Author's note: I don't know what to say except there are scenes from the book I've inserted here, which is obviously not mine. My grammar errors are still here and there, please forgive them. I don't have a beta reader you see.

Enjoy reading!

Chapter forty-three:

The start of change

It was already morning and all the birds were already chirping. But it wasn't the birds who made Renee woke up in the start. It was the shouts and noise around the room. She opened her eyes and looked around. She tried to feel her body and was glad that the burning sensation on her body was already gone. The others were still sleeping either by medication or just ignoring the shouts around the room. Either way, there was no way no person could ignore such shouts in the middle of the morning.

Her bare feet touched the cold floor and walk towards the closed curtain. She couldn't see well, but she could the Sirius' silhouette trashing around the bed. The mediwizard's was also there as she was monitoring him in case he hurt himself.

"Kill me now!" she heard him shouted those words.

"I'll give you pain reliever. Stay still Sirius. Isabel's already trying to break the curse" The mediwizard's said firmly as her voice is still unchangeable with the man's struggling.

"I don't care, just kill me! It's hurts..—"

"Isabel is doing her best for you, She-" Poppy trailed as she finally gave the medication and watched him started to calm down. "So please wait, you have to fight for it"

Poppy came out as soon as Sirius had already dozed off and saw Renee standing next to the curtains. She could tell she was obviously worried and she wasn't alone for that either.

The mediwizard put her hands on her hips and asked for the obvious, "Why are you already up?" she asked, "Get back to bed young lady"

Renee wanted to protest, but the looks of her made her otherwise. She began to walk back to her bed and then taking some peek on Sirius' direction. Poppy watched her sat on her bed and gaze at her.

"Breakfast will be ready" Poppy told her, "And I don't want you to see out of this bed, understand?"

Renee continue to gaze at her and asked her instead, "I thought he's okay already…you said last—"

"The curse is stronger more than we expected" the woman told her as she motioned her to tuck in the covers, "We're doing our best to halt it"

"Will he be okay?"

Poppy stopped and then glanced at her, her worried face gaze back at her. "He will be" she assured her, "Now I want you to get some rest, understand?"

Renee nodded and then watched her went back to Sirius' bed. Yesterday's events were very much for everyone, everyone was hurt and Sirius' experiencing pain more than ever.

It was too much to bear.

She unconsciously touched her left arm as she soothes herself. Everything will be alright. Everything will come back to normal.

She closed her eyes and drifted to a fitful sleep.

…

Everything came back to normal around the campus as Dumbledore claimed his old position. Everyone rejoiced; Professors stopped burying them to homework for once and even had a dinner celebration later that day. Everyone was happy.

Days passed, and Renee was the first one to get discharged. She was really glad by it; she couldn't take Sirius' tortured voice that Poppy even resorted to place him into a silencing charm so no one could discover their secret. No one amongst them talked about the incident, even the tactless Smith didn't spilled the beans to his housemates. So no one among the campus learned the real reason about everyone's confinement, neither Sirius' staying.

Maybe I should thank Smith after this…

The others also wanted to get out of the hospital wing, but Madam Poppy's wide body was blocking everyone's way and threatening them to try passing her. Everyone pouted and complained, but no one among them dared to challenge the woman.

It was a laughable scene if she was wasn't worried about everything.

A few more days passed, Sirius had already calmed down from trashing around and Poppy had assured her that the curse had already lifted. It was made a sigh of relief for all of them, though Sirius still hasn't gain consciousness after. The mediwizard assured her it was all because of the medication she was giving him and he will be awake any time soon.

But Isabel never showed up, not even after the curse had been lifted or even she got discharged.

Where in the world is she?

"She's doing some important task" Dumbledore told her as she already asked her whereabouts, "I'll inform you as soon as she contact me"

"Is that mean she haven't contacted you yet?" she asked worriedly at him. His eyes behind the spectacles shone.

