Chapter thirty:

The new color of hell

The first day of class this year didn't start right to Renee's prediction. History of magic was still boring as ever, as their ghost professor voice seems to be a lullaby for them. She was really not expecting anything for the ghost, but at least he could make his lessons worth sitting for!

Potions were still the same, like I expect something would change. Renee could see in his eyes how he loves terrorizing them; especially Harry though she didn't commented about it. Harry has been nervous about the Occlumency lessons he was going to have with the professor later, and she doesn't want to add another burden on the boy. Renee did give her some advice to make the lessons easy for him but Harry wasn't really convinced that his time with the professor wouldn't be hell.

"When did he become fair when it comes to me?" Renee signed on Harry's complains (which he was having for almost all afternoon).

"Trust me Harry, just do what I told you and you'll be fine" she assured him though he wasn't very convince about it and neither did she.

To her very much surprise, Trelawney didn't bother her at all on their class. In fact, she did seem to be avoiding her; she evades her table as she roomed across the room like a grim was on her side. She did wonder if her mother has something to do with the professor's behavior.

Renee sat next to Hermione for their defense against dark arts class. Hermione has a book again on her face; reading about defense spells in advance as she was getting too nervous for their upcoming OWLS. Renee and Ron were assuring her that she will definitely do well on the exams, heaven forbid if she won't do well…what will our grades be? She is the smartest on our batch after all. But their friend wasn't really listening to them, as the book was still on her face and concentrating on reading in advance.

"Harry, do tell Hermione she don't need to be so tense about the exams" Renee exclaimed, but Harry wasn't really listening at all.

"I'm sorry. Are you saying something?" she finally got his attention by squeezing his shoulder, sending the two of them a tiny bit of electric shock.

"You don't have to be that nervous about those lessons" Renee signed at him.

"You can't really blame me" Harry smug.

"Don't worry about those, believe me. We have more pressing issues here" she said, thinking about the lesson they will be having with the pink clothed woman. She had heard different rumors from other students who already had her class, and all of them weren't good.

Not at all

The door sprang open and Umbridge entered, with her bright pink robes and wide smile that revealed her pearly white teeth. Renee wanted to snort at the sight of the professor, as she thought that the new teacher really looks like a toad…just clothed with the ridiculous pink color.

Everyone's hated color must be pink now, she really wanted to laugh on her dry humor but did tried her very best not to.

"Good afternoon class!" she greeted with her sardonic smile on her face again. Several students grumbled on response and Renee did notice some of them were trying to conceal their laugh on the woman's wardrobe.

"That won't do, now, will it? I should like you, please, to reply 'Good afternoon, professor Umbridge.' One more time please. Good afternoon, class!"

The whole class chanted back at her. I wonder when is she going to let us sing some nursery rhymes.

"That wasn't too difficult, was it? Wands away and quills out, please"

The whole class seemed to be surprised on the declaration of the new professor as it was one of their classes that their wands were always out. The professor took her wand on her handbag (another one with pink color!) and tapped the blackboard which made some phrases appeared on it. Renee's eyes narrowed as she read the words.

Basic…as in basic principles? Is this woman kidding me?

The professor pointed her wand on the stack of books on her side that made them float and distribute one each for everyone on the class. Renee glanced at the title and exchange glances with Hermione. She wasn't happy about it too.

Defensive magical theory? What in the world…

"Please read the first chapter of the book. There will be no need to talk"

Renee lazily flipped the cover and read the first chapter. She didn't even reach reading the third page but she could feel the nonsense about those, in fact she had already read those before…when I was eleven years old. We are fifth years for goodness sake… Not first years!

She wanted to question the professor. But the reminder of her mother made her stop from attempting. Renee clutched her fist on her side as she stared on the same page, no…I need to restrict myself or Mum will kill me for sure if I try to contradict the woman.

She secretly looked around. No one seems to be happy about the lesson too; in fact Hermione didn't even open her book. Instead her hand was in the air, trying to catch the attention of the professor.

