Title: Harry Potter and the Children of the Future

Adopted and rearranged by: Reyn

Rating: M for language, sexual themes, violence, and alternative lifestyles

Author's Note: A lot of people commented on how Potter's thoughts were so much like Malfoy's and how it was like reading the same chapter twice, making it all rather boring. I have to frown at those people for missing the obvious in all that.

CHAPTER 7: S N A K E !

At 11:20pm, Malfoy entered the Room of Requirement.

"About bloody time, Ferret. We were getting ready to send a search party."

Malfoy's head snapped in the direction of the Weasley's voice.

"What are they doing here?" he demanded angrily.

Ron ignored the question and continued his rant. "Gabe said eleven. You're twenty minutes late!"

Malfoy smirked. "That's where you're wrong Weasel. He said around eleven. And I do believe 11:20 fits within that time schedule."

"He's got a point." Gabe said smiling. He often used that trick back home and usually got in trouble for it. Seeing his father use it now gave him leverage for when he went back.

Harry sighed. "Well hurry up and close the door Malfoy, we haven't got all night."

Malfoy, however, remained by the door. "My question wasn't answered. What are they doing here?"

Harry glanced over at Ron, Hermione, and Mack. It was Hermione who answered.

"We're here for moral support."

"Bullocks. If I had known the entire Gryffindor house was invited, I would have brought some guests of my own. But since no one bothered to inform me, I think I'll be leaving." with that, Malfoy turned, but before he could make it out the door he was stopped by a tug on his robe. He turned to hex whoever it was, but stopped when he saw it was his son.

"Father, please stay to hear me out. Mack's here to help me out and Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione are here for moral support on Dad's behalf."

"And to make sure you don't hex him into oblivion." Ron added.

"Actually we're here to keep the peace." Hermione said. "Even though becoming Head Boy has calmed some of your displays against Harry, we've noticed this whole father thing to be a pretty touchy subject between the two of you. I have a feeling you kept your temper to a minimum in the Great Hall because of all the teachers around. But in here, there isn't really anything to keep you and Harry in check. Which is where we come in."

"Why? So you can both jump to Harry's aide when things get a little rough?" Malfoy asked suspiciously.

"Actually, Ron'll be taking Harry's side while I'll stand by your side, not only so you'll have some support, but to also keep Ron in line." Hermione cast a side-glance at Ron. "I think it balances things out rather nicely."

Malfoy frowned realizing Hermione was right. Even though they had only been at school for a few months, he had gotten used to agreeing with Hermione considering they were both Head students. But just because he had gotten used to it didn't mean that he had liked it.

"Please, Father?" Gabe begged giving Malfoy's robes another tug.

Malfoy sighed. "Malfoy's don't beg, Gabriel." He headed towards the table and sat down between Harry and Hermione.

'I'm only staying because I'm curious.' he thought to himself.

Malfoy glanced around the room for the first time. He noticed it to be devoid of any sharp and blunt heavy objects. In fact, the floor and walls seemed to be carpeted. Aside from the large table in the middle and chairs surrounding it, the room seemed to be completely empty.

'Bloody Golden Trio had to think of everything didn't they? As if I would do anything. That bloody Weasel is the one who'll need the most restraining.' Malfoy sighed impatiently.

"Well, now that we're all here I guess I can begin." Gabe said happily.

"Wait!" Ron interrupted. "What about his wand?"

Malfoy glared at Ron.

"Ron's right." Harry said. "Everyone except Gabe should get rid of his or her wands."

Ron looked furiously at Harry with his mouth hung open.

"Alright." Malfoy said with a shrug. "I'll settle with that."

He took out his wand and placed it on the table in front of him as Harry, Hermione and Mack did the same. The entire group looked expectantly over at Ron.

Ron growled in defeat and tossed his wand on the table. Mack quickly jumped up and collected the wands and deposited them in a corner.

Gabe smiled happily as he sat opposite his parents. "Well, before I start, do you guys have any questions?"

"I do." Ron said loudly.

"I think he was addressing me and Malfoy, Ron." Harry said quietly.

Ron pouted and slouched in his chair.

"That's right Weasel, you should learn you're place and stay quiet." Malfoy said smugly.

"Malfoy!" Hermione scolded.

Ron gave him the finger.

"Ron!"

It seemed like a fight between the three was about to erupt when Gabe suddenly jumped up from his seat with a small yelp and began patting down his robes madly. The entire table stopped what they were doing and stared at Gabe as if he were mental.

Gabe reached down into his robes and quickly pulled something out and tossed it onto the table.

Hermione let out a soft scream as everyone quickly scooted his or her chairs back.

"It's alright." Gabe reassured. "It's only Nyoka. She heard Uncle Ron's voice and-."

"What is that?" Malfoy asked as he peered closely at the table.

"It's a snake." Harry answered, as he looked closer.

Ron and Hermione, however, stayed back from the table.

"Gabe," Hermione asked slowly, "what are you doing with a snake in your robes?"

"She's my pet!" Gabe said defensively as the snake slithered over to Harry.

"Hello." Harry said as he reached out to stroke the snake's head.

