Secret Loves: Past and Present

[TabbyForever]

I for one am mighterly impressed at the speed of your updating....
Not to mention the quility of the writing...this story keeps a tight hold on my interest...i think the cobination is fantastic...as ever.....well done.
Tabs

[Sensiblyquirky]

My updating is rather quick, because I work as a teller in a bank so when it gets slow I pull up word and just start typing. Some days are quicker than others. Also, I move back to school on Saturday so I really want to finish this story, and possibly my longer one before then!

I'm so glad you like!!

Christy

[Jestana]

That was so beautiful! Now we know why only Albus and Minerva can find the rooms. *le sigh*

Jestana

[Catwoman99]

This just keeps getting better!! You're doing such a wonderful job.

-April :-)

[Inappropriate Goat]

This is a great story... when does it take place? Just wondering... Please continue. I for one and greatful for the quick updates. This story just draws you in. I would go crazy if I had to wait too long. Thank you
MM

[Sensiblyquirky]

Chapter 6
Minerva awoke the next morning to the sound of the shower running. Glancing at the clock she noticed they had three hours before breakfast, so with an impish glean in her eye Minerva entered the bathroom and began to disrobe.
Albus let out a sigh when he finished his last bit of paperwork that morning. He looked over to Fawkes, “Well, my friend, do you think Minerva would appreciate a little note while she’s on her break?” Fawkes tilted his head, and chirped a happy note before flying to the back of Albus’ chair. “I shall take that as a yes.”
When the last student exited her classroom Minerva locked the door, and was about to grade some papers when Fawkes suddenly appeared.
“Hello, Fawkes. Does Albus need something?” After giving the bird a ginger newt Minerva opened the letter,
My love,
Consider this your first love letter! Well, from me anyway.
As to your other lovers kindly tell them you are taken, and that I would
Gladly help them look for other girls. I know love letters are supposed to
Consist of phrases like: roses pale in comparison to your lips, your eyes
Are more beautiful than the richest emeralds, or my day starts when your
Sweet, luscious, lips cover mine; but I am no poet. I fear my best is: I
Love you!
Forever yours,
Albus

P.S. My day has been great, because I had the best start to it I could.

