Embracing the Real Us

Author Note: Sorry for all the problems with the format, hopefully it's all fixed now, you guys should have told me sooner, silly darlin's!! OK! SO....this chapter decided to be mean and not format the way I wanted....All I can is to make the font smaller until I can fix it.
Anyway, thanks to all who have been reviewing, I love you all so very much.
Now, this chapter has my first attempt at a sex scene, don't hate me if it isn't amazing....

Oh yes, and keep letting me know what Dumbledore's fate should be and keep sending me those name suggestions!!!


Disclaimer: See first chapter.


October

Tensions between the Gryffindor and the Slytherin sixth years grew over the fall until the headmaster had had enough and gave them all detention together one night scrubbing down the Great hall. This ended with nearly half the Gryffindors in the hospital wing. Needless to say, they backed off for awhile. Some said they were plotting, but most figured they were just trying to keep off of the new Slytherins’ bad sides.

One night, in late September, during a Prefect meeting with the Head Boy and Head Girl, Draco, Hermione, Blaise, and Millicent, the four Slytherin Prefects, suggested a Halloween Masquerade Ball. The idea was for the students to disguise themselves as cleverly as possible, and at midnight there would be a big revealing. Then students fifth year and below would go back to their common rooms while the sixth and seventh years would get to dance for longer. The Gryffindors had something to say about that.

“What? Are you kidding? No, what we should do for Halloween is, just have the feast we usually have and then we can make a haunted house, it would much better than a dance.” Ron, who had been given the position of Prefect, only after Hermione, and Harry, had been resorted, barked after Draco and Hermione had finished their well thought out presentation on the dance.

“Of course you don’t want a ball Weasley, you can’t dance!” Hermione snapped.

“We live in a haunted house! What good would it do to have a haunted house, just walk down the hall Peeves will scare you plenty.” Draco sneered.

“I like the idea of a masquerade ball.” The Head Girl, Iona Shannon of Ravenclaw announced, trying to fend off hexes being thrown. “I think it would promote schoolwide unity very well, instead of having small parties in each common room.

“I agree. We’ll put it to a vote, those who want the masquerade ball, raise your hands.” Michael Devereaux of Slytherin, the Head Boy announced. All four prefects of Slytherin raised their hands, along with three of the Ravenclaws, the four from Hufflepuff and against Ron’s idea two of the Gryffindors. “That’s the majority; we’ll talk to Dumbledore and see what he says. I think he’ll agree.”

Draco and Hermione smirked while Ron fumed. They left the meeting happily and made their way back to their rooms.

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Once Hermione was back in the confine and privacy of her room, Layla had jumped up from her seat and had the shorter girl in her arms, kissing her passionately. Hermione’s head in her hands, she felt Hermione’s hands snaking up the back of her shirt, sliding it up her body. As they broke so Hermione could toss the offending shirt aside, Layla growled hungrily before attacking Hermione’s shirt, ripping the buttons off, desperate to feel the skin underneath.


“Oh dear god, bollocks to it!” Hermione breathed and waved her wand over their bodies, removing all offending articles of clothing.


“Much better.” Layla growled before pushing the brunette onto one of the beds. She stared down on the pale freckled body in front of her. Her eyes moving down from the soft golden brown hair and doe eyes, over those perfect pouting lips to licking her lips over those two inviting mounds topped with hard pink nipples.

“Oh for heaven’s sake woman! We’ve been waiting all bloody day for this!” Hermione whined. Layla smirked and accio’d their favorite strap on from the closet.

“I know that, but I can’t help but stare.” She purred as she snapped it around her waist, the second dildo attached to the inside sliding inside her causing her to moan. She knelt on top of the white cotton sheets and slowly, teasingly, brought her hands up her love’s smooth, pale legs. As her hands moved towards the inner thigh, Hermione was moaning an writhing in anticipation. Layla brought her mouth down and started nibbling on her upper thigh before bringing her hands in to open them. Hermione groaned and bit on her bottom lip as she watched the auburn haired witch with hunger and lust in her eyes.

