Title: Time Changes Everything

Rating: M
Warnings: Non-explicit slash, non-HBP compliant
Disclaimer: JK Rowling Owns Harry Potter and its original characters. I came up with this plot, but if anyone can do it better- please go ahead, I'd love to read it!

A/N: This is a short chapter, but I wanted to get something new up before th weekend when I won't have time to write (ironically). I tried to keep Malfoy a little bit more in character with his normal personality but honestly, it is still difficult. Enjoy and keep the reviews coming!

Chapter 7: Walks and Talks

The second week into the future brought more of the same routine in the Potter-Malfoy household. Potter and Malfoy were now an active part of the everyday schedule in the home. Malfoy no longer acted surprised when Draco or Harry asked him to help with dinner, clean up, or help one of the kids get dressed. Although he still occasionally complained.

"It is below the Malfoy name to do such-" he started to say while his hands were filled with dirty breakfast dishes that he was loading into the dishwasher.

"Menial work. We know, Malfoy!" Finished Harry, Draco, Potter, and all three children, who were starting to like making fun of the younger version of their Poppa.

Malfoy looked visibly taken aback and started muttering that people who were born into the bourgeois didn't appreciate the value of hired help. Draco laughed at this and reminded Malfoy that he was born into the exact same upper class pure blood environment as Malfoy and that he consciously decided to forego the luxury of full time help.

"I bet it is only because Harry convinced you otherwise." Malfoy said with a sneer, "Scarhead over there probably told you he wouldn't sleep with you if you didn't agree to his stupid household rules or something."

When he heard this, Draco lost his cool. "I beg your pardon. First of all, I will have you remember that our children are in the room so watch your language. And second, it doesn't work like that in this family. Any decisions that are made regarding the household are made equally by Harry and me."

"Please, you are so whipped and you know it," Malfoy snapped back at his older self and promptly slammed the dishwasher shut and stormed out of the back door of the house.

Draco made a move to follow Malfoy, but Potter stopped him, "You better not. It seems that he is having issues with you right now. Let me go talk to him. I am used to his wrath."

"You sure?" Draco asked skeptically.

"I've got to start dealing with him sometime, don't I?" Potter replied with a knowing look to both Draco and Harry.

The two older men nodded in amused agreement.

Potter went outside and tried to catch up with Malfoy who was briskly walking up the street.

"Malfoy! Wait up! Malfoy! Stop!"

Malfoy turned around and looked at Potter with disgust; nevertheless, he reluctantly slowed down and waited for the Gryffindor to catch up with him.

"What do you want Potter?" He spat, his voice laced with venom. "Are you here to stick up for them? Of course you are. You are so low class!"

"Come on Malfoy, I don't think you are truly upset because Harry and Draco chose not to have full time house elves!"

"Sure I am. How they can live so poorly is beyond me," Malfoy said in a loathing tone of voice.

"Please. Harry and Draco live very nicely. Their house is beautiful, they and their children are extremely well dressed, and everything is state of the art. They may not have full time help, but the house is well tended to and in order. What is the real problem?"

"I don't know what you are talking about," and Malfoy walked faster ahead of Potter.

"I think you do. And I think you will tell me before we finish this walk," Potter said knowingly as he followed Malfoy.

Malfoy turned around sharply and yelled, "That. That is the fucking problem, Potter!"

"I don't understand," Potter said with confusion. "What is the 'fucking problem?"

"You! You are!"

"Me?"

The two boys stood facing each other, one with a confused look and one with a look that was a cross between fright and anger. Malfoy walked to a nearby park bench and sat down. He motioned for Potter to follow him.

The two sat next to each other and faced one another and Malfoy began to speak, "I have known that I am gay for a while. It is not something that bothers me, and I am even ok with the thought that I will settle down one day and even get married," he explained.

"OK, so what is the problem?" Potter asked.

"Let me finish. At this point in my life, I am very happy with myself. I like who I am. I am a leader in Slytherin. I am a good student. I am well respected by those who truly know me. I am happy to see that I will grow into a good man who has fought for a good cause," he paused and seemed to weigh his next words.

He continued, "The thing that I am most proud of is that I am an individual. I am a unique and independent person. I look at Harry and Draco and I see how in love they are, but I can't help but wonder whether Draco's individuality is being challenged. Is he still Draco Malfoy or is he only known as the husband of Harry Potter?" Malfoy asked without the angry tone of voice he had before. He seemed more wistful than anything.

"Do you really think it is like that?" Potter asked.

"I don't know, but it seems that so much is different from the way I was raised that I have to wonder whether Harry's influence- your influence, whatever, was the impetus for those changes. Are you the one who runs things? Do people say 'oh look, there are Harry Potter and his blonde husband'? I don't think I am wrong in having these concerns. I don't want to become some 'trophy-wife' with out my own individuality, Potter."

"Malfoy. I don't think you could lose your individuality if you tried! There is only one Draco Malfoy and believe me, sometimes it seems like one too many. At least for me it does," Potter said with his green eyes sparkling.

"I might be the 'famous Harry Potter', whether I like it or not." He continued, "but I have to think that if I choose to make you my mate for life, I will do so, not so you can be, how do you put it, 'a trophy- wife'. I will do so because you are my equal and because you can challenge me and help me be a better person than I am when I'm not with you," he finished quietly.

Malfoy was at an uncharacteristic loss for words. He looked at Potter and swallowed. "I am going to do something now that I might regret. I have never done anything like this in my life. Thank you, Potter- Harry."

"I only spoke the truth. I meant what I said, Draco." Potter said looking intently at Malfoy.

By this time the boys had moved closer to one another on the bench and they were almost touching. They both felt the sheer electricity of being in such close proximity to someone that they were attracted to.

They moved towards each other with their mouths parted slightly. They hesitated at the same time. Potter knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to close the gap between himself and the blonde Slytherin.

But he knew that right now, Malfoy needed to take the lead. He needed to know that Potter was serious when he said they were equals.

Malfoy took control and grabbed Potter's shirt with both hands and pulled the green eyed boy to him. He then kissed Potter ever so gently, their lips slightly touching each other. They both felt the underlying tenderness of the kiss though.

After they pulled apart, Malfoy looked at Potter and said, "this might just work out yet."

Potter would have agreed but at that moment both boys noticed an eight year old boy waiting eagerly for them.

"Daddy and Poppa said that we are going to Diagon Alley now and that I should get you," Jamie spoke looking both smug and shy. He looked like an exact cross between both his fathers at that moment.