dumbledore and leaving her all alone in the classroom (I really expect her reaction would be like that).

Rather, she was nervous about facing their potions master.

She could really feel her impending doom (aka potions class) coming nearer than she anticipated. She could even feel the professor's evil glares at her on lunch that made her uncomfortable.

Well I do feel uncomfortable with these bandages on my hand…but I would really prefer it than his glares at me as if he is going to swallow me whole…no scratch that…he will chop into bits and hang my internal organs on his private storage.

It wasn't just Renee who's having a hard day. Harry seems to be having some problems too as he was taking a difficult time with his occlumency lessons. He wouldn't tell what happened beyond those lessons, but his problematic face and the professor's infamous sneer for the boy is giving her enough explanation to everything.

Every class were a struggle for her, as the pain on her hand intensify and the anti-pain potion wears off too easily to her very much distress.

At last, the moment of truth has come. Renee couldn't contain herself at her seat, like she was having her very first potion class.

Oh Renee, get a grip will you?

Snape didn't even look at her direction as their class progresses, which is a very bad thing. She ducked her head on her cauldron and tried to concentrate at the potion she's brewing.

I should talk to him with my knees on the ground and apologize to him before he could pull his knife to chop me off.

She glanced at the rooming professor, whose grimace looks permanent on his face. She gulped, come on it's just Snape…no need to be scared like this.

Well…that's the very reason why I'm scared in the first place.

She took a long deep breath and focused at her cauldron. Her potion was too far from perfection, very unlikely of her. She silently blamed it on her throbbing pain at her right hand that she couldn't chop and stir properly.

Well at least I'm not alone in this one.

Majority of the class aren't doing good either. Harry is struggling both in his wounded hand and his grasp in the whole potion process. Neville is…well still Neville, messing up every time Snape would pass to his direction. Ron is trying to do his best, though it doesn't even reflect in his potion. Hermione was the only one who's doing fine at the task.

Well, that's Hermione for you.

Renee held the stirring rod, as she set aside her distractions.

Let's get this over, shall we?

Everyone was startled at the sudden explosion heard that it echoes through out the dungeon. Snape glided immediately at the source of the explosion and saw the culprit. Renee was trembling as she stared at the melted cauldron, with an undistinguishable color coming from it. Surprisingly, Renee stepped back on the last minute and casted a shield charm at herself and people nearest to her before it explodes. She was clutching her wounded hand so hard and never felt terrified on her life as she glanced at the fuming potions master.

"Do you really want to destroy my classroom Matte?" his voice was so dangerously cold that the whole class wanted to shiver in fear.

"I'm so sorry sir! I—"she stammered and flinched a little as she felt her throbbing hand again.

"Thirty points from Gryffindor for not using your own brain in brewing today's potion. And clean this mess before I could deduct a hundred from your house Matte!" he shouted, making her jumped in fear and started to clean the potion as fast as she could.

"Aren't you going to let her go in the infirmary?" Harry suddenly piped, making Renee curse under her breath as she gave him a knowing look.

"Do you see her get injured because of her ridiculous not to mention very reckless brewing? No? So there's no need for her to skip cleaning the mess she made. Now focus on your cauldron Potter!" he snarled at him, making the whole class snapped back to their cauldrons and hoping they will not be Snape's next target.

Snape watched her as she continue to clean her table. He did noticed the shield's charm she had made the last minute and he was glad that the witch had used what she had learned from him, though he was much distressed that it was tested in this time. Basing the color of her potion, it was highly dangerous and whoever touched it will be spending their summer vacation at St. Mungos. His eyes wandered at her hands and did notice the once clean bandage at the start of the class were now blood stained.

Renee knew very well why her cauldron melted in an instant and there is no way she will reveal it to the professor. She frowned at her right hand and casted a non-verbal cleaning spell at the blood soaked bandages. Now she found the hard way how will the strengthening potion react if a single drop of blood will be placed on it. The bell rang as soon as she finished cleaning but not having time for her to restart her potion.

"Why are you still here? Get out before I hand you detentions!" Snape snarled at the trio as they tried to wait for the trouble witch.

She mouthed them 'go' and gave them a reassurance smile before they exited the room. Renee swallowed hard and took a deep breath before facing the professor.

And now to face the dragon…

She stood straight in front of his desk, which very much reminded her first week of detention with him. Renee knew she wasn't really on a good spot right now that no one would like to be at the same spot as her.

"I'm so sorry sir…it wasn't really intentional…I- look, I mean…" she started to speak; though she doesn't really make sense…even herself couldn't even figure out what she was talking about. She doesn't even know which one she was apologizing for…is it from today's accident or last night's?

"You will be serving your detention on Friday. I suppose I do not have to explain why, is it?" she nodded, though she really wanted to ask where this punishment for…is it for today or last…oh dang it! That's the same day we will be having our first meeting!

Renee was really on deep thought that she didn't hear the professor stood up. She hissed in pain as the professor grabbed her wrist and examined the new blood stains that were starting to appear on her bandage.

"What is this?"

"I cut myself" she lied and looked the opposite way. She couldn't look into his eyes right now, but she swore she could feel the piercing look of him at her hand.

Her protest came out late when he took off the bandages and revealed the blood stained words on her hand. His eyes narrowed at the ugly sight and looked at her intently.

"Where are we going?" she asked as panic washed through her. The professor dragged her in one of the concealed door behind his desk as his hand still grabbing her wrist.

