secret Love

This is the old version of the entire story. The newly edited and extended version you will be able to find at http://www.fanfiction.net/u/197976/
soon


CHAPTER 31: TO ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME AN END!

Aragorn woke up, totally disorientated. But once he had glanced around the room he remembered where he was and what he was doing here. As he turned over he spotted his lover lying on the bed next to him and a smile spread on his face. He was glad that he was sleeping as well, because they were going to need enough stamina tonight. Aragorn grinned. He stroked his stomach, which seemed a bit swollen, softly. It was hard to believe that in a matter of days someone was going to be growing inside it. He wondered what it would be: a boy or a girl? And which Elven powers and characteristics would it inherit from his other father? When he glanced towards his lover again he saw that he was awake as well and was smiling at him sleepily. ¨What are you thinking about Aragorn?¨

¨About our future son or daughter.¨ he replied smiling. ¨I reckon, we should talk to madam Pomfrey and see whether we can get dismissed?¨

¨Hmmm, I guess we have lots of work to do....¨

¨Indeed, so come on, let us find her.¨

....................

¨Wake up love, I think it is time to let Severus check whether the potion was successful or not, don't you?¨

¨Yes, I do.¨

..................

¨Good morning gentlemen. Had a good night's sleep?¨ The Potions master welcomed them in his lab.

¨Not really, no.¨ Aragorn laughed. ¨But I guess that is a good thing!¨

¨I suppose in this case it is. Anyway enough with the chitchat. Aragorn I need you to role up your sleeve so I can take a sample of your blood and check whether everything has gone alright.¨

Aragorn did as he was told and glanced a bit nervously at the needle. No one had ever used such a device on him before, but Severus seemed to know what he was doing and as he trusted him enough he did not worry too much about it.

And indeed his assumptions were correct: he hardly felt anything.

Severus put his blood into a disgustingly green looking potion, which the light made look bluish from time to time.

He let one drop of blood fall into it and stirred it carefully with his wand. After a couple of minutes the fluid inside turned a peakish pink, like it had done with Goofy.

¨The potion has done its work correctly. You are ... pregnant.¨ Severus told them, his own voice filled with awe.

¨By Elbereth.¨ said Aragorn, dazed. Legolas hugged him tightly and danced with joy. ¨We are going to have a child, my love! Can you believe it? Oh, I cannot wait to tell our friends.¨

¨They are in for a big shock, aren't they?¨

¨Ah well, they'll get over it.¨ The Elf grinned. He walked around the desk and took Severus, in which seemed like a dead grip to him, as he was being held so tight. ¨Thank you, Severus. Thank you so incredible much! How can we ever repay you?¨

¨Just make sure you treat your son or daughter right and let us know when it has been born.¨

Legolas gave him one more hug, before he and Aragorn both said their goodbyes and went to Dumbledore's office.

The Headmaster in question, awaited them with open arms as he in some miraculous way had found out about the news. He congratulated them both and offered them a seat. ¨So, I think the question is now: when are you going to leave us?¨

¨Yes, well we have given it much thought and we have decided to leave in a fortnight. This way Severus can monitor Aragorn and the baby for a while and make sure that at least now everything is alright.¨

¨Okay, just inform me one day ahead before you actually leave. This way I can inform Galadriel on time.¨

¨But of course, Albus. We thank you, for all that you have done for us this far. Without your question for help, maybe none of this would have ever happened. If there is ever anything we can do for you or someone else, do not hesitate to inform us.¨

¨Thank you, I will remember your offer and maybe I'll just step by for a social visit, see how the baby is doing and all that.¨ Albus smiled. ¨Now be off, my friends and enjoy the last days of your stay here.¨

The last two weeks of their stay seemed to fly by. Before they knew it the day that of their departure was only one night away. They had been seeing Severus every night, for Aragorn's daily check up. Thankfully the baby seemed to be doing fine and Severus told them that, unless the King had an horrible accident, everything would probably turn out alright.

They had agreed that either Severus would come to their world every month or vice versa to see if both Aragorn and the baby were doing alright. With month I mean in Middle Earth time, so in Severus' eyes, he would pay them a visit every year and a half.