“Oh, Albus…” As soon as she said his name aloud the floorboard flew open. Minerva looked at Fawkes as if he would know why it opened to her, and her alone. Naturally the bird had no clue, but sang a beautiful note instead. “Fawkes, return to Albus. I shall pay him a visit rather than write him.”
When Minerva reached the hall she gasped. The pictures had disappeared, save one right next to her staircase. That picture was a smaller version of the one that had been over the fireplace. Minerva touched the wall as if they would all reappear, but they didn’t so she began running to Albus’ room. Once at that staircase she spoke his name, and the floorboard immediately opened granting her access to his bedroom. Minerva was standing on the first step when she noticed the picture next to his staircase. Stepping down she approached the picture, and let out her second gasp of the day, well if you don’t count the foray she and Albus had that morning. The picture was of them on the couch in front of the fireplace. Minerva stood there for about two minutes before she flew up the stairs, and into Albus’ office.
“ALBUS!!”
“Minerva, what are you doing here?”
“Come with me,” she said reaching for his hand and dragging him to the entrance of the hallway.
“Minerva how did you get in here? Doesn’t it take both of us?”
“When I got your letter, which I loved by the way thank you, I spoke your name aloud and it opened. I decided to pay you a visit to thank you, but when I got down here I noticed that all the pictures but two had disappeared.”
“Disappeared?”
“Yes, I don’t know, but one of the ones left is of us.” By this time they had arrived at the bottom of the stairs, and Minerva pointed to the picture: “See, look.”
Albus stared at the picture, then turned to look at Minerva, “Well, my dear, we will have to find someone who can do muggle portraits so when we leave Hogwarts the hall will be filled again, and hopefully some little ones will be included.”
“Oh Albus, children…”
“My dear, do you not want children? I thought,” “Yes, I want children! I just never thought I’d have one of my own, that’s all,” Minerva interrupted him.
“Well it’s not too late for that. In no time we’ll have a little Minerva running around.”
“Or a little Albus, but I’d like to get married first.”
“We can discuss that later tonight. We need to head to lunch. How bout I meet you in the bedroom at nine tonight?” Minerva just nodded her head she was too busy thinking about possible children she and Albus could have.
Later that evening Albus walked into the bedroom to already find Minerva under the covers. “My dear I know you are anxious to read more, but I would like to discuss us first if that is alright,” Albus asked as he got into the bed.
“I have a few things of my own I need to clear up, so go ahead.”
“Minerva, I was wondering when you wanted to get married? It is March now…”
“June. June 25th to be exact. I was looking at a calendar today, and it is one week after the students leave so we shouldn’t be too boggled down with work for the next year just yet.”
“That sounds fine, and that means we can have a nice long honeymoon.”
“Albus, do you men ever think of anything else,” Minerva teased.
“Yes we do, or I do at least, but you are very tempting my love.”
Minerva had blushed scarlet now, and attempted to re-direct the conversation: “Albus, I want you to honestly answer my next question. “Does our relationship and marriage need to be a secret?”
‘Ah, my Minerva, always so blunt,’ Albus thought to himself. Before he answered Albus held Minerva tighter, and kissed her lightly.
“I’ve been thinking about that, my love, and I fear the answer is yes. I have many enemies, Minerva, and I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you because of that. If you feel you cannot resign yourself to loving and living in secret then I will quietly step aside.”
Losing him now that she had finally gotten him scared Minerva more than anything else ever had. To answer him she flipped open the book, and read: “’I have found my love, and if we can only be together secretly then I would prefer that to having to live my life without him.’ You see, Albus, I feel as Rowena did. As long as you know I love you, and I know you love me the world doesn’t need to know I’m Mrs. Albus Dumbledore. I could not live without you, my rogue, I simply could not. We have been blessed with these rooms, and in these we can be husband and wife and raise any children we are given. I can live with that, because I cannot live without you.”
Albus didn’t know what to say. Minerva knew what he was thinking, though, so he didn’t need to say a word. They sat there for awhile just staring into each other eyes, and finally Albus spoke: “Minerva, I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything, but I would accept any kisses you were willing to give out,” Minerva replied smiling.
“Oh I do believe I have quite a few for you,” Albus replied closing the distance between them.
A little while later they were curled up looking through the book. Most of the entries concerned celebrations, or day to day activities inside Hogwarts at the time. They did find out, however, that the boy’s name was Alexander Isaiah William Roderick Gryffindor.
“Perhaps we should call it a night,” Albus suggested.
“One more page, and then we can go to bed.”
Minerva got very excited when she saw the next page, because it was everything else they needed to know about the enchantment:
To the new occupants of these chambers,
There is a little more you need to know before you can completely take over our rooms. First, as you might have noticed my now, all our pictures save one should disappear from “Lover’s Lane,” and we encourage you to replace them with your own. All the furniture will stay should you wish to use it and not your own. We felt it might be nice, but should you wish to change the furniture be our guest. The chambers are now yours, and in the back of the book is the enchantment that can change the number of rooms should it be necessary for you to do so. Also, now the floorboards will open when each of you speaks the other's name, but only the first name and only when you are alone. When you leave Hogwarts the chambers will seal themselves till the next couple should need them. We hope your time in them is as happy as ours was.
Godric & Rowena

“Well that explains the pictures then,” Minerva said before she turned the next page, but it was blank. She quickly flipped through the rest of the book, and all the pages save the last with the enchantment on it were blank.
“Well…”
“Indeed…”
“Albus, let’s write our story in here behind theirs.”
“Alright, Minerva. We’ll start tomorrow.”

Ok, an epilogue will follow. Tomorrow hopefully. (cross your fingers J)

[Jestana]

*sigh* So lovely! Especially the start to the day. *gigglesnicker* Bravo! Can't wait for the epilogue.

Jestana

[griseldalafey]

Beautiful. *happy sigh* Too bad is has to be kept a secret. I can't wait to read the epilouge

[Catwoman99]

;D ;D ;D I'm looooooooving this fic!!