"Did you want to ask something about the chapter, dear?" she asked with full sweetness that Renee wanted to throw up on it.

"Not about the chapter, no"

"Well, we're reading just now. If you have other queries…"

"There's nothing written up there about using defensive spells"

Everyone stopped reading and looked at their bushy haired classmate. Even though she was worried about their friend's bluntness on the professor, Renee wanted to congratulate Hermione on actually verbalizing the same question she had on mind.

"Using defensive spells? Why, I can't imagine any situation arising in my classroom that would require you to use a defensive spell"

"We're not going to magic?" Renee looked at her back as she heard Ron interjected. Several murmurs could be heard within the class.

"Students raise their hands when they wish to speak in my class, Mr.—?"

"Weasley" Ron said, thrusting his hand into the air.

Professor Umbridge was still smiling but did turn her back on him. Harry and Hermione raised their hands too for Renee's dismay.

I should have warned them about the crossing this woman! Damn this Gryffindor's courage!

"You wanted to ask something else, dear?"

"Yes. Surely the point of defense against dark arts was about defensive spells right?"

Renee tugged Hermione's robe to make her stop from questioning. She really did feel bad how this questioning will end. The toad (I officially conclude that she look and act like a toad) state about her friend actually questioning the Ministry's new program of study. Are these quills and theories could protect us when some death eaters attack us? She wanted to retort on the professor as she was not making any sense at all, it was like the professor was lost and thought they were first years (no..let it be she thought we are kids that just heard magic for the first time). Harry did tried to comment, but the professor didn't even acknowledge him. Now, several students were raising their hands to ask about the 'new program' the Ministry was having for them.

The class was beginning to be a chaos, as Dean and Pavarti also joined in questioning the new teacher when she begin to criticize their former professor's performance. She didn't meet those professors but she did know they were better than the woman in front; she was sure of it (and definitely a hundred times better than the old Moody). Renee wanted to raise her hand too, and give some nasty remark on the new professor (who seems to be living on her own dream world).

This woman is ridiculous. How could we pass OWLS if we don't practice defensive spells?

"And what good's theory going to be in the real world?" Harry finally shouted, as the professor still ignoring him. Umbridge finally looked at him.

"This is a school. Not a real world" she said softly.

"So we're not supposed to be prepared for what's waiting out there?"

"There is nothing waiting out there, Mr. Potter"

"Oh yeah? Hmm…let's think, maybe lord Voldemort?"

Several students were shock as he mentioned on the name, though Umbridge and Renee didn't fidget on it. The class were very tense, as the whole class were either looking at him or the professor. Renee wiped an invisible sweat on her forehead.

This will not be ending well.

Renee was really itching to blow some hexes on the professor as she began her speech about the lies on Voldemort's resurrection. Maybe I could blow some silencing spell on Harry before I could hex her?

Harry did spoke in shaky voice as he mentioned Cedric Diggory. It was the first time Renee heard him talking about him (at least openly mentioning about him). She knew it was a very soft spot for him as he personally saw how the poor hupplepuff got killed with a killing curse. She really wanted to hex the woman any minute, as she was taking Harry on the edge.

The room was very quiet when Harry exited the room, clutching the piece of parchment the toad gave her.

"What about some fugitives kidnapping teenage girls? How could we protect ourselves if you yourself are not going to teach us properly?" Renee out of nowhere said and her voice echoed through out the room. Her final straw of patience finally cut, forgetting all the promises she made with her mother.

"Raise your hand. Miss—"

"Matte, my name is Matte. How could we protect ourselves if we unfortunately face the escaped man?" all of her restraints were completely forgotten. How could this daft woman not believe about Voldemort's resurrection? Renee angrily thought as she thought her mother and Snape kneeling beside the dark lord risking their very lives to some people who didn't even recognize their sacrifices.

The professor stared at her for a moment before answering.

"The aurors had already captured the escaped prisoner's Miss Matte. There is no reason to be scared of"

Renee really wanted to snort about what she had said.