"Ah. You must be Father Harry. I still have yet to meet you in the future. My name is Nyoka. Pleased to meet you." The snake replied.

"Gabe, snakes aren't allowed as pets at Hogwarts. They're not on the list." Hermione explained, keeping her eyes on the snake.

"I found her. She was hurt. I couldn't just leave her out there!" Gabe argued.

"Where'd you find her?" Ron asked curiously as he watched Harry converse with the snake.

"She's from the Forbidden Forest." Harry answered as he looked up from his conversation. "Gabe found her near the edge of the forest during one of his Care of Magical Creatures lessons."

Malfoy tore his eyes away from the snake to Gabe.

"You're a parselmouth, aren't you?" he asked accusingly.

"Of course he is. He takes after me." Harry said proudly as he handed the snake to Gabe.

Malfoy simply scowled as he watched Nyoka slither away from Gabe over to Ron.

"Actually, I got it from both of you." Gabe said as he looked between his parents.

Harry frowned. "How? Malfoy's not a parseltongue. Are you?" He asked Malfoy.

"No, I'm not. I have no idea what Gabriel's talking about." Malfoy said somewhat furiously.

"Are you sure?" Harry asked suspiciously.

"Look Potter, I think I would know my own magical abilities, and conversing with snakes is not one of them." Malfoy crossed his arms.

"That's odd." Gabe interjected. "You can speak to snakes in my time. Maybe Harry taught you how to do it."

Harry opened his mouth to tell Gabe that he doubted parseltongue could be taught when Ron interrupted him.

"Er…what's it doing?" Ron asked nervously as the snake started to climb into his robe's sleeve.

"Honestly Uncle Ron. Nyoka is a 'she', not an 'it'. And she is going over to you because she likes you."

Harry, Malfoy, and Mack all burst out laughing as Ron took on a rather sickly shade of green before leaping up and shaking about in an attempt to dislodge the snake from his clothes.

Hermione, on the other hand, caught Gabe and Harry sharing a knowing look and frowned.

"Harry James Potter, you call that snake off this minute!" She yelled out as she jumped up to help Ron.

"I didn't send the snake after him! Gabe did!" Harry cried out, pointing an accusing finger at Gabe.

"ME? You're the one who's been talking to it this whole time!"

"Just because I was talking to it does not mean-"

"EEK!" Ron squealed. "It's going in my trousers! Call it off! CALL IT OFF!"

Malfoy fell out of his chair with laughter. Hearing the Weasel squeal like a girl was almost too much to handle.

Both Harry and Gabe were laughing too hard to get out a full command in parseltongue, and had to resort to manhandling Ron to find the snake to bring it out.

Malfoy felt like he would die from lack of oxygen seeing as how he no longer had the strength to draw in a full breath.

After several intense moments, Nyoka seemed to understand that her company was not wanted and slithered out the bottom of Ron's pants and went over to a corner of the room before curling up and glaring in Ron's directions.

"Uncle Ron, look what you did! You hurt her feelings! You should apologize." Gabe scolded.

Ron rounded on Gabe. "I am NOT about to apologize to that FILTHY, SLIMY excuse for an animal, ESPECIALLY since it just VIOLATED me in about TEN different ways! And if you EVER set that THING on me AGAIN, I'll –"

Malfoy was up from the floor in a flash, shielding Gabe.

"Don't you dare threaten him, Weasel, when you know quite well that Potter's the one to blame." Malfoy stated in a deadly voice.

"Get out of my way, Ferret, for once this doesn't involve you!" Ron put his hand on Malfoy's shoulder to push him aside, only to have it grabbed by Harry, who simply shook his head at Ron.

Malfoy took a step closer to Ron. "You're wrong, Weasley. If you start something with my family you start something with me. Got it?"

Now furious, Ron wrenched his arm away from Harry to punch Malfoy, only to have his arm once again grabbed by Hermione.

"RON, NO!" Harry yelled as he stepped in front of Malfoy.

"WHAT THE FUCK, HARRY! HAS THE WHOLE BLOODY WORLD GONE MAD? JUST BECAUSE THERE'S A BOY WHO CLAIMS TO BE BOTH YOUR SON AND MALFOY'S DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO GO DEFENDING THE SLIMEBALL!"

"It's not that…" Harry said quietly, refusing to move away from Malfoy and Gabe. "It's just that, Nyoka happens to be one of the most deadly snakes in the world, and if you hit Malfoy…well, look at her Ron!"

Everyone looked down to where Harry was pointing and saw the snake poised to strike not even a foot away from Ron's ankle.

With a yelp, Ron jumped up and scrambled onto the nearest chair as Nyoka hissed angrily.

"She said she considers the three of us to be her masters, even Malfoy, despite the fact that he can't speak her language yet, and if you harm any of us you're dead." Gabe said with the airy tone of one describing the weather.

"You let a poisonous snake in Ron's robes!" Hermione asked furiously.

Gabe shrugged as he went to take his seat. "Well, it's not like she would have hurt him then. She was only playing, after all. Honestly Aunt Hermione, animals aren't all as dumb as you people make them out to be. She wouldn't have bitten him knowing he's my friend's father."

