Draco Malfoy and his Unknown Fate:

Author's Notes: No sex in this chapter, sorry. ^_^ As for the fact Snape knows Draco is not a minor (thanks to those papers Lucius had him sign a loooong time ago) as the Slytherin Head of House it's probably in the job description to be aware of his students' home lives.

Warnings for this chapter: Oh, let's see. Language. Eh, that's it I think.

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

Finals were brutal, a blur of frenetic studying, constant worry, and sleepless nights. After the last final the whole school seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief, even the house elves who had been making late night runs for all the students.

Draco, with slight bruises under his eyes and a manic grin, sprawled on the Slytherin common room couch with an air of unsurpassed smugness. He'd done exceptionally well, he just knew it. Of course, Granger had probably scored highest in Arithmancy and Transfigurations, but Draco knew in his gut that he'd aced Ancient Runes, Potions, and History of Magic. Potions had been the easiest exam by far and Draco had even finished half an hour early.

Poor Harry had been gnawing on his quill nervously the whole time, tempting the Slytherin to hiss answers at the other boy in Parseltongue. However, one look at Snape, who was glowering and hovering over Longbottom, had put an end to that idea. Snape despised cheating and had more charms up to prevent it in his classroom than the rest of his fellow teachers combined.

"How do you think you did, Draco?" Asked Pansy, who was curled up in a chair across from him. She looked wrung out. Even her curls were drooping slightly.

"Wonderfully, of course. And you?"

Draco had been tutoring the other Slytherins in potions and Pansy, who had desperately wanted to do well on her Potions exam to impress Snape, had been his main priority. "Pretty well. Severus should be pleased."

"Good." Was all Draco had to say to that and he shut his eyes, smiling with satisfaction.

There was a comfortable silence between them, punctuated by the grumbling complaints of the other Slytherins across the room. It was the same old bitching, the same old tired insults aimed at the staff and a few meant for the Gryffindors. Their complaints were a familiar, soothing sound and it lulled Draco into a light doze. But soon enough a smooth, sarcastic voice jolted him awake. "Ah, it's nice to know my students have so much respect for their teachers." Draco opened his eyes to the sight of Snape addressing a group of chagrined Slytherins.

Ha, if they were dumb enough to get caught insulting their Head of House they deserved the dressing down Snape would no doubt give them later in regards to respecting their elders. The Potions Master turned, his robes swishing behind him, and strolled over towards Draco and Pansy. He tilted his head in greeting at the Slytherin girl before turning his attention to the blonde lounging comfortably on the couch. "Come with me, Draco. The Headmaster wants a word with you."

"Oh?" Draco asked uneasily, standing swiftly. "About what?

"I'm not sure. However, I do know that Potter will be there." Snape sent his favorite pupil a swift, inscrutable look. Draco knew the Potions Master didn't approve of his relationship with Harry, though he did find it ironic and so was fairly amused by it. And Snape never interfered in the lives, love or otherwise, of his students so Draco knew there was no threat from that quarter. Still, Dumbledore had eyes and ears everywhere in Hogwarts and Merlin knew the old schemer wouldn't be pleased if he discovered Draco had debauched his Wonder Boy. As they made their way out of the common room, Draco tried to figure out a way to pose his query inoffensively.

"You didn't um."

Snape anticipated his halting question. "I don't spread idle gossip, Draco. Least of all, about who you're shagging." The tall man snapped, his dark eyes narrowed.

Draco breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. I didn't think you did, sir. I just wanted to make sure."

"Mmm." Was all the Potions Master had to say on that. The rest of the trip was made in silence and though it was a bit awkward on Draco's part, it wasn't too terribly uncomfortable. They wound their way through the labyrinthine twists and turns of the dungeons, emerging near the Great Hall and wandering towards the Headmaster's office at a steady pace. "Ice Mice." Snape intoned, causing the gargoyle to move and give them entrance. "After you."

Draco stepped forward, prompted by Snape's sweeping gesture, and began to climb the stairs. He straightened his tie and smoothed his robes before knocking twice on the door. "Come in, come in." Draco opened the door and the first thing he saw was Dumbledore beaming at him merrily. "Please, take a seat. You too, Severus." There were five chairs present in front of the desk and Draco slipped into the one nearest Harry. Black and Lupin were seated on the Gryffindor's right, leaving Draco on his left and between Harry and Snape.

"Nice to see you, Malfoy." Black greeted him, immediately shooting looks of loathing at Snape afterwards in sharp counterpoint to his words. Before Snape could make some cutting comment sure to get the ex-convict's hackles up, Dumbledore interrupted them. The fact he was wearing lavender robes diminished his authority somewhat, but the two bickering men quieted anyway.

"Lemon drop, anyone?" A chorus of murmured refusals met his offer. "Ah, well. I think I shall have one myself." Draco took the time to send a swift smile Harry's way and was pleased when the other boy's hand briefly flitted over his in a butterfly caress before finding it's way back to the arm of his chair. "Now then, let's get down to business. This concerns you, Draco. After your capture of Mr. Pettigrew and your retrieval of Salazar Slytherin's skull, it's come to my attention that this summer your life may very well be in danger. You've managed to cross Voldemort not once, but twice and no doubt you've angered your father's for embarrassing him so thoroughly."

Draco shifted uneasily. "Oh. So what does that mean? Am I staying here this summer?"

