Dear Mum and Dad,

I'm so so sorry but I won't be coming home this Christmas. I've got so much work to do as I want to get the best marks again and it's so hard to do work from home. I'm also doing an extra-curricular project to do with advanced Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts and I want to complete a lot of it over Christmas so it doesn't get in the way of my exams. I really need to use the library for it and use lots of potion ingredients I can only get in school. I wish I could drop everything for three weeks and come and spend the holidays with you but I just can't. I won't be alone, all of the teacher stay and Harry and all the Weasley's are staying so I'll have lots of company. I hope you're okay with this.

I'm sorry and I miss you so much, I can't wait until June when I see you.

All my love

Hermione x

Hermione took a shuddering breathe as she finished the letter. She didn't want to read over it so quickly stuffed it in an envelope. She hadn't expected to get so upset writing the letter but realising that she truly wouldn't see her parents for another six months gave her a tangible pain in her chest. The thought of their reactions also worried her too.

"You alright?" Ron asked, throwing down his quill and looking at her. He had just redone all the corrections Hermione had given him on a Transfiguration essay. Harry was at Quidditch practise

"Yes. I just wrote the letter to my parents saying I won't be coming home for Christmas, that's all."

"Will they be upset?" Ron said, leaning back in his chair and stretching.

"A bit, remember I'm an only child so they'll be on their own for Christmas." Hermione explained, trying not to get upset again.

Ron nodded, seeming to understand. He didn't offer any words of comfort – Hermione didn't really know what there was to say really but after a few moments of comfortable silence he asked.

"Want to play a game of chess?"

Hermione nodded, keen to take her mind of the letter. Chess frustrated her but she'd been determined since last year that one day she'd beat Ron.

OOO

Mrs Granger's once weekly screech of 'an owl' broke the quiet talk at the breakfast table on Sunday morning. Mr Granger smiled as he always did and went to take the letter from the small tawny owl that had come today, giving it a small piece of his bacon rind as he did. He then sat back down at the table and slit open the letter, happy at the prospect of hearing his beloved daughters words – his favourite part of the week. As he read however, his brow furrowed and his stomach seemed to drop. When he had finished he held the letter out with some trepidation to his wife.

"David what's wrong, what does she say?" Mrs Granger's voice grew panicked and she took the letter cautiously.

Mr Granger watched as his wife's eyes filled with tears. He himself felt a sadness he hadn't felt since Hermione had first left to go to Hogwarts over a year ago. Their only daughter felt like she was slightly out his reach and there was no way he could pull her back. Mr Granger had no doubt of her love for them, off that he was certain but he felt frustration for the first time at her work ethic. Could she not risk losing a few marks to spend three weeks with them rather than not seeing them for over nine months. Mr Granger shook his head, of course she couldn't – this was Hermione he was talking about and her incredible work ethic was one of the many reasons he loved her so dearly. He snapped out of this own thoughts when he realised that Susan had finished the letter and was staring into her tea, a few tears trickling down her face. He stood up and walked to stand beside her, kneeling down and wrapping his long arms around her.

"Nine months David, Nine! She's only thirteen. I just miss her so much already." She said her voice breaking.

"I know dear, I know." He murmured, leaning his head against his wife's shoulder.

The owl waiting patiently for a lot longer than they normally had to for a reply. It took a while for the Grangers to find the strength and control to form words that wouldn't make their beautiful daughter feel guilty about choosing her studies over them.

OOO

The remainder of November and the beginning of December brought icy blasts to the castle, the ground froze and people breathe rose in mists around them if they stepped outside. It was Thursday in the second week of December and Hermione's heart was beating wildly in her chest. She was waiting for a suitable time in the lesson to create a diversion to sneak ingredients out of Snape's store cupboard. If Hermione was caught she knew that she would be in serious trouble. They probably wouldn't expel her but she'd suffer losing house points, detention and Snape's wrath – none of which she particularly wanted. Hermione despised breaking so many school rules but it was again of Colin Creevey lying immobile in the hospital wing that she thought of. It was as most people Swelling Solutions were at a point where they would work and Snape had turned his back on their desk to bully poor Neville that Hermione nodded at Harry.

