The next morning Draco woke up with a plan forming in his mind, a grin on his face and a raging hard on. He jumped in the shower and worked his erection quickly, sighing out Potter's name as he found his release. He washed hurriedly and dressed casually, pulling on his grey jogging bottoms and a white t-shirt with a small grey logo. He walked down the stairs to the middle floor, and along to his study, entered, and closed the door behind him. He would be safe to think in here, Pansy wouldn't dare to disturb him. She hardly dared to disturb him in his bedroom either but if she wanted to attempt to shag him then there was a risk that she would try it. But not in here, she had never been allowed in here. He opened the balcony doors behind his desk to let in a fresh breeze and paced in front of them.

Back,

Forth,

Back,

Forth,

Back,

And stopped suddenly.

He gazed out across the gardens, took a deep breath, and made his decision. He went to the door and opened it.

"Pansy!" he yelled down the corridor.

He heard her scrambling about upstairs and her bedroom door opened.

"Yes, darling?"

Draco winced. He hated pet names.

"I want to see you in my study," he demanded, "Right away!"

"Oh ... Erm ... Ok ... Coming, darling," she replied nervously.

Draco winced again and slammed the door. He turned and stalked to his desk, flopping into the chair behind it. He sighed. He loved this chair. He heard a small knock and quickly straightened himself up, clasping his hands together on the desk in front of him.

"Come in," he called.

The door opened and Pansy peeked in. Her eyes raced around the room, trying to take it all in. She stepped in and Draco noticed that she looked a little green. She'd never been summoned to his study before. No doubt she was nervous. And so she should be.

"Sit," he commanded and gestured to the chair across from him.

She closed the door behind her and padded slowly across the room. She sat stiffly in the chair, unable to relax.

"Pansy," he spoke softly, "No doubt you are wondering why I would summon you here, but I think we need to talk ... About us."

"Draco, are you ... Are you breaking up with me?" she croaked, her voice cracked with emotion.

"Well, yes, I am."

"But, I love you!" She choked back a strangled sob.

"I know you do, and I love you, but not like that. You are such a dear friend to me Pansy, but I cannot give you what you seek."

"But, where will I go?" she tried a different tactic.

"Home, Pansy. Go home."

"But, Draco, I can't. It's empty. I can't bear it."

"I'm sorry, Pansy, you cannot stay here. You may visit as often as you like, but you cannot stay."

"Is there someone else?" she demanded suddenly.

Draco paused. Well, there wasn't, yet, but he wanted there to be.

"Not exactly, no."

"So there is! Who is she? Do I know her? I'll rip her bloody eyes out," she growled.

Draco had to stifle a giggle that no one, even his closest friends or family, had the faintest idea that he was gay. Well, not totally gay. He did get turned on occasionally by girls but mostly guys. So, he was bisexual. But definitely leaning towards gay.

"Well, yes, it is someone you know, although not very well at all and erm, Pansy, it's a bloke." Draco decided that the truth would be best right now if he had any hope of keeping their friendship intact.

Pansy blanched and slumped in the chair, Draco thought she might faint as a slight whimpering sound escaped her lips. Draco half rose out of his chair with the intent of checking she was ok.

"I'm fine," she blurted, before he had even stood up. He dropped back into the chair and scrutinised her reaction. "Just give me a minute."

"Pansy, I'm sorry"

"You can't help being gay, Draco, but you could have told me sooner." She spat out the word gay with such venom that Draco flinched involuntarily.

"Well, I'm not strictly gay, Pansy, I'm bisexual, but I cannot love you romantically when my mind is somewhere else ... When my heart belongs to someone else."

"Again, you could have had the decency to tell me sooner."

"I'm sorry. I thought I was past it. I tried to forget it but something stirred up those old feelings and I realised that can't carry on like this."

"So, you'll be running straight to him as soon as I leave then, will you?" she barked.

"No, Pansy, it's not like that. He doesn't even know that I like him, or even that I like blokes. I don't even think he likes blokes or that he could ever like me but I have to try. I can't go on living without trying."

"Well, it sounds as if your mind is well and truly made up. I'll pack my things. Goodbye Draco." She rose from the chair and flounced from the room, leaving the door open behind her.

"Goodbye, Pansy. I'm sorry," Draco muttered to her retreating form.

Pansy had packed and left quickly without another word to Draco. Draco had stayed in his study for hours after she'd gone, staring down at his hands and wondering what in Merlin's name to do next. He had gotten rid of Pansy but how the bloody Hell was he supposed to get Potter.

It's a good job I like a challenge.

But where do I start?

Hmmmm.

Potter must be living in Ireland if he's playing for the Kestrels.

Makes sense I guess, the Irish do have the best Quidditch team in the world.

But why is he playing Quidditch?

I thought he was an Auror.

Maybe he wasn't getting enough attention.

Draco, that was stupid, he chided himself.

You know he doesn't look for fame, or need to.

He's probably the most famous wizard since Dumbledore.

He must be doing it for enjoyment.

There's just no other explanation.

Hmmmm.

How do I go forward?

Suddenly, a thought struck him like a bolt of lightning.

Time for a holiday.