Title – Raw

By – Isabel (ChunkyLvr)

Rating – R

Summary – Harry and Herm are the perfect couple. Like waaay perfect. Draco and Chloe are the quintessential rebellious couple – always being scolded for snogging at breakfast. Herm's determined to step outside the box for once; Draco's not the most faithful life partner. Forget their other halves – these guys are drawn to each other!! And with one measly common room between them, what could possibly keep them apart?! D/Hr

Disclaimer – I honestly don't own Harry Potter. Uh-huh.

Chapter Two – Harry: There He Goes

"Hey Harry," Ron Weasley said with a grin, patting his long-time friend and confidante on the back. "How you going?"

"Mmm," Harry mused, "pretty shit."

The two boys were standing awkwardly in the centre of the Gryffindor common room and Ron wordlessly managed to convey his desire to take a seat away from the chaos. Harry nodded towards the armchairs at the back of the room and the two boys strode towards them. They sat and Ron gave Harry a sympathetic look.

"Hey man, it's not all bad," he began. "You and Hermione will work it out."

"Yeah?" said Harry, an eyebrow raised. "Maybe we shouldn't this time …"

Ron stared. "I thought you loved her."

"I do," Harry said, "but she doesn't love me. That I know."

Ron crinkled his forehead. "But how do you know? She does love you, Harry; she just has a weird way of showing it."

"Look, it's not about the whole seat thing," Harry explained, "and I admit, I was being a little scary boyfriend about it all but … I can just tell. Like a part of her is looking for a way out or something."

Ron frowned and patted Harry's shoulder. "She isn't, trust me. She's just going through a stage."

Harry shrugged. "Think what you like but I know it won't last. It might end tomorrow; it might end in a few years. But she's not happy, I can tell."

"Well, buy her flowers, Harry! Chocolate! Jewellery—girls like pretty things," Ron advised, nodding.

"Ron, you don't get it! I can't buy her love, we both know that. The truth is, she doesn't love me and she never has … no more than a good friend anyway."

Harry sighed and looked away. It was somewhat of a relief to get his feelings all out in the open, but at the same time very upsetting, considering how the impact of his words were hitting him now. It was frustrating, also, because no one seemed to get it! Everyone saw Hermione and Harry as the ones to last the distance. God, they probably saw them as this generation's Lilly and James! But Harry knew different and no matter how much everyone contradicted his feelings he was certain he had the right idea. Hermione was not in love with him. But she cared about him, about their friendship, Harry knew. Otherwise, it'd all be over by now.

"But Harry," Ron began, "you and Hermione are the perfect couple. You can't break up."

"Oh, sorry, Ron, I didn't realise I needed your permission," said Harry sarcastically, "perhaps I could get you a form and you could sign along the dotted line."

Ron shot him a nasty and aggravated look, but he continued, "If you break up, Harry, it won't be the same. You know, with the three of us, I mean. We probably won't be able to hang out together anymore. C'mon, it'll ruin everything."

"Glad to see you're being so selfish, Ron, for a moment there I thought you were actually going to be helpful," Harry retorted. He was positive know no one was going to actually be helpful in the least.

"Don't be an arse, Harry," said Ron quietly. "I was just … I'm sorry."

Harry immediately regretted his earlier statement. God, he was talking to Ron here! Nothing he ever wanted to say really came out the way he intended. Ron would never intentionally rile Harry's feathers or be a bit of dunce.

"Yeah, well, I'm just in a bad mood that's all," Harry said and gave his best friend a small smile.

Bad mood was an understatement. He was ever so slowly losing the love of his life and his best friend in the whole wide was entirely unaware of his pain. He wanted to hate Hermione for doing this to him, but he couldn't. Everytime she smiled or looked at him he felt himself loving her more and more. And she had no idea.

"Mmm," was all Ron said. He looked thoughtful.

"Anyway, Ron, when was the last time the three of us hung out together as friends?" Harry asked. "You and Herm have got your duties as Hogwarts leaders and I'm just … here, trying to figure out the massive mess that I've gotten myself into."

"You could hang out with Neville," said Ron with a shrug, "he never has anything to do."

"Thanks for the idea, Ron, but I rather like being a loner," Harry replied, "it gives me time to piece things together."

"Maybe you should talk to her," said Ron, considering Harry's words.

"Who?" Harry asked, even though he was entirely aware who Ron was talking about.

"Hermione, you prat," Ron said with a roll of his eyes.

"Oh," said Harry.

"Is that all you have to say?" Ron said, looking immensely annoyed. "Oh? Well, that's bloody intelligent, Potter."

Harry laughed. He needed that. He needed laughter—it made him forget sometimes. You know, how screwed up his life actually was. He was laughing at the fact that Ron had called him 'Potter'. Ron only tended to do that when he was rather annoyed at Harry and was trying to get his point across. Although, it always sounded forced and meaningless—nothing like the taunts Malfoy had point him through in his earlier years. That was what made him laugh.