Hermione watched as he ducked down behind the desk, trying to take deep breathes and keep calm. With the quick reflexes of a seeker Harry lobbed one of Fred's Fillibuster fireworks at Goyle's cauldron, causing the potion to explode and shower those in the vicinity. Hermione started to back away from her desk, keeping her eyes fixed on Snape. She continued to back quickly away until she had reached the door and she quietly slipped out. Heart still beating wildly Hermione ran to Snape office across the corridor, bolting into his private store cupboard and pulling the door slightly behind her. Knowing she only had minutes she began to search the labelled shelves swiftly, her eyes darting in all directions. She spotted the box labelled 'Bicorn horns' – inside it was split into two sections – whole and powdered. Hermione grabbed one of the pouches of powder and shoved the box back on the shelf, her eyes searching again. To her dismay the box labelled 'Skin of Boomslang' was on a high shelf. She pulled a stool out from behind the door and climbed quickly grabbing a bag of shredded skin. To her horror she realised there were only two bags in there meaning Snape would definitely realise one was missing. Hermione had no time to dwell on this though and stuffing both bags up her the front of her robes, she sprinted back to the classroom, sliding though the door and into her seat in one fluid motion. Then, trying to move as little as possible, Hermione transferred the ingredients into her bag and sat back up straight, arranging her features into what she hoped was a picture of confusion.

She felt Ron lead in towards her. "That was awesome." he muttered under his breath. Hermione gave a smile which she quickly wiped from her face. To be honest, it had felt pretty exhilarating.

OOO

Term ended suddenly, with all the bustle of the school vanishing in the space of a few hours. The double petrifaction of Justin Finch-Fletchly and Nearly Headless Nick had caused a lot of panic in the school. Hermione herself had now begun to have a niggling fear in her mind – she was Muggle-born and thus was actually in real danger of getting hurt. She tried to push this from her thoughts though, concentrating on the Polyjuice Potion. Hermione ended up being the only person left in her dormitory which, whilst nice to have a lot of privacy, was slightly lonely. In comparison, her days were anything but lonely. So many people in Gryffindor had gone home that Hermione, Harry and the Weasley's essentially had the run of Gryffindor tower. They all spent enjoyable days playing loud games of exploding snap, wizards chess and practising duelling. Even Ginny who had appeared so sad the last few months, really seemed to enjoy herself with just her brothers for company. Although still shy she laughed with them and watched they're games, occasionally joining in. Although she would blush furiously if Harry ever spoke to her. Every day Hermione was checking on the Polyjuice Potion, happy at its progress.

On Christmas day Hermione awoke very early to find a stack of presents at the foot of her bed. Hermione parents must have sent the ones from her family on for them. From her grandparents she received a lovely photograph album made of blue and green felt. Her Aunt who lived in Manchester had given her a new set of pyjamas that were bright red and silky. They reminded Hermione of the Gryffindor colours. Her Aunt and Uncle had sent her a stationary and letter writing set. Hermione reminded herself to send her thank you note on their stationary and not her parchment. Mrs Weasley had sent her a homemade plum cake which Hermione thought was very kind of her. Finally she unwrapped the presents from her parents, the main one being a new leather schoolbag. As she looked at the all the little gifts like a small hand mirror and a tiny toy owl that her parents had sent her, her heart ached. If she was home right now they would've had the afternoon where they decorated the house together and this morning they'd all be sitting round the Christmas tree in their pyjamas opening presents. Today she missed her parents more than she had in a long time.

Trying to distract herself Hermione began to get dressed. Harry and the Weasley's would all be wearing their Weasely Christmas jumpers today which Ron had once told her about and she sometimes saw them wearing. As she would be spending the day with them Hermione pulled out one of her favourite jumpers. It wasn't handmade but it was cream with fairilse patterning round the neck, base and sleeves and felt very Christmassy. Hermione then pulled on a plain black skirt and tights and was about to pull on her everyday black shoes when she thought of the green shoes her Aunt and Uncle had got her for her Birthday. She hadn't had an opportunity to wear them yet and her family had always had a tradition of dressing nicely on Christmas day. With this in mind she put them on then proceeded to pull half her hair back away from her face, clipping it with the slide the girls had got her for Christmas and letting the under half hang down. Hermione never normally did any hairstyles on her hair as they were just too much effort. But surveying herself in their bathroom mirror Hermione felt a small sense of pride in her appearance which she didn't normally have. Sure her hair still looked bushy and her front teeth were still overly large but today she felt just a little bit pretty. Feeling slightly more cheered Hermione checked her watch. It was still very early and the boys definitely wouldn't be up yet. Therefore she headed out of Gryffindor tower and towards Myrtle's bathroom.

