Pale faces looked out over the courtroom. Each one contained a varying degree of a mixture of horror and scepticism. The prior words had evoked gasps of shock and a figure on the third row had toppled over in disbelief. Even the young man stood in a centre of the room looked as though a light gust of wind could overturn him.
This was the most important day since the Battle of Hogwarts. The senior Death Eaters were being sentenced. From 7am until dark, Voldemort's closest allies would find out their fate. For the Wizarding Worlds many felt this day would bring ultimate peace. No longer would families be terrified of the horrors that lay outside. The day had gone how everyone had hoped. Greyback had been sentenced to life in Azkaban. However, all knew this meant he had years if not months as himself before he would be reduced to a shell of his former being. At the announcement, Bill Weasley let out an almighty yelp of cheer, which lead to his removal. Each of the Death Eaters received sentences that would lead to their demise. Lucius Malfoy barely flinched at the news he would never see light again. The only disruption in proceedings was the light sentence of Narcissa Malfoy. Her actions that lead to the survival of Harry Potter meant she was left with the lenient removal of magic. Many had argued that this was pitiful for her crimes but for a witch who has known nothing but life with magic it would be harder that assumed.
The Judge had made his final sentence of the day. Draco Malfoy was innocent.
He had been influenced by his wrongful parents and lead astray by those who surrounded him. He had never known anything else, how could he know what the alternative was. He would be given 5 years removal of magic and exile for three years from the Wizarding World. He would be a Muggle. The judge concluded the sentencing by looking at the teenager stood in front of him. His own son was two years younger. This boy was just that, a boy. Hopefully, by living as a muggle he would be rid of the prejudiced ideas.
Draco looked up as the courtroom emptied. He saw Potter sat at the back easily recognisable by the space people left when they walked near him. As though he was untouchable. The same way people once walked near him. But he had seen their faces, he was nothing but a cold-blooded Death Eater. He was scum to them. How the tables had turned. To Potter's right was the Weasel. Clearly, the fame had gone to his head, he could barely keep the smile off his face. He now had his chin up like a king. The same way he once had held himself.
And then the mudblood. The one Draco didn't understand. She was a muggleborn so how was it she got the highest marks, was the teacher's pet and managed to have made all of Wizarding England fall head over heels for her.
With a shock of realisation Draco knew this was the last time he would see a Witch or Wizard for the next three years, perhaps longer. In his heart he found a slight glimmer that wished his life as wizard would end. For all its benefits, he knew magic and its power was the reason he was stood watching as an elderly balding man had decided his fate.