The former Gryffindor nearly bucked when Layla’s hands nearly touched her clit before moving lower on her legs opening them wider. Slowly she brought her hands up over Hermione’s hips, grazing past her stomach, to brush her palms over the other teen’s hard and sensitive nipples causing her to gasp and buck her hips.

“You are so beautiful when you do that.” Hermione grabbed Layla’s neck and pulled her down into a fierce, hungry kiss. Thrusting her tongue into the other girl’s mouth, Layla surrendered control as she positioned herself at Hermione’s entrance and thrust inside her hard earning a gasp and moan from her lover. Layla smirked down at the girl and trailed kisses down her neck.

“Would you move, you’re killing me.” Hermione growled and Layla laughed before slowly pulling almost entirely out and thrusting back in. Hermione nearly screamed in pleasure and brought her mouth up to one of Layla’s large breasts heaving above her head. Layla gasped and stopped thrusting for a moment before picking up speed, pumping the strap on deeper inside her lover, causing the dildo inside herself to hit her clit at every thrust.

Soon both girls were moving faster together, Hermione’s hips bucking wildly as Layla brought one hand down to stimulate her clit. A moment later Hermione was screaming in orgasm, bringing Layla to her own. She fell panting on top of Hermione.

“Next time, you’re doing all the work.” Layla laughed before vanishing the strap on.

“You always say that, and yet you can’t get enough of me.” Hermione sighed after she cast cleansing spell on them both. Layla shifted so she could wrap her arms around the smaller girl.

“And I thought Draco was lazy.” Layla muttered teasingly.

“You love me and you know it.”

“That I do darlin’, that I do.”

“I love you too.” Hermione yawned before falling asleep her head nestled comfortably in the crook of Layla’s neck.

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During the fall, whenever they could the four teens were together practicing working with their powers together. Together their powers grew and as individuals they grew even stronger. They spent hours together in the library researching how their magic could be used together. However, they still had no idea how to kill Voldemort; they only hoped the answer would come to them soon. It was on one such evening after their practice and Draco and Hermione were heading out to make their nightly rounds together that Draco finally asked her something he’d been longing to.

They were heading up to the higher level of the dungeons and Draco turned to Hermione, worry and concern evident in his eyes. He put a hand on her shoulder.

“Hermione, I know that you don’t want me to know, but, I have to know if what I think is right.” She looked up at him.

“Well then, what do you think?”

“I can’t help but think that you’re not going to make much longer than it takes to defeat Voldemort. That something is killing you, but you being the stubborn witch you are, are refusing to admit defeat until he’s gone.”

“Well, you’re right, I am a stubborn witch. Look, there’s no use getting all depressed over it, okay? I mean, yeah, I’m going to die, but at least I get to spend what time I have as myself, with the woman I love and my two best boys.” She smiled wearily.

“I can accept that. When are you going to tell Layla?”

“When she’s ready to hear it. Now, for your interrogation, have you and Harry finally gotten past the hand holding stage?” Draco blushed.

“Yes, and that’s all I’m saying.” Draco smirked at her, Hermione looped her arm through his and they finished their rounds talking and laughing.

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Harry spent a great deal of his free time with his fathers, getting to know James, who had visited the minister of magic and informed him that he was alive, and learning who Severus really was. James tried to make up for lost time, with both Harry and Severus. After hearing Hermione’s side of what happened the night of his rescue, the whole group rethought their opinions of the old man. Dumbledore sensed his impending doom in regards to his former prodigy and in the confines of his office he began to plot his next few steps. Meanwhile, Draco and Harry spent increasing amounts of time together. The two shared endless hours hiding together discreet parts of the castle or just talking after one of Harry’s nightmares. Their relationship had not progressed as far as sex, but Harry had a plan for what was going to happen after the ball.

