It's been a long time, hasn't it? I'm sorry to leave you all for so long in the middle of the story. I became busy over the summer, and the next chapter presented a challenge for me so I could never really write it.

Anyway, I'm back and I'm hoping to finish this story soon because I owe it to all of you who have been so nice to me by actually reading and reviewing some of my silly writing.

So here's the next chapter. It's just something that had to happen to allow things to move forward. I hope you enjoy it. If not, the next update will be soon. And for once that's not an empty promise.

"Feeling better today?" asked Matt as he walked into the kitchen.

"Much better," replied Hermione, smiling.

"Good." Matt poured himself a cup of coffee. He was going to ask her. He was going to do it. But first thing in the morning? "Scrambled eggs okay for breakfast?"

"Perfect," responded Hermione, switching on the TV.

As Matt prepared breakfast he kept glancing over at Hermione. He shouldn't be nervous about asking her, and he really wasn't. After all, not too long ago she had tried to kiss him. "Hey Hermione," said Matt, turning the down to low so he could step away from the kitchen for a moment.

"Hey Matt," she responded.

"I was thinking," he began as Hermione turned to face him. And you don't have to say yes if you don't want to but," he could tell she knew what was coming. "I was wondering if I could take you out to dinner, you know, as a date."

"Okay," responded Hermione with a smile.

A smile spread across Matt's face. "Really? Okay, great. Well, is tonight okay?"

"I think I could fit it in my schedule," joked Hermione.

It's a rather odd thing, getting ready in the same apartment for a first date with someone you have been living with for weeks. But, they kept to their separate areas and when Matt "picked her up" in the living room it was quite laughable.

"I was afraid you'd get lost."

Matt took her hand and led her out the door.

He had decided to take her to a fancier restaurant than usual, but then again they weren't usually on a date. The seating was slightly secluded, though you could still hear traces of the conversations that took place around you, which gave them quite a lot to laugh about when the lady a table over began talking about her love of platypus figurines.

Dinner was a blast for both Matt and Hermione. They had great conversations, filled with laughter, and there was never a dull moment.

The night was going perfectly. You could not ask for a better first date.

Yet, it didn't feel like a date.

After dinner they went for a walk together through the park. "I must say the orange dancing platypus is my favorite," joked Matt, mimicking the conversation he and Hermione had overheard earlier.

"No, no, no! The green badminton platypus is much better."

Hermione spoke again once their laughter had ceased. "Thanks Matt," she began, "for tonight. I'm having a great time."

"Me too," responded Matt smiling. "It's nice having someone to discuss my love of the platypus with."

There was a brief silence, one of the first to occur all night. "It's weird, isn't it? This? Us being on a date?" Matt agreed.

Hermione stood in front of him. Without hesitation, she leaned in and kissed Matt. She had to know whether she really felt something for him. "Really, weird," continued Hermione with a smile.

The two friends headed home. That's what they would be, just friends. The tension between the two needed to be addressed. Now that it had been they could move it. Questions and curious thoughts no longer cluttered their minds. Their questions had been answered.

So there it is! Not too amazing, but necessary. I'm really glad to be back and look forward to continuing this story. So review and let me know you're still here! Misty