Draco teaching meant Harry did not get lunch-visits nor did he get to come home to the ferret messing around with another of his walls when the day was done. In fact, it was quite lonely without his husband around, and for the first time since he'd gotten there, Harry realized with glaring clarity that he hadn't enjoyed being alone even before they'd been jolted through time.

The days in Grimmauld Place, where he did exactly what he was doing then, were plain and lifeless unless he invited his friends over. Having someone to share it with hadn't been a priority, too focused on his career and saving people still, that he'd quelled a part of himself. Fortunately for Harry, he was now getting it all, blissfully happy, and his head and hormones argued that maybe he didn't just find Draco's company pleasing and alluring... maybe he loved him.

It was the beginning of a new week, Hermione and Severus had been healing for a few days now and preparing for her birthday dinner together. They'd also been attempting to get in contact with Hermione's parents which seemed like a brilliant idea to Harry.

He admired them both for it, having gone through what they did, to focus on something new and better, healing a part of them they could control instead of letting Hermione focus on what they couldn't. They were still waiting for a response to the long, heartfelt letter she had written, but they had faith.

And Harry?

He was going stir-crazy.

Draco had opted to stay at the castle for his undetermined reign in Severus' position, and McGonagall seemed to enjoy having him. He was worried that he might get attached to it and be less free than he was even now, but if it did become permanent, Harry could at least be assured Draco would be home more often, and likely less worried that he was off trying to get himself killed during the day.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder, or so they said. Really, distance made him irrationally horny and stuck in the delusion that he was in love with Draco.

Not that Harry minded the idea, it just felt like far too soon.

That Tuesday, Harry got a letter from Draco saying he was coming home for the night because he missed him and he'd gotten all of his grading done over the weekend.

He couldn't have been more excited and ordered Kreacher to make them a feast. The elf happily obliged. Even Harry had gotten home early to make sure everything was in order, putting on Draco's favorite jumper of his, checking in on the state of his hair for once in his life too.

It didn't cooperate, but it was the thought that counted.

Harry sat down anxiously at the table and thought of Hermione attempting to reconcile with her parents... then recalled how Draco's father didn't quite favor his son being with a man. Obviously it had nothing to do with much else than the Malfoy name, or so Harry thought. Draco had taken his name as a Potter, and Aries was inevitably going to take Ron's if they ever tied the knot.

Frankly, he would like to smooth things over as well, for it was one thing to see Lucius Malfoy regularly, it was another to see him echo his past self more than anyone else. That was one person he did not want cloning himself from his previous life.

Maybe he could just... get him to warm up a little, but he didn't know how or what to do that with, though he figured it might help to let him be the first in the know in the upcoming 'celebration' they were having for Hermione's birthday.

The signature sound of apparition sounded, and Harry lost all thought of anything but his husband.

He bounded into the hallway to greet him, and the irony of the moment did not fail him.

Only a few weeks ago he'd been raising his wand to his neck, now they were embracing... and snogging, and Draco's hand was on his arse.

"Hey, I think Kreacher has dinner ready."

"That's what you say after over a week of not seeing me?" Draco asked, feigning some type of offense, though he did not back away from him at all.

"It's better than a wand to the throat, hm?"

"Considerably."

He planted one last kiss and they finally broke apart.

"How is Hogwarts?" Harry wondered eagerly, moving through the halls into the dining room as Draco laid eyes on the delectable feast.

"Kreacher outdid himself... Thank you Kreacher!" He called into the void, and the elf popped in, personally filled Draco's glass, then popped back out with a grin.

Harry had to pour his own wine, much to his amusement.

"Hogwarts is bloody great, actually. While security was a little uptight since Caelum got abducted and then found, thank you Hare, the students were in good spirits, keeping an eye on one-another with good camaraderie. It almost made me want to go back to work."

Looking up and away from his arguably better-looking meal, Harry couldn't help but wonder exactly what it was he had done before quitting as he'd never mentioned it. All he knew him as was a house-husband.

Draco read his face anyways. "You don't know that I taught, did you?"

Harry shook his head.

"I nearly forgot... being away for so long. But yes, I got my mastery in Potions under Severus while he warred with himself over Hermione, then Professor Lupin took a year off, so he stepped in, and I stepped into his place. At the time, I hated it. I was away from you all the time, I only went home on nights I didn't have patrol... at the time I was twenty-one, two years ago, and it doesn't feel all that long, but when you're trying to get killed at every duel, time goes by excruciatingly slow when we're apart."