The school was as silent as the grave as she traced the familiar path down to the second floor. It felt slightly eerie and yet relaxing. When she arrived in the bathroom she could hear Myrtle sobbing in her cubicle. At the sound of the door closing Myrtle called out.

"Who's there?"

"It's just Hermione again," She said, walking to the cubicle where the potion was.

Myrtle gave a little 'oh' then continued to sob. She was very used to Hermione and the boy's presence now. Hermione looked down into the potion and smiled, it was exactly as the penultimate instruction described it should look. Still with trepidation, Hermione added the last five pounds of lacewings in and stirred seven times clockwise, crossing the fingers on her other hand. To her intense relief the potion turned to its final think mud-like consistency that the book described. It was finished! Hermione put out the flames beneath the cauldron and hurried back to the Gryffrindor tower, only stopping in her room for a second to grab Ron and Harry's presents. She jogged back down her stairs and into the boy's dormitory, noting that she'd never actually been in here before. It was the same as the girls but the windows faced in a different direction and the boy's choice in décor was different. Hermione looked at Ron's bright orange Chudley Cannons posters and Harry's couple of clippings and pictures as she crossed the room to the curtains she also glanced at the boys, looking so peaceful in sleep. She grinned at what she was about to do.

"Wake up!" She said loudly, pulling back the curtains she had reached and letting the beautiful morning light flood the room.

Ron rolled over and threw his arms over his eyes. "Hermione – you're not supposed to be in here,"

Hermione grinned, feeling happy. "Merry Christmas to you too," she said, throwing his present at him, he seemed to cheer up at the rude awakening as he caught it. "I've been up for nearly an hour, adding more lacewings to the Potion. It's ready."

Harry sat up, suddenly wide awake. "Are you sure?"

"Positive," Hermione said, walking over to Harry's bed and, after moving Scabbers, sitting down cross legged on the end. She handed Harry his present. "If we're going to do it, I say it should be tonight."

Ron was also now sitting up and the three of them continued to chat happily as the boys ripped open their presents. To her relief both boys seemed to like their eagle-feather quills she had bought them. They had been quite expensive but Hermione barely spent money on anything and didn't have a lot of people to buy presents for. She had got the idea after seeing Gilderoy Lockhart signing books in Flourish and Blotts – she knew neither of the boys had anything very luxurious and had thought it was a good idea. Ron's pile of presents took a lot longer to open than Harry's so whilst they were waiting for him Harry handed Hermione her present. He had given her a book called Advanced Charms: More spells than you knew you had tasks which Hermione opened with great interest straight away, thanking Harry. When Ron had finally finished his presents and had begun tucking in to a mince pie he chucked Hermione her present. She opened it to find a set of Wizard's chess pieces. She felt touched as she always used Harry's pieces when she played.

"They're not new," Ron said quickly "We found them at the back of a cupboard this summer. Everyone in our family who plays chess has their own set so no one wanted them. Mum reckons they're her brother Fabian's old set."

Hermione knew that moth Mrs Weasley's brothers had died during You-Know-Who's reign. "You sure she doesn't want them?" Hermione asked

"Nope, they're all yours." Ron said, biting into another mince pie.

"Thank you Ron, that's really kind." She said quietly, looking down at the chess pieces, they looked old and slightly battered but she was happy to have a set of her own.

"No problem. Now are you going to leave so me and Harry can get dressed?"

Hermione laughed and headed back to her dormitory, carefully putting away her new presents. After her, the Weasley's and Harry had had breakfast (where Hermione had stolen two chocolate cakes) She headed back to Myrtle's bathroom. There she filled the chocolate cakes with a Sleeping Draught she had bottled subtly when they'd made it in Snape's class a few weeks ago, having already worked out that they needed a way to keep the real Slytherin's out of the way whilst they were impersonating them. When she arrived back in the Common Room it was to find everyone in high spirits, shouting, laughing and playing games. Hermione joined in until lunch when they all headed down together to the most sumptuous feast she had ever laid eyes upon. The Great Hall was decorated lavishly with twelve huge Christmas trees, streamers of real holly and mistletoe and fake snow falling from the ceiling. The teachers were in high spirits with Dumbledore leading Christmas carols. The food was like nothing Hermione had ever seen – huge stuffed Turkeys, joints of beef and pork, mountains of roast potatoes, carrots and parsnips and all the Christmas trimmings. The Weasley's laughed and joked, pulled crackers and sang and Hermione felt she was part of a huge family Christmas.