The only difference she saw from the last time she arrived at his office was the emitting light on the window, indicating that it was still daylight. Other than that, it was still the same, the books, the vials…the desk…the chairs…

She stood awkwardly as she stared elsewhere, anything except from the professor. The last time's event runs into her head, like it has rewind from the start…from the moment she entered the room until she exited the room crying. It wasn't really pleasant at all…not in a slightest bit.

Snape seemed to sense her discomfort, but didn't spoke about it. He let go of her wrist, gentler than the girl had anticipated. He stride at the cupboards and motioned her to sit at one of the chairs in front of his desk.

She sat and looked around, as she finally got a better look of his office. It was like the rest of room in the dungeon, very dark and mysterious looking. Every shelf was filled with different things; there has a shelf full of vials, potion ingredients and stack of books. Her eyes darted on his desk and found parchments have been neatly arranged, in fact the desk was very organized along with the rest of the room. She found herself smiling as she found her self inkling quill on the desk, with a parchment lying under it.

Snape finally found the thing was looking for and found the young witch eyeing the quill on his desk.

"Found something interesting?" Renee got startled at the voice but did glad that it wasn't stern as he had at the classroom. The professor sat across her with a jar in his hands.

"Did anyone tell you that your office looks like a studio for horror films?" she asked as she tried to distract herself from their brushing knees. Heck, she doesn't even know if the professor knew about studio and films!

"No one dared to ask" he smirked at her, making the girl thought that the professor was still updated from muggle things. Snape opened the lid of the jar he was holding and leaned closer to her that Renee couldn't restrain herself in staring at the professor and admire his features.

Too close…he did really have long eyelashes…now that I've notice it…and high cheekbones and thick eyebrows and heck he did smell…

"Ow!" Renee stirred as she finally felt a stinging feeling on her hand as the professor gently patted some ointment on it.

He glanced at her pained face before continuing his task. This time, it was gentler while he holds her hand with his other to keep her hand in place. Renee continued to gaze on his face as the professor blows her hand every time he would finished spreading the medicine. It made her heart swelled as she realizes that the professor worries for her…cares for me.

Snape finally finished spreading the ointment and made his last blow on her hand before glancing at her. He found her staring at her and found it strange to found her blushing at him.

A small smile graced her lips, a first real smile she had for today.

"Thank you" she softly said, squeezing his hand softly in gratitude.

He nodded slightly but didn't let go of her hand, nor lean back at his chair. They continued staring each other on that small proximity that she swore her heart and time stop for a moment. She unconsciously parted her lips and swore the professor's eyes flicker on her lips momentarily before breaking the eye contact and leaned back on his chair.

"When did you run out of parchment?" he suddenly asked after long awkward silence. His voice was now light and sarcastic, unlike the voice he had at the classroom earlier.

"It's a new thread, didn't you heard about this?" she replied, earning her a smirk from the professor.

"I heard rumors about it, though I didn't know you would be so eager to follow the thread…and I also heard some rumors about a certain Gryffindor, oh don't give that look…your head were so furious at the staff room making sure that everyone hears about it" Renee groaned, though she had already foreseen about it. Knowing the transfiguration professor, she was surprised that she still haven't hexed the new professor.

"Wait…you knew about this too? How come no one is doing something about it?"

"I assure you we are doing something about it. The whole faculty is in chaos more that you imagine" she shut up and glanced at her wounded hand and glad whatever medicine the professor gave her.

"How did you gain this anyway?"

"Ask your snakes. They could give a full story about it"

"Which one?" he inquired.

She looked at her like he was asking the obvious thing.

"Malfoy" she disgustingly spat the surname.

"Hmm…why am I not surprised?"

"Nor did I, can't he just leave me alone?" she sighed and rolled her eyes. Snape didn't spoke but she saw a hint of uneasiness on his eyes at a moment.

"I'm really sorry I didn't got attended last night…I- please forgive me" she bowed her head and waited for his snide remarks to follow.

But nothing came.

"You should get responsible for it" he quietly said as she finally peeked at him. She nodded, regrettably for getting asleep so early. Now he would really chop me, hang my internal organs and…

"What's your next class?" he suddenly asked.

"Transfigurations…why you ask professor? Wh-"she was suddenly mesmerized by a sudden patronus appeared at his wand. It was a beautiful doe staring back at her. She was still dazed even after the doe disappeared and run through the walls after the professor gave it some instructions.

"Come. You still have to assist me in my next class" he stood up and glanced at the dumbstruck student.

"Assist you? Is that going to be my punishment? You're not going to chop me and take my internal organs?" she questioned, making the professor chuckled deeply.

It was really nice to hear the unusual tone from the professor. His baritone voice echoed through out the room that it was like music to her ears, making her warm all over.

"Maybe…if you stop staring me like a stray animal and stand there like a post" he quipped as he raised his eyebrow and smirked back at her.

"Git" she muttered though she was grinning all over at the professor.

Snape halted in his tracks and looked back at her. His large hand was suddenly at her hair, ruffling her smooth tied hair.

"Professor!" she hissed irritably at him and he chuckled deeply, making his hand lingered at the few strands of her hair before leaving the young witch straightening her hair back with a small smile gracing on his lips.

A/n: admit it; a story based on OOTP is not complete without Umbridge's detention. We all love/hate her, do we? –lol-

Sorry if you guys saw some grammar mistakes here and there, though I do hope you won't find any (lol) but do tell me if you find some. Does my grammar improved so far? Darn this grammar…it keeps me slower! –pouts-

Care to leave me a review? Come on…that could be your advance Christmas gift to me! –winks-

Renesnee