Draco Malfoy and his Unknown Fate:

Author's Notes: Another short chapter.

Warnings for this chapter: None at all.

Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to J.K. Rowling. I'm merely borrowing them for the time being. This will be slash (eventually). Don't like it? Don't read it. Otherwise, enjoy.

Draco leaned back in his seat, pushing the heavy tome he'd been pouring over away from him and rubbing his tired eyes. He'd been throwing himself into the dusty books in an attempt to aid his research. It was a necessary part of his plans for his future and he needed it to make the potions he was set on creating. Being Snape's official lab assistant (and unofficial apprentice) helped him greatly in this endeavor, considering the fact he had access to the Potion Master's stores and advice.

"Are you still in here? You completely missed lunch Draco. You should take better care of yourself." The Slytherin looked up to see Pansy staring back at him resolutely and he waved her concerns away.

"Don't fuss, Pansy. I simply got caught up in my work."

She scoffed, taking a seat at the table across from him. Madame Pince gave them a quick, cursory glance at hearing the sound before moving towards the other side of the library to help a Hufflepuff fourth year who looked helplessly lost. "You've been caught up in your work for a while now. I don't think you even noticed All Hallow's Eve. You didn't even help us with the pranks on Hufflepuff House."

"I helped plan them, didn't I?"

"That's not the point." She said patiently. "You've been working too hard. I'm worried, we're all worried, about how focused you've been lately. It's not like you. All work and no play makes Draco a dull boy."

Draco rolled his eyes and leaned back, stretching and then lacing his fingers together and resting his hands at the nape of his neck. "All work and no play makes Draco a rich, successful boy you mean. I don't have time for fun and games. Between school, prefect duties, Quidditch practice, Snape's slave driving, and my own projects I really don't have time for recreational activities. You know that Pansy."

"What I know is that you need to go out and have some fun. Or at the very least get laid."

"Was that an offer?" Draco drawled, one eyebrow raised invitingly. Draco might have been gay, but he was willing to flirt with anything that moved. It was all in jest of course and Pansy knew that. However, the rest of the library didn't and a few eavesdroppers started giggling or spluttering, depending on just how repressed they were.

"Don't be ridiculous. You need to get out some. And if you don't, I'll make you sorry for it Draco Lucius Augustus Malfoy." He shifted uncomfortably at the full use of his name, but refused to relent.

"I'd like to see you try." He sneered before turning back to his book, ignoring the fuming girl across from him. Finally she stood up and huffily stormed out of the library, sweeping out of the room with her chin held high and almost trampling a first year Ravenclaw who barely managed to duck out of her way fast enough. Draco took a moment to feel a twinge of apprehension before he shook his head and directed his attention back to his task. Time was money and Draco needed as much of both as he could get so Pansy was just going to have to deal.

To be Continued

Comments and constructive criticism are more than welcome.