A/N: I apologize for the extreme delay in this chapter. I guess I don't have a very decent excuse, so I will just say… things have been pretty tough for me. I guess the title of this story relates more to me than it had when I first posted it. sigh Anyways, the chapter is finally here, and from now on, I will try my hardest to get more out even if they do happen to be shorter.

Chapter Three

Goodbye To You

"Goodbye to youGoodbye to everything I thought I knewYou were the one I loved

The one thing that I tried to hold on to"

("Goodbye to you", Michelle Branch)

Saturday rolled around much quicker than I would have liked. Harry called Cho back the following morning and made arrangements to have dinner at this fancy restaurant in Hogsmeade. Then we would apparate back to Wizarding London and visit this new night club that had just opened recently. I wasn't exactly looking forward to it, but Brian was coming along. It couldn't be that bad… could it?

All Saturday afternoon, I avoided Harry like the plague. He made many attempts to try to talk to me of course, but I just couldn't. I wasn't ready to tell him why I reacted as I did. I wasn't ready to hear his sympathy and how he only saw me as his best friend. I just don't understand how he hasn't figured out that my feelings toward him are more than just friendly and have been that way for quite some time now. But he does have a reputation for being daft.

It was now 5:30 on Saturday. We would be apparating to the restaurant at 7:30. I quickly showered and applied my makeup. Not too much, just mascara, light eye shadow, and light pink lip gloss. I said a spell to dry my hair and then pulled it into a French twist, with a few tendrils of hair coming down to frame my face.

Finally, I went over to my wardrobe and took out my dress. It was a black spaghetti strap dress that went a little below the knees so that my tan, slender legs were exposed. I then slipped on a pair of black high heels and headed over to my full-length mirror.

"Wonder what Harry will think?" I said out loud.

"Harry… will think nothing of it," came a voice I knew and despised so well.

"Cho, what are you doing in my room?" I asked coolly.

"You were wasting our time, so they sent me back to check on you. We were obviously waiting on nothing," she replied sending a gesture my way.

"I don't remember asking your opinion," I spat back.

"Neither do I, and as seeing that I don't really care I think it would be better for you just to say absolutely nothing at all."

"I'm not going to let you intimidate me Cho. I don't really give a damn what you think, or what you feel. So as it now looks as you're wasting our precious time, how about we-

"Everything all right in here?"

Harry had entered the room and was looking back and forth between both women. Immediately Cho ran to his side, possessively clutching his arm.

"Of course everything is okay. Why wouldn't it be, silly? I was just commenting Hermione on how wonderful she looks tonight," Cho replied sweetly.

Hermione stole a glare at Cho who grinned smugly in response.

"Are we ready then?" Harry asked unconvincingly.

"Yes," I said, causing Harry to turn his attention toward me.

I guess it was the first time he had fully acknowledged my presence, because his jaw dropped immensely. I had been waiting to see Harry's reaction, and I must say I was quite pleased. The last time he had seen me in a dress had been at the end of year ball during our 7th year at Hogwarts. But even then, it was more a robe than it was a dress.

Harry recovered after a few seconds and said, "All right then. Ron and Brian are waiting." Sure enough, a few seconds later I heard a laugh coming from outside the door.

Before walking out the door, I sent Cho an evil grin which she returned full force. I didn't think the night would be a competition, but I must admit I'm having fun already.

"Finally," came Ron's voice when he saw the three of us making our way down the hall. "I'm starved."

"When are you not, Ron?" I replied teasingly. Ron stared at me, unblinking for a few seconds. I smiled and walked over to Brian, giving him a quick kiss.

"You look beautiful, 'Mione," Brian whispered in my ear, wrapping his arm around my waist.

"You don't look so bad yourself," I flirted back, basking in my new found glory.

"You do look great, Herm," Harry whispered. I nodded my head and then turned toward Ron.

"Where's Veronica?" I questioned, referring to his date for the night.

"Oh, she's meeting us at the restaurant," Ron replied.

I gave a small "oh" and walked out of the flat and began walking down the street to the apparition point that would take us to Hogsmeade. I stole a glance at Harry and Cho. Already, Cho had her hand secured tightly in his. I found that I couldn't tear my gaze away from their entwined hands. Cho finally noticed my staring and gave me a smug grin. I quickly turned away before I made an even bigger fool of myself.

