Disclaimer: I own nothing but my plot and chars

A/N: I'm tired so don't mind my slowness. Not with making the chap but with the characters...they may act very stupid because of my sugar rush and exhaustion lol. just kidding. Thank everyone for support I'm trying to update Labby-Land really soon and a bunch of other stories. Anyways, Gwen-you are now one of my best friends simply because you put up with me this far. hahaha.

Chapter 16: Grinning Like An Idiot

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So I have to change, eh? I have to find the true me, which I've been searching for all my life. Between getting picked on in the orphanage, being picked on in Hogwarts, and being picked on everywhere else, I have only molded into the oddly overdramatic female that I am. I don't know how to control the dramatic side of me, since I only recently noticed it. However, I'm going to try to catch myself before I start giving attitude to everyone. Perhaps that will help.

I hope it helps.

Thinking of what to wear on this cold December morning, I looked eagerly in my clothing trunk. Unfortunately, I only found clothes I never dreamed of wearing. Ok, actually I have worn them once, but no one noticed because I think it was on a day I disappeared for hours. A long blue skirt covered in a floral print, which looked uncomfortable, and a white, (to match the flowers) long sleeve. The long sleeve clung to my curves, but it looked alright. The skirt, however, was ironically comfortable.

Now that I was done oggling at my selection of clothing, I hurredly slipped on some white sandals and went down to breakfast. Hermione didn't mention anything about the previous release of truth to me, and neither did Ron. They must've noticed my trying to change through clothes, and decided not to say anything. Or they just think I'm an idiot for trying to find myself starting with appearance. Here I go freaking out again.. Wow, Hermione and Ron were right.

Snape is talking to Poptart-Lockhart this morning; How strange! They aren't biting each other's heads off. Oh I see, Gilderoy sweats bullets because of how nervous he is near Snape, and Snape enjoys the torture. How very interesting!

"Maranda, you're staring at Snape...Do you have amnesia again?" Ron loved teasing me.

So I returned the teasing back to him, "No, I was wondering why him and Gilderoy were actually talking like civil men. I think you have amnesia though. Unless something else made you stupid."

Harry dropped his fork. Hermione only made a shocked face.

"Oh, I get it, Maguire," Ron tried to scare me by using my last name, "You want to tease me back to try and make yourself feel better. So in other words you want to lower everyone else to make yourself superior. Nice job." Plainly he was irritated, but his comments were lies.

"No," I corrected him, "I was simply using your own medicine against you. I guess you can't handle yourself."

Harry tried to speak, but was interrupted by 'Mione, "You two stop already! It should be a good day. Next week is vacation and Christmas, so you will have pleanty of time to shoot each other then. But may I remind you we have mid-terms tomorrow, and then after vacation select few will be picked for the E.Y.P's according to our mid-term grades and grades from the past years...? C'mon you two, especially Ron since you always tease Maranda, behave!"

"Sorry," Ron mumbled, playing with his spoon and cereal.

Smiling childishly, I stated, "Thank you, Mione, and sorry."

The bell rang, sending everyone to a rushing motion in different directions. First class was Transfiguration, and I was almost one-hundred percent ready to face McGonagal with a new attitude.

Sitting down in my desk chair, Seamus caught my eye. He was grinning like an idiot at me, and I had no idea why.

"Freckle face," I called Seamus over to me, "What's up? You're smiling like something extremely wonderful is going on."

Seamus continued to smile and let out a small sigh, "Draco, or some Slytherin, put a spell on me to not stop smiling. I was going to ask if you had a counter-spell because I've asked everyone but you and 'Mione. Seeing as 'Mione isn't in here yet, oh now she is.." Hermione sat next to me and looked at Seamus as he continued speaking, "..I need your help."

"What happened?" Hermione questioned.

Seamus repeated to Hermione what he said to me and she gasped.

McGonagal walked in and told Seamus to sit down, and for the rest of the class to settle. Seamus' stupid grin was still, humorously on his face.

"Today isn't a day for fooling around, class." Professor McGonagal hadn't noticed Freckle-Face yet, "We are reviewing the lessons from this year so that you will not fail tomorrow's mid-term. Hopefully, some of you will not only pass, but particiate in the E.Y.P's, or Extra Year Program. Now, please take out your textbooks and turn to the second chapter. I need someone to read.."