After a few hours and when Hermione had become so stuffed that she couldn't eat another bite long ago she pulled Harry and Ron away from their food and out of the Hall to finalise the plans for their evening's adventures. Afterwards they went back to the Gryffindor Common room and enjoyed one of the most hilarious games of charades Hermione had ever played. It was halfway through when Percy realised that Fred and George had bewitched his prefect badge to say 'Pinhead' and the ensuing chase around the Gryffindor tower accompanied by Percy's blustering yells left Hermione crying with laughter and clutching her ribs in pain. Ron actually slid onto the floor it fits of giggles.

Hermione ate Christmas tea quickly then bolted off to the second floor to check on the potion and wait for the boys. After about half an hour they appeared. Hermione had become shiny-face from leaning over the potion so much to check it – her hair which had been so neat at the beginning of the day was now wiry and very bushy.

"Did you get them?" she asked breathlessly. The boys each held up Crabbe and Goyle's hair triumphantly. After giving them their bigger robes and checking the potion for a final time Hermione carefully measured it out into three tumblers. Then with trembling hands she took out the long hair she had picked of Millicent Bullstrode's robes and added it to the potion. It hissed and frothed then turned a sick coloured yellow. Hermione shuddered, hoping against hope she had done everything right. The boys added theirs then left her alone with the cauldron to take separate cubicles.

"Ready?" Harry's voice called from next to her.

"Ready," Hermione called back, her stomach clenching in fear

"One…two…three…"

Hermione held her nose and raised the potion to her lips, taking three large gulps to swallow it all. It tasted vile and Hermione coughed loudly. Her insides began to writhe and she fell to her knees, clutching the toilet for support. Her stomach began to burn and she felt the feeling spread to her fingers and toes, she curled up into a ball in pain as her skin began to feel like it was melting. It was then that Hermione began to realise something was very very wrong. Before her eyes hair began to grow over her arms and her whole face prickled uncomfortably. She felt a bursting sensation above her ears and to her horror, pain erupted at the base of her spine, nearly making her cry out. Hermione hadn't felt so scared since Harry had gone to face Quirrel and Ron wouldn't wake up after the Chess game at the end of last year. Her breathing quickened and she felt sweat break out. Her whole body felt boiling hot and as the horrible changing sensations suddenly stopped, Hermione realised with utter horror that her entire body was covered in hair. Very slowly she sat up and leaned against the toilet behind her, trying desperately to keep calm and not scream. Hermione heard two deep male voices which she knew were Harry and Ron as Crabbe and Goyle but she didn't listen to what they were saying, her mind was too busy racing round in a panic. Hermione jumped violently when a loud banging started on her toilet door.

"C'mon, we need to go…" shouted Crabbe's voice.

"I –I don't think I'm going to come after all," Said Hermione, her voice high-pitched in fear. She tried to answer them as calmly as possible "You go on without me."

"Hermione, we know Millicent Bulstrode's ugly, no one's going to know it's you." said Crabbe, sounding bewildered.

"No – really – I don't think I'll come. You two hurry up, you're wasting time." Hermione clutched at her knees, wishing they'd leave.

Hermione heard Ron as Crabbe say something in a low voice then Goyle's voice sounded through the door.

"Hermione, are you OK?"

"Fine – I'm fine … Go on…" Hermione voice broke slightly as she spoke and she took a deep breathe, trying to steady herself.

"We'll meet you back here, all right?" Harry said

To Hermione's intense relief, she heard the door swing shut as they left. She took a few deep breathes then stood up, cautiously she raised a hand to her face and nearly screamed. Her entire face was covered in fur. Hermione knew she had to look at herself and she very slowly unlocked the cubicle door, closing her eyes she stepped out and turned towards the sinks. She slowly counted to three then opened her eyes. The sight of her reflection really did make her scream. Her entire face was covered in black hair which Hermione could feel covered most of her body, petering out over her hands. The eyes that started back at her were bright yellow and two pointed ears poked through her mane of bushy hair. To Hermione utter horror she also saw a tail swinging behind her. Hermione felt her Christmas tea rise up in her throat and she ran to the sinks, splattering sick everywhere. Tears started to fall down her face and uncontrollable sobs wracked her body. Hermione was someone who cried a lot but never in her memory had she cried like this – the sobs were loud and broke, jerking her body. Tears fell so fast that they wet the hair covering Hermione face and her eyes darted round in horror, trying to get away from the sight of her terrible body.