"Are you sure it was the aurors who killed her?" she softly said, her voice was very cold…almost imitating her mother's voice.

She swore the professor did fidget on her cold tone.

"The Ministry was doing their best for capturing those escaped prisoners from Azkaban. And they were successfully captured one and currently locating the other one. If you're finished in questioning the Ministry's capabilities, I suggest you resume on your reading Miss Matte" the professor regained herself once again and said those words in her sweet voice again.

Renee did shut up, as she curses herself for slipping something like that. No one suppose to know that her mother was actually the one who managed to kill the woman. Hermione eyed her curiously as she mouthed her 'later' at her friend and gave the professor a dark look before resuming (at least pretend to) on reading.

…

"How could Dumbledore let this happen?" Hermione exclaimed in anger, making librarian glared at them.

"Dumbledore did try to block those, Hermione" Renee quietly said as she politely smiled at the librarian apologetically.

Hermione, Renee and Ron were on the library as they wait for Harry to finish his lessons with Snape. Harry did received detentions with Umbridge and those made Renee worry for some reason. She looked around to see if someone was looking at them before she leaned over them to whisper.

"Mum already warned me about the toad. She said not to cross the woman no matter what"

"But why?" asked Ron.

"Come to think about it. She's within the Ministry and she was here to actually control the school. Do you remember she has the power to observe teacher's performance?" Renee whispered and Hermione nodded on agreement.

"She's a spy from the Ministry"

"Exactly"

"We should be careful starting today" Renee said softly and her two companions nodded on agreement.

"I still can't believe someone like her will teach us, especially on our OWL'S year!" Hermione signed in frustration.

"I guess we have to stick to what Moody taught us last year…"

"Yeah, and we will answer 'constant vigilance' on OWLS" Renee rolled her eyes as she remembered the former professor. She heard that the professor was actually locked on a confined room for a year by a loyal servant of the dark lord, thus making his paranoid behavior worse.

"But then unless…" Hermione trailed, making Renee and Ron looked at each other and wondered what their brilliant friend was thinking.

Harry suddenly entered the library, with his face white and pale. He slumped next to Renee like he had worked on the field all day.

"You okay Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah…err…I guess so. Listen I just realize something" he started and began to tell his conclusion about his dreams.

"So your saying that…the weapon that 'you-know-who' is in the ministry of magic?" Ron asked as Harry finished talking.

"It's got to be" Harry sternly said, his eyes were beaming on determination though Renee didn't know where his determination was aiming to.

The three started to talk about the department of mysteries and Renee silently listened to them. She didn't know anything about that department too, though the name itself makes her curious what was in there.

"Ren…do you think you could visualize inside the department? I mean using your powers…" Harry hopefully asked his seatmate.

Renee shook her head.

"That's impossible. I need at least to know how the place looks like to see something. Sorry"

The four was in deep in thought again as they were thinking of another plan to know what kind of weapon the dark lord was longing to have.

"Harry, are you sure you're alright? You seem to be pale…"Hermione noticed the appearance of her friend.

"Occlumency lessons just didn't go…well" Harry said as he ducked his head on the hard table.

"Is he too harsh to you?"

"Ren, Snape wasn't really nice to everyone in the first place" Ron state as a matter of fact.

Renee did want to argue with him, saying he wasn't really that bad. But she also knew the professor; in fact…Ron was right.

"Occlumency lessons are really tiring. Best if you rest now, I could give you some potion for your upcoming headache" Renee offered to him. He nodded eagerly on the offer, as he was beginning to feel the dreading headache.

The four stood up and made their way out of the library. Renee stopped as she saw something peculiar at the corner of her eye. She looked on her left but didn't saw anything in disorder, though she could really feel that someone was looking at her.

"Renee! Let's go!" Hermione utter, making their vile librarian glared at them once again.

She shrugged at the thought and followed her friends outside.

…

Harry and Umbridge's argument was the main topic on dinner. Renee could feel several eyes on the four of them as they eat silently on their table, trying not to get any more attention. She did feel pity for him, he had already too many things on his plate and another unwanted attention from the crowd doesn't really help him through those.

