(A/N: sorry this took so long to get up guys. It turns out FFN does not like my word documents anymore. so i had to get one of my sister's docs loaded and rewrite the whole thing. see how dedicated i am to you all? now, if there are some typos i missed, please excuse them. and please rate. thanks for reading.)

Chapter 5-- Free

Over a month had passed, and Draco and Harry had been sneaking around to be together. Love-making was a favorite sport of theirs, and they were growing tired of having to put on a charade for the rest of the student body.

"Harry, how long is this going to last?" Draco asked his green-eyed lover. "Why can't we just come out and show our love like everyone else? I'm so sick of hiding my feelings."

Harry just sighed and laid his head on Draco's shoulder. "Because, Dray, we aren't like the other people. We're mortal enemies, and we're gay. That's two strikes against us right there. And the third strike would be the Boy Who Lived being with a future Death Eater. Yeah, that's something our classmates will be accepting about."

"But, Harry, I don't care. I just don't care anymore. I love you. I want to let the whole world know it. We're meant to be together. If anyone has a problem with that, then fuck them. It doesn't matter. It's just about us." He lifted Harry's head slightly and kissed the boy's soft lips.

"Alright, Dray. If you want to tell people, then we'll tell people. Today, I guess. Why not? It's not like your friends could hate me more than they already do."

Draco's face lit up. "Really? We can tell people?"

"Sure love. Just expect that people won't take it well."

"I know. But I don't mind. I just don't want to pretend anymore. "

And with that, the lovers left the room and went to dinner. They were prepared to let the whole world know about their love. This is not going to go well, thought Harry, but if it makes Draco happy, so be it.

Harry sat down next to Hermione and Ron, who for a moment were oblivious to his presence, as they were only paying attention to each other. Ron gave Hermione a kiss. The two jumped when they heard Harry behind them, " Hey, guys. I have something I need to tell you, and you're not going to like me for it."

"So what is it Harry? You know we'll always support you, no matter what," Hermione said reasurringly.

"Well, okay," Harry stalled for a few seconds before blurting out his well kept secret, "I'm gay and I've been dating Draco Malfoy for over a month now and I love him." Harry took a breath after telling his secret so fast. Then, he looked at his friends, who appeared to be in shock.

Then, Ron spoke when the news finally sank in. "What did he do, give you a love potion? I'll kill him. This is just sick."

"No, Ron. No love potion. These are my real feelings. I really love Draco Malfoy."

"How could you? After everything he's done to you! After all he's put the three of us through! He's a follower of You-Know-Who, remember? Doesn't that mean anything to you? I can't look at you right now. Come on, Mione. Let's go. We don't need to be around this traitor." Ron grabbed Hermione's wrist and tried to storm off, but Hermione sat where she was.

"Ron, sweetie, you go ahead. I'll follow in a few minutes, but I really need to talk to Harry," she said to her red-haired boyfriend. Ron looked a bit angry, but nodded at her and walked away.

Hermione turned to Harry, " He'll be fine soon. He just needs to calm down a bit. But really, Harry, Malfoy?"

"I know, but he's not really the person he appears to be. He's a caring, loving person. He was just raised to be a cold-hearted git."

"I just don't know why you hid it from us for so long. I thought you could tell us anything."

"Well, Hermione, Ron's reaction is why I didn't tell you. I didn't want you two to be upset. But I really do love him. I've tried to ignore it, but he's my soul mate."

"Okay, Harry. I can't be mad at you for falling in love. I mean, I did it too, after all. I'll work on Ron. But you work on making your boyfriend nicer to us." She gave Harry a weak smile.

"Thanks, Hermione. I knew I could count on you." He gave the girl a hug and walked away to tell Draco the good news.

Draco was in the process of telling his friends about his relationship with Harry. So far, only Goyle had managed to speak. Crabbe looked like he wanted to talk but was afraid to question Draco, and Pansy looked like she wanted to cry.

"So, you're really gay, then?" Pansy finally asked.

"Yes, you knew that. It was never going to happen, Pansy. You aren't a boy, and I'm only attracted to boys."

"I know," Pansy replied between sobs, "but I didn't believe it was real. I thought you would realize you loved me."

"Pansy, I'm sorry, but the only one I love is Harry Potter."

"Fine, Draco, goodbye then." Pansy stormed out of the Great Hall. Crabbe left to follow her, but Goyle stayed behind beside Draco.

"Why him, Draco? I mean, I knew you were gay, we all did. But why Potter?" Goyle questioned.

"Because I'm in love with him. I always have been. He's what I've needed my entire life. And if you can't understand, or at least accept that, then you aren't my friend."

"I'll try, Draco. I'll do my best."

"Good, that's all I ask."

Just then, Harry came up behind Draco. He kissed the pale boy's neck and whispered in his ear," I want to see you alone."

"Excuse me, Goyle, I'll be right back," Draco addressed his henchman.

"Okay, Draco," Goyle replied and watched as Draco and Harry ran out of the Great Hall.

The boys walked to the same empty classroom they visited almost every day. Harry kissed Draco and then asked, "So, how did it go?"

"It went fairly well. Pansy cried and ran away, and Crabbe and Goyle are going to give me weird looks all year. And for you?"

"Well, Ron hates me, but Hermione understands and said she'll try to make him see that you aren't so bad. But, you'll have to help with that, too. No more being mean to them, Treat them with respect, please."

"Okay Harry. I'd do anything for you. And maybe they won't turn out to be so bad either."

Harry smiled and kissed the blonde boy. "Good. And now we're finally free of this secret. Free to be ourselves."

Draco smiled and pulled his loved into another kiss.