Chapter 158: You're Too Noble for Your Own Good

                                    

                                          
It's been a long time since Draco and Hermione have slept apart, and it's not something he wants to become accustomed to, so it ends today. After showering and changing in their vacated bedroom, Draco heads downstairs to find his wife and son have already left despite the early hour.
After collecting his messenger bag and cloak, Draco floos to his classroom, trying not to let his and Hermione's argument set his mood for the day. The seven o'clock bell tolls throughout the grounds, signifying the start of breakfast, as he places his bag and cloak in his classroom cupboard. It dawns on Draco that breakfast might be the perfect opportunity to communicate with the seventh-year prefects about their plan, so he heads to the Great Hall.
Upon entering through the staff entrance at the back, Draco sits and pours himself a rare cup of coffee.
"Morning, Draco," Neville pleasantly greets his colleague, but Draco ignores him as he scans the hall for one of the prefects.
Almost immediately, Alannis Shepley (the Head Girl) catches his eye and lifts her chin questioningly. Draco nods once, glancing up at the doors to the Great Hall. Understanding his request, Alannis Shepley elbows Roland ABberley beside her and beckons him to follow her.
"How are you feeling about today?" Neville asks, trying to continue the conversation, but Draco doesn't hear.
Instead, he pushes himself from the table and leaves, much to Neville's confusion.
By the time Draco reaches Hogwarts' foyer, a few other prefects have gathered, having noticed their Head Girl departing the Great Hall.
"Time's up, Sir!" Saria McEvoy states, taking the lead. "What's your decision?"
Footsteps approaching from the moving staircase remind him that they need to be more discreet. "Not here," he says, beckoning them to follow. "Join me in my classroom."
The five prefects quickly and silently follow their professor down into the dungeons. Their nervousness is palpable as they enter the potions classroom, sending curious looks between themselves as Draco locks the door with an audible click.
"Well?" Saria asks impatiently.
"I've decided to help you," he informs them.
"Really!" Flora Dawson jumps excitedly, grabbing onto Reuben Nobel's arm tightly.
"Yes," Draco confirms. "I visited Mr Vyner yesterday to sign the documents. All he needs to make it official is the date and the name of our two witnesses."
"Thank you so much, professor," Alannis Shepley gasps, holding her tears back as happiness spreads across her face.
"For the date, we're thinking Friday 20th December?" Roland Abberley suggests.
"Why that date?" Draco questions curiously.
"That's the day we break up for Christmas," he answers.
"Then we catch the Hogwarts Express home on Saturday," Reuben Nobel continues, rubbing his arm where Flora had grabbed him.
"It would be suspicious if every seventh-year student remained at Hogwarts for the holidays, and we need to hold the ceremonies before New Year," Saria finishes explaining.
Draco nods as he takes in the information. "Have you considered the location you'd like to use for the ceremonies? I would offer my classroom, but it's rather close to the staff quarters, which isn't ideal."
"We were thinking about using the Room of Requirement," Flora exclaims. "You know how to get in there, right?"
Images of Vincent being swallowed by his own fiendfyre as Harry flew back to save him as the Room of Requirement collapsed around them flash before his eyes. Draco blinks hard to free his mind, but his students can see the change in his expression.