As much as she tried to avoid peeking on the high table, she did glance on it and took a peek on the professor. The toad was next to Snape again, to her very much displeasure. She really wanted to hex the woman. They wouldn't really notice where the hexes were coming from this great crowd, are they? Maybe…

Snape did looked on her direction and gave her the look like he knew what the young witch was thinking. Renee resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the professor and look back on her plate again.

A school owl approached her, with a note on her beak. Renee curiously took it and gave the owl some treat. As tried her best not to look at the teacher's table as she read the short note with the distinctively handwriting.

Don't do anything rash. Meet me on Friday, after dinner on the classroom; do not be late.

She did smile broadly and tried to conceal it by drinking on her goblet while the note ringing into her head, totally ignoring the first sentence of the note.

Friday! I'll be meeting with him on Friday!

Renee did take a glimpse on the teacher's table, but the man was not there anymore.

"Friday" Harry suddenly said that Renee almost spilled the water. She did miss the trio's conversation and she looked at Hermione questionably.

"He's starting his detention with Umbridge on Friday" Hermione said, filling her and glanced at the piece of parchment on her hand. Her eyebrows did arch up in surprise as she saw the handwriting and gave her friend a knowing look.

"I really can't take it anymore. Let's go back on the common room" Harry suddenly said and stood up, leaving his food half eaten. The three nodded in agreement and followed him as he exited the great hall with several eyes on him.

They were on the deserted corridors as most of the people were still on eating their dinner. Renee stopped walking as she sensed something weird again. She looked back, but the only thing she saw was an empty hallway. She doesn't know why, but she could feel someone was following her all day. She fastened her pace, and tried to keep up with her three friends. She couldn't help but be paranoid, as she was still wanted on death eater's eyes.

…

She knew Umbridge's terrorizing her own class wasn't good enough for her. The professor had begun to observe other classes, interrupting their only peace without her presence. Renee couldn't help but feel pity to their divination professor as Umbridge began to bombard her some questions and a request to do a vision for her. She wanted to snort as she heard the professor fake sweet voice as she requested for a vision.

She talks like it's easy to make one!

Renee knew from today onwards, Trelawney wasn't her least favorite professor anymore.

She gave McGonagall a congratulation smile as their transfiguration professor successfully didn't let Umbridge intimidate her own class. She really deserves it! She smiled broadly at the trio, who seemed to be thinking the same thing.

…

"How long have been teaching potions, professor Snape?"

"Fifteen years"

Renee was gripping her knife so hard while she eavesdropped on the two professors. Umbridge have been observing Snape's teaching performance, so much in her dismay.

Why now of all days?

The wand on her pocket was beginning to be heavy, as if her own wand was urging her to hex the insufferable woman.

"You've been trying applying for the DADA position, am I correct?" Umbridge encircle the man, like a predator would do to her prey. Renee was now glaring on the woman. How dare she observe someone else performance if she herself couldn't do her work well?

Snape seemed to sense how dark her aura was becoming, so he gave her a warning look; which Renee responded it on a pleading look, a plea that asking him to give me blessings to hex this woman.

"Yes" Snape responded on the woman's question while he gave Renee one last warning look before tearing his eyes away from her.

"And you've been unsuccessful?" she asked with her fake sweet voice.

Obviously, you daft woman

"Obviously" he responded. At her side, Renee could hear Ron snickered.

Renee did want to hit him. How could laugh in this serious situation?

Hitting Ron was the first thing Snape did when Umbridge exited the room, which Renee thought that he deserve every bit of it. The rest of the remaining time was quite hell for them, as they became (especially Harry and the rest of the Gryffindors) targets of Snape's anger. She really can't blame him; I might have hexed someone right now if I'm on his shoes.

"I'll see you guys later" Renee said as she remained on her seat, intentionally slowing her pace on cleaning her spot. Hermione dragged the two boys and gave her a known encouraging smile before exiting the room.