"Do not worry" he told her, "It is very likely of her in not contacting me. I'm already use to it"

"But—"

"She is fine, miss Matte. You'll see her sooner or later, just wait for it"

It was three days since he told me about it, and no still no signs of her.

Renee began to panic. It was not long ago when Voldemort had already made his appearance to the whole wizard community, thus making a big riot around. She could clearly feel it wasn't already safe for all of them, considering Voldemort had even tried to possess Harry on that day at the Ministry. And now that the dark force had already blown their lid, they won't hesitate to…

What if she already got caught? What if they had already blown her cover?

She sighed. There was no way she could hide from everything what was happening now. The only thing I could do is…

"Ah dear it's good you visit!" Poppy exclaimed as the Gryffindor made her entrance at the hospital wing.

"Good afternoon Madam" She greeted back and glanced at her friends, "Err…is something happened?"

"Sirius already gained consciousness" Her eyes lit of as the word escaped from the mediwizard's mouth.

"Really?" she couldn't hide her happiness, "Can I talk with him? Can I—"

"Of course dear" Poppy stopped her from being giddy. "But only for a few minutes! He badly needs some rest!" she called as she watched her run towards the closed curtains.

Renee abruptly opened the curtains. Sirius was there; but unlike with his previous days on that bed, he was sitting on his bed and got surprised by the sudden hug the Gryffindor just gave him.

"Whoa, Kiddo" he choked, "Easy there, I could die by your crushing hug you know"

But Renee even tightened her hug as she heard his voice. It was still weak and husky, but she still couldn't contain her happiness that he was okay and alive.

"I'm glad you're alright" her voice broke, "I'm so glad…"

Sirius let her weep on his neck and held her close and closed his eyes. He even tried to console her, but she even cried more because of this. Thus, they were in that position for quite some time until Renee had stopped crying and wet his shirt.

He raised his eyebrow as he finally saw his wet shirt. Renee smiled guilty.

"I guess I have to request another shirt from Poppy" Sirius joked, making Renee blushed.

"I'm sorry" said Renee though she did casted some drying spell on his shirt and then smiled sheepishly with her puffy eyes.

"See what you just did" Sirius shook his head and then wiped the remaining tears on her eyes, "They'll think I've tortured you or something"

"Let them think anything, screw them" she replied sarcastically, though she was already smiling at him. "Are you sure you're already fine?"

"Never better. Ah! Before I forgot" Sirius suddenly frowned at her, "Why on Earth you went to the Ministry, alone with—"

"I'm not alone, I'm with Smith that time" she interjected as he scolds her like a child.

"Exactly the point, alone with a coward boy like him" he shook his head in disagreement.

"He's not that coward" Renee glanced at Sirius, "Okay…maybe a little scared. But honestly, who wouldn't be scared there?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if that boy is from Hufflepuff" Sirius mumbled and she didn't respond, "But that's beside the point. You know you're forbidden to do any action especially if it concerns about 'that'"

"I know…I know" Renee told him, recalling about her agreement with her mother about keeping herself in the dark for a while. "I just…couldn't help it"

"Renee, your situation is more delicate than any person else in Hogwarts" Renee gave him the look, "Okay, maybe besides Harry. But that's beside the point…you know better than that"

"What do you want me do?" she threw her hands in the air, "Do nothing while knowing you'll—"

"I'm what?"

Renee paused as she realized what she was about to say. The young Gryffindor put her hands on her lap and then seriously gazed at him.

"I saw a vision, that Harry's vision was only a trap" Sirius was about to scold her again when she spoke again, "And saw another vision that she'll kill you"

Sirius stopped for a while and then asked. "She?"

"Bellatrix Lestrange" she bowed her head as the vision was still fresh on her head, "Your cousin"

They both quieted for a while. Renee really doesn't know how to start the conversation again as the silence was already becoming awkward to her.

For all topics we have to discuss…why this?

"Bella" Renee gazed back at him as he spoke again, "Why didn't I get surprised there?"

She bit her lips and didn't respond.

