Chapter Three: Living a Lie
Renée heard the loud sound of feet on the hard stone floors outside her door. Waking, a little groggily she walked/padded on little cat feet over to the door. Watching through a crack she saw many students talking and walking towards the main hall for breakfast. Renée went back to the corner of the room where she had been sleeping and changed back into her normal form.
She ran her fingers through her hair quickly to get all the major tangles out and walked through the door into the bunch of people. She hugged the wall, keeping clear of as many as possible.
When she reached the great hall she stood for a moment, eyes darting one way and another. She didn't really know where she was to sit. A few seconds passed and Snape came to stand by her side, taking her arm and steering her towards Slytherin table.
"You're an honorary member of Slytherin. it's only right for you to sit at that table." Snape said, leading her over to one of the long tables. "Malfoy."
A boy with pale blonde hair and an even paler complexion looked up, "Yes, professor?" Snape pushed Renée onto the bench next to him, "This is miss Renée. She came in a bit late to school and will be in our house. I would like you to make sure she is comfortable and knows the rules of the school."
"Yes, professor." Malfoy nodded, turning back to Renée. "I'm Draco."
Renée didn't answer so Draco continued. "So, you're in Slytherin?"
"No." She stated shortly.
"Then why are you sitting here?" He asked.
"I'm an honorary member, which means that I am not truly in any house. I was never sorted and therefore put in the first place they thought of." She said, controlling her anger.
"Well then, I suppose I should help you find your next class, shouldn't I?" He sneered.
"Not necessary, Draco, I can find it on my own." She stood up, and walked out of the great hall, practically fuming at the nerve of professor Snape.
* * *
Harry sat down at the table with Ron and was starting to eat breakfast when Snape caught his eye. He was walking towards a girl at the front doors who looked out of place in the multitude of people around her. Snape took her over to Slytherin table where he stood talking with Draco as he forced the girl to sit.
Then he walked away, leaving Draco and the girl alone. Something about her captivated him, kept him from looking away, even as she denied Draco an answer to his questions. She stood up suddenly, and stormed from the hall, face made of stone as she pushed past the other students.
"Harry?" Ron said, trying to get his attention.
"Yeah?" He replied turning back to Ron. But he couldn't help thinking about that girl. He didn't remember seeing her during sorting, and it was obvious that she was a first year. How she got put in Slytherin was a mystery that tugged at his mind. She didn't seem evil. in fact - she radiated power that definitely was not evil.
* * *
Renée sat in the dungeon, waiting for the other students to arrive and potions to begin. She wasn't looking forward to it, that's for sure. Snape always seemed to be keeping an eye on her, and it bothered Renée.
First the Slytherins filled in the classroom, next came the Gryffindors. Renée's spirits lifted slightly, but plummeted again when Draco sat next to her. She glared at the table until Snape talked to her.
"Renée, do you have equipment?" Snape asked.
"No." She replied flatly.
"Draco, share you potion ingredients with Miss Renée for the time being." He then turned to the rest of the class and decided to pick on 'Mr. Potter.'
When class was over she rushed out the door, darting towards her next class, and yet knowing it wouldn't do any good. Draco would be in that one, and the one after that, and the one after that.
* * *
"Transfiguration, with Gryffindor." She whispered to herself as she walked into the classroom. She looked around the classroom - it was totally deserted. "Professor McGonagall?"
"Yes?" McGonagall came from another small room to the side, carrying a large stack of books. She saw Renée and just about dropped her pile before smiling. "Hello, Renée."
Renée went forward and took half of the pile of books, following McGonagall to where she placed them on a desk.
"Thank you, dear." McGonagall said, turning back to Renée. She caught the stone face and frowned slightly. "Is everything alright, dear?"
Renée sighed and shook her head slightly.
"Anything I can do?" She asked quietly.
Renée thought for a moment and the nodded. "Keep Draco away from me for just one class."
McGonagall grimaced sympathetically and smiled at Renée. "I'll do what I can."
Renee took a seat in the back, away from the door of the classroom, bathed in shadows. The students filed in and McGonagall pulled a student aside and pointed back to the table she sat at. The student looked shocked, but nodded in acceptance of a teacher's plea and turned to the back, pulling another student with them.
The student walked up next to Renee and stopped, a bit lost for words.
Renee looked up and was surprised, not because the student was in Gryffindor, but because this particular student was Harry Potter.
"Uh. is this seat taken?" He asked, slightly nervous.
Renee shook her head and scooted over towards the wall to leave Harry plenty of room at the table. The one boy he had dragged over with him sat in front of them with another girl who seemed to be following them.
When the Slytherins came in, Draco went over to Renee's table and told Harry to move.
"Mr. Malfoy, kindly take your seat." Professor McGonagall pronounced, "Now." she continued when he went to talk back.
All and all the class was the best Renee had ever had. The continual interruptions from Draco lead McGonagall to take over 50 points from the Slytherin house. At the end of class, Renee hung back, ignoring Draco's glare and offer to walk her to the great hall later for dinner.