She waited until the last student left the room before nervously glances on the professor who was sitting on his chair with an obvious glum on his face.

"You okay professor?" she asked as she finally finished cleaning. He gave her a dark look before he glanced back again on his parchment.

"Never better" he sarcastically replied on the young witch.

"Seriously doubt that" she said as she uninvited sat on the nearest seat on his table.

"What are you still doing here anyway Matte?" he asked, obviously irritated.

"I'm here to annoy you, is it working already?" she teased which Snape responded with a sneer.

"Really sir, I'm just here to see if you're okay. No need to channel your anger on me" Snape let out a sign and tear her eyes away from her.

"Then leave me alone"

"I'll leave after a while. My next class will start after an hour, I'm really bored. Can I do something for you sir? Hmm…checking some paper perhaps? Or…"

"I don't want your service Matte. Get out of here"

"That professor is really annoying. Do you see how much she abuses the color pink? I really thought my eyes will burn any minute there" she said as she totally ignoring his last statement.

Snape didn't spoke or lift his head, though she could see a small hint of smirk on his lips as he realized something.

"Who told you about it?"

"Really professor, I don't need anyone to tell me how hideous her wardrobe is, everyone…"

"Do you think I'll believe that you're just here to comment about her taste of fashion? But I really believe that your real reason was to annoy me. Who told you about today?" he asked on an amused voice, finally looking at her eyes.

Renee tensed on her seat then slowly smiled sheepishly as her true motive revealed.

"I've got sources. And besides a teacher's birthday weren't really a secret" she shrugged.

It was Hermione who actually told her about it, when her friend accidentally overheard McGonagall and Filtwick talking about secretly barging on his office to have some drink for his birthday (who would have thought these professors like to annoy someone?) and refused to tell him about it. Nah, he doesn't have to hear about it…that is suppose to be a surprise, just let him suffer more. She smirked at the thought as she knew how much he detested celebrations.

It was also Hermione who help her in owl-order her gift for him since Hogsmeade trip schedule was still not posted. She took the small rectangular package on her bag and placed it on his table.

"Happy birthday professor" she beamed at him and he scowled in response.

"You don't have to give me a present, I don't—"

"I know you don't like sentiments sir. But really, can't you just accept it without complains?" she rolled her eyes as she stood up and wear her bag, ready to go.

Snape was speechless on the girl's boldness as he dumbly stared on the package.

"I swear you're going to like those" she said as she saw him staring on it, not giving her any hint if he liked the gesture.

It was really hard (and expensive! For sure) to get some self-inkling quill. Renee will be forever thanking Hermione for helping to get those.

"Thank you Miss Matte" she stopped midway through the door and looked back at him. He was staring straight at her that was enough for her to blush all over.

"You're welcome sir, though you could also thank me by giving me one too on my birthday" she jokingly said making the professor smirked.

"But I'll never going to tell you when will that be, bye sir…see you on Friday" she smiled wickedly and quickly leave the room, leaving the professor hanging.

She was still smiling as she continue to walk on the hallway, surely the plan in giving him a present did became successful even with Umbridge's observing them earlier on class.

That toad will really be the death of me

She was finally on the main hallway, which always filled with students. Her smile was soon replaced by a frown as she spotted Umbridge, still on her outrageous robes and sardonic smile. Just like on her vision, she tugged the inside shirts of some boys in front of her and fixed the others necktie. She followed the professor whose busy taking change on students with her eyes, which the professor obviously loving the power she has today.

She will really make us insane, students or not.

Author's note:

Another update after a long week…yay for me! –Voice echoed through out the room-

-Signs- Guys please tell me what you think of the chapters so far (seriously I haven't got any since last week!). It's been stressful to try fit the story to the canon…I really wanted to hear (or read) readers (if I still have any that is) thoughts about it, positive or not.

Or you could give me some advice to make this story better; those will mean a lot for me.

Please review! (I really swore to myself not to beg for reviews and I'm already bended on my own words…but…it is really making me insane!)

So please click the button below to keep my sanity intact! Lol

Renesnee