Harry fought not to smile as Hermione opened and closed her mouth at a loss for a retort.

Malfoy, however, had no reason to hide anything and laughed out loud. "Please Granger, even I knew that. Books suddenly failing to let you in on the secrets of the world, are they? Maybe if you expanded your world past the school library, the Weasley here would finally get a chance to ask you out. Especially since he can't get anyone better."

Hermione invented a new shade of red with her blush, and Ron looked murderous.

"Am I ever going to get the chance to ask my question?"

"Very well, Uncle Ron. What is it?" Gabe asked.

"What are you all doing here? I mean, I thought time travel was illegal. And why have you been sent to Hogwarts? Especially when there are loads of people here who are willing to sell any type of information to the Daily Prophet." Ron shot a glare at Malfoy, who in turn, ignored it.

"Er…" Gabe shot a glance at Malfoy and Hermione. "I've sort of been sworn to secrecy on that little bit of information…"

"What! Why!" Ron demanded. He looked over and noticed Hermione refusing to meet his eyes and Malfoy staring at him wearing a large smirk.

"You two know, don't you!" he accused.

"Being Head students has its advantages, much better than being a Prefect. Wouldn't you say, Granger?" Malfoy said in a mocking tone.

"So Harry and I are the only ones in this room who are clueless as to what's going on? I demand to know this instant!"

"Weasley, you are hardly in any position to go about making such demands."

"I don't care!" Ron turned to Harry. "Come on mate! You hate being left in the dark, too! You're always going into a row when Dumbledore decides to keep information from you!"

Harry sighed. "Yeah, alright. It's not like we'll go around telling everyone we come across. Plus I wouldn't be surprised if Dumbledore didn't already know about Gabe, me, and Malfoy."

"He's right." Gabe said as he sent a silent plea to his Aunt and Father.

"Well, I suppose it couldn't hurt…" Hermione said slowly.

"Great!" Gabe said as Mack shot him a rather pointed look. "Right…well…everyone being here is sort of my fault on some level."

"Our fault, you mean." Mack corrected.

"Inherited Potter's need for heroics, then?" Malfoy asked.

"Hardly. The trouble sort of found me. Anyways, I really can't go giving all the details, but the main point is Hogwarts is no longer safe in my time."

"What? Why not!" Ron burst out. "What the hell did you two do?"

"We didn't do anything! We just sort of stumbled across the trouble and warned Dumbledore right before it was too late! Getting sent here was a last minute act to save the students before disaster struck." Mack said.

"Where are we when all this is happening?" Harry asked.

"Well, you were substituting the Defense Against Dark Arts class." Gabe said. "And you were the one who sent us all here. I don't think Father's going to be too happy with you back in our time, considering sending close to three hundred students through time using a spell is extremely risky. Especially since we could easily get lost in time, or misplaced at some location."

"But, in the end it worked, didn't it?" Harry asked.

"Yeah. But that's not going to stop Father from being mad with you. You always are taking stupid risks as he likes to put it."

Harry turned on Malfoy. "I do not take stupid risks!"

Malfoy turned his head sharply to face Harry. "I've never said such a thing! Although, now that I think about it, some of the stuff you do is pretty stupid."

Harry turned slightly red as Gabe laughed.

"See! This is exactly the kind of arguments you get into back home! You two are becoming a couple already!"

This statement caught Harry's attention as his anger suddenly vanished.

"So…am I really gay, then?" Harry kept his eyes glued to the table as he heard Malfoy snort.

Gabe smiled. "Nope. You actually don't really have a preference."

Harry's head shot up. "What? That doesn't make any sense!"

"Actually Potter, it does." Malfoy interrupted. "It means you don't have a sex drive which stops you from chasing after women. But, you do have an appreciation for beauty and when someone does catch your eye, it won't matter if they're male or female. You end up finding yourself to be quite loyal to this person, which can easily make you stupid. It also makes you oblivious to flirting."

Harry blinked. "…"

"That makes sense. Remember during the Yule Ball? Loads of girls asked Harry out and he turned them all down since he had his eyes set on Cho. Although the nonexistent sex drive bit is false." Hermione sent a glare in Malfoy's direction. "Along with the flirting bit. But the blinding loyalty and beauty bit are true."

Harry said nothing as he remembered back to fourth year. He had been extremely foolish when it came to Cedric and Cho. So foolish in fact, that he had refused a bit of sensible advice on the second task.

"So does that mean you find me beautiful, Potter?" Malfoy asked, interrupting Harry's thoughts.

Harry glared at Malfoy. He thought about not answering, but realized this was probably the wrong thing to do.

"As a matter of fact, I do." He answered coolly. Ignoring the gagging sounds coming from Ron, the beaming face of Gabe, and the wide-eyed looks of both Malfoy and Hermione, he continued.

"But there are many types of beauty, and I find yours to be deceitful."

Malfoy's eyes narrowed dangerously, but before he could lash out, Ron spoke up.

"Is Gabe going to start telling his life story, or not?" he asked darkly, still refusing to let his feet touch the floor considering Nyoka was beneath him.