The Marriage Decree

Chapter 162: I don't know who I am

Despite Hyperion assuring his family that he was fine and didn't need to be babysat around the clock, they took turns to stay with him at the house he had called home for the past three decades. Draco and Hermione took the first shift, staying in a spare bedroom while Hyperion pottered around the house, trying to find something to do to keep his mind busy.

Over that weekend, Sarah's sons visited their mother at the funeral home, where they said their goodbyes to the woman who had done her very best to raise them alone and then promptly returned to their own little corner of Britain. However, that was not before reminding Hyperion that he was to move his entire family out of their house after the funeral.

Draco returned to Hogwarts that Monday, not wanting his OWLs and NEWTs students to fall too far behind due to his absences. It was difficult settling back into his routine when he would've preferred to be in Tiverton, comforting his uncle. Thankfully, his students seemed to be aware that he was grieving the loss of a family member and didn't bring it up. Instead, he felt they were purposefully asking him academic questions to keep his mind off his grief, which was much appreciated.

On Friday morning, a week after Sarah's passing, Minerva requested all her professors to join her in the staff room after seventh period for an impromptu staff meeting. They all knew only one thing could cause Minerva to call a staff meeting on a Friday, and that would be their observation results.

At half past five, every professor finds their usual seats in the staff room while waiting for Minerva to arrive.

Professor Flitwick sips his tea and sighs, "Retirement seems all the more enticing."

"You wish you could afford retirement, Filius," Pansy jokes.

"Hush you, child." Filius winks at her.

Draco, sitting at the table behind all the armchairs, dips a biscuit into his cup of tea as Hermione enters the room.

"Are you ready for this?" She asks him.

"As ready as I'll ever be," he mutters. "But I am firm in the belief that some things are more important than impressing a man I have no respect for."

Hermione kisses the top of his head before making her own drink. While she's stirring in a spoonful of sugar, Minerva enters, drawing all their attention to her.

"I won't keep you too long. This morning, I received our overall grade and your observation grades from the Minister of Magic. I have taken the day to read through them and make my own notes on common themes. Before I hand them out, remember that I don't agree with the Minister's take on education, and from what I've read, I am pleased with the work you are all doing," Minerva pauses to glance around the room. "Once you've received your results, you may take them away. I do not expect you to open them here in front of everyone. If you wish to speak to me about your result, I'll gladly welcome you to my office any time on Monday."

Then, with a flick of her wand, parchment flies across the room to each professor.

"Before you all leave, I'd like to remind those of you who do not reside within the walls of Hogwarts that tomorrow we will begin our Christmas celebrations, and it would be lovely to have you all involved if you're able to attend," Minerva reminds them quickly as a few professors are already on their feet, ready to escape the staff room to read their results in peace.

Deciding to read their results at home, out of the watchful eyes of their colleagues, Hermione and Draco pack their belongings and floo to The Leaky Cauldron, where they're able to apparate to Hermione's parents' house to pick up Scorpius.

"How are you doing, Draco, dear?" Sarah asks, immediately pulling him into a hug as soon as he steps foot inside their kitchen.

"I'm good, thank you," he replies, hugging his mother-in-law tightly back.