"I really appreciated the gesture of saving me" Sirius told her as he could clearly see how bothered she was, "But what if you're the one who died there? You think I'll be happy? How about your mother?"

"I haven't thought any of that…I-" Renee stifle a sniff, "I just want to save you…You really are annoying and everything, but you practically became a family to me that—" she confessed and sighed.

Sirius smiled.

"Come here" He hugged her again, "I also think of you as my family, thank you Renee"

Renee nodded but then didn't reply.

"It must be frightening to you, I'm sorry" Sirius spoke softly, "How did I die in your vision?"

Sirius really thought she wouldn't reply to his question but then she heard her sighed and speak so low as if she was afraid that someone could hear them.

"She used an unforgivable at you…after you…you beat Malfoy"

Sirius gazed at the ceiling, "That's when you showed up, you've got a perfect timing kiddo"

"Don't speak so lightly of it!" she scolded, making Sirius mumble an apology.

"You know, I might do the same if I were in your place…Seriously" Renee rolled her eyes as he emphasizes the word seriously. "I could risk my life for Harry…of course with you and Isabel…and to my friends" he confessed.

"Hmm, I sure Mum will do the same. Birds of the same feather flock together" Renee mumbled as she was looking for a comfortable position; she sat parallel to him and laid her head on his shoulders.

Sirius smirked and agreed. "Yes, were all both have the same feathers…We are all Gryffindors"

Renee stifles a laugh. "I'm not a bird though, I'm not that free" she unconsciously told him.

"Someday, after all of this finished…We'll be all free. You could even have a boyfriend" he stopped and frowned. "But please not that kind of boy you brought at the Ministry" Renee laughed.

"He's not that bad, He's loyal"

"Ha! I knew it! He's a Hufflepuff!"

"Hufflepuff's not all that bad"

"But not this one"

Renee rolled her eyes and then laughed. She really didn't regret everything she had done; in fact…she was thankful that it all happened, because she knew she gained a family. For the first time, she began to look forward to her uncertain future. It might be as dangerous more than she'll anticipate, but she knew she had something to worth fighting for. A family.

A family I don't want to lose.

…

Renee closed her book and glanced at the boy in front of her. They had been divided the work of writing notes for their friends residing at the hospital now. She had been busy worrying about Sirius and Isabel for quite some time now that she tends to forgot Harry. Though Isabel still haven't showed up yet, the burdens on her head lightened when Sirius woke up…Thus making her noticed how low Harry's spirit has been.

She first thought about him getting guilty for all that has happened, especially that all of them had been confined at the Hospital wing except from him. But Sirius had already awakened and the others were already out of danger…and still he was out of spirit.

What's his problem now?

"Harry" she decided to ask him, "You okay?"

Harry glanced back at her with his famous spectacles. It was pretty obvious he hasn't gotten a good sleep for quite some time now. He returned his eyes on his parchment.

"I'm perfectly fine"

"You're really a bad liar Harry; I wonder how Umbridge believed in you."

"She didn't. She believed Hermione" Harry told her as they both reminisced the night they were caught at her office.

"You know what I'm talking about Harry" Renee went back to the topic she wanted to talk about, "Come on. Spill it out"

"There's nothing to spill about" he replied and then her hand blocked his parchment that he was writing to.

"Hey, It's not yet dry!" he complained.

"You spill it out or I'll spill a truth serum on your pumpkin juice" she warned.

"You sounded like Snape" he commented.

"HARRY!"

"Fine! Fine!" Harry raised his hands in defeat.

"Now, could you tell what is wrong with you?" she asked.

Harry placed down his quill and sighed. He leaned closer and whispered at her as he tells his secret.

"Do you remember that vision I've got when the twins attacked Umbridge?" Renee nodded, "I got tricked. Voldemort do it because he wanted something from me"

"The prophesy"

"Yeah, that's the one" he nodded.

"It was about a Prophesy about me and Voldemort" Renee gazes at him with a surprised look on her face.