Dinner went quite well; accept for the occasional "displays of affection" Harry and Cho were sharing. I was on a mission to not let my damn feelings get the best of me, so I copied their actions. Brian and I mimicked their every move. Brian was surprised at first, but he soon got over it.

Cho, on the other hand, knew what I had up my sleeve. So in reply, she took things a little far. That's where I drew the line. I was not going to stoop that low. She shot me a victorious look and continued on with her…escapade.

Really, I'm surprised she hasn't told Harry how I feel about him. But knowing him he would probably laugh it off and not believe her. Or… maybe she is afraid. Maybe she's afraid he might, for some reason, love me back. Oh, stop with the daydreaming, Hermione. You know that's not true. Stop getting our hopes up; it only makes reality come crashing down harder.

Finally, we arrived at the club. To say it was crowded was an understatement. The bar was packed full of people, and so was the dance floor. Ron and Veronica paid no heed. He immediately whisked her off to the floor and they began dancing.

"Care to join them, Hermione?" Brian whispered in my ear.

I really ought to give more credit to Brian. He really cares about me and my feelings. He doesn't even call me 'Mione… most of the time. Yes, I was lucky to have someone like him.

"Can we get a drink first?" I asked him innocently.

"Coming right up, love," he replied and set of to buy the drinks.

Knowing he would be a few minutes, I took a seat at an unoccupied table. Unlike me, Cho wasted no time on getting Harry out on the dance floor.

I took the time to study them. Harry really did look happy with her. It was times like these I felt guilty. For so many years of his life, Harry had to live with the fear of Voldemort constantly on his mind. And now that he is free of that, who am I to steal that happiness away from him?

I sighed and pushed a stray lock of hair out of my face. Maybe I should just let him go. He's happy and I don't want to feel guilty anymore. I love him so much, and I know that will never change, but I have to. I owe it to him, and to Brian. Brian gave me a chance when Harry wouldn't. Brian loves me for who I am, and I should return that love as much as I can. Maybe someday I will muster up the courage to tell Harry. But by then I plan to have fully gotten over him. I'm done wasting my time on someone who obviously does not give an inkling of a thought about me. I'm done crying over a guy who never even gave me something to really cry about in the first place.

My mum always told me, "Never cry over someone who will not cry over you." Well mum, I plan to do just that. Things are definitely going to be different from now on… I promise.

I sighed once again. I turned my gaze away from "them" and looked down at the table. Before my mind could wander off again, Brian returned with the drinks.

"Thanks," I said huskily.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked my softly, placing a gentle hand atop mine.

"I'm fine, I was just thinking," I replied absent-mindedly.

"About what?" he asked, concern written across his handsome face.

"Oh- um… nothing really, just-

"Hey, why aren't you two… oh."

I turned my head quickly and saw Harry and Cho had approached our table.

"Sorry," Harry muttered quietly.

Perfect timing, Harry. I breathed a sigh of relief, all the while praying that Brian would not bring up that particular subject again later.

"Its okay, Harry. Are you up for a dance now, Hermione?" Brian asked me, turning his attention back to me.

"Sure," I answered, hoping to keep his mind off our earlier topic of conversation.

Brian and I stood up from our table and made our way to the dance floor. Harry and Cho replaced our spots at the table, obviously taking a break from dancing.

I had never been a great dancer, but with Brian's help it went smoothly. I was having a great time with a man who loved me. I should be happy. I am happy, scratch that last thought. I am happy, and it's not because of Harry. Not even he was going to stop me this time.

"You're history, Harry."

"What was that, Hermione?"

Damn, did I say that out loud?

"Nothing Brian, absolutely nothing," I replied convincingly, giving him my best smile.

I don't need you anymore, Harry. Those times are over. You had your chance. Eleven damn years, Harry. I waited for you eleven years. I can't live like this anymore. I love you, Harry I really do, but I can't sit around and wait for you forever. Maybe someday I will tell you how I once felt. Maybe you will laugh; maybe you will wonder why I didn't say something sooner. But as of right now… I'm fed up with feeling this way. I'm sick of the heartache of never being good enough for you. I've found someone who loves me for who I am, and I'm not letting that slip away from me.

"Goodbye, Harry."

And in a sense, it really was goodbye.