-April :-)

[Sensiblyquirky]

Thank you to everyone who has reviwed this fic! You guys make my day.
Epilogue

March 14, 1964

It all began on this day, or this evening I should say. Albus and I had harbored feelings for each other for twenty years till this night, but the discovery of these chambers, that we now use as our own, and the bathroom, of course, brought those feelings out. We are forever in debt to Rowena Ravenclaw and Godric Gryffindor for the creation of these rooms, and for allowing us to use them. I have never been happier now that I have my Albus, and he has me. For the first time I feel complete.
A little about us is in order I presume. My love, Albus Dumbledore, is the current headmaster of Hogwarts and he is the greatest wizard of our age. I am his Deputy Headmistress, Head of Gryffindor House, and the Transfigurations teacher as well. We must keep our love, and subsequent marriage a secret. Albus has made many enemies, and we fear that he would use the knowledge of our love against us. I do hope, however, that one day the world can know, but if that is not to be then that is ok too. As long as he is mine, and I am his I could not be happier.
Minerva McGonagall


June 25, 1964

Albus and I were married today! He would not let me plan a thing, but what I would wear. We traveled by portkey, and when I opened my eyes I knew immediately that we were in Tuscany. I worked there for a year before coming to Hogwarts for the Ministry of Magic, and Albus knew how much I had loved that year. It is so beautiful there, and my darling love arranged for us to marry in a small parish outside of the city with only his brother, Aberforth, as our witness. I have never been so happy.
This is Albus now. Words cannot adequately express the amount of love and joy I feel at this moment as I sit here writing in this precious book, while my stunning wife is asleep beside of me. I still cannot believe it; this whole day as been so surreal. I had been thinking for a while since Minerva and I discussed some of our ideas on the wedding of where I wanted it to take place, and remembering how much she loved Tuscany I couldn’t resist. Seeing her smile at the realization of where she was gave my heart wings. Now as we lay here, she is Mrs. Albus Dumbledore, in secret perhaps, but she is mine and I hers.
Albus

July 2, 1965

Minerva and I feel so blessed and happy on this day. I am writing because my beautiful wife is exhausted after giving birth to our beautiful son. After eleven hours of labor Wulfric Maximus Alexander Dumbledore was born into the world. He is so perfect. The joy I feel right now knowing mine and Minerva’s love as produced such a perfect being has completely overpowered me!
We had quite the time choosing the name. Wulfric is my third name, Maximus is in honor of Minerva’s father, and Alexander is in honor of Rowena and Godric’s child. We wanted one of the names to honor those two founders, and we decided that their child’s name was our best option. He has my red hair, but Minerva’s vibrant green eyes., and Minerva’s nose to which we are both thankful. I shall go now in fear of waking my beautiful family up.
A thrilled father

August 1, 1970

A girl! After only four hours of labor this time I gave birth to a girl. I am so happy. Our little Wulfric is taking it well; he has asked to hold her several times and does not appear to be jealous. I suppose we shall have to wait and see, but I know he will be a good big brother because he is too much like Albus in character not to be. Albus is beside himself with joy, and our little girl has already got her daddy wrapped around her small finger. We decided to name her Athena Virginia Diana Dumbledore. Athena in honor of me, Virginia was Albus’ mothers name, and Diana was my mother’s name. She has my hair, but Albus’ beautiful blue eyes, and my nose. I must confess I am very happy that both of our children have my nose. Oh, I hear her little wails I do believe she is hungry.
Until next time,
Minerva Dumbledore

[Sensiblyquirky]

Epilogue Part Two:
October 21, 1987

Oh my little boy is all grown up! Albus and I watched with tears in our eyes from the first pew as Wulfric took a wife today. I am most pleased with his choice. Gabriella is French, and they met when he worked there two years ago. She is beautiful, and has quite the sense of humor. I know they will be perfect together. Attending our son’s wedding gave Albus and I the chance to reflect upon our own, and let’s just say that the first night we spent together was re-created when we got home. (oh how I do love that bathtub!)
MD