Layla and Hermione decided to go in coordinating costumes. Hermione charmed herself taller to match her girlfriend’s stature, and then she did her hair to a jet black color while Layla did hers to a stark white. Both girls lengthened and straightened their hair. Along with altering their facial structures, Hermione charmed her eyes to a silver color and Layla hers to a deep gold. Finally, Layla walked from her bedroom wearing a white empire cut, off the shoulder dress with a layer of sheer, gold silk overlaying the skirt and a gold choker around her neck. Hermione followed in a black strapless empire cut dress with a silver layer in the asymmetrical hem and a mass of silver bracelets on each wrist. Tapping her spiked heels Hermione stood next to Layla waiting impatiently for the boys to finish up.

“Lay, you know that Draco is going to keep Harry in there until he is completely satisfied with him, despite his ability to dress himself.” Hermione giggled.

“I know, but I didn’t think it would take this long. My darling cousin is a perfectionist, but this is ridiculous, it took us long enough…” Layla was cut off by footsteps coming down the hall. A moment later two punk rockers came walking into the common room. Hermione and Layla gaped at them. The taller of the two had neon orange hair with black tips up in numerous high spikes across his head. His eyes were charmed to appear cat like and he was wearing heavy black eyeliner and lipstick. He had combat boots, and tight jeans with a studded leather belt. Over his bear muscular chest he wore a studded leather jacket. Next to him stood a teen with black rooted crimson hair styled long in front of his face and cut shorter and spiked in the back. His eyes were now dark brown almost in black color surrounded by thick red eyeliner and black lipstick on his lips. He wore a black sheer muscle tank with a bright red tie loosely around his neck. Red and black plaid pants covered his legs with a belt of muggle bullets on his hips and hi-tops on his feet. The girls couldn’t figure out which teen was Harry and which was Draco, so they stared on in confusion, just as the two boys stared at them.

“What are you two supposed to be?” The orange haired one finally spoke.

“We’re goddesses. Can’t you tell?” Layla posed.

“Layla.” The two boys said in unison.

“I told you your personality was too hard to hide.” Hermione teased. “Now, are you two going to tell us which is which, or are you going to make us guess?”

“Oh, I think you’re going to have to guess my dears.” Draco smirked at them.

“Well let’s see then, you could either tell us, or I could start talking about something that a certain someone doesn’t want me to talk about.” Hermione threatened. The taller of the two, with the orange spikes glared at the girl.

“You will keep that mouth shut miss.” He growled at his best friend.

“Ha Ha. I win.” She cheered and clapped her hands together. “That one’s Harry.” She pointed to him.

“What was she talking about Harry?”

“Never you mind that, let’s go party.” The group headed down to the Great Hall for the ball. When they entered they saw that all the long tables had been removed and small circular ones were scattered against the walls. There was a mass of bodies dancing in the middle of the room to some muggle music Dumbledore found he liked. Currently, Footloose was playing. Harry could see his dad and Severus in their costumes at the head table, his dad was dressed as the Phantom of the opera and Severus was an angel, against his will he claimed. Remus was there dressed as the old wolf man from the old black and white film. Sirius was still forced to be Snuffles in public as Dumbledore had claimed that it was better to keep his presence a secret for the moment. Dumbledore was disguised as a phoenix and McGonagall was dressed as Dumbledore.

Harry, Draco, Layla and Hermione quickly made their way onto the dance floor and melded into each other. For over an hour the four stayed on the dance floor laughing and carrying on as if they didn’t know that one of their greatest enemies was standing watch over them.

“You’re a better dancer than I expected.” Draco whispered during a slow song.

“I have a surprise for you after the big reveal. I think you’ll like it.” Harry whispered seductively in Draco’s ear. The shorter teen shivered slightly with excitement.

“Oh really?”

“Oh yes. But you’re going to have to wait for it.” Harry teased.

Across the room at the tables, Layla and Hermione were taking a break from dancing. Hermione was sipping on a glass of pumpkin juice and Layla was staring at her girlfriend.

“Hermione, when are we going to talk about this thing that you keep running off about, this thing that Harry knows about that you won’t tell me?” Hermione looked up to meet the other girl’s gaze.