"Am I what's stopping you from going back?"

Draco chuckled.

"No, Hare. I love teaching, and I would gladly fill Severus' spot like this on occasion, but I mean, I love you coming home to me, being there for you whenever you might need me. However... looking after an entire school of children again has made me reconsider our adoption plans- which I know were on hold already, but I think we ought to delay indefinitely. Even if we are ready soon, the shock of it might still be too raw for Hermione, not to mention the fact you don't even technically love me yet-"

"I do," Harry said before he could stop himself. It felt right, and the world didn't come crashing down around him, so it must have been true. "I love you."

He said it, plain and simple, the stupid distance between them and the fact this Harry whose body he possessed had already done so made it easy.

"You mean it?"

"We still have to wait on kids-"

"Yeah, bloody hell, Hare, you love me! I could give a rat's arse about anything else!" Draco even pushed his food away, rushing around the table to give Harry a spectacular snog before they returned to their meal, nearly tempted to compromise the whole thing and have their way with one-another right on the table.

Their refrain was for the best, really, they didn't want to scar Kreacher for life.

Severus had promised to return to his normal post the following Monday, over a fortnight after he left. Their Friday-night Birthday dinner was going to be a trip, as Remus was already barking up a tree, wondering why exactly Draco was filling in. the excuse that they were making up would only last so long, as even their honeymoon hadn't gone on for two weeks.

Draco did revel having Harry in his bed once again, however, the sweet smell of home encompassing him.

Of course, nothing could ever be so good.

"Why doesn't your dad like us together all that much again?"

Draco had answered a lot of questions over the past months, things he rather didn't want to relive, as well as a many other great deal of things that had brought his entire world into perspective, but this one thing... it was a moot point.

"Family stuff. I'm not exactly carrying on the family line, let alone the family name. And Merlin knows my sister is probably actually going to marry Ron and change her name to his. Wanker."

Harry chuckled, and Draco pulled him closer as punishment.

"It's no laughing matter. I suppose father is just... not seeing our lives go the way he expected them to. Delusions of grandeur from a man with literal magic."

"I understand, I just hate getting the cold shoulder, Draco. And I hate he has to feel that way."

"You have to know, he loves you and your family, especially your mother all-considering. He even gave you his blessing when you told him you wanted to be bonded to me, to marry me, but any old values that do still linger in him or his blood, ache for me to have a son and carry on the family name just like him and mother."

"Maybe you should change your name back-" Harry suggested, but there was no finishing that statement.

"I don't think so, I love being a Potter. My dad can sooner get his wand in a knot before I change my name back. Sharing a name means more to me than anything, and frankly I know you'd never give up Potter, not that I would ask you to."

Draco kissed his husband's neck absently as Harry stretched, deep in thought over the whole thing now.

"What made you worry over it? The you before you used to just ignore it, he knew he was liked and that was enough."

"Hermione is trying to repair things with her parents," Harry muttered, turning over and looking at Draco's face through the dark. "She's playing every card she's got, and it's breaking her heart to do it, too. I would hate to see you in that same position if your father grew tired enough. Lucius was not a good man from what I recall, as you well know."

He nodded, feeling somewhat nauseous at the thought of his father not being a good wizard. He was conniving when it came to ministry business, occasionally snappish, but never cruel.

"I don't think it will ever come to my father hating me. He'll get grandchildren out of Aries eventually, and us, so all will be well."

Harry snorted.

"Meanwhile my mum is worried she isn't going to get grandchildren from either Iris or I right now. Merlin knows my sister isn't settling down, plenty good for her, but lots of pressure for us."

"Yes, well," Draco gave him a quick kiss and settled into the bed, "There's no need for dramatics yet. We'll get around to it. Or maybe Iris will get knocked up and we can test-run being uncles for a while."

Even Harry knew that was as unlikely as him going back to where he came from. The fruitful conversation did give him some good ideas, however.

"So you're saying I never tried to resolve any of this?"

"I suppose," Draco said lazily. "Why?"

"Nothing... just curious."

"I love you."

Harry smiled, brilliantly, and felt his spine shiver in ecstasy. "I love you too."

A/N: Just some cute fluff before we get into the final stretch! Hope you're ready! Also, sorry for the inconsistent updates, life is very busy, as I'm sure it is for everyone else. Life really is wild, but all my best wishes for Halloween and the upcoming holidays to you all!