Now at their last supper at Hogwarts school for witchcraft and wizardry, they were looking wistfully around them, seeing everything in a different light and trying to remember everything as good as possible, so they would never forget this place, its inhabitants and everything that had happened here that had turned their world upside down. It had taken, going to another world to get them together and now leaving it, would it tear them apart? They only had to look in each others eyes to find the answer to that: no, absolutely not! A different world, wouldn't change their love, nothing could. Not now, not ever.

And with that in mind, they listened to Albus' speech.

¨My dear friends, today we say goodbye to the last two members of the Fellowship. I want to thank them for all they have done for us and I want them to know that we will always welcome them with open arms, should they want to return.¨ Albus smiled at them, before continuing. ¨First we have King Aragorn, who has been so kind to fill the Herbology position until now. I'm positive that your students have enjoyed your lessons as much as I did your all-round presence. Also in our struggle against Voldemort or Sauron as you call him, you have been very helpful and I am proud to have fought beside you.¨ This elected a thundering applaud from all of the sixth and seventh years who had also entered the battle.

¨Legolas, before we met I never had the pleasure to meet a Mirkwood Elf and I must say that you did not disappoint me. Your presence here has taught me a lot about the Elven culture, which I value a lot. Although concealing your true identity turned out to be a lot harder then we originally planned, it was all worth the trouble. And the same goes for you: it was an honour to fight beside you, although I do not hope it will happen again. I know that there have also been a lot of downsides on this visit for you, but I hope you can look past those and see what it has gained you instead. Thank you.¨ with a thundering applaud, from all the people in the hall, the headmaster took his seat once more, while Aragorn and Legolas both rose.

¨Thank you, Albus, for that lovely speech.¨ Legolas smiled, bowing at him curtly. ¨This quest has literally and figurally opened a whole new world to me. Unlike the quest for the Ring, we could actually also ‘have fun’, as you call it. I learned to know a great new world, filled with friendly people, who are there for you when you need a helping hand. What I gained from this quest is hard to describe in words. Let's just keep it on: bloody much.¨ he grinned.

¨That's right, we have even learned a whole new slang, which we can boast to our friends about.¨ Aragorn laughed. ¨Like Legolas I have gained a lot from this quest, not only friends, but also a lover and a beautiful farewell gift from a certain potions master.¨ he gave Severus a warm smile, who nodded in return. ¨Also it was MY honour to have been invited to your world, as we were perhaps partially guilty for not having Sauron destroyed properly, but I guess that it had to be this way and we were meant to learn something from it and I certainly have!¨ They both sat down again, with a warm applaud.

Because of their goodbye the House Elves had made supper even more delicious than usual. They had decided to go for foreign dishes tonight. On the menu were: lasagne, roti, pizza, paella, bami panghang, Greek food and so on.

Legolas, who had learned from his previous mistake, when he had taken a large bite from a chocolate cake and nearly choked to death, nibbled on everything first, before daring to take a normal bite.

Aragorn looked at him with side way eyes and shook his head with laughter. He was wise enough not to say anything.

After dinner they decided to say farewell to their newly made friends. First they went to the Gryffindor tower, where the three friends and Draco were talking casually next to the warm fire.

¨Good evening all.¨ Legolas greeted them. The rest of the Gryffindors made themselves scarce, except for a few, who hung around curiously and tried to pretend to be doing their homework.

¨Good evening Legolas, Aragorn.¨ they replied in unison.

¨How are you feeling, now you're leaving?¨ Hermione asked.

¨It is hard to describe. I feel sad, because I have to leave this wonderful world and my newly made friends, but at the same time I am really looking forward to go back as I am aching to see everyone again.¨ Legolas told them.

¨I couldn't agree with you more, love.¨ Aragorn added.

They both sat in silence for a while, not really knowing what to say.

¨One part of me is glad you didn't succeed in your attempt to destroy Sauron the first time.¨ Harry said softly. That got everyone's attention alright. ¨If you had I for one would have never met you, I'd still be in the closet and no one would have known about Draco and me.¨

¨And we learned a valuable lesson: there are still people out there who can be trusted.¨ Ron added, remembering the memory loss incident.

¨We've learned lots of interesting information about a different world, how it's possible to travel between other dimensions and we met four whole new species.¨ Hermione reminded them.

¨And I was able to practice the memory charm.¨ Draco joked.

