Hey! Sorry this has taken so long! It was a bit out of my selfishness really. Writing the last chapter was sort of like saying goodbye to Matt and all of the other characters. But, maybe it won't be goodbye. Read the authors note at the end to see what I mean!
Hermione sat with Ron on the couch in Ron's new place, her head on shoulders, his arms around her. The day had been wonderful. Ron had forgiven her, and, as odd as it was, since their relationship was formed that hadn't had such a wonderful day, a day spent so together. But, the sun had set and the day was coming to an end.
"Well," said Hermione. "I suppose I ought to get home." She said sadly. She would rather live here with Ron, but she wasn't sure he still wanted her to move in.
"Get home?" asked Ron. "But you are home." Hermione's heart melted when he said that. "Unless, of course, you don't want to move in anymore."
"No! I'd love to live here with you, but I… I wasn't sure if you still wanted me to, well…"
"Of course I do, Hermione! Why wouldn't I?"
"The whole event with Matt, that's why."
"That was a thing of the past. It's over, done with, and put away now. I can't hold it against you forever, now can I?"
"Hermione smiled snuggling closer. "I love you." She said sweetly.
"I love you too." That night Hermione feel asleep on the couch, the whole night spent in Ron's arms.
The next day…
Hermione walked into Starbucks, hoping to say her goodbyes to Matt. She walked in to find him sitting behind the counter; He stood when he saw her. "Hey." Said Hermione softly, nearly wanting to cry. She hadn't seen him for over a week. During that time she wasn't very happy with him, (she had been more sad than angry) and now that she stood face to face with him, she could hardly hold back her tears.
"Hey." He responded in the same, almost distant tone. He too seemed to be feeling the same way.
"I just wanted to say goodbye before I leave to move in with…" She trailed off. Silence filled the room.
"So he forgave you?" Hermione nodded. "Good." He paused looking down at the counter. "So I guess…I guess this is goodbye then."
Hermione couldn't hold back her tears any longer. She threw her arms around Matt, who was a bit surprised. He had nearly screwed up her life by kissing her and threatening her relationship with Ron, and then she hadn't met him at the café, but she was hugging him, crying? He placed his arms around her.
They stood there holding each other for quite some time. Both were speechless. They couldn't let go. Tears streamed down Hermione's face as she held Matt. She didn't want to say goodbye.
"I'm sorry." She said.
"Sorry for what?" asked Matt.
"For not showing up at the café, for leaving, for R—"
"Hermione, you have nothing to be sorry about." Said Matt loosening his hold on her so he could look her in the eyes. "I'm the one who is sorry. Kissing you was way out of line, and the fact that I was willing to risk the relationship you've been hoping for, for years because of what I was feeling was completely in the wrong. I haven't been myself lately, and I just want to be honest with you now. I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry for lying to you about Toni's—"
"For lying to me about Toni's? What?" Hermione let go of him. She wasn't angry, just stunned.
"I didn't flat out lie to you, I just didn't tell you the whole truth. It's not a big deal now anyway; I just want to be honest with you. Besides telling him how beautiful I thought you were, I also… I also told him how much I was in love with you." Hermione couldn't help but to hold her breath when he said that. "That's part of where he got it from. I just couldn't tell you that part then; you had gone on your first date with Ron. So, being stupid, I told you later and screwed things up when things were more serious." They both smiled at his last remark. "So are you mad at me?" His smile was irresistible.
"I could never be mad at you."
"Never?" he asked playfully.
"Never."
"I'll have to make note of that." He said jokingly.
Soon this brief moment of happiness faded, though their smiles did not. "I don't want to say goodbye." Said Hermione looking Matt in the eyes.
"Then, let's not." He said. "You know where I live and how to get a hold of me."
"So then this isn't really goodbye but…"
"Merely a temporary parting of ways."
Hermione felt so much more relieved knowing this wouldn't be their final parting. "Well I guess—I guess I'll be seeing you later then." Said Hermione.
"I guess so." Said Matt taking a seat on the counter again, grabbing a cup to start throwing up and down.
Hermione couldn't resist giving him one more, short hug before she left. "And don't forget, I'm always here for you. If you ever need anything, just stop by."
"Thanks." Said Hermione. "You know, I couldn't ask for a better friend." She wanted to say she loved him, as in loving him like a friend, but she was afraid he might take it the wrong way, which he wouldn't, so she settled with kissing him on the cheek.
"And neither could I." He added.
"So I'll see you soon, then." Said Hermione.
"Definitely." He replied with a wink.
And so Hermione left, leaving Matt sitting alone in Starbucks, playfully throwing a cup up and down, just as she had found him. Hermione didn't love him, but she was happy with Ron and Matt was ok with that. It's ok as long as she is happy, right? Maybe next summer he'd find the right girl for him, a girl who loved him too. Maybe next summer.
Hey! I can't believe it's over! Oh, I'm going to cry! So, I really hope you liked it. Personally, I'm a bit sad that I never got to write Matt and Hermione dating. It just wouldn't have worked. Hermione had to end up with Ron, and having her go back and forth between the two guys may have made her look bad.
I had several different versions of the end, but I just woke up this morning and wrote this one and decided I liked it best. I'm almost considering putting up the alternate chapters if you'd like to read them. The same thing happens, just different dialogue, different reactions, and a new employee in one of the chapters. I don't know; it might ruin it.
I was also considering put up a sequel, though I'm not completely sure what it would be about. There are a number of different things it could be. Right now I'm leaning towards Ron and Hermione having a fight, and Hermione goes to Matt for help, but that would be rather short. I'm not sure; would a sequel ruin it? Until I get it up, if I do, please check out my other stories. My favorites are I Can't Lose You, Not Like This, and Part of Me Left With You.
I just want to thank EVERYONE who has read and review my story! I nearly received one hundred reviews! That's incredible!!!!!!! I can't even tell you how happy all of you have made me! Thanks for reading my story! Until next time, farewell!