Matt walked into Starbucks twenty minutes late. Traffic had prevented him from arriving on time. Luckily Steve was there to cover for him. Steve had been assigned to Matt's shift once Hermione left. Matt found it strange because, well, he hadn't ever worked with another guy, and this one wasn't particularly bright.

"Twenty minutes late," said Steve as Matt put on his Starbucks apron. "That's a first! Seriously, you're never late!"

"Yeah, well I had to stop somewhere first and I hit traffic on my way back."

"Oh, I see."

"Any customers while I was gone?"

"Nope! Not a one." Matt felt relieved. Steve didn't quite know how to make any of the drinks. "So, where'd you go?"

"I," he said, "Had to stop by a friends house and ask him something."

"Couldn't you have called?"

"Well," actually he could have called from work. "It was better to ask him in person." Steve went to the back to "do something" (meaning mess around), so Matt took a seat and began to think over his time at Ron's.

What was Ron's reasoning, if he even had reasoning, and why did he take action so late? He had to have thought about it before he proposed to Hermione.

Hermione…

Poor Hermione. To think the one she loved the most would throw her around like this. She at the very least deserved to know what was going on. If Ron didn't call soon he would have to… Matt didn't know what to do. He couldn't tell Hermione that he went to talk to Ron about the breakup, but he couldn't just watch her wait around for Ron to call.

But he would have to. He'd have to wait and let them work it out themselves for if he intervened, he'd only lose friends. Yes, he did consider Ron a friend, however small a friend he might be.

Time wore on and it came closer and closer to quitting time. Matt wondered how Hermione had spent the day, but soon he would find out.

Hermione entered the coffee shop. "Hey, Matt!" she said with a smile as she approached the counter.

"Hey Hermione," he said. Hermione could see a sorrow in his eyes.

"So, I was out looking around and I thought I'd stop by and say hello."

"Looking around?"

"Yes," replied Hermione with a heavy sigh. "At apartments."

Had she really already given up on Ron? "Oh Hermione—"

"Hermione? Is that you?"

"Phillip!" Hermione's old boss entered the room. He was a nice man, but quite paranoid.

"It's wonderful to see you again, Hermione! How have you been?"

"I've been pretty good I suppose; how about you?"

"Fine, thank you, fine. Well, sorry to leave to quickly but I really must be going. Come back and say hello anytime you like!"

"I will, thanks!"

Matt chuckled after Philip left. "What," asked Hermione.

"Everyone loves you, Hermione."

"Oh, stop exaggerating."

Their smiles faded. "So why are you looking at apartments?"

"It's obvious, isn't it?" asked Hermione. "I mean, I can't continue to invade your apartment, and I don't think it would be best to live with my parents."

"Still haven't told them?"

"No."

"Hermione, why are you giving up so quickly?"

"Giving up?" she asked. "Matt, Ron gave up on me. Why waste my life waiting? He isn't going to call."

"Yes, he will."

"Matt," she said changing the subject, "I stopped by to see if you'd like to go do something after work. We could go to a late lunch or something."

"How about we stay in for the evening? We could play monopoly." Hermione chuckled. "Really, when's the last time you've played monopoly?"

"I can't even remember," she said, smiling.

"See, it'll be fun," said Matt. "And this way, if the telephone rings, we're there to answer it."

Hermione looked at him for a moment. "Alright," she said softly. How could Matt be so optimistic? "I'll see you when you get off work."

"See you then!" Hermione began to walk out. "And Hermione," she turned around. "Don't waste your time looking at anymore apartments." She smiled. Really, how could he be that positive?

………………………………………………………………………………

"That's two hundred dollars for passing go, thank you!"

The evening had come and their monopoly game was in full swing. Hermione was very focused; all that mattered now was beating Matt, which was starting to prove a challenge. Matt already had four properties, she had zero, but since his properties were of lesser value she was positive she could easily catch up.

"Hm…" thought Hermione. "I think I'll buy it!

"The Boardwalk?" questioned Matt. "That's quite an expensive place for a first time buyer."

"Yes, well, why start small?" asked Hermione, mocking Matt's properties. They chuckled.

"I hope this is the only piece of real estate you've bought today, Hermione," said Matt as he handed her the Boardwalk card.

Hermione's expression took on a sad, darker tone. Why did he have to keep bringing up Ron? "I didn't buy an apartment, Matt. At least not yet."

"Hermione, you don't have to—"

"No, I can't continue to intrude on your life, Matt. You've been far too generous. I'll go stay at Ginny's or Harry's until I can move in, or maybe I'll even stay at my parents for a while. It's about time they knew."

"Well, what about Ron? What do you think?"

"I—I don't know what to think about Ron. I mean, what can I think of him? He hasn't told me anything, and to be honest I don't care anymore."

"Hermione, I know this is hard for you. Trust me, I know, but…" How could he say this?

"But, what?"

"But, and I know you don't want to hear this, but just give him one more day."

"Why, so he can humiliate me one last time? So I can go back through everything he's already put me through?"

"So he can explain himself." Hermione stopped, "and if he doesn't come through in that one day then—then forget him, move on. Go on and move, move to the other side of England if you have to. Actually, please don't move that far away, I'd hardly ever see you again." Hermione smiled slightly. At least someone would miss her. "I'm not saying you have to get back together with him or even try to work it out, but you deserve to know what went wrong. So please, just give him one more day to prove himself. Just wait one more day."

"Waiting, I'm always waiting for him! He never has to wait for me. Never. I always knew that I loved him, but he… he was always afraid to tell me."

There was silence for a moment. Matt thought over what Hermione had said. "You said loved." Matt looked up at her. "As in you use to." Hermione looked down at her Boardwalk card. "Hermione, you don't mean to tell me that in only six days you've decided you don't love him anymore?"

Tears filled Hermione's eyes. Slowly she looked up at Matt. "I—I don't know anymore."

Happy Holidays everyone! I'll try to post the next chapter today or Sunday if I can. Next chapter we'll see what happens on that one day…