"You and…"

"It says that he'll acknowledge me as an equal, and I'll have these hidden powers that will defeat him…"

"Wait…wait…wait" Renee interjected, making Harry paused. "Who made that Prophesy?"

"Trelawney"

"The Dark Lord just believed at her prophesy?" Renee just couldn't believe her ears.

"Well, he did try to kill me before. So I guess he believed it"

"I don't know Harry…Trelawney is just…"

"A seer who even can't even predict the weather?" he continued her phrase.

"Precisely" she nodded in agreement.

"But see this. He killed my parents, I've got this weird connection with him…What do you think to all of this?"

Renee sighed. So this was the one what's bothering him?

"And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives" he suddenly murmured that Renee caught.

"Either must die at the hand of the other?" Renee repeated, making her hair rise to the end. "Someone has to die between you two?"

Harry nodded and the two of them looked at each other in silence.

"Well, Dumbledore believe on that Prophesy too" Harry told her. She wanted to roll her eyes as she heard his name. Now that she think of it, it was not only her who gets bothered by prophesies.

Renee sighed. "It's up to you if you'll believe that Prophesy" she told him and stood up.

He watched her gather her things, "Tells the one who could predict things"

She paused and gazed at him. "Not all Prophesy could come true" she smiled bitterly, "Don't sweat on that one Harry. The only one who could still make their own destiny is you yourself"

"Where are you going?"

"I've got to deliver this to Hermione" she raised the pile of parchments, "She's been practically begging me for these notes today" she shook her head.

"Oh and Harry" Harry glanced back at her as she called him one more time, "I don't think that secret power she was talking about was your connection with him."

"What is it then?"

Renee paused while Harry waited for her answer. She groaned and pointed her heart, "Its love Harry. Ugh, you really made me say it to your face. It's too cheesy!" she mumbled and leave the boy alone stunned.

…

"Crazy Harry"

Renee mumbled as she made her way towards the hospital wing. She partially knew what was Harry bothering about, but she never thought it would be like this.

"Prophesy and her?" she asked herself, "It doesn't seem to fit well"

Yes, she doesn't believe at Trelawney in the slightest. But that Prophesy has really made her chill, as if it was a bad sign for everything. It was the Prophesy who made Voldemort killed his parents, made a mess for everyone…

And if that Prophesy is true, then…

Renee took a crystal ball from her robes. As her fingers touched the cold glass, the inside changed into gray smoke and beginning to form another set of figures.

The vision was repeating again inside. She was there, standing tall with her school robes and pointing her wand at the boy on the ground. Harry in the crystal ball was badly glaring at her. And if looks could kill, I am sure I'll be dead there.

The Renee on the crystal ball shot a spell at him, making him shouted in pain. She was laughing, enjoying every bit of torturing. And then she made the last spell, green lights came out of her wand and…

"Miss Matte"

"Professor Snape" she greeted. It was good thing she hid it the moment she heard the familiar footsteps towards her.

He raised his eyebrow at her, "Isn't it too late for some library excursion? Or it is just an excuse to have your own excursion again?"

"I'm about to go at the Hospital wing actually" she replied as she tried to stifle a laugh.

Snape glared at her.

"Forgive me professor if I can't control my laugh" she tried to make her face straight again, but failing miserably.

"You better control it or you'll face scrubbing a pile of cauldron for the rest of the term" she stopped laughing, he smirked in triumph.

"You really have the face to laugh" he shook his head. "See me in my office after your so called excursions" he continued his walk and passed her.

She gulped and watched the man leave. It was pretty obvious that the professor was very angry with her for everything has happened; especially she disobeyed him that night when they're trapped at Umbridge's office…

He's practically letting me feel his anger in class a while ago. I guess later would be his encore. Better be ready for it.

Renee placed the parchments on top of Hermione's drawer as quiet as she could. All of them were already sleeping soundly, thanks to Madam Poppy's medications. And as she was about to exit the room, a faint sound made her pause and looked back. No one was awake among her friends. But then unless…

She tiptoed towards the door where Sirius was staying at and the familiar voices welcomed her.

