Thanks for all the reviews. They made me smile. So, enjoy the next chapter.

Hermione was sitting at the Slytherin table for breakfast the next morning. She'd been a bit unsure if she should, but Draco had pulled her over. The other tables were gossiping about her new seating arrangement, their eyes rarely leaving them. But Hermione ignored them. She was starting to get use to the Slytherins.

Last night, after dinner, they'd invited her down to the Slytherin Common Room. It had been the first time she'd been down there and it was beautiful. It was under the lake and she'd stared for a while at the fish swimming past her behind the magic glass that passed as a ceiling. The room had been posh and elegant in the colors of the house; green and black.

The group had started playing Exploding Snaps. Hermione had lost five hands in a row, causing Blaise to tease her.

"You suck at this," he said.

Hermione turned red and leaned against the leather couch cushions. "I couldn't play this game to save my life," she said.

Pansy laughed and sat next to her. "With these guys, it's hard to win," she said. "That's why, when I win, I do an awesome dance." She got up and demonstrated. She raised her hands up and made fists. She then jumped from one foot to the other, shaking her hair and waving her hands. She looked like she was having a seizure.

Hermione laughed and clapped. "I love it," she said, smiling.

Pansy plopped down next to her. "Yeah," she said, smiling smugly. "I am just that awesome."

The boys looked over at them. Blaise and Draco exchanged looks and shook their heads as if to say 'Girls'.

"Hey, Hermione," Pansy said. "After we hit Hogsmead, you want to Floo over to Diagon Alley? I heard they're having a sale on cosmetics and hair products."

Hermione smiled and said, "Sure. I've been meaning to get something to de-friz my hair." She raised a hand to her hair and turned her body slightly for a better seat.

She saw Draco smiling at her, his eyes soft. He didn't look so tired today. "I like your hair," he said in a low voice. Hermione blushed and looked away, not use to the compliment.

The sound of fluttering wings made her look up. The mail arrived, owls dropping letters and packages on the tables. Hermione watched the owls and saw one that was very familiar.

Hedwig flew over to her and set the letters on her hand. She fed the owl a piece of toast and looked at the letters. There were four in total. One from her parents, one from Harry, one from Ginny, one from Ron, and one from the twins.

Hermione opened the one from her parents. It had pictures of her mum and dad enjoying themselves on the beach. The letter was quick and simple, saying they'd mailed it to Harry so he could get it to her, how they were having a great time, and they were going to bring back a lot of souvenirs for her.

Hermione set that aside and looked at the other letters. She picked up the twins' and opened it, as it was attached to a package.

Hey, Mione,

What's going on? Haven't talked to you in a while and it's sad that you aren't here this winter. We got a new product that we shipped to you. Remember Fred's idea? The one about the changing hair, eyes, and nails? He made a bunch and thought you should test it out. They're flavored and only last about five minutes, by the way. We'd so appreciate it if you advertised these. Thanks

How's your break going? Something big must have happened, because Ron and Harry have been getting letters none stop. Fred and I were trying to get a few, to read what they said, but Ginny grabbed them all and hid them. Maybe you could tell us?

Well, I better go back and make sure Fred doesn't do anything stupid. He's been apparating all over the place. He's got something big planned for Charlie and Dad. But don't tell them anything, okay?

Hope your holidays are fun and cheerful.

George...and Fred

Hermione folded the letter and opened the package. Inside was a small box. She pulled it out and opened it to see six different colored pill like capsules. She looked up and said, "Pansy, George sent me some of their color changing prototypes."

Pansy looked in the box and pulled out a bright purple one. She popped it into her mouth and bit down. A moment later, her dark hair turned into a bright purple, her eyes changed to violet, and her nails had lavender swirls on them. "Wow!" Crabbe said.

Hermione smiled and pulled out a mirror from her purse. She handed it to Pansy and the girl smiled at her reflection. "Wow is right," she said. "This is so cool. I wonder how long it lasts."

Hermione looked at the letter again, and said, "About five minutes."

"Cool," Blaise said. He picked up a green one and bit it. His hair turned Slytherin green, his eyes Shamrock green, and his fingernails were light green. He took the mirror and stared at himself. "This is so weird."

Crabbe grabbed a pink capsule, making him look like he had pink eye. Goyle grabbed a black capsule, making him look like death warmed over. They all laughed and Pansy's hair returned to normal, along with Blaise's.

Draco picked up a blue capsule and his hair turned electric blue, his eyes became lighter, and dark blue covered his nails. Hermione put a hand over her mouth, but it didn't keep her from laughing. "You're a smurf," she said. The wizards looked confused. Hermione quickly explained. "Smurf are tiny blue people from a cartoon show. They're completely blue and wear white."

