holiday at all.”

Something flickered across Potter’s face as he took another sip of his butterbeer. “Um, in a manner of speaking I’m on holiday, yes.”

“Why do you say it like that?”

“Like what?”

“So…ominously.”

Potter sighed, leaning back in his chair. “I rarely talk about it to be honest.”

Draco studied him closely as his face twisted into something unreadable. He seemed to be considering something. When he finally spoke again, his tone was a lot gloomier.

“Ever since I quit Auror training—”

“You did what?” Draco blurted. “You quit—What?”

“Well, technically, I’m on sabbatical, but I think they know I’m noting back.”

“But…why?” Draco asked, genuinely shocked.

Potter shrugged. “I didn’t like it.”

Draco wanted to snort and point out many people didn’t like their job. But Potter was in a position where he didn’t need to do anything he didn’t like, wasn’t he? Or, maybe, he had so many obligations he secretly disliked, he made sure to get rid of the things he had control over.

“How did I not know about this?” Draco murmured, more to himself than to Potter.

“Oh, I’m sorry, was I supposed to send you a memo?” Potter said in an amused tone.

Draco immediately felt himself blush. “I meant…” He tried to collect himself, searching for the right words. “Howe none of this was in the papers?”

“I made everyone keep their mouths shut,” Potter said. “I didn’t think it would work, but…” He shrugged again.

Draco studied his face, but hastily looked away when Potter’s eyes locked with his.

“Why are you telling me, then? How do you know I won’t go to the Prophet with this information?”

“I don’t,” Potter said.

“So…what, you don’t care?”

“No, that’s not it.”

Draco peeked at him when he didn’t continue.

“You know, I think it’s kind of endearing you kept up with me like that,” Potter said with a grin.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” Draco said with a dismissive gesture, gulping down his too hot tea. He made a face as the liquid burnt his mouth and the embarrassment burnt his cheeks.

“Half of it is probably untrue, though,” Potter muttered. There was something in his voice that made Draco frown.

“What?”

“What they write about me in the papers. I wouldn’t know, I never read it. Not anymore.”

“I see.” Draco gave him a suspicious glance while Potter went back to studying the bottle in his hands. Did that mean he hadn’t seen their picture? Some of his friends must have shown him at least. But he hadn’t brought it up yet, which made Draco even more ufortable than if he had been teased about it. Ugh, the prat was so bloody irritating!

Potter suddenly cleared his throat and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.

“So, how are you going to spend Christmas? Are you going to visit your mum in France?”

“Oh,” Draco said, grateful for the change in topic, but also slightly pleased Potter seemed to remember little details about his family. “Yes, I’m going to stay with her over the holidays. What about you?”

“Same as every year,” Potter said, as if Draco was supposed to know what that meant. Of course, Draco did know.

“Isn’t it weird, seeing your ex-girlfriend?” Draco asked in a seemingly innocent tone. He had read about Potter’s break up with the She-Weasel and had often wondered if they had gotten back together without the papers knowing about it.

“Oh, not at all,” Potter said. “Besides, she’s dating someone new now, so it’s all good.”

“I see,” Draco said, trying to mask his sudden nervousness. “So she doesn’t mind you bringing your new girlfriend over to her house for Christmas?”

“Who said anything about a new girlfriend?” Potter asked, seemingly caught off guard.

Draco stared at him, willing his heartbeat to slow down. ‘What about a boyfriend?’ he wanted to ask. How many hours, days and months he had spent, wondering if Potter might like blokes. And here it was, the perfect opportunity to find out.

Before he could ask any more questions, however, Tom came by to see if they needed anything else, distracting them both and leading the conversation into another direction.

If the circumstances had been different, Draco might have been tempted to admit that spending time with Potter wasn’t that bad after all. Objectively. But, the thing was, it was torture. He was so aware of every word, every glance they exchanged, trying not to let show how many thoughts raced through his head. Honestly, it was exhausting.

Draco insisted on getting the tab and after they stepped outside, he stared at Potter’s outstretched hand.

“What?” Potter asked, stupidly in Draco’s opinion.

Rolling his eyes, he shook the other man’s hand.

“We should do that again sometime,” Potter added.

“Sure,” Draco replied, his voice sounding indifferent. He knew that was just an empty phrase, something you said to someone you secretly hope to never see again. He let go of Potter’s hand and turned away, intent on going home as quickly as possible.

“Oi, Malfoy,” he heard Potter call. Draco briefly closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he threw a questioning look over his shoulder. Potter was smiling at him. Shyly. Sweet Merlin!

“I don’t have a girlfriend,” he said. Draco arched an eyebrow in confusion. “And I don’t have a boyfriend, either.”

Wait. What? Why was Potter telling him this? Seriously, why was Potter telling him this? Was it just to tease him? Draco would have bet anything the prat was taken. But he was single? Potter was single?

And I don’t have a boyfriend, either.

Was he implying…he swung both ways? Merlin’s pants!

Suddenly, Draco wished Potter hadn’t said anything at all. He was single. He liked blokes…

Fuck.

That was even worse! It made everything so much worse. Being jealous came easy to Draco, he could have handled that. Given the circumstances, he would have even weed that. What he couldn’t handle was being presented with a possibility, no matter how small, but knowing it would never end the way he wanted it to.

“Okay,” Draco said warily and turned away again.

“Wait, are you seeing someone?” Potter called after him.

Draco snorted, which almost turned into a laugh. “Merry Christmas, Potter,” he said, before he Apparated back to the Manor.

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