"You stupid, insolent man! How dare you let me get worry? How dare you—"

"Do I get myself intentionally fired with that curse?"

"Do not make any excuses! You have no right! I tell you I'll personally kill you right now…you—"

The voices stopped and she panicked. Don't tell me Mum really killed him.

She slightly opened the door and got rooted on the floor at the sight. Sirius was hugging Isabel, who's struggling from his embrace but then gave up and hugged him back and started to weep.

"Don't dare to scare me like that again" she whispered.

"Or maybe I should try again so I could get another free hug" he twisted in pain as her fist hit his back, but still didn't release her.

"Stupid" she muttered and then touched the spot she hit.

"You're hurting a patient, Poppy will kill you"

"To hell with Poppy"

Renee didn't know why, but she was blushing furiously at the entire scene. It was like she caught her parents (well, it is my mother I caught) kissing on the kitchen or something. It was just a hug, but she could tell it was a lot different from what she shared with Sirius the other day…

Sirius finally noticed the crack at the door and found the blushing Renee staring back at them. She was staring right at them with wide eyes that Sirius couldn't help but feel shy towards the girl. He raised his finger towards his lips and smiled shyly at her.

And thus, it made her freak out inside further.

She mimicked him and gave him 'you-better-explain-later-or-else' look and then silently exited the place.

"Thank you"

Isabel cut off the hug and glanced at him and at the closed door, "Did you just say something?"

Sirius smiled but then shook his head, "No I didn't. You're hallucinating again dear"

"Don't—" Isabel gave him a look of disgust, "Don't call me dear. Ugh you're disgusting"

He pulled her waist again towards her, "I'm not disgusting. I could even prove it to you"

"Hah! Your playboy moves will never work on me" she smiled and then rolled her eyes.

"Try me" he dared. And then after a few seconds, a quiet squeal was heard inside the Hospital wing.

…

Did I just hear MY MOTHER squeal?

"Ah, my innocent eyes" she rubbed her eyes and shook her head, as if trying to erase the image into her head. She bit her lips as she tried to stop herself from smiling. But then she failed miserably.

But then again…

"Gah!" she holds her head with both hands, "I can't believe it…Mum and Sir…ah!"

Renee stopped at the windowpane and started to laugh. And then after a long laugh, she sighed. It was really unexpected (heck it is really unbelievable! To think they're both arguing at every single opportunity they had!). But then she was happy for her; it was the first time she saw her mother open herself up other than her.

Merlin, she even squealed for the love of God!

The confused Gryffindor took the crystal ball out again and gaze on it. The images were repeating itself again as she stretched her hand on the window. There was no way she will hide that crystal ball, not now when she learned that Harry believed easily on that Prophesy…not now when her mother had found something special with Sirius.

The pieces of the crystal ball scattered on the ground as she dropped it and made a sound that echoed throughout the corridors. She crossed her arms and started to walk towards her next destination.

Now that her mother has found something to fight for besides myself…maybe it's time I…

"Good evening Professor," She greeted as she opened the door, "Is it okay to ask something?"

Dumbledore removed his spectacles and gazed back at her, "What can I do for you Miss Matte?"

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes before she spoke again.

"Do you have any age requirement for joining the Order?"

…

The castle seemed very quiet for a Sunday. Everybody was clearly out in the sunny grounds, enjoying the end of their exams and the prospect of the last few days unhampered by studying or homework. Harry walked slowly along the deserted corridor, peering out the windows as he went. He could see people messing around in the air over the Quidditch pitch and a couple of students swimming on the lake, accompanied by the giant squid.

He was finding it had at the moment to decide whether he wanted to be with people or not. Whenever he was in company he wanted to get away, and whenever he was alone he wanted company. Renee's advice didn't much gone far to him either, as he was still blaming himself for getting Sirius and everyone injured.