"Professor?"
"Yes, Renee?" McGonagall said, looking up from straitening the books on the desks.
"May I ask a favor?" Renee asked quietly.
"Yes, though I think I know what it will be."
"Will you talk to the headmaster for me about-"
"Switching houses? I'll try, dear." She smiled at the girl and continued to straighten the books on the desks. "But I can't promise anything."
"I understand." Renee said, and walked quietly out of the room and back to her room.
The rest of that week was slightly less enjoyable than the last class. But eventually the end of the week came, and Renee stayed in her room, resting and completing her homework.
One morning Renee decided to go down to breakfast. She didn't know why, but something told her that she needed to be down there this morning. She sat at the end of Slytherin table, away from everyone, eating. When the owl post came about five owls landed in front of her with a number of bags and boxes.
She blinked rapidly before thanking the owls and taking the packages back to her room. There were a number of essential books for class, as well as a new robe with the Gryffindor lion on the front. She stared at this for a moment before realizing what it meant. A while later professor McGonagall came to see here, smiling.
"Renee, the headmaster needs a word with you." She smiled knowingly.
Renee took her time in getting to the headmaster's office. When she arrived McGonagall was waiting to see her into the office. Renee stepped onto the moving staircase and waited for McGonagall to say the password. She arrived in the office to see Fawkes first. She bowed and sat, waiting for Dumbledore to show himself.
Dumbledore showed up a bit later, smiling. "So, you're in Gryffindor now. And you have your school supplies. But you're missing one thing."
"A wand." Renee confirmed.
"Correct." He smiled. "Eventually we must get you one. Not this week, I'm afraid, but next weekend we should be able to work something out."
Renee nodded in understanding.
"You can manage without a wand, can you not?"
Renee nodded again, "Indeed."
"Alright then. Continue to work hard." He held out a piece of paper. "And here's your new schedule."
He ushered her out of the office and back out where she walked down to dinner alone. When she reached the hall the Slytherins looked over to her. She turned her head fast, her golden hair flashing slightly in the moonlight from the ceiling, and walked over to the Gryffindor table.
The Gryffindors looked strangely at her, confused to say the least, and some of them positively revolted. She looked up to the teachers and caught Dumbledor's small smile. McGonagall smiled as well, though she was much more open with hers. Snape was glaring at her, and then at McGonagall.
That week went well, and soon the next weekend came. She went with McGonagall to Diagon Alley and picked out a wand, or rather it picked her. The next week looked to be the best she had ever had in her entire life.
Renée heard the loud sound of feet on the hard stone floors outside her door. Waking, a little groggily she walked/padded on little cat feet over to the door. Watching through a crack she saw many students talking and walking towards the main hall for breakfast. Renée went back to the corner of the room where she had been sleeping and changed back into her normal form.
She ran her fingers through her hair quickly to get all the major tangles out and walked through the door into the bunch of people. She hugged the wall, keeping clear of as many as possible.
When she reached the great hall she stood for a moment, eyes darting one way and another. She didn't really know where she was to sit. A few seconds passed and Snape came to stand by her side, taking her arm and steering her towards Slytherin table.
"You're an honorary member of Slytherin. it's only right for you to sit at that table." Snape said, leading her over to one of the long tables. "Malfoy."
A boy with pale blonde hair and an even paler complexion looked up, "Yes, professor?" Snape pushed Renée onto the bench next to him, "This is miss Renée. She came in a bit late to school and will be in our house. I would like you to make sure she is comfortable and knows the rules of the school."
"Yes, professor." Malfoy nodded, turning back to Renée. "I'm Draco."
Renée didn't answer so Draco continued. "So, you're in Slytherin?"
"No." She stated shortly.
"Then why are you sitting here?" He asked.
"I'm an honorary member, which means that I am not truly in any house. I was never sorted and therefore put in the first place they thought of." She said, controlling her anger.
"Well then, I suppose I should help you find your next class, shouldn't I?" He sneered.
"Not necessary, Draco, I can find it on my own." She stood up, and walked out of the great hall, practically fuming at the nerve of professor Snape.
* * *
Harry sat down at the table with Ron and was starting to eat breakfast when Snape caught his eye. He was walking towards a girl at the front doors who looked out of place in the multitude of people around her. Snape took her over to Slytherin table where he stood talking with Draco as he forced the girl to sit.
Then he walked away, leaving Draco and the girl alone. Something about her captivated him, kept him from looking away, even as she denied Draco an answer to his questions. She stood up suddenly, and stormed from the hall, face made of stone as she pushed past the other students.
"Harry?" Ron said, trying to get his attention.
"Yeah?" He replied turning back to Ron. But he couldn't help thinking about that girl. He didn't remember seeing her during sorting, and it was obvious that she was a first year. How she got put in Slytherin was a mystery that tugged at his mind. She didn't seem evil. in fact - she radiated power that definitely was not evil.