A gasp sounded from behind her and Hermione whipped around, blinking frantically. Moaning Myrtle was floating in front of her and Hermione had never seen her look so gleeful.

"Ohhhh, what happened to you?" Giggled Mytrle, her eyes wide and staring.

"P – P –Polyjuice Potion … it must have been cat's hair I added!" Cried Hermione

Myrtle laughed loudly and Hermione bolted back to her cubicle, slamming the door behind her. She fell down onto the floor and curled up again, sobbing until her head pounded and her eyes could produce no more tears. Time didn't seem to matter as even through her closed eyes Hermione could see her own terrifying reflection in the mirror and feel the fur covering her face. She lay for a while, absolutely still, not having any desire to move or talk ever again.

Hermione sat upright in terror as she heard Harry and Ron enter the bathroom.

"Well, it wasn't a complete waste of time," she heard Ron pant. "I know we still haven't found out who's doing the attacks, but I'm going to write to Dad tomorrow and tell him to check under the Malfoy's drawing room."

Hermione started to cry again. An hour was up and Hermione hadn't changed back – she was stuck like this and the boys were going to have to see her.

A hammering started on her cubicle door. "Hermione, come out, we've got loads to tell you –"

"Go away!" Hermione squeaked, desperate for them not to see her, for her to just stay here forever.

"What's the matter? You must be back to normal by now we are…"

But Ron was interrupted by Myrtle who had joined the boys.

"Oooooooh, wait till you see, it's awful!"

Knowing that she had to come out Hermione stood up, her knees shaking. She buried her face in her robes and slid the lock back, stepping out and sobbing.

"What's up?" asked Ron uncertainty. "Have you still got Millicent's nose or something?"

Hermione gave a shuddering sob and dropped her robes down, lifting up her face. With no surprise she watched as Harry's face dropped and Ron actually backed off into the sink. Hermione started to cry heavily again, her body shaking and her voice howling.

"It was c-cat hair! M-Millicent Bulstrode m-must have a cat! And the P-Potion isn't made for animal transformations!

"Uh oh," said Ron, Hermione buried her face in her robes again.

"You'll be teased something dreadful," Myrtle said happily.

"It's OK, Hermione," Said Harry and she felt a tentative hand patting her arm. "We'll take you up to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey never asks too many question…"

"No, I'm not going anywhere!" Hermione sobbed, crying if it was possible, even harder.

"You can't stay here Hermione, and Madam Pomfrey will give you something and you'll be back to normal in no time." Ron said, taking small steps towards her.

Hermione shook her pounding head and cried. It took a long time for the boys needling her but finally Hermione stepped out of the bathroom, her robes covering her head. Harry had put an arm round her shoulders and Ron had put one round her waist – not only for comfort but also to stop her turning back. Like this they walked all the way up to the hospital wing where Madam Pomfrey stood in front of them, waiting for Hermione to drop the robes from her face again. When she did, Madam Pomfrey eyes grew round as saucers and her mouth opened in an 'oh' shape.

"Miss Granger … What did you do?" She asked her voice shocked. Hermione began to cry again and shook her head, looking down at her feet.

"Are you two going to tell me what's happened here?"

She felt Ron and Harry both shake their heads and Madam Pomfrey sighed angrily.

"Come on then Miss Granger, let's check out the damage and get you some pyjamas for the night. You two can leave now." The last sentence aimed at Harry and Ron.

Hermione's head shot up and she looked at both of them.

"You'll be fine Hermione, we'll come and see you tomorrow." Said Harry, squeezing her shoulder and withdrawing his arm. Ron also took away his and nodded.

Hermione spent most of that night crying, curled up in bed and wishing she was at home with her Mum and Dad.

AN: Not 100% happy with this chapter but wanted to put it up anyway. Poor old Hermione turning herself into a cat! Please review x