Disclaimer: I own my plot and chars.. I don't own J.K' stuff

A/N: ANOTHER CHAP UP YAY! HERES ANOTHER!

Chapter 23: Pajama Raid

The feel of white cotton sheets was familiar to me. I was back in the Hospital Wing. No doubt I blacked out from the boggart. I finally figured out what it turned into. The silhouette of a man represented any man...but I knew very well who it resembled...The unknown man who killed my parents. He obviously couldn't be shown if I had no idea who it was. Hence the silhouette. The fact that it was touching my stomach was probably because that's where I felt most of my nerves conjuring. It could feel my fear..

"Maranda!" Hermione's voice called to me as my eyes opened, "What happened to you?"

I explained exactly what happened. When I finished telling her what the boggart represented, she looked at me like I was crazy. At least it was true.. (My being crazy, that is.) She gave me a hug and told me that Gilderoy made the boggart go back into the trunk, and for the rest of class they did nothing but read aloud out of their textbooks.

Hermione and I walked to Potions class and braced ourselves for the worst. We were both very late to class, and even though Madame Pomfrey gave us a pass, we still felt Snape's anger through the classroom door.

"Why are you two late?" Snape's voice boomed at us like an explosive.

I took the pass to him as Hermione sat down. Snakey-Snape raised an eyebrow and crumpled up the pass.

"Very well, you may sit down." That was it? He wasn't going to bite my head off and chew it up with the sharp teeth he owned?

...Phew...

"Everyone settle down," Snape ordered, "Settle.. Alright.. A few weeks ago you lovely dunderheads took a test. I didn't have the time to pass them back until now because of some business the Headmaster assigned me. So, I will be retruning the tests now. Any chatter and I will hand out detentions like there's no tomorrow."

Staying silent, the class anticipated their test results as though they were pregnancy tests. Almost everyone's eyes were practically popping out of their heads. I was calm and collected. I already knew I didn't fail, and that was enough for me. By the time Severus came to my desk, though, my nerves got the better of me. He handed Seamus his test first, and then stared at me. No communication whatsoever.

At last, Snape handed me my test, which had a huge, green 'A' on it. I was beyond thrilled. I was ecstatic...

"Consider it a birthday present," muttered Snape, "but don't expect me to sing to you."

I couldn't hold my comment in, "Believe me, Professor, It's a birthday present that you don't sing. I just had the worst experience with the horrid birthday song this morning, and in Defense class."

"I heard this morning's song, but I guess I was lucky not to have heard Professor Lockhart sing." Snape half-smiled quickly, and then returned to his handing out of the tests.

0o0o0o0o

The remainder of the day was pretty quiet and tolerable. No one bothered singing to me because they knew I didn't want to hear it. After supper, Hermione told me to hang out with her until Harry told us to go into the Gryffindor Common Room. I didn't want a party, but no one listened to me.

"Happy Birthday!" Yelled the Gryffindor Common Room as I entered blushing next to Hermione.

All the Gryffidors were in the room, some Ravenclaw, and a couple Hufflepuff. No Slytherin, thank Merlin. Veronica was hanging all over Harry, but she didn't scowl at me. Instead, she smiled, and appologized for any harsh feelings she held against me before. I didn't know what to say except for a brief thank you. Hermione told me it was a co-ed slumber party/birthday party, so I had to change into my pajamas before I was alowwed any cake or presents. These random people were giving me presents?

Since Hermione hadn't changed into her PJ's either, we both ran upstairs and changed. I changed into a lacey tank top that revealed some of my stomach, and short shorts that matched the top. Both pink, both matching, but Hermione didn't mean to match me. We laughed and went back to the common room. Some whistles were heard from the guys as we entered in our most revealing pajamas. Hermione had chosen a short, pink nightgown with a frilly neckline. She had boxers underneath, but Ron insisted on looking at her 'underwear.' It was quite hilarious.

Everyone took off their robes, showing the pajamas they had on underneath. The guys had mustle shirts, and tee-shirts on with different colored boxers. The girls had either a shirt and short set on, or nightgowns that didn't go past their knees. It felt like a lengerie show. You'd think because it was winter we'd be wearing long-johns and such, but it was really warm with the fire burning in the fire place.

Seamus and Neville entered the room with their PJ's on, and announced that everyone who was coming was already in the room. Therefore, they didn't have to 'bounce' anymore. Ron put on some music, dance music, and we all began dancing in our 'jammies.

What a relief... You can tell the difference in parties when Slytherins aren't present. The parties are better when snakey-Slytherins aren't here to ruin them.

"Bloody Hell! Let's blow this place up!" Neville was very energetic...I wondered why he wasn't this way during the day.

