Standard disclaimers apply!

I do not own Harry Potter. I have nothing to do with Scholastic, Warner Bros or Bloomsbury. I'm not JKR and I am certainly not making any profit out of this.

Tuesday 22nd September, 1998

Gryffindor Common Room

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

My Ron (oh, I like that!)

I spoke with Ginny AND Kreacher over lunch, and they explained about Grimmauld Place. You're right; it was Kreacher who gave her the idea (who would have thought, 12 months ago?). It seems that he's missing the place (understandable, it is his home). Harry has told him he is free to stay on at Hogwarts, or to return to Grimmauld Place, as he pleases (and Professor McGonagall agrees); Kreacher has elected to stay at Hogwarts for time being, as Ginny and I are here and Grimmauld Place is uninhabited.

Kreacher's idea was that we (all four of us) could use Grimmauld Place as a town home while we are still "young and carefree" (his words). It appears he's been planning ahead, as he seems to think it would be a good place for us to use as a winter home also, and for when our children (more on this later) are at Hogwarts.

The kitchen and ground floor would be the public area, while Harry and Ginny would use the first floor and we would use the second. Kreacher believes that the third floor would be serviceable for guests ("As there are many Weasley's and friends" - that's a direct quote, incidentally) and the attic area should be converted, at a later date, for the children to use when they reach their teens.

I must say that while I was leery of the idea at first (I don't like the place any more than you do); he makes a very persuasive argument for it. It IS in a good location (although that particular street isn't especially attractive); close to the Ministry and Diagon Alley and also to muggle London. There is also the issue of it being unplottable! Kreacher is of the belief that while the Dark Lord has been vanquished, and things are a lot more peaceful than they have been for many years, it would be to ALL our advantages to maintain residence in a secure location. We have no way, at this point, to know who may be planning what (or if they're planning anything at all); but there are bound to be sections of wizarding society who are less than pleased with the fact that Voldemort was defeated, and the direction Kingsley's Ministry is taking. The four of us are potential targets, still. Particularly Harry.

I wonder if Harry is keen on the idea because it would be quite an insult to the Black family if a pair of blood-traitors and a muggle-born took up residence with Sirius' heir, which I'm quite sure would amuse Sirius greatly – particularly if the place was redecorated, which would be my one condition in regard to moving in (even if I have to do it myself).

There's another thing. I've not said anything about this to Ginny or Kreacher (although Kreacher did infer it when Ginny was talking to Neville), but I think perhaps there is a part of Harry which would like us to move in with him as a sort of extended family unit. Realistically, he didn't have any sort of family, or sense of belonging, until he came into the magical world and Hogwarts in particular. In effect we have been his family for the last eight years, particularly you, and I wonder if he's subconsciously motivated to keeping us around because he had no-one before. Just a thought.

Speaking of families. Kreacher does seem rather keen on children. Honestly, I don't quite know what to make of him sometimes, because I would never have suspected him of it. Regardless of that, he's mentioned them several times and it has started me thinking. It seems extremely pre-emptive on my part, but perhaps now is the right time to discuss it?

I do want children, just not any time soon. I would like to enjoy my youth and get my career off the ground before starting a family, and I don't want it to be a large one. Obviously sometimes things happen, but I don't intend to PLAN a large family. Having said that, I definitely want more than one; I was lonely as a child and wouldn't want to put one of my own through that. Even with cousins, I don't think it would be quite the same (I don't know, I don't have any – but you don't seem to see much of yours).

I know we've touched on the subject before, in vague terms, but I'd really like to know you're views on it.

While you're at it, tell me about work. George mentioned trying out a few new spells with you this week, for something he's developing, how's that progressing? I'm glad George decided to confront Lee and Angelina, by the way, it will be cathartic for him, and I'll admit to being curious as to how they can possibly attempt to justify their abandonment of him.

You're absolutely correct in NOT thinking about this year in terms of months. I was doing that myself, but your way is considerably less depressing.

A huge part of the attraction of moving into Grimmauld Place with you, Harry and Ginny is the idea of privacy whenever we want it ... and the luxury of waking up together at a civilised time of the morning. Maybe you can sound Harry out about what he's planning to do with the place (work and decor wise), because really the only thing holding me back is the oppressive atmosphere.

Now I've got a Charms essay to get started on as soon as I've posted this off.

I love you, My Ron.

Your Hermione.

I'm back from the wilds of "No Internet" ... and I come with "gifts", quite a few of them. If they're any good or not, is entirely up to the reader!