secret Love

^^^^

Aragorn looked at them quite annoyed and envious. He hated the fact that HE couldn’t dance with his lover, while some silly little girl could.

And they were dancing close too, which the Elf didn’t seem to mind at all!

What if Legolas started to like this girl so much, that he would stay here with her in this totally different world. Or even worse! What if he would take her back home! After all his father would never approve with him being involved with a man, even if that man was he, Aragorn.

He was about to look away when something disturbing or more like shocking event occurred before his very eyes.

The girl was kissing his lover! HIS!

Or was it the other way around? Was Legolas kissing the girl??????

He didn’t even want to think about that one nor was he able to watch the scene played before him any longer. So he tried to get to the nearest exit as quickly as possible.

<<<<<<<<<<<

The girl’s kiss totally took Legolas by surprise. But as soon as he realized what he was doing and who he was doing it with, he tried to push her away immediately.

True it was quite a different kiss compared to those, which he shared with Aragorn, but that didn’t mean that he was immensely enjoying himself. No not at all, because he didn’t feel anything. It was only the fact that he felt something touching his lips, what made him aware that the girl was kissing him. When he had finally put everything in perspective and realized exactly what he was doing, he pushed her away even harder this time, succeeding in separating her from himself this time. He looked at her still a little dazed.

What had he done? Or rather what had she done?

I should have seen it coming! He scolded himself.

He looked around in search of Aragorn. As soon as he spotted him, he knew that he had witnessed the entire event, well at least the kissing part that is.

“Estel wait! Please let me explain!” He yelled, but either Aragorn didn’t hear him or decided to ignore him, because he didn’t turn around or halted his steps.

Legolas followed him outside as quickly as he could.

When they were both running through the grass, he called him again:

“Melamin, please wait!”

Aragorn just stubbornly walked on until finally Legolas made him stop by jumping in front of him and grabbing his shoulders hard.

“Aragorn listen to me.” Legolas begged of him. “She took me by surprise, trust me.”

Aragorn finally looked at him: “Trust you? How can I possible trust you when you do something like that?”

“But you have got to believe me. Please love, I would never ever do something like that intentionally to you.” The Elf told him, almost breaking down in tears.

Aragorn looked at him closely, doubt showing in his eyes. He was about to say something, when he saw Legolas paling considerably, while he stared at something behind the Man.

“Legolas what is the matter?”

The Prince had started to shake a little now.

“I do not know. There is a foul presence nearby and it is moving towards us. I believe it are those Dementors, Albus warned us about.

“Come let us warn the others.” Aragorn said, grabbing the Elf’s hand and dragging him along.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Meanwhile inside Hogwarts……

I miss you – Bryan McKnight

When Severus finished singing and playing the song, he received a thundering applause from the crowd. Merlin, this is really tiring, he thought, getting up from behind the piano to get some water. He was drained and maybe the simple liquid would revitalise him enough so he could at least make it back to his chambers to collapse. When he walked across the stage, Dumbledore suddenly appeared, who put an arm around him and dragged him to the middle of the stage, while whispering in his ear:

“This is for your own good. You promised Voldemort you would do something to give your image a boost, but this isn’t helping. So…”

“Ladies and Gentleman, please give a warm applaud for the man who is one of the mean reasons why we could held this party tonight. He has helped the students with their performances by writing their lyrics and music and giving them strength to go on.” Albus began. “I’m sure every one of you wonders who this person is. It is no other than our very own Professor Snape!”

In the moment that followed Severus seemed to float above the floor. His robes were fluttering around him like there was this small hurricane blowing and he was in its eye.

Energy just crackled around him and it looked like he was about to burst at any minute.

But somehow he got a hold of himself and slowly the power surging around him started to fate, leaving him trembling and as white as a ghost on the podium, while a few stray tears streamed down his cheeks. He brushed them away quickly. He had never been so terrified, ashamed, hurt, angry, upset, disgusted and many other things in his life. There were so many emotions running through him that he just didn’t know at which one to react.

How could Albus have done this to me? He knows how difficult it was for me to open up like this and sharing these private lyrics and feelings with everyone. I especially begged him not to tell that I had anything to do with the performances. I wouldn’t have done it otherwise. Even if Voldemort would have threatened to kill if I didn’t obey his orders, I still wouldn’t.

I would be dead anyway if anyone heard and saw me liked this and now…… now they have.

Severus just stared at Albus the whole time, still not completely grasping everything he had just heard. He shook his head in confusion, wondering what he had ever done wrong to the man to deserve this as he felt his world crumble around him. He took the only option in which he would keep the almost non existent dignity he had left and walked of the stage, not once looking around.

After the few minutes the silence that had spread amongst the students when Albus had revealed the pianist’ true identity, slowly disappeared as soft whispering could be heard amongst the crowd.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Severus stormed towards the dungeons, knowing that it would be only place where he could hide for now.

“Severus! Severus, wait please!” A voice almost begged.

“Severus!!” Remus grabbed him by his arm, forcing him to stop. “Aw bloody hell!” he exclaimed suddenly.

“What’s wrong?” Snape asked, finally coming to a halt and turning around.

“When I touched you, I got this electric shock, or something.”

“Then don’t.”

“Don’t what?” Remus asked confused, looking at his hand to see if there were any burn marks.

“Touch me.”

“But I like…. Uh….oh.” Remus blurted the first few words out, before realizing exactly what he was saying.

“You like what Lupin?” Severus asked, cocking one eyebrow as he did so. He had finally calmed down a little again. Remus always had, had this relaxing effect on him.