An hour or so passed and the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws were getting ready to leave. We cut the cake, ate some, and then they left. The clock already showed the reason for their departure. It was nearly midnight. Most of the Gryffindors went to sleep, with the exception of Ron, Harry, Hermione, Seamus, Neville, and I. Just the gang..

"Ok, Maranda, we have a present for you.." Hermione stated as she took a large box from under the couch.

Neville blurted, "Hope you like it. We all pitched in to get it for you.. We know how hard it's been for you to try and find your place here at Hogwarts, and how much you've tried to find friends. We just want you to know that we all love you, and we're glad we met you."

"Yeah," Ron agreed, "Even though you and I started out pretty badly -my teasing you and all- I still think you're pretty cool."

Hermione handed me the box, and I opened with no regret. Inside the box was tissue paper, so I moved it to reveal the present. A vintage-looking photo album was situated next to a beautiful, brand-new camera. I took the photo album out with wonder and examined it. Embedded in gold on the front was the title: Maranda's Scrapbook. I took the camera out and studied it carefully. I'd always wanted a camera, but never had anything to take a picture of...Until now..

Feeling tears rupture from behind my eyes, I fought them back with a euphoric grin, "Thank you so much! I couldn't ever imagine a better present. Except.."

"Except what?" Harry asked.

"Except," I answered, looking at my camera, "I want a picture of all of you to go with it! Come on.."

Sitting together, the group smiled and said cheese as I snapped the photo. We all sat there doing nothing but taking photos for the next ten minutes.

"Hold it," Said Seamus in a serious tone, "I think someone's coming.."

Everyone stood up silently waiting for our visitor. I stood in front of the group next to Ron, who looked as nervous as I felt.

"oh shi-" Neville swore as a tall figure emerged from the dark hall where the portrait of the Fat Lady was.

I felt my insides twirl and twist, making my nerves rollercoaster. Severus Snape stood before us, with a facial expression of extreme outrage. What was he doing here?

"I see Mr. Malfoy was correct, you six threw a party? When I heard that there was a party going on after midnight, I immediately came up to see for myself. Now, can someone explain why you've broken after cerfew rules to throw a get-together?" Snape was miffed.

Neville stayed quiet, as did Hermione, Ron, Seamus, and Harry... It was up to me? Aww freakin-A.

"Professor Snape," I stepped forward, "We've been down here since seven, I think..and we've just been talking and taking pictures for my new photo album. Now, I don't know what Draco said to you, but how would he know what we've been doing if he hadn't sneaked in here? Thus, breaking the rule of staying in your own house after cerfew.. So, in reality, we shouldn't be the ones getting yelled at..Draco should. And...How did you get in here?"

I couldn't believe how unbelievably great my speech came out. Now if only it had worked...

"Miss Maguire, who said anything about Mr. Malfoy coming to see the party for himself? He plainly stated to me after supper that you and others were throwing some party that would probably still occur after midnight, and after nine-cerfew. I got in here with the password. Every Professor in this building knows the passwords to every room and house in case of situations like this." Stepping closer to me, I found myself covering the stomach-revealing tank-top as Snape hovered over me. I thought he was getting taller, but it was just me falling to my knees on the floor.

What was going on with me? What happened to the strong Maranda that always fought back? Was she permanently gone?

The rest of the gang stared in awe at my actions of falling to the floor.

"Alright.." mumbled Snape, "everyone except for Miss Maguire will go to bed right now. All of you have detention tomorrow night in my classroom at six-thirty sharp."

Ron, Harry, Seamus, and Neville ran upstairs to the boys' dormitory. Hermione, however, hid behind the girls' dormitory door to listen in. Only I had noticed her hiding, as Snape was busy thinking of a death sentence for me.

Helping me stand up, Snape began to talk again, "Miss Maguire, I know you would love it if you had saved the day with your excuse. However, sometimes things don't go our way. You still have detention with me tomorrow like the other five, but I won't mention this night again. As for Mr. Malfoy, I am giving him a detention for the night after tomorrow to teach him a lesson in minding his own business. I hope you and your friends keep the parties before nine p.m. from now on, otherwise we will have a serious issue."

"...Don't worry, Professor..." I smiled at him and concluded, "I don't think we'll have another party until the next Quiddich game."

Half-smiling, Severus accepted my subtle appology, "Very well then. Goodnight, Miss Maguire."

"Uhh..Goodnight, Professor.." He said goodnight? I returned the salutation, but still couldn't comprehend Snape's kindness.

Hermione came out from behind the door and we walked upstairs together, reminiscing about the party.