Draco's Dilemma
~Pansy Parkinson~

As Draco sat on the bed at the Leaky Cauldron, he couldn't help but pinch his nose with his two fingers. Narcissa Malfoy was purposely trying the patience with his father. He couldn't be sure, but he felt that either his mother gained some courage, or something was seriously wrong with her.

What he did know was that his father wouldn't be pleased with the fact that his mother had purposely released Dobey. Of course, the man wouldn't like the fact that his mother had taken off with the one and only heir to the Malfoy estates. Nor would he be pleased with the fact that Narcissa might be going nuts.

Draco sighed and got up, pulling a cloak over his off kilter clothing, then stepped out of the room and hurried to Diagon Alley, thanks to quickly asking the landlord to open the gate for him, as he had yet to acquire a wand. This was something that he defiantly was going to have to get used too.

The mood he was in was to walk, not really looking at any of the trinkets in the windows. However, this meant that he had nothing really to do, and it looked as if this was the case. This may or may not have been the reason why she choose to call out to him.

"Parkinson… what do you want?" the boy suddenly asked, suddenly wishing he had instead walked away.

"Come and sit and talk already," she waved him over, a smirk on her face.

Draco reluctantly did so, knowing the girl would make a scene if he didn't. She whispered so only he could hear. "Why'd you break up with me? We would have won if we had just handed over Potter."

"I see you haven't changed," his grey eyes were filled with annoyance.

"Tisk… don't be looking down on me, with what your mother did," the girl clicked her tongue.

"I don't want to talk about my mother right now," Draco glared at the girl.

"Well, I don't want to talk about what I did," she smiled at him.

"If everyone remembers…" however, Pansy interrupted him.

"Not everybody does remember. My parents sure don't. I remembered some key investments from the future and our family is going to rise up status wise among purebloods,"

"That's cheating," came the blond haired boys reply.

"That is being a Slytherin my dear Malfoy, and whether you like it or not, I will make you my future husband," she smiled.

"Sorry, but I have other plans, so don't make idol threats," Draco snapped.

"And if your father tells you otherwise," Pansy watched as he turned dejectedly away from her. "I knew it… if your father barked the command to marry me, you would do it. So, I only need to convince your father."

Draco then smirked, remembering something. "Unlike your parents, mine remember your little out burst quite well, Ms. Parkinson, they do."

At that, Pansy snapped her newspaper down, "Don't underestimate me Malfoy."

"This coming from someone reading the Loony Lovegood's paper?" Draco couldn't help but narrow his eyes, a harsh chuckle escaping his lips.

"Get this Draco, supposedly there is this magical island somewhere where Muggles can know about Wizards," she suddenly smiled. "This is the best work of fiction I have ever read, a good laugh every time."

"No way any ministry of magic would be dumb enough to sanction that," Draco firmly stated, no change of infliction in his voice.

"And get this. This place, Anwe, is trying to start up its Quiditch team and promote diversity… among humans, House Elves, Dwarves and Halflings. I can't see a Halfling like Hagrid being able to ride a broom… it would break!"

"So?" Draco was becoming even more bored.

"And apparently Cornelius Fudge is going over there," she laughed. "Can you believe such preposterous things?"

Draco then stood up. "Look, I have to go before my mother worries."

"Shouldn't you be more worried about what your father thinks?" Pansy eyes his rumpled clothing.

"I am not in a good moon," Draco gave her a dirty look, then walked off. Pansy gave one back, then went back to her reading, smirking as she did so.

Author's note – A thank you goes to the anon. reviewer who helped with the summary and title when people come into the fanfic. It is now correct. Also, if one is confused how this tied into Lord of the Rings, Pansy thought the paper was referring to House Elves, instead of Elves, the beardless Dwarves instead of the bearded ones, and half-giants instead of Halflings. She got the information wrong. :)