Usual Nitty Gritty - No claim to fame, don't own it or maybe I'll say I will so JK will sue me and I'll get to meet her!
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clarealexandrea - !!
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Diakiaoshinsama - Finally read Curvuto, thank you!!
Now on with the show!
Hopeless.
Despair.
An annoying pang of guilt kept gnawing at their very souls.
Lucius and Draco Malfoy felt all of this and many more indescribable emotions.
The dim light that was cast upon down on Lucius Malfoy and his son Draco Malfoy made them look even more forlorn.
The grand high rise of seats on the Wizengamont looked very intimidating.
A dozen or so wizards and witches clothed in plum robes looked down on the guilty party with solemn faces betraying no emotion.
Elphias Doge had temporarily replaced Dumbledore on the seat of Chief Warlock.
Shacklebolt thought him worthy of the position after the wars and Doge's experiences had made him a valuable asset to the Ministry.
Percy Weasley had also earned interrogator privileges due to his immense work for the Ministry.
The Chief Warlock rose slowly with majestic dignity.
"We are here to convene the Trial of Mr. Lucius Malfoy and Draco Malfoy."
Doge's voice resonated throughout the room, reinforcing the somber mood within.
Doge continued, "The two men before me are accused of war crimes that are not limited to: taking part in death eater activities, cavorting with the Dark One and torturing muggles."
Doge decided to try people as a family instead of individually, seeing as they had many war criminals to try.
Doge looked down upon the Malfoys. "What do you have to say for your selves?"
Lucius looked at Doge, "Nothing other than I do hope what happened at the final battle is taken into account."
Dodge looked thoughtful, "I have been informed of what Mr. Draco did for Ms. Granger."
Draco looked up at the sound of his name, but the stern look on Doge's face, made the hope quickly flee his face.
"And I have also been informed about your actions during the course of war, and the final moments."
Draco gave his father a quizzical look.
Lucius responded, "I am responsible for some of the information Snape received."
Draco looked surprised. 'I did not know that,' he thought.
Doge recalled some things that were told to him about the final hours of battle.
"Your wife Narcissa saved Harry's life by lying to the Dark One."
Upon mentioning Harry, Doge seemed to lighten a little."So I believe it is fair to say, without her the war would have been lost."
Doge's voice went solemn at the end of his statement.
"Yes sir," Lucius said.
"And then you went into a fit of rage when Narcissa was struck down by Bellatrix, killing her and 5 death eaters."
Lucius gulped at hearing mention of that moment, "Yes sir, I was quite distraught."
Doge leaned over closer to the edge, "Is that why you suddenly flipped sides and started killing your own."
Lucius sighed heavily, the moment he saw Narcissa fall to the floor lifeless echoed in his mind.
Lucius looked at Doge, "The only thing that is mine is my family."
Lucius, still maintaining focus on Doge, cleared his throat as he tried to keep himself from losing his grip.
But the maniacally happy look in Bellatrix LaStrange was too much for him.
Lucius looked down in a vain effort to keep his tears hidden.
Doge oblivious to Lucius' emotion, continued to ask his question.
"Why did you switch?"
Lucius looked at Doge, who like others that gazed upon his face, were taken aback by the show of emotion on a seemingly heartless man.
"Because, I...realized...too late...the extent of my emotions."
Lucius was slowly losing his well kept demeanor, getting a little huffy with each passing word.
"And you...?" Doge's tone lightened to coax an answer from the man.
"Wanted to try and take from him what was taken from me." Lucius said shakily, trying to regain his composure.
Dodge sat back down, "I believe we have heard all we need to hear from you."
Lucius and Draco looked upon Elphias Doge with baited breath.
"You will be escorted outside the courtroom, and you will be returned when we reach our conclusion."
Lucius and Draco Malfoy both sat outside the court room for what seemed like hours and waited on what would become of them.
They were eventually lead back in and sat in the chairs before the Wizengamont.
Dodge stood up, apparent glee on his face.
"I have been given a very good suggestion that I will use as your punishment."
Lucius and Draco both gave a collective gulp.
"Death Eaters, as you well know, seek torture and kill muggles because they feel they are beneath them. So as your punishment..."
At this point, Doge was smiling.
"You both will be sentenced to marry muggles."
You could have heard the Malfoy's jaws drop a mile away.
"The stipulations of your sentence are as follows:
One month to attain muggle housing, until which you may not stay at Malfoy Manor.
Even when housing is attained you will only use your manor occasionally.
Three months to attain a viable relationship with a muggle. Muggle-borns are not permitted for they are magical beings.
There is not a set limit on when marriage should take place, but after the three months, you will be required to check in after a year has passed. If you have not married, you will be required to give a good reason as to why not.
Doge then looked as if somebody magically affixed a candle to his head, "Until these requirements are met, you will immerse yourself in muggle culture. Limited magic, no flying and no apparation."
"I thought Potter said he was going to have them go easy on us!" Lucius vented after leaving the guest entrance of the Ministry.
"We could have gone to Azkaban." Draco mulled, the thought of which sent an involuntary shiver down his spine.
Lucius raised his eyebrows in agreement, but then furrowed them just as quickly and kicked a trashcan, releasing pent up rage.
"My bloodline is going to be TAINTED!" Lucius ranted angrily.
Draco looked at his at dad, "What?"
Lucius looked raving mad, gaining the attention of onlookers. "Is there anywhere we can go to discuss this further?"
Draco had a thought, but shook his head trying to get it out.
Lucius caught that. "What was it?" he snapped.
"You're not going to want to hear this," Draco said not meeting his father's angry gaze.
"We have no where to go, any thing else we own is NOT within walking distance, and I am NOT staying at the Leaky Cauldron…so please indulge me. What is your idea? Because I am FRESH OUT!"
"We could contact Granger?"
Well, it's a little short but I wanted to have Hermione on a different chapter. Don't fret there's more to come!
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