"Oh, no my dear boy. The majority of the staff goes on holiday and it wouldn't be safe for you here. Hogwarts protects itself, but I'm afraid during the summer it tends to be lax with it's wards. It has no students to protect, you see. So I've made arrangements with Sirius to take you in for the summer. Unfortunately," He said, forestalling Draco's exclamations of delight. "His new home needs some additional protection before it is ready for you or Harry. I've taken the liberty of owling Mr. Dursley and explaining the situation to him. You'll be living with Harry and his family for two weeks this summer, until Remus and Sirius have a safe place to take you boys."

"Muggles?!" Said Draco, his voice dripping with disbelief. "I'll be living with Muggles? It's a good thing Father's already disowned me or I'd be in a world of pain." He grumped, slouching in his seat rebelliously. "Muggles." This was said with more than a touch of disgust.

"Draco is spending the summer with me? Brilliant!" Harry grinned, twisting around to look at his godfather. "That's great of you, Sirius! Really, this is wonderful!"

"It's the least I can do for him after he caught that rat for me isn't it?" Sirius asked, smiling at Harry's obvious joy. "And at least you'll be in good company. I expect Malfoy won't let himself or you be pushed around by those stupid Muggle bastards." Remus gave him a pointed look and Dumbledore chuckled at the rebuke. "Er, Muggle louts I mean. Draco can keep an eye out on you at least."

"Muggles." Draco said again, feeling nauseous. "Oh Merlin. Pansy always said I had bad karma, but this…"

Laughter filled the room and Harry flashed Draco a wry grin. "Ron'll be pleased, that's for sure."

"Think of it as a learning experience." Lupin said kindly, smiling at Draco's blatant dismay.

"And in the eyes of the Ministry, you're not a minor. Which means you are allowed to use magic during the summer." Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at Snape whose voice was silky and sly. "With discretion of course." The Potions Master tacked on as an afterthought.

"Of course. Now then boys, I'll let you be off. Are you sure none of you wants a lemon drop?"

"Oh, why not." Draco said, taking one of the sweets on a whim. "Thank you, Professor. And you too of course, Mr. Black. I really appreciate this."

"Oh, call me Sirius. Mr. Black sounds so mature."

"And we wouldn't want anyone attributing that particular trait to you, would we Black?"

Before the situation could deteriorate, Lupin jumped in. "Oh my, look at the time. It's getting late. Come along, Sirius. I expect we have better things to do than to trade barbs in the hallway. And I'm sure Severus does too, being a busy man, you know."

"Ah, glad to know you're keeping him on a leash Lupin." And then the Potions Master stalked off with an impressive if theatrical billow of his robes.

Sirius snarled, but a gentle hand on his arm managed to help him keep his temper. "I know, I know. Let it go. I don't know why he has to be such a git though."

"It's an occupational hazard, I suspect." Draco offered. "I'd be a git too if I had to teach a bunch of brats, never mind Neville Longbottom." It managed to lighten the mood considerably.

Sirius snorted his laughter. "You have a point there. But Remus manages to get by."

"I'm a special case." Lupin pitched in, smirking at his old friend and lover.

"Special, eh? Touched in the head, is what you are."

Draco rolled his eyes and ignored the rest of their flirtatious banter, turning his attention to Harry who looked positively over the moon. "We'll be spending the whole summer together, I can barely believe it!"

"It does sound nice, doesn't it? At least if the muggles get too bad I can always use magic on them." Draco mused, slipping his hand in his pocket to grasp his wand for reassurance.

Harry snickered. "Oh, this is going to be fun. I can't wait to see you meet Dudley."

"He's your cousin right?" Harry rarely talked about his family, but he had dropped hints here and there, just enough to appeal to Draco's curious nature.

"Yeah. He looks like a pig in a wig. You won't be able to miss him."

Draco snickered at the mental image Harry's words brought to mind. Then he sent a swift glance in the direction of the two older males before looking down at his serpent ring and quietly addressing the Gryffindor in Parseltongue. And just think, we'll have all summer together. Whatever shall we do? Draco teased, leering playfully at the dark haired boy. He had reason to. Harry was wearing a white T-shirt that clung to the curves of his biceps and shoulders and an old pair of tight blue jeans that hugged his arse oh so nicely.

Harry colored up slightly and smiled lopsidedly in that charming way of his. "Draco, is that all you think about?"

"Pretty much." The Slytherin conceded with a smirk. "And don't even try to pretend like you don't either. We both know better than that."

"I guess we do, don't we?" And the look in Harry eyes was so hot it was positively blazing. Draco shivered despite himself, lustful little tingles spreading throughout his body. He felt naked under that hungry, piercing green gaze. Naked and utterly desirable. The two boys locked eyes for a long moment as unspoken words slipped into the air between them, heavy and warm.

Sirius' chuckles abruptly ended the moment. "If you two are done with your staring contest, we can get out of here. You have that prefects' meeting right?"

"Yeah. I guess we better get a move on, huh?"

"Yes." Draco agreed. "That Chang bitch is far too handy with a broomstick for my peace of mind."

"Draco!" And the Slytherin grinned, satisfied that he'd managed to earn that scolding, scandalized tone of voice once again. He didn't think he'd ever tire of it. Because nothing got to Draco like getting to Harry Potter. And maybe if he spent his time fantasizing about the Gryffindor the prefects' meeting wouldn't be utterly mind-numbingly boring.

And if that got him too hot and bothered he could always amuse himself by making up dirty limericks instead.

"Are you coming?" The Gryffindor asked, turning impatiently.

"Not at the moment, but I'm sure you could help me fix that." Draco said in a low voice, meant for Harry's ears only. Ears that turned pink as soon as they caught his words. After all, a dirty pun or two would do just as well a limerick any day.

To be Continued

Comments and constructive criticism are more than welcome.