“I was planning on telling you, but I just never figured out when would be a good time. I suppose now is as good as any, come with me and let’s take a walk.” Hermione stood and led her across the dance floor to the balcony over looking the gardens. Harry turned as they passed and he knew by the look in her eyes what they were going to do. Once on the balcony Hermione stood leaning on the rail.

“I love you, you know?” She whispered and Layla moved forward to touch her, but Hermione moved away. “I just want you to know that I love you before I keep going. All of the times where I go off and don’t tell you where, I’m going to Madam Pomfrey, or sometimes Professor Snape. The two of them are constantly brewing and updating my medication. I have to take a potion every couple of hours just to keep the pain down to a bearable level.” Layla looked on her girlfriend with tears in her eyes.

“With all the things magic can do and has been able to accomplish, potions that can re-grow bones, spells that can fix them in split seconds, the one thing that no one can seem to fix is cancer. I have cancer Layla, and I’m dying. Only my parents, Harry, Draco, Madam Pomfrey and Snape know about it. I don’t want people to feel sorry for me and I don’t need any special treatment, I just want to help Harry beat that bastard. And I wish that I could spend more time with you, but I can’t. I don’t know how long my body will be able to keep fighting it, but I’m going to keep going as long as I can, and I hope that you’ll be there with me.” Hermione declared with tears falling down her cheeks. Layla pulled Hermione into her arms and began to cry herself.

“I love you too. And Hermione, I hate to tell you, you’re stuck with me gorgeous, there is no getting rid of me.” Hermione laughed teary eyed and clung to her lover.

It was almost midnight when the two rejoined the ball. Harry smiled softly on them as they entered and took their seats. Dumbledore stood with his red and gold wings spreading out behind him.

“Students, if you will, it is now midnight and I’m sure everyone is curious as to the identities of those they have been dancing with all evening.” He smiled. “If you will, you may unmask yourselves.” With that everyone removed masks, or took off their glamour charms. The calm silence erupted into laughter and screams. Amidst the chaos, the Slytherins slowly made their way from the room group by group. There was to be a house party in the dungeons that night for all the Slytherins. However, as the excitement grew and students were racing to the empty classroom Harry was leading Draco back to their room. Layla looked at Hermione with a raised eyebrow.

“Let’s just say that we no longer need to lock them in a closet.” Hermione smiled as Layla began to laugh.

“Then let’s let them go at it.” She said and led her off to the party. Some of the other sixth years were wondering where Slytherin’s two favorite sons were off to and all Hermione and Layla could do was laugh. The meaning was not lost on their friends and soon all were toasting to the end of the waiting for the two boys to finally get together officially.


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Harry led Draco with his hands over his eyes, into the bedroom he’d had Dobby decorate during the ball. When he removed his hands, Draco gasped at the sight in front of him. Their two beds were transfigured into one large bed with emerald green, silk sheets on it. The only light in the room coming from dozens of candles floating around the room. Harry closed the door behind him and warded it and put up silencing charms. Then he pulled Draco into his arms.

“I want you to make me yours Draco.” He whispered. Draco pulled back to look at his boyfriend.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m ready Draco, I want to be yours.” Harry pulled Draco down on the bed on top of him.

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While the party raged on, there was no one in the common room to notice the eerie pink glow coming from the two teens’ bedroom. It wasn’t until Layla and Hermione were stumbling to their own room that they noticed something different about the light coming out from under the door.

“Hermione, I know that Harry and Draco are gay, but I didn’t think that they liked pink.” Layla giggled.

“They don’t. I think I know what that is, let’s go back to the room.” Hermione rushed into their room and to her pile of books near her bed. She rummaged through them until she found the one she was looking for. She began tearing through the pages until she found the chapter she was looking for. As she scanned the pages her eyes grew wide and she began grinning like mad.

“What? What is it?” Layla asked anxiously.

“It means that our two favorite boys are soul mates. It says here that the light will split into two, kind of, mists, one pink and one red if they bond.” Hermione giggled. “It looks like we were right to want to lock them up.”

“That’s marvelous.”

“We’ll barge in on them in the morning, but right now, I just want you over here, with me, in bed.”