Aragorn and Legolas smiled. ¨I am very glad you are taking this so positive. I must say that when I heard what Sauron had done to your world, I felt absolutely responsible, like I think many others from the Fellowship. In the end we learned though, that we could in no way have predicted that Sauron was able to shift between dimensions so easily.¨

¨I guess it was just meant to be.¨ Harry remarked. ¨I don't think no one here holds you responsible. I certainly don't.¨

¨Thank you.¨ both men replied.

¨Well, I think we should be off now.¨ Aragorn said. ¨I am grateful to have met you and I am sure we will meet again in time, only then on a more joyous occasion.¨ he grinned, while he winked towards Legolas. The Elf hugged them all farewell, with tears in his eyes.

¨We will meet again.¨ he assured them, before following his lover out of the portrait hole.

Aragorn hugged him tight, before kissing him lovingly. ¨Whom do you want to visit now, melamin?¨

¨I don't know.¨ Legolas sighed, snuggling a bit closer. ¨I guess we could go to the teacher's lounge and hope there are a couple of your colleagues there.¨

¨Hmm, sounds like a good plan to me¨

They were in luck as at the moment Flitwick, McGonagall, Hooch and Pomfrey were present.

¨Good evening gentlemen, join us for a late night tea?¨ McGonagall asked them.

¨But of course.¨ Legolas replied, while Aragorn nodded his agreement.

¨Take a seat.¨ Pomfrey told them.

¨So you're really leaving, ey? What was the reason to leave now?¨ Hooch asked.

¨Well, we have been here for quite some time and we feel like now is the right time to return homewards. See our own world, family and friends again.¨

¨Aha.¨ Hooch said thoughtfully, clearly not convinced. She frowned her eyebrows and was about to say something, when Minerva showed up with the tea.

¨Now what kind of flavour would you like?¨ She asked. ¨We have: strawberry, lemon, earl grey, green tea, pine-apple and forest fruits.¨

¨Earl Grey, please.¨ they replied at the same time. They both grinned as they realised how close they had gotten the last couple of weeks.

¨So, I was wondering, ey.¨ Hooch started, getting a warning look from McGonagall. ¨What exactly happened between you and Snape?¨ she asked, eyeing Legolas carefully.

“Excuse me?” The Elf asked surprised, spluttering out some of his tea.

“No need to deny it, mate. We all have eyes and ears.”

“Hooch!” McGonagall hissed.

“What? It’s not that I mind or anything. I’m just curious, Minerva.”

“Why don’t you tell us your theory and we will correct you, when you are mistaken.” Aragorn suggested with a small smile.

“Alright,” Hooch said smiling broadly. No doubt she had been waiting for the right moment to spill whatever theories that had begun to form into her mind. “Well, as far as I can tell, you two are lovers, am I right?”

Both Legolas and Aragorn nodded affirmative.

“So maybe you’ve been seeing each other for quite some time now. Maybe your relationship is starting to lose its flair a bit and then suddenly you’re offered the chance to get to this new world, with new people. Who knows it might even spice up your relationship. Everything seems to go well in the end, but then Voldemort is destroyed and your true identity is revealed. You keep on teaching, while you Legolas decide that it’s useless to follow classes any longer and find yourself with loads of time on your hands. You start to wander a bit around the castle until you get more interested into a certain Potions master, who also has a lot of time to spare as he has temporarily lost his eyesight. So you spend some quality time together. You make a few trips, visit his dungeon a couple of time and suddenly start to fall in luv.” She said, fluttering her eyelashes. “But then, uhoh, Aragorn finds out the truth. You have a blazing row. In the end though he realises that Snape won’t be there once you have returned to your own world and since Legolas has apologized for a hundred times now, he decides to forgive his lover. End good, all good.” She finished laughing.

Legolas and Aragorn rolled their eyes at her. “If you really think so low of me and Severus, then I’m not even going to explain the real story to you.” The Elf told.

“Pity,” said Hooch, her eyes twinkling “but somehow I think I like me own made up story better. So farewell you guys and until we meet again.” She laughed, before leaving the room.

“Sorry about that, too much caffeine.” McGonagall apologised, with an embarrassed smile. “Don’t take her too seriously.”

“We will not.” Aragorn said smiling. “I think Legolas and I have to make our leave now though.”

“Alright, well I am sure we will meet again some day. Hopefully on a more joyous occasion then. May ...er.. the leaves that fall on your path never turn brown?” she said, unsure of herself.