May 3, 1992

I didn’t think Albus was going to make it today when he had to give his little girl away. You should have seen him when he handed her to her husband to be, so sad! I know he is happy Athena has found someone who loves her as much as he loves me, but it was hard on him; and me for that matter, mother of the bride, whoever would have thought? Our daughter looked breathtaking! Her future husband actually gasped when he saw her, much to my delight, it was exactly what we were going for.
Athena married a man ten years her senior by the name of William McLeod. He earned points from me immediately for being a Scots man. Albus was wary of the age difference, but I took him aside and reminded him that there was eighty years between us so he had no right to talk. It was a lovely ceremony, and they will be living in Edingburgh. I could not be happier, because Albus and I have a summer cottage there. I shall go for now.
MD

This is Albus now. Oh, my little girl is married now. I admit giving her away was hard, but I know he will love and take care of her. If he doesn’t he will face my wrath, and I made sure he knew that too. Athena looked so beautiful, much like her mother did on our wedding day. I cannot believe both of our children are grown up, with mates and lives of their own. I know Minerva is already hoping for a grandchild! Well, maybe she isn’t the only one.
AD

August 28, 1995
Gabriella gave birth to a beautiful little girl this morning! Oh we are grandparents! The child is precious, and Elizabeth is her name. Albus is already thinking of the ways he can spoil her. Unfortunately we have had to come home earlier, because the new term starts in a few days.
Don’t listen to Minerva. I am not thinking of ways to spoil her! Ok, well maybe I am but miss high and mighty is too. She is not innocent you know!
Oh give that book back you old coot. My husband has finally lost it.
I love you too.
You know I love you. Ok, enough of this. Goodnight!
AD & MD

July 7, 1997
My little girl became a mummy herself today. The labor was hard and long, but our Athena pulled through and delivered twins! Imagine our excitement! A little boy, and a little girl, the babies and their mum are doing just fine now. As I write Albus is holding Natalie and Brian, all three of them are asleep. I do wish I had one of those camera things; this would make an excellent portrait for “Lover’s Lane.”
I have another reason for happiness: Harry Potter is finally coming to Hogwarts this year. We can get him away from those awful muggles, and keep a closer eye on him here. I fear I already have a soft spot in my heart for the boy, and I have not properly met him yet. No doubt he shall be in Gryffindor, I wonder if he is as adept at Quidditch as his father was…
MD

June 2, 2000
I write today with a heavy heart. The final round of the Triwizard Tournament was tonight, and things could not have gone more wrong. It appears that the tournament trophy was a portkey, and Harry, along with Cedric Diggory, was taken to You-Know-Who. I was beside my self with worry when he had not come out of the maze, and though my rogue appeared calm I knew better. He was just as worried as I, and with good reason it seems. You-Know-Who has returned. I dread the days before us, as we prepare for another battle and I know the weight of our world rests on a young boy not yet a man, and my love. Our world looks to Albus for everything, and that idiot of a Minister we have cannot operate without Albus. Well, wait, I take that back. He cannot operate well without Albus.
My only hope is that both my love and myself may see the end of this war. I cannot lose him, and I will do everything within my power to prevent that I do. For now I am anxiously awaiting his return so we may hold each other tight.
MD