And speaking of Renee, he hasn't seen her since the other day, not since their last conversation about the Prophesy…

Harry had just descended the last marble step into the entrance hall when Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle emerged from a door on the right that Harry knew led down to the Slytherin common room. Harry stopped dead; so did Malfoy and the others. For a few moments, the only sounds were the shouts, laughter and splashes drifting into the hall from the grounds through the open front doors.

Malfoy glanced around. Harry knew he was checking for signs of teachers. Then he looked back at Harry and said in a low voice, "You're dead, Potter."

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Funny," he said, "You'd think I'd have stopped walking around…"

Malfoy looked angrier than Harry had ever seen him. He felt a kind of detached satisfaction at the sight of his pale, pointed face contorted with rage.

"You're going to pay," said Malfoy in a voice barely than a whisper, "I'm going to make you pay for that you've done to my father"

"Well, I'm terrified now," said Harry sarcastically. "I s'pose Lord Voldemort's just a warm-up act compared to you three- what's the matter?" he said, for Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle had all looked stricken at the sound of the name. "He's your dad's mate, isn't he? Not scared of him, are you?"

"You think you're such a big man, Potter," said Malfoy, advancing now, Crabble and Goyle flanking him. "You wait, I'll have you. You can't land my father in prison—"

Goyle nudged Malfoy, making all of them looked at the direction he was looking at. Renee was standing not far from them, staring at them with her casual clothes. She walked towards them, making the three walk backwards as a result.

"Three against one…" said Renee slowly as she stared at the blond boy; "Isn't it quite unfair…right Malfoy?"

Harry glanced at the two as if they're both having some silent conversation they couldn't hear of. It was Malfoy who's the first one to cut the stare and gave him a glare before he leave along with the two Slytherins behind him.

The two Gryffindors watched them disappeared inside the castle. Harry glanced back at Renee. He knew it was the same Renee he used to talk with, but he could feel something different about her now. She stand more confidently more than ever, the black circles under her eyes because of reading before became darker more than he expected. But more than any physical changes he could feel around her, it was the sudden superior aura around her the most obvious change he could feel.

What happened to her after a few days?

"You shouldn't walk alone Harry" he could even tell her voice that she was dead tired. "Where are you going anyway?"

He snapped back to reality as she asked him.

"Erm…I'm going to Hagrid's. You want to come?"

Renee momentarily paused to think and then timidly smiled and nodded. And together they walked towards Hagrid's in silence.

"Hey," Harry broke the silence. "Where have you gone to the other day? You didn't come back after you gave those notes to Hermione"

Renee glanced at him, "Oh, just….somewhere, I meet with Mum"

"Is she alright?" he asked her.

She was startled at the question. "What do you mean?"

"I just thought…"Harry gazed at her and wondered why she reacted like that, "You're acting strange. I just thought something happened to her. She's fine, is she?"

She smiled; even her smile could tell him something was bothering her. The wind blew her hair and noticed she did get thin…or is it just my imagination?

"She's fine. Never better" she assured him.

They continue to walk.

"Harry" he glanced back at her. "Yeah?"

"I…I've actually had something to tell you"

Harry and Renee stopped walking. The shouts and noise of the students' enjoyment seemed so far from them. He stopped smiling as he saw her expression. Her eyes were closed and took several deep breaths as if she was prepping for her confession.

She finally opened her eyes and stared at Harry's green eyes.

"I—" she trailed, "I asked Dumbledore to let me join at the Order"

"And…?" he asked, though he fairly knew what she was going to say next. Of course he wouldn't let her…

Her face was very serious, not a very usual face Renee wore. He finally saw the ultimate change on her. It was her eyes…her eyes that seemed to be fearless and full of determination. He could even feel she was quite taller than him as she responded.

"He accepted me," her eyes shone once again, "I'm officially part of the Order now"

A/N: Last chapter for OOTP! Yay! I'll start the next book and post it after a week (or so). What do you think about me changing Sirius' death? Please be honest and tell me! A review and an advice would be very much appreciated!

Renesnee