Seamus was raising his hand, but not to read it seemed.

"Mr. Finnigan," McGonagal smiled, "you read the first page or two and then pass it on to someone else."

Seamus shook his head and looked at his book. He took a breath, but couldn't stop grinning as he read, "Some witches and wizards don't like dealing with the dead, so they take it upon themselves to transform the dead body into something more pleasant to handle.."

Professor McGonagal interrupted the smiling Seamus, "Why are you smiling at this, Mr. Finnigan? It is not amusing that you find dead bodies funny!"

"I'm not laughing Profess-"

"Enough of this persiflage! Stop smirking, and continue to read seriously." Our Professor was growing angrier each second she saw Seamus smile.

Hermione pointed to her lap, where she held her book of useful spells. The counter-spell was on the left page. Taking her wand out from her pocket, 'Mione whispered the incantation. Quickly, she waved her wand and pointed it at Seamus, who was across the room. His grin vanished like a puff of smoke as he started to read again.

"..Transforming a corpse-" He noticed his face was now calm, and relaxed. Before he read on again, he glanced over to our part of the room, "Thank you 'Mione..." and then picked up no his reading assignment.

The book of spells still resided on Hermione's lap, so I took it upon myself to find a spell to make useful. Mione let me rest the book on my lap as I flipped curiously through the pages. I wasn't too sure if I was going to put a curse on Draco, the Ferret Boy Wonder, or Snape, The Snakey Fiend. I had potions last today, so if my decision was for Snakey Snape, then I would have a better chance of getting away with it. This, in my opinion, is because usually I would either A.) blow my cover and get detention, or B.) run out of the class like a wimp. If I put a little curse on Snape at the end of the day, he would most likely A.) yell at all of us and tell us to study for ourselves, which he would do anyways, B.) yell at us and give the entire class detention, C.) yell at us and give us extra homework and no time to study, or D.) immediately know it was me. I'm thinking a one of four chance he knows it's me isn't too bad.

The again, Draco deserves a little punishment for screwing around with one of my best friends, Seamus, The Freckle-Face, Finnigan. Thinking about revenge on Draco makes my mood lift into a high euphoria. Thinking about putting a curse on Snape also makes me very happy, but a little afraid too. Hmm...Maybe I should just do it to Draco.

All this time thinking who was going to be my victim, and no time to plan the attack. Ten minutes left of Transfiguration Class.. Hurry up Maranda.. Thank Merlin Seamus called on Hermione to read and not me. Oh my fishsticks! There is a way to add liqour to a drink without anyone noticing... And with the Yule Ball coming up.. Wow, how harsh when you can use your own awful experience against someone. Thank you, Ferret Boy, for spiking my punch! Now wait 'till I tell 'Mione. Oh Merlin this is awesome! Now, I wonder, why didn't Draco use this spell instead of a bottle of liqour?

Because he is stupid, that's why.

Ring...

Time for Charms class with our favorite short teacher, Professor Flitwick! I am so happy today! Most likely my happiness is caused by the sudden realization of a spell that can get revenge on Draco for good.

"Maranda," Hermione chuckled, "That is the best idea for revenge I'v heard of from you. Now, all you need is to set it up to make it seem that he is the one who spiked his own drink. No one can find out that you hexed his drinks."

I felt anxious, "I know.. Just think, ol' Snakey Snape will probably catch the little Ferret taking a swig from an alchoholic drink...and...WHAM!"

"Shhh! Everyone must be doing the assignment in the book. This will help you study for tomorrow." Flitwick was such a nice man. Thank the Lord I'm not failing in here anymore!

"Anyways," I pressed on, "Snape will be so damn pissed at Ferret Boy. I cannot wait!"

"For once," Hermione complimented, "you have a sensible plan. With my, Harry, and Ron's help, you will carry on suspicion free and accomplished."

"I thank you. Not only for being the greatest friend ever, but for seeing me through with this plan." I finished speaking and started to review my Charms book.

Now if only I could skip finals and just fast forward to the Yule Ball...