Hey! So here comes the chapter you've all been waiting for! The Return of Ron. This is where the story actually starts to kick in. It should be fun! I don't think I ever described Matt to you. I thought I put it in one of the last chapters, but I didn't see it, so sorry if this is repeating. Matt looks almost exactly like John Mayer on the cover of his album Heavier Things. Here it goes!
A little less than a week had passed from their day downtown, but it still lived in their minds. It had all passed quickly. Nearly everyday they would get together after work and go to lunch, or just hang out. Soon it was once again Thursday, TV Thursday.
Work ended and Hermione was free for the rest of the day. She took of the apron and wrapped it around her arm. "So are you coming to lunch?"
"Nah, I'm working another shift."
"Oh, ok. Well, I'm going to go home then. See you at seven!"
"See you!"
The next hour went by slowly for Matt. Not a customer had come, and Hermione wasn't there to talk to. Matt spent his time wiping the tables and then blenders.
While he was doing so, he was thinking about his life, this summer, and Hermione. He was so deep in thought that he didn't notice a customer walk in.
"Um, excuse me? Hello?" Matt jumped.
"Oh, sorry! What can I get for you?" asked Matt, walking to the cash register.
"Actually, I was wondering if Hermione Granger is here." Asked the tall redhead.
"Oh, actually she just left. I can give her a message though, if you want."
"No, that's ok." Matt began to wash the counter. "So do you know her?"
"Hermione? Yeah. We work the same shift. I'm just working overtime today. I'm Matt." He said extending out his hand.
"I'm Ron. Hermione and I went to school together." Replied Ron, shaking Matt's hand.
Ron, thought Matt. He must be here to tell Hermione how he… "It's nice to meet you; Hermione's talked about you."
"Oh, she has?" Ron seemed to be overcome with interest. "Do you know how I can reach her? Or where she lives?"
Do I really want to tell him? Honestly, do I? "Yeah," he said as he wrote down her address on a napkin. "She should be home by the time you get there."
"Thanks! So you two aren't…?"
"Hermione and me? No. We're just friends."
Ron seemed quite relieved. "Hey, um, I have one last question."
"Yeah?"
"You said Hermione's mentioned me. Was she saying good things or…?"
"No, she said good things." Said Matt only half lying.
"Thanks. Well, nice meeting you!" said Ron as he walked out.
"Yeah…you too…" said Matt, throwing his rag down in frustration.
Ron stopped in front of Hermione's apartment a few hours later. He had been panicking in the local park all day, but now that he was in front of her door he felt a little more at ease. He was going to do it. He was going to finally tell her how he felt after all these years, and this time he would do it. It would not be a repeat of the train station. Ron's ears turned pink at just the thought of it. He reached out and knocked the door.
"Come on in, Matt! The door's open. It's about to start!" Ron pushed the door open and stepped inside. There was no turning back now. "Oh, I wonder what she'll say!"
"Me too." Said Ron.
Hermione's head whipped around to his direction. "Ron!" she said running over to him. She threw her arms around him. "Oh it's so good to see you!"
"You too." Said Ron wrapping his arms around her.
"Here lets sit down." She said switching off the TV. "I can't believe you're here! How'd you find me?"
"I went to your parents home looking for you and they told me you had come here."
"So how've you been? Made any decisions as far as job offers?"
"It's between two offers now. I'll either start at the Ministry in the fall, or I'll manage Fred and Georges new shop in northern England when it opens in December. So what are you are going to do? Are you going to stay here or…?"
"You mean work at Starbucks? No! No, I just took it for the summer. I thought it'd be nice to kind of take a break from everything after all that's happened." Said Hermione not exactly bluffing. Ron nodded in agreement.
Matt walked up the apartment steps. He was late, but he wasn't entirely sure he should come at all. After all, Ron was probably there and well…he didn't want to see them together. He stopped outside the door when he heard voices, and listened.
"So are you in town, or you just wanted to stop by, or…?"
"Well actually I came here to… Hermione I… There's something I've been meaning to tell you for years, I…" He looked deep into her eyes. Some how that made it so much easier. Words began to spill out of his mouth. "I've known since I met you, but I didn't realize it until our fourth year. I love you Hermione. I can't stop thinking about you! I—"
Hermione put her hands on his face and pulled him into a long awaited kiss. "Wow!" whispered Ron in disbelief.
"You don't know how long I've been waiting to hear you say that."
Matt felt his heart sink. He had to leave. He couldn't think, or see straight. This was the last thing he had expected to happen. He turned around and angrily walked back down the stairs.
So there it is! Ron has finally returned. But what's going to happen with Matt? Does Matt have something to say to Hermione as well? Review and find out more! Thanks for reading!