* * *
Renée sat in the dungeon, waiting for the other students to arrive and potions to begin. She wasn't looking forward to it, that's for sure. Snape always seemed to be keeping an eye on her, and it bothered Renée.
First the Slytherins filled in the classroom, next came the Gryffindors. Renée's spirits lifted slightly, but plummeted again when Draco sat next to her. She glared at the table until Snape talked to her.
"Renée, do you have equipment?" Snape asked.
"No." She replied flatly.
"Draco, share you potion ingredients with Miss Renée for the time being." He then turned to the rest of the class and decided to pick on 'Mr. Potter.'
When class was over she rushed out the door, darting towards her next class, and yet knowing it wouldn't do any good. Draco would be in that one, and the one after that, and the one after that.
* * *
"Transfiguration, with Gryffindor." She whispered to herself as she walked into the classroom. She looked around the classroom - it was totally deserted. "Professor McGonagall?"
"Yes?" McGonagall came from another small room to the side, carrying a large stack of books. She saw Renée and just about dropped her pile before smiling. "Hello, Renée."
Renée went forward and took half of the pile of books, following McGonagall to where she placed them on a desk.
"Thank you, dear." McGonagall said, turning back to Renée. She caught the stone face and frowned slightly. "Is everything alright, dear?"
Renée sighed and shook her head slightly.
"Anything I can do?" She asked quietly.
Renée thought for a moment and the nodded. "Keep Draco away from me for just one class."
McGonagall grimaced sympathetically and smiled at Renée. "I'll do what I can."
Renee took a seat in the back, away from the door of the classroom, bathed in shadows. The students filed in and McGonagall pulled a student aside and pointed back to the table she sat at. The student looked shocked, but nodded in acceptance of a teacher's plea and turned to the back, pulling another student with them.
The student walked up next to Renee and stopped, a bit lost for words.
Renee looked up and was surprised, not because the student was in Gryffindor, but because this particular student was Harry Potter.
"Uh. is this seat taken?" He asked, slightly nervous.
Renee shook her head and scooted over towards the wall to leave Harry plenty of room at the table. The one boy he had dragged over with him sat in front of them with another girl who seemed to be following them.
When the Slytherins came in, Draco went over to Renee's table and told Harry to move.
"Mr. Malfoy, kindly take your seat." Professor McGonagall pronounced, "Now." she continued when he went to talk back.
All and all the class was the best Renee had ever had. The continual interruptions from Draco lead McGonagall to take over 50 points from the Slytherin house. At the end of class, Renee hung back, ignoring Draco's glare and offer to walk her to the great hall later for dinner.
"Professor?"
"Yes, Renee?" McGonagall said, looking up from straitening the books on the desks.
"May I ask a favor?" Renee asked quietly.
"Yes, though I think I know what it will be."
"Will you talk to the headmaster for me about-"
"Switching houses? I'll try, dear." She smiled at the girl and continued to straighten the books on the desks. "But I can't promise anything."
"I understand." Renee said, and walked quietly out of the room and back to her room.
The rest of that week was slightly less enjoyable than the last class. But eventually the end of the week came, and Renee stayed in her room, resting and completing her homework.
One morning Renee decided to go down to breakfast. She didn't know why, but something told her that she needed to be down there this morning. She sat at the end of Slytherin table, away from everyone, eating. When the owl post came about five owls landed in front of her with a number of bags and boxes.
She blinked rapidly before thanking the owls and taking the packages back to her room. There were a number of essential books for class, as well as a new robe with the Gryffindor lion on the front. She stared at this for a moment before realizing what it meant. A while later professor McGonagall came to see here, smiling.
"Renee, the headmaster needs a word with you." She smiled knowingly.
Renee took her time in getting to the headmaster's office. When she arrived McGonagall was waiting to see her into the office. Renee stepped onto the moving staircase and waited for McGonagall to say the password. She arrived in the office to see Fawkes first. She bowed and sat, waiting for Dumbledore to show himself.
Dumbledore showed up a bit later, smiling. "So, you're in Gryffindor now. And you have your school supplies. But you're missing one thing."
"A wand." Renee confirmed.
"Correct." He smiled. "Eventually we must get you one. Not this week, I'm afraid, but next weekend we should be able to work something out."
Renee nodded in understanding.
"You can manage without a wand, can you not?"
Renee nodded again, "Indeed."
"Alright then. Continue to work hard." He held out a piece of paper. "And here's your new schedule."
He ushered her out of the office and back out where she walked down to dinner alone. When she reached the hall the Slytherins looked over to her. She turned her head fast, her golden hair flashing slightly in the moonlight from the ceiling, and walked over to the Gryffindor table.
The Gryffindors looked strangely at her, confused to say the least, and some of them positively revolted. She looked up to the teachers and caught Dumbledor's small smile. McGonagall smiled as well, though she was much more open with hers. Snape was glaring at her, and then at McGonagall.
That week went well, and soon the next weekend came. She went with McGonagall to Diagon Alley and picked out a wand, or rather it picked her. The next week looked to be the best she had ever had in her entire life.