Legolas gave her a broad smile: “Very good Professor, that is almost correct. The correct phrase is: May the leaves of your life tree never turn brown.”

“But of course, how could I have forgotten. Good night.”

They said their farewells to everyone and took off.

The following morning they had first paid a visit to Hagrid before going down the dungeons to see Severus.

“Good morning.” He greeted them. “Take a seat, I just need to round some things up. Be right back.” And he dashed through a door on their right.

Five minutes later he arrived back in the room followed by Ginny Weasley.

“Hey hello.” She said smiling to Aragorn and Legolas, before turning at the door to face her professor. “’Till tomorrow then?”

“Yes, eight o’clock.”

“Alright, ciao.”

Severus closed the door behind her and turned around smiling. “Come to say goodbye, I presume.”

“Yes, we are.” Said Legolas sadly.

“To all good things must come an end.” The Potions master told them, his voice sounded matter of factly. But they both saw a flicker of pain in his eyes., “Besides, I’ll be seeing you every month, from your point of few that is.”

“That is true.” Legolas said, smiling a little. “It is strange, just when I begin to get used to everything we are going to leave this world again. I am glad though that it was up to us to decide when we wanted to leave. This way our farewell is more bearable.”

Severus looked at both of them, before he spoke again: “I’d like to offer you both a seat and a drink, but I guess that’s just prolonging the unavoidable. So therefore I wish you both good luck in your own world and hope that your friends and family accept you for who you are.”

Again an awkward silence. Severus wasn’t used to these forced and planned goodbye’s. Usually people just disappeared never to return again.

“Uhm well....” He extended both his hand, which Aragorn returned. Legolas instead pulled him into a brotherly hug. “I am positive that happiness is on its way to you. Mark my words within two months you’ll experience a joy, which you haven’t felt for a very long time.” He whispered in his ear.


They both walked towards Dumbledore’s office in silence, taking everything in around them, knowing that they wouldn’t return here for a very long time, maybe even never.

Legolas’ shoulders slumped with this thought. But no, he would return. Perhaps it wouldn’t be for a couple of years, but he would come back to this world at least one more time, no matter what!

When they entered Albus’ office, they saw that only he and Poppy Pomfrey were present. Legolas had secretly hoped to see Severus one more time, but alas he realised he had to wait a month to see his friend again. He hated the fact that he couldn’t do anything to make the Potions master happy again. He heaved a sigh and directed his attention to Dumbledore.

“My dear friends, the moment is there to say goodbye. I hope to hear from you again soon. I’ll make sure to give Severus a couple of letters with him every time he goes to visit you, so you’ll know what has been going on in this world.”

“Thank you, Albus. That would mean a lot to me.” Said Legolas, with a teary smile.

“Ah, I feel that Galadriel is ready. Now you both drink this potion and take each others hand.”

Albus made a large circle with his wand and concentrated hard.

Again, after a couple of minutes, a ball filled with light appeared in the air. ¨Until we meet again, my friends.¨ Albus said.

They both took the hint and with one more backward glance went back to Middle Earth.

Although this is the ending of their quest in the wizarding world, lots of challenges are awaiting them in their own world. But like always they would overcome these through the love of their friends and loved ones.

Together you can face a whole lot more than alone.

This is something they would really come to understand in the upcoming years of their lives.

IN THE END LOVE CONCURS ALL, SECRET OR OTHERWISE!!!


A/N: Oh my god! I can’t believe it! After three bloody years I have finally finished this fic!

First and most especially I want to thank all who have reviewed, whether positive or negative. All feedback is good for me.

I am looking for a beta-er/ editor, with whom I can approve this fic as good as possible. One of my biggest problems is my grammar. Although I have approved a bit, it still isn’t nearly good enough. I’ll be taking this entire fic down after a month or so and will start updating from chapter one again. I don’t think much story-wise will change, although I am planning on adding more scenes, focussing mainly on Severus.

I have also almost finished the first chapter of the sequel. It will take a while before I’ll put that fic online, maybe even never. But it’s going pretty well, so when I have made a big enough head-start I’ll probably will put it online.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOU KIND REVIEWS AND FOR STICKING WITH ME ‘TIL THE END! This means more to me than you’ll ever know.

It’s weird that strangers read your stories, while your actual friends don’t even take the time L It’s okay that they don’t read it, but a couple of people actually promised me to read at least one of my fics, but never did it in the end.