Disclaimer: I own nothing but my plot and characters

A/N: wow I'm crazy

Chapter 6: Everyday Like It's Your Last

"Good Morning everyone!" I pranced happily around before sitting at the breakfast table.

"What," Ron slapped his hand on the table, "are you so happy about? Didn't you almost get expelled yesteday?"

"Well," I explained, "At detention last night, I made Snape laugh. Now, it wasn't just a laugh...It was a heartfelt, giddy, laugh. I ran to detention late, and he cancelled it because of a teacher confrence he forgot about. So, I'm standing there panting and trying to catch my breath while Snape tells me to leave his room. I threw a tantrum telling him I wanted to stay after all the running I did from Hagrid's hut to his precious detention. Then, out of the blue Snape starts to laugh his head off! I made the Master of Intimidation laugh!"

Harry asked, "And this makes you giddy and happy, why?"

"I'm getting there, hold your broomsticks." My joyful mood was hopefully permanent, "As I went to bed I realized something. Instead of fighting and defending myself when I'm in a bad mood with Snape, why don't I just make him laugh? I mean, laughter is always the best medicine, right? So, what's so wrong about wanting to be the class clown sometimes?"

"I'll tell you what's wrong with it," Hermione chimed in with a serious tune, "If you don't take class seriously, Snape will probably end up kicking you out of class more than you've ever imagined."

"Not necessarily," Seamus disagreed, "If she makes him laugh too, it might bring out his fun side."

"Exactly.." My plan might actually work.

Hermione grinned, "I guess it's a great idea then. Just make sure you joke around at appropriate times. You don't want to piss Snape off too much."

"I've already been there,"I stated, "I'm not afraid of that mean side anymore. No more scaredy-cat Maranda. From now on I'm going to live everyday as though it were my last."

"That's the spirit!" Ron agreed cheerfully.

After telling Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Seamus why I wasn't in any other class after Snape's yesterday, I headed to Transfiguration class with the gang. As we all sat in our confortable seats, I started to think. I always think about something, but I really got my gears tuing in the brain. If I actually lived everyday to its fullest, perhaps my life will finally be as perfect as I wished. Draco, a great boyfriend, would no doubt support me if he knew my plan. He loves to joke around. Wow, for once in my life I felt ecstatic. And God, it was an awesome feeling.

Throughout the day I completed all of my classwork with no problems and even started on my homework. Yet, no matter how good of a day I have had, I felt a bad mood approaching when I entered Defense Class. Gilderoy was giddier than ever, which made me feel a tad sick.

"Welcome my favorite students! Please take your books out. We are going to discuss a few things in chapter three that you should all be aware of." Gilderoy looked around the room as everyone took their books out. Lucky me, mine had already been taken out at the beginning of class. See how nice and organized I can become when I plan things? Man, I laugh at more jokes in my head than a frickin' crazy person.

"'Mione, do you think a Poptart can be burnt easily?" My stupid question confused Hermione.

She didn't understand, "What are you talking about?"

"I'm thinking of another plan.."

"Oh Merlin, tell me you aren't going to start trouble with Gilderoy." Hermione read my mind.

"No, just play a little bit.. Don't worry, I won't get in trouble. Watch this.." I raised my hand hoping Lockhart would spot me.

When he spotted me, he called my name and I sat up straight with my hand back on the desk.

"Yes, Miss Maguire, is there a problem?" Gilderoy smiled and awaited my answer.

I took a deep breath and spoke loud enough for the whole class to here, "Professor, there's something on your face."

Obviously nothing was on him, but no one said a thing. While Poptart was busy wiping his face, I mumbled a spell that made the end of Lockhart's robe catch fire. Hermione gasped in shock that I would do such a thing. Finally noicing the flame, Gilderoy tried to stomp on it with his foot. I mumbled another incantation that made the flame go out. He sighed and gulped.

"Wow, that wasn't expected. Thank you, Miss Maguire for telling me about the quill ink that was near my forehead though." I hadn't been aware that anything was on the Poptart. I guess it was just luck.

"Maranda!" Hermione said my name as though it were a sin, "I can't believe you!"

I giggled as lockhart sat down and whispered, "Me either. I just wanted to know what would happen if I toasted a Poptart."

Apparently Ron and Harry heard me, for they started to laugh. At last, Hermione also started to chuckle. However, we stopped when Gilderoy glanced at our side of the room. In fear that he would yet again catch fire, Gilderoy told our class to have the rest of the period free. Now, Hermione wasn't so angry at me.

Potions was last for the day, and I wasn't scared at all. I entered with my chin up and my back straight, ready to take anything Snape would do or say. I admit, there were rare times I felt this way with Potions Class last year. Yet, this day would take the cake. Today was far better than any other day because I was completely and utterly prepared. For once, I was feeling quite alive.

"Take your books out and turn to page one-fifty. As this is an advanced class I expect you all to have your books everyday. If at anytime you fail to have your books, there will be punishment." Snape finished warning us and I nodded. Respecting a person's desicions was the first way to a better companionship. Thus, no more fighting with Snape.

Since I am trying to respect the man more, I might as well get rid of his old nickname. No more Snakey Snape. Perhaps someday I will make a new one for him, but for now it's just Snape.

For some reason, I think Snape saw me nod when he warned us. He sneered towards my side of the room and continued talking, "Will someone please volunteer to read the first paragraph?"

I raised my hand, and was the first and only student to do so.

Snape was surprised, "Erm...Miss Maguire, please read the first paragraph under the section contents."

So I read the first paragraph. When I finished, Severus asked me to keep going. Maybe this was going to be a better class from now on. When I finished reading the second paragraph, Snape asked me to pick a reader to continue where I left off. Naturall I picked Hermione, but she glared at me as though she would pounce on me.

While 'Mione read, I felt my eyes wandering. They ended up looking at Draco, who was wrapped up in writing. My eyes wandered yet again and landed on Snape, who read along in his copy of the Potions book. I never noticed how calm Snape could be when everyone participated and got along in this class. I probably never noticed because I always fought with him. Even though at the end of last year Snape and I fought less, today felt like the first time I ever appreciated the serenity that could exist in the class. it was amazing how one little change of heart could affect so many things.

I was proven wrong from last year; I thought I changed for the better last year when really, I didn't change much at all. This year, though, even just today, I have finally found my peace. I have finally conjured my own happiness. My life, in my own busy eyes, was perfect.

I have morphed my life into wellness just by living my days, my everyday, as though it were my last.