“I uh, well uh never mind, it’s nothing important. I already forgot what I wanted to say actually.” Remus lied.

“If there are two words that I hate the most, then they are: Never Mind. I wish they were just banded out of our vocabulary. Just say it, will you. It can never be as bad as what Albus said, so…”

“Well…” His hand travelled the length of Severus’ arm. “I uhh..”

“AHHH.” Severus grabbed his arm, where Remus’ hand had just been.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing!” Snape said through clenched teeth. “Just go away alright.”

Remus paled. Had this been his doing? Had his touch caused Severus so much pain?

“Severus, I’m sorry. I- I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“I need to see Dumbledore.” Snape hissed, pushing Remus aside and walking away briskly.

Oh, my. I’m going to get fired. Am I cursed after all? If I can’t even touch the one I love, what in the hell am I doing here than? Lupin thought miserable. He hated the fact that he was a werewolf so much. He didn’t understand why it had to be him, why not someone else. If this has some higher purpose or something, than it better be a damned good one! He sighed out loud, not knowing what to do. I think I’d better grab my things and leave yet another place, which I called home.

As he strolled towards his room, he started to change his mind. I can’t leave now. The students won’t have a DADA teacher and Merlin knows they’ll be needing those lessons in the future. I’d better wait a while, maybe Albus will let me stay for a while. I really hope he let this slip. As long I don’t touch anyone I should be fine, right?

Remus really felt like crying. Why oh why couldn’t he touch Severus? He had been in love with him for so long and although he knew he hardly stood a change, he just couldn’t stop hoping. But now? Well even hoping hadn’t much use any longer, now did it?

He slumped against the wall behind him, deciding to drop the matter for now. He would just have to wait for Albus’ judgement. Besides the ball hadn’t ended yet and if didn’t want to draw any attention to himself, he’d better get a happy mask perfect in place, because if someone was to ask him if something was wrong he would surely crumble.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

Legolas and Aragorn stormed into the Great Hall.

Dumbledore, who immediately sensed that something was amiss, approached them quickly.

“Albus, there are Dark Creatures outside. I believe they are what you call Dementors.”

“Really? Hmm Severus already warned me for an attack, but I never expected that it would be THIS soon.” The old wizard sighed. “Well we better act quickly then.” He said, swiftly walking towards the stage.

“Good evening everyone, could I have your attention please? I’m sorry to interrupt you once again, but there are some urgent matters at hand here. I don’t want any of you to panic or to walk away when you feel the need, so.. just wait for the instructions that will be given to you and follow the precisely, alright?” he said, looking at all the curious faces.

“Now.. Voldemort and his followers are standing outside Hogwarts at this exact moment and they are planning on attacking the school.” Many people gasped out loud, even for most of the teachers this came as quite a shock.

“I want all the students, except the sixth and seventh years to follow Professor McGonagall. She will take you to a secured location and will try to get you all home.”

The younger students quickly did as they were told and when they had all disappeared Albus redirected his attention to the remaining students.

“What I am going to ask of you, is quite dangerous, so I want you to think about it very carefully. When you think you are not up to it, or simply don’t want to, just say so. Trust me no one will think any less of you. I really want you to realize that.” Albus explained.

“I think you all understand that 16 teachers won’t stand a chance against Voldemort and his parties. This is why I am asking for your help. Do realize that there is a real possibility that you might get hurt, or worse…

You will get a minute to think it over, the ones who decide not to fight, may follow Professor Trelawney.” He glanced over the crowd and saw some Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws looking very unsure of what to do, while talking quietly amongst each other.

Suddenly Severus stormed onto the stage. “I’ve got to go.” He whispered.

“I know, they are waiting outside.”

The Potions master was taken aback by this a little, but quickly composed himself again.

“I see, I will meet you outside then.”

“Be careful Severus, make sure they don’t notice anything.”

“I think it’s too late for that.” with that he swiftly sprinted of the stage and towards the Forbidden Forest.

When Dumbledore motioned that the one minute was up, everyone bravely stood their ground. Albus looked at all of them with proud shining in his eyes.

“Well I think it’s time to face our destiny.” He said with a sad smile.

“The ones who don’t have their wand with them: now is the time to get them quickly. Most of the students summoned their wands with a simple: Accio. While others run as fast as they good to fetch theirs.

“Does everyone has his or hers wand? Remember to stay as far away from the Dementors as possible and when you do come too close, try to think happy thoughts. As for the Death Eaters, if you really have no other option you are allowed to kill them, but do think of all the other alternatives first.”

When all the students were getting their wands, each member of the fellowship collected their own weapons.

Gimli only having a tiny rubber sword with him, realized he had to find something that would actually hurt his victims. The Dwarf quickly looked around in search of anything useable as a potentional weapon. He was quite pleased with himself when he spotted a suit of armour, of which was holding a lovely long-handled battle axe in its hands.

Walking towards it briskly, he started to pull and push at it as hard as he could, but it just wouldn’t let go.

“Well you worthless piece of iron!!” he exclaimed, pulling on it even harder. “Let go of that damned axe right now!!!!” he spoke furiously. Without any warning it suddenly DID let go. Gimli who was using all his strength to get the axe free from the armour’s iron grip, tumbled backwards, totally surprised. He looked from the axe in his hands to suit of nonchalant armour in front of him. “Uh .... thanks.” He muttered, before swiftly going inside the Great Hall again, while stroking his sore behind.