Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter no matter how much money I offered

A/N: Still focused on Hermione, I know, I'm sorry. I'll try and give Harry some attention if I can.

HEY! LONG TIME NO READ! Finally and update (sorry for the long wait !), anyway, its late so this chapter might be a bit weird, possibly boring. I'm done with the edits for now, so I'm gonna continue with the actual story for now on.

One of the Guys

Chapter Seventeen

Lonely Hearts I

Hermione shied away from any touch and did all that she could to keep her eyes away from Evie. Several days have passed and Hermione was still afraid to tell Ginny. She felt dirty and unclean for keeping her attraction a secret but at the same time it wasn't Ginny's business.

In fact, Hermione wasn't sure if she was attracted to women. After her revelation several nights ago, she tried to test it by letting her eyes wonder but 'Little Matt' didn't pop up to play, not even when Ginny hugged her. But there was something special about Evie, something not quite right. 'Love potion? I am feeling a little obsessed right now,' but, where could Evie get a love potion? They were illegal, and no offense to Evie's intelligence, but damn hard to make.

Hermione even tried a variable in her experiment and gazed at Ron in the bathroom. He didn't see her peeking through the stalls, but she had to admit (grudgingly) Ron had a cute butt. She found it kind of funny that when he was using the urinal (hopefully pissing) that Ron like to take his pants completely off and rest them on the sink. It was also funny when Seamus came in and got a nosebleed. It took all of Hermione's willpower not to break out giggling. Poor Seamus.

So that was why Hermione was camping out behind a statue. Evie had walked by two minutes ago but stopped to tie her shoelaces (for two whole minutes). 'How long does it take for someone to tie her shoes? 'Maybe she doesn't know how?' Hermione instantly felt bad about the joke but became caught up in the vision of herself coming to Evie's rescue and tying the laces for her.

Evie finally straightened up and yawned before scratching her stomach and walking off. Hermione was reminded of Ron who always did the classic yawn and belly-rub. "Wow, they must be rubbing off on each other."

She walked out from behind the statue and peered around the corner.

Evie was standing next to Lavender (Hermione had tried the test on Lavender and was proud to say she had no reaction especially to Lavender throwing herself at her) and Ron.

"Today's Friday!" Lavender sang joyously.

"Hmm," Ron grunted.

"Freedom! What are your plans for tomorrow?" Evie asked Lavender after giving Ron a worried glance.

Lavender shrugged, "Busy. I have a study session with Neville."

Evie nodded. "You two are close," She commented.

Lavender shrugged. "He's okay once you get passed the stuttering, but nothing compared to Mathieu!" Hermione's heart fluttered when she saw the raven haired girl blush.

"He's nothing much…" Evie muttered.

"…I was cuter," Harry mumbled, "Much cuter than any French guy."

Lavender laughed, "Oh Harry, you're such a virgin." Harry blushed and choked on air.

"Shut up. You're so vulgar," Harry cried. He shoved Lavender before crossing his arms and leaning against the wall in mock anger. His massive mood swings ended days ago and his period ended last night (Thank Merlin): He was tired of destroying underwear and shoving things in places he was quite terrified of.

Ron suddenly jerked and glared at Lavender, "Are you playing around with Ginny's boyfriend?"

"…" Lavender stared at Ron with her jaw dropped before making a strange noise that resembled a butchered 'No' before storming away.

"Wow, Ron," Harry laughed at his flabbergasted friend. "Delayed reaction much?"

Ron just deflated. "Sorry, I'm just so tired."

Harry kind of laughed at how easy he got over the Lavender/Neville fling but then frowned at how down Ron looked. His mood must be really down if he can't even summon enough strength to care even a little bit about Ginny's love life.

"Ron, what's wrong?" Harry asked.

Ron shrugged, "Nothing, honest."

Harry nodded but he didn't think nothing was bothering Ron. No, he heard the rumor about Hannah dumping him. Hannah was dead silent on the subject but somehow word got out. Harry decided against asking Ron about the situation. He'd let his friend come to him when he was ready.

"Soo…" Harry whistled, "I'm getting pretty sick of being a," He glanced around to make sure no one was close by, "a girl."

Ron snorted. "I don't know how you lasted so far."

Harry shrugged, "I just have bigger balls then you."

Ron laughed and Harry smiled at seeing his friend in a better mood.

"Don't be so high and mighty," Ron laughed, "Your balls just look better in skirt, that's all."

Hermione was a bit horrified with the discussion. Evie was quite vulgar with Ron. She closed her eyes and leaned against the wall. She needed to end the silent treatment. They needed to be friends. Hermione's heart felt strained at their distance.

She heard their conversation about balls trail off and then Ron saying goodbye. Good, Evie was alone.

Hermione opened her eyes and saw Evie on the move.

"Hey! Evie, wait," Hermione called, quickly gathering her senses.

Evie tensed before slowly turning around.

Harry squeezed his eyes shut when he heard the familiar voice call to him.

'Oh no,' He thought, embarrassed. He still felt slightly horrified with himself at his behavior towards Mathieu, but he was too proud to apologize. He also didn't need to be fueling his inappropriate feelings to other boy.

He slowly turned around and met the curly haired boy's eyes.

Mathieu was very nervous, Harry could tell. He played with hand before taking a deep breath.

"Evie, please don't stay mad at me," He said.

Harry frowned and felt slightly guilty. But the feelings…

"I wasn't trying to be mean to you, I just, I'm sorry," Mathieu said and took Harry's hand.

Harry nodded and glanced at their clasped hands. What the hell? THE FEELINGS! He tugged at his hand and Mathieu let go quickly, blushing. Harry blushed too, and sighed. Poor Matt looked so strung up about the situation and Harry felt guilty (it was his fault) and decided to let the logic not tainted by estrogen seep into his brain.

"Don't apologize," Harry sighed. "I was crazy with…y'know and Seamus was looking at me funny and it was pissing me off."

Mathieu smiled, "Yeah…it's all Seamus' fault."

Harry nodded, "Yeah, it is."

They stayed pleasantly silent for a bit until Mathieu broke the silence.

"So we're friends?" He asked and Harry nodded.

"Yeah, I guess."

"You're confidence lifts my spirit," Mathieu joked awkwardly.

"Ok…" Harry nodded awkwardly. Very awkwardly. "I gotta go. Class…"

Mathieu nodded. "I've got class too…with you…"

"Great," Harry faked enthusiasm. 'Not! This is so awkward.'

Hermione was still mad about the hand situation: Mad at herself for grabbing it, and mad at Evie for pulling away, and mad the world for existing!

But despite Evie's less-than-stellar-enthusiasm at their burgeoning friendship, she was determined to make it work. Evie would have to deal!

"I've got class too…with you…" Hermione said.

"Great," Evie said slowly.

Hermione frowned and smirked at the same time. It was a weird expression but she wore it all the same. 'Evie better stuff it. Now that she accepted my apology, I'm gonna be stuck to her side like glue!'

Ron wandered the halls with no intention of going to class. He was humming a song and continuing with his depressed, broken-hearted behavior. A few girls shot him hopeful expressions but he ignored them…almost. He smiled, picked up a few potential dates, but nothing filled the whole in his chest.

He stopped beside a Knight's armor and slid to floor. "Man, you're lucky you're made of iron. Nothing can penetrate to your heart."

The armor squeaked in response.

"Yeah, me too, man," Ron sighed, "me too."

"Feeling sorry for yourself, still?" A voice called.

Guess who?