"Okay, okay, calm down, Weasley," said Harry, trying to keep the laughter out of his voice. Ron looked scandalised. Harry laughed again. "All right, so I go and talk to Hermione, what the bloody hell do I say?"

"Umm." Ron tapped a long finger on the side of his face. "How about 'so, do you love me or not?'"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Well, that's ridiculous, Ron, of course she's going to say yes."

"Ah, yes, but she's a terrible liar," Ron contradicted. "Remember last year when you were planning my secret birthday party? Well, I could tell she was lying, see? She always looks away, links her fingers together and clenches and then when she says something, her nostrils flare like mad. That's why I had to feign surprise."

"Oh, really?" said Harry genuinely shocked. He hadn't paid much attention to the signs that indicated Hermione was lying. He and the rest of the Weasley family had spent weeks planning his sixteenth birthday party and it all went down the drain thanks to Hermione's abominable lying skills.

Oh, well. Who could really give two shits about a party that happened three months ago?

"Yes, yes, all very interesting, I know," said Ron, sounding clearly disinterested. "Now did you listen to what I said?"

"Er …"

What was it? She looks away, clenches her hands and her nostrils flare when she lies. Easy.

"Sure," Harry said finally.

"All right, then," said Ron, "perhaps you should go find her."

"N-now?" Harry coughed.

Ron shrugged. "Good a time as any."

"Um, okay, I'll go," said Harry slowly.

"Excellent," said Ron, grinning from ear to ear. "You should probably go now." And before Harry could stop him, Ron had lifted him from his seat and was steering him toward the portrait hole quite easily. Ron stopped him directly in front of it. "There you go."

"There I go?"

"Go on," said Ron with a massive push. Harry felt himself tumbling through the portrait hole. Damn him.

Harry picked himself up and dusted himself off. Ron was insufferable. How he could stand him, he had no idea!

Harry walked casually through the hallway, and thought about what he was about to do. Not very much of him wanted to do it, but a small part of him wanted to know exactly what Hermione was thinking. Of course, it'd be a total invasion—or would it? It wasn't as if he was about to poison her pumpkin juice with Veritaserum. He was simply going to ask her a few questions and if she did the things Ron was positive she would, then he was royally …

… fucked.

"Um, hi?"

Harry turned. He was greeted with the sight of gorgeous sixth year, Chloe Madison, was standing apprehensively behind him.

Harry gave her a wave. "Hi."

Chloe seemed immediately more at ease. Why had she seemed scared of him? Hermione hadn't been telling horror stories about him in the girls' loo had she?

No, Hermione had her own bathroom now and she couldn't possibly be sharing horror stories about him with his absolute arch nemesis, Draco Malfoy. That would be absolutely cruel and perfectly stupid.

"Do you have any idea where Draco might be?" Chloe asked, her blue eyes looking fearful.

Harry tensed at the mention of his name. "No," he grunted.

"Oh, right," Chloe mentally slapped herself. "You don't like Draco, do you?"

Harry clenched his fists. "No. We don't tend to run in the same circles."

"Wouldn't you think he'd be in his room or something?" Chloe persisted.

Harry rubbed his eyes tiredly. "I suppose."

"Mmm," Chloe pursed her lips. "Well, thanks anyway."

Harry yawned involuntarily and almost slapped himself. Chloe cast him a hurt look. "Yeah, see ya."

Chloe didn't say anything. She turned and marched off down the hall. When she was out of sight, Harry did slap himself. Jeez, just because his life was falling apart gave him no excuse to be such an arse.

Harry decided he wouldn't see Hermione this afternoon. It would have to happen eventually, you know, them meeting and all. And when they did, he wouldn't say a word. He would go on living the lie he'd been living for so long.

And one day it'd all end. By that time, Harry would have been sure to move on, because if he didn't he expected the pain would hurt too much, too soon.

And then he'd have nothing left.

So, he probably should keep an eye out then.

Just a thought.

END …

Until Chapter Three …

Okay, big hugs and kisses to:

Lazy, sugarnspice522 – glad to see you found Harry so funny as Mr Perfect, gawd, it's a bit of a stretch …, estebee – I loved writing the conversations at the end, shadowdweller602 – hmm, the civil thing? Now, that's a convo topic at the moment, Mandy14, Magicall Me – duly noted, babe! Now, my brain is kinda working overtime to think of something realistic to alter their opinions, any ideas?!, CocoaFlavourPunk – nah! I'm posting with your fantastic seven reviews! Now, lemme go check 4 grama mistakz …

Yeah, I know I said I'd post with eight reviews, but I'm obsessed with this story now!! Oh, and for anyone who was wondering the last chapter was 1 Brain Activity. The percentage thing was cut out for some reason … er; I'm changing the summary a bit, so … yeah. Keep reviewing!! Oh, and if you've reviewed before this chapter was posted and it's not up there, sorry!! I'll put ya up next chappie!!

Luv you all!!

Isabel ;-)