Hogsmeade
'If Ron is late I'm going to kill him." Hermione fumed.
"No your not Hermione" Ginny smirked. "He will give you one of those lopsided grins and you will forgive him on the spot."
"Maybe so but he doesn't have to know that."
"Ok ladies shall we go?" they heard Harry say.
They turned to see Harry and Ron walking up to them.
"Oh Ron you look terrible." Hermione blurted.
'Hmmm I spent a lot of time trying to match my shirt and pants, sorry."
Hermione walked up to him and ran her hand down his face "No silly I mean you look like your still not sleeping."
"It's getting better, it really is."
"Ron we don't have to spend a lot of time in Hogsmeade. We could just do our prefect duties and then come back to the castle so we can rest."
"Oh no we can't, I have a surprise for you in Hogsmeade. In fact I have already been there once today."
"Ron you know I hate surprises." Hermione smiled.
"No you don't Hermione, you love it when my big brother surprises you." Ginny taunted.
They started off walking to Hogsmeade leading the third years along.
"Ginny if you don't stop acting like a prat I'm not going to let you see our house."
Hermione looked concerned "Our house...it sounds so...so...."
"So Right" Ron said only low enough so only the four of them heard it.
Hermione looked at him "I was worried that us having a house would freak you out."
Ron laughed "On the contrary Miss Granger it is a wonderful thing."
"At least you aren't calling her Mrs. Weasley yet" Ginny taunted.
Ron and Hermione just kept walking.
After a minute or so of silence Harry spoke up.
"So you are going to let us see the place today right?"
Ron looked back at him "Yep I have already been there today."
Hermione looked at him "You have?"
"Yeah well I only went into the kitchen. I wanted to see the rest of it with you."
Hermione smiled and reached for Ron's hand.
'So why did you want to go to the kitchen?"
'Well it's part of my surprise."
They arrived in Hogsmeade and showed the third years quickly around the village.
Then they followed Ron to the cottage.
As they walked up to the cottage Hermione started to cry. 'It's beautiful Ron."
"Yeah I have to agree."
It was a small cottage with a small flower garden out front and what looked like a small fenced in backyard.
When they got to the door Ron picked up Hermione and carried her inside. He sat her down in the living room and she looked up at him.
"Sorry if I surprised you, it just seemed right."
Harry and Ginny laughed.
"Hermione girl you have my great big brother wrapped around your little finger." Ginny laughed.
At that moment a small house elf popped into view.
"Greetings Master I mean Ron."
"Good morning Lolly. Lolly this is Hermione she will also live here. Hermione this is Lolly, our free house elf."
When Ron said free with a lot of emphasis Hermione began to smile.
"So Lolly we are paying you and you get time off and everything?"
"Yes mistress, Ron has explained everything and I am looking forward to serving you."
"Lolly please call me Hermione and thank you for becoming part of our household."
Lolly looked up "Ron everything is ready."
'Thank you Lolly. Lolly this is Harry and Ginny they are welcome here anytime they wish to visit."
Lolly looked at them and bowed a bit.
"Ok guys this way."
They followed Ron into the kitchen where a small meal and been set up.
"I just figured that as the new mistress of the house you might want to have a small celebration Hermione. Oh Neville and Luna should be joining us soon."
Hermione glowed and they all could tell she relished the part of lady of the house.
After they ate they looked around the rest of the house talking about how it was decorated and Hermione and Ginny discussed minor changes.
"So did anyone else notice that there is only one bedroom." Harry said innocently.
Both Ron and Hermione blushed and Ginny cackled.
"Well when we need to stay over I can sleep on the couch." Ron pointed out.
"I figured you would mate I was just teasing." Harry conceded.
"Harry when we get back to the castle I want to talk to you about something tonight if you have the time."
'Sure thing Ron everything ok?"
"Well I hope so but..."
At that moment Neville and Luna burst through the front door.
"Dementors in Hogsmeade and they are headed this way" Neville shouted.
"There are also some Death Eaters with them"Luna added.