“You love writing in that book don’t you,” Albus asked his wife as she set the book aside.
“Yes, I do. How long have you been standing there?”
“For a while. I love watching you when you don’t think I am. You are so beautiful, darling.”
“Oh, Albus. Why is it that after all this time you can still make me blush?”
Albus just smiled as he headed for the bathroom to prepare for bed. “I’ll be out in a minute, love.”
When he returned Albus climbed into bed, and immediately took Minerva in his arms kissing her deeply. “Minerva, I’m sorry if I appeared cross with you today. I was not I can assure you.”
“I know that, Albus, and I’m not mad or anything. It has been a rough day. Is Harry going to be ok?”
“In time, but the road ahead is not an easy one for our Mr. Potter. I hope he will rely on his friends, and not push them away. We will all need the ones we love.”
“Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley will not be easily pushed away.”
“I hope not.” After some time Albus said, “Minerva, I love you with every fiber of my being. I want you to know that. I fear more of our time together will be taken from us in these next few years, and I want you to know that I wish I could stay in these chambers locked away with you.”
“I love you too, Albus. I know, and I am already preparing myself for the long nights, and the empty bed. I don’t look forward to it, but I know you will be thinking of me whenever you are away.”
“I am always thinking of you, my love. We will win this war, Minerva. If we survive it I would like to retire, and spend the rest of my days in our home in Scotland with you. Would you like that?”
“Oh, Albus. Like it? I would love it!” Minerva replied with a huge smile.
“And, my love, if that happens I prepare to tell the whole world that we are married. I will want to live openly with you in our world. So when I walk down the street I can hold your hand, or I can snog you in public,” he added with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
“You better survive this war, Albus. I have every intention of proclaiming with you that I am Mrs. Albus Dumbledore. Now as for the snogging,” here she attempted to give him a glare, but the look in her eyes gave her away, “I don’t know about snogging on some street, but I would be willing to accept any kisses you wish to give out now.”
“Oh I do believe I have quite a few for you,” Albus replied smiling.

Albus and Minerva Dumbledore slid into a peaceful sleep that night, because they had each other to get them through the second war. Throughout their years of marriage the joys had been doubled, and the grieves halved because they shared them together; and the same would hold for the future. But for that night, and many more to come they were just two people madly in love keeping everything but each other at bay in their own little world hidden within the very walls of Hogwarts itself, and that is exactly how Godric Gryffindor and Rowena Ravenclaw had intended the chambers to be: A home for Secret Loves: Past and Present.

[Jestana]

Bravo! A wonderful ending! *applauds*

[TheEmeraldRose]

Wonderful! Simply superb ending! I really hope to read more from you in the future, you're a wonderful writer. ;D

-<3-Lauren

[griseldalafey]

Oh, that was so beautiful. I've loved and cried and now I'm sad it's over. You did a great job with it.

[TabbyForever]

Ahhhhh
A totally fitting ending for this story....i love the way you overcame the potentail problem of getting bogged down with describing every detail of their lives throught out the years by using diary entries to summerise.
Bravo...encore,
can't wait to read the next story you have to offer.
Tabs

[Catwoman99]

Bravo! *claps wildly* Such a wonderful ending to a wonderful story. The premise was so unique and I applaude your creativity.

-April :-)

[HappyReader]

*glossy eyes* I love fics that end with that faint glimmer of hope! That ending was perfect! Give yourself a pat on the back!

[Nerweniel]

Great... *sniff*... *blows her nose*... *another sniff*... why oh why do great stories always make me cry? This was so sweet, so overal beautiful... I adore it... *sniff*... no seriously, I *am* crying, I really am... Wonderful!

Love,

Liz

[mcgonagallrules]

Ohhhh what a beautiful story! I'm glad I found it in my catch-up reading!

[Jessabelle]

I'm surprised that I have never come across this before. I absolutely loved it! The chmabers of Godric and Rowena reminded me a bit of CoS. I think that this was a very clever idea! Good story!

[gingerkitten]

I can't remember if I commented on this story, so I'll do it again. Well done. Very sweet and Romantic.

[tanja]

such a wonderful story !

[ginny]

awesome story!
i loved it!
you should write more fics!

[Trulyamused]

What a wonderful story. Very heartfelt and excellent perceptions of Rowena and Godric as mirrors to Albus and Minerva.

Bravo.

Truly

[bethj4013]

Awesome story I love how it ended with the diary entries. I wonder who the next couple will be for the chamber. hmmmmm

[furandfeathers]

what a really original idea!! I liked it a lot! They are so cute together, and I just love the banter

[Gosuto]

That was so lovely! X'3

[minerva62]

Another great fic that ranks among my most popular ones...

That was such a brilliant idea to combine the romance of RRGG (no, not Gellert ;D) with MMAD !

Very well done and I love the scene where they discover the bathtub!

[gryffindorprincess]

All I can say is OMG...This is the most amazing story I have ever read. It made me cry at the end, and it was just...awsome. It left me speechless for a second.

[mmadforever]

i love it *cry* it is soooo sweet *snif*