Draco leaned forward and lowered his voice. "I assure you, I am anything but small. A little blue, perhaps, but not small."

Hermione's gaze dropped down to his lap and she swallowed a gasp. Her eyes snapped up to his and she was caught in his gaze. The blue had started to fade, making his silver eyes swirl with both colors. But the desire was clear in his eyes.

"What's the last capsule do?" Goyle asked.

Hermione leaned away from Draco and looked at the box. The last one was yellow. "It turns your hair yellow," she said.

"You'd be a funny blond," Pansy said. Hermione nodded and looked at the other letters.

She opened Ginny's next.

Mia,

How come you didn't tell me? I'm your best friend and you didn't even tell me? Why act so mean to him if you're...you know what? Never mind. You'll tell me when you want and when you're ready. But you better clear up with Harry and Ron. They've been getting all kinds of letters about you and him. They're probably writing you letters right now. Oh, and be careful, okay? I'll kill him if he hurts you.

Well, hope you're doing alright.

Love,

Ginny.

Hermione was extremely confused by Ginny's letter, but opened Harry's next.

Mione,

Is it true? Everyone says you're sitting with Malfoy at meals and being nice. Are you alright? Is he? Did something happen after we left? I'm sorry you're not here to enjoy Christmas with us. We all miss you. But that doesn't mean I'm not worried about you. Watch Malfoy, alright? I don't trust him.

Be safe,

Harry

Hermione blinked. They'd been receiving letters about her and Draco sitting together? Wow. Word spread fast. She looked at Ron's letter, suddenly dreading what it might say. She knew that Ron liked her more than just as a friend. She didn't feel the same way, she just wanted him as a friend.

Slowly, she reached for Ron's letter and opened it. It didn't even have a friendly opening.

What the bloody hell! Malfoy? You're being nice to ferret face? Are you under some sort of spell or something? I knew it. I knew he liked you. That's why he kissed you on the field. Stay away from him, Herms. He's just using you. He can't possibly be serious about you. I mean, you're a muggle-born to him. There is no way that Malfoy would-

Hermione didn't finish the letter. She scrunched it up and dropped it on the table. "Bad news?" Pansy asked.

Hermione felt touched that she would ask. She looked up and said, "Ron's being a bloody prat. I know he's worried about me, but the way he says it... he's just digging his own grave." He acted like he knew her so well. Or, that she was his property! He didn't know the first thing about her true self. He had no idea that she loved fashion but, because she was always perceived in a certain way, she couldn't always stalk about it. And not in the ways she did with Pansy. But, now, she was starting over. She had made friends, she liked to consider them friends, in the most unlikely house; had started over with Draco, and she was actually getting boys' attention. Ron would not bring her down.

Pansy stood up and said, "Come on. We'll go shopping and forget all about that Weasel."

Hermione smiled and grabbed her purse. The small group left the Great Hall and headed down to Hogsmead. Crabbe and Goyle headed off to the sweet shop, but Pansy pulled Blaise and Draco into the dress shop. While Hermione and Pansy looked among the clothes, looking at colors, designs, and style, Blaise turned to Draco.

"So," he said softly. "She's your next target?"

Draco nodded. "Yup," he said, watching Hermione hold up a blue dress from the rack. "Pansy thinks it's going to blow up in my face."

Blaise snorted. "It probably will," he said. Draco looked at him. "Hermione's not like the other girls, Drake. And you're not even acting the same around her."

"What?" he said. "I'm my charming and witty self with her."

"Exactly," Blaise said. "You're never like that with the others. You're smooth and use lines. You don't banter with them like you did with Hermione about the Smurf thing." He smirked. "You like her."

Draco didn't say anything. He ignored his friend and stared as Hermione came out of the changing room. She was wearing the dark blue dress she'd held up earlier. It came to her knees in a soft wave, the top in the style of a halter top. A silver white sash was tied around her waist, making her look tiny and graceful.

Pansy grabbed Hermione's elbow and pulled her over to Draco. "What do you think?" Pansy asked eagerly. Hermione blushed and looked at her feet.

Draco leaned forward and said, "Who's the smurf now?"

She looked up and, seeing that he was teasing her, she laughed. Her face lit up as she smiled and Draco felt himself smile back. "You look nice," he said.

Hermione smiled and said, "Then I'll get it." She returned to the dressing room. Draco watched her leave.

Pansy met Blaise's gaze and said, so only he could hear, "He's totally screwed." Blaise smiled and nodded.