Her hair had been washed, cut to just beneath her shoulders, shot through with warm caramel and dark golden highlights, and styled into submission. It fell in shiny, bouncy waves around her face, and Hermione had been assured that the hair products she'd bought at the salon would help keep her hair this way. She had her doubts, but at least it looked very pretty for now. She fidgeted with the little silver otter dangling from the necklace she wore – her Christmas present from Ron, who had greatly improved the thoughtfulness of his gift-giving skills since their Hogwarts" days.