To My Fans:

Many of you have read and enjoyed my popular one-shot turned dead-end-story, Life Experience and begged me not to scrap it. I will probably still knock it down to the one-shot it was intended to be but not without leaving you with something in return. This is the first chapter in a new story, "Sweet Justice." It takes some qualities from L.E while adding a few things I thought it was lacking.

Rated for future chapters, I promise. -^_^-

Chapter 1

Draco's eyes were focused on the black marble at his feet as Kingsley Shacklebolt read the charges before the Wizengamot. "Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa Malfoy, and Draco Malfoy, you are charged with being Death Eaters and assisting the dark wizard Voldemort in multiple accounts of assault, murder, torture, kidnapping, arson, destruction of property, theft..." He turned the page. "..and the list goes on. Unless you have any evidence or witnesses to counter these charges we are ready to make our decision. Do you, Lucius?" The patriarch's jaw tightened, but he said nothing. "Narcissa?" Her lower lip quivered as she shook her head. "Draco?"

Looking up at his potential executioner, he took a deep breath before speaking. "No, I do not."

Expression unchanging, Kingsley lay the paperwork before him and addressed the audience, which was mostly comprised of members of the Order, Ministry officials, and family members of Voldemort's victims. "Does anyone in the audience have anything to say in the Malfoy's defense?"

There was a shuffling in the audience before a familiar voice broke the silence. "I do."

Draco's eyes went wide. 'No fucking way,' he thought. Turning around he saw none other than Harry Potter standing up in a sea of shocked and confused faces.

Kingsley, looking surprised himself, waved Harry down from the crowd to approach the podium. "This is quite a surprise Mr. Potter. Of all people I would think you would want to condemn all Death Eaters to Azkaban."

Harry nodded. "Normally you would be right. However," He turned to Narcissa, "Mrs. Malfoy lied to Voldemort's face, saying I was dead when she knew I wasn't. She loved her son enough to risk her life lying to someone extremely powerful in Legilimency. I for one can appreciate that." He turned towards the young Malfoy. "Draco," It felt odd calling him by his first name. "is one of the biggest gits I know, but I think he was held under Voldemort's authority mostly through fear that his family would be killed or harmed. That, and I don't think he has the spine to be a true Death Eater." Draco didn't know weather to take that as an insult or a compliment. Harry turned towards the icy stare of Lucius. "Him, on the other hand, I find no redeeming qualities, if anyone deserves Azkaban, its him." Narcissa looked teary eyed at her husband who expressed no change in emotion. "But I think there is something that Lucius values more than his freedom." Kingsley raised an eyebrow in interest. "His status, his money, and his power."

There was a moment of silence before Kingsley asked. "Is that all, Mr. Potter?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, Minister."

"Then you may return to your seat."

As Harry made his way back to the audience, Kingsley asked again. "Does anyone else have anything to say?" The room remained silent. "Then please excuse us whilst the Wizengamot discuss the fate of the Malfoy family." With a wave of his want a cloudy, gray, shield formed around the Minister and other members of the court, obscuring their discussion. As they waited the audience spoke amongst themselves in hushed tones as the three blondes remained silent.

After what seemed like an eternity, the shield fell away and the audience once again became silent. Draco swallowed hard as the Minister spoke. "Due to recent statements of character for the Malfoy family, we, the court, have voted against sentencing them to Azkaban." Draco's heart pounded in his chest as the audience roared in disagreement. He wasn't going to be incarcerated? When Kingsley raised a hand for silence, the hall fell quiet. "However, they will not go without punishment. Draco Malfoy, please approach the podium." Draco held his breath and stepped forward. "Since you were only recently brought among the Death Eater ranks and, to our knowledge, have committed less serious crimes than others," He glanced at Lucius. "You will enter a probationary period of five years. During which you will be forbidden to use a wand along with other magical objects or potions that will be listed for you in writing. Do you understand?"

That was it? His sentencing went from life in Azkaban to probation? He knew Potter was in the new Ministers favor, but he didn't realize his words held that much sway. "Yes, Minister. I understand."

Kingsley gestured for him to step back. "Narcissa Malfoy, please approach the podium." Narcissa stepped forward. "Because of your demonstration of love for your son and the, if unintentional, assistance in keeping Mr. Potter alive in the face of mortal danger, you will enter a probationary term of twenty-five years with the same conditions as your son. Do you understand?" Her eyes welled up with relief as she nodded. Kingsley gestured her back as he called, "Lucius Malfoy, please approach the podium."

Lucius did not move. Kingsley spoke louder.

"Lucius, approach the podium." Draco looked at his father quizzically. Where his mothers face was plastered with relief Lucius looked exceedingly annoyed, almost angry.

With a wave of the Ministers wand Lucius was yanked forward by invisible shackles around his wrists. When he stood before Kingsley he sneered up at him, not saying a word. "Lucius Malfoy, it would do me no greater pleasure than to know you were rotting in a cell, or better yet, condemn you to death. However, Mr. Potter is right, that is far too good a punishment for you. Especially since you've displayed the ability to escape from Azkaban in the past. Therefore I am sentencing you to a lifetime of probation."

If looks could kill, Kingsley would have burst into flames from the glare Lucius was giving him.

"In addition, I am relinquishing you of any command you have on house elves and you are in no way to willingly handle any magic of any kind for the remainder of your days with the exception of owl use. You will, in almost every aspect, become what you hate most. A muggle." He paused letting the words sink in. "Do you understand?" Lucius didn't say a word. "I think I'll take that as a 'yes.'" Kingsley said, gesturing him to join his family in the center of the room.

Draco watched his father walk back to him and his mother, averting his eyes from the both of them as if his punishment were their fault. His mother placed a hand on his shoulder reassuringly only to have Lucius shrug it off. The three of them faced the podium again when the Minister continued.

"Lastly, due to the immense damage and sadness caused by He-Who-Must... Voldemort and his followers," The Minister corrected himself. "The Malfoy family will be stripped of 94% of their estate..." He paused as an audible gasp welled up in the hall. "...to be given to the families of victims during Voldemort's reign as well as to pay for the medical needs of those injured and still living. The remaining six percent will be divided up evenly among Draco, Narcissa, and Lucius to cover living expenses until they find themselves honest jobs." He said, emphasizing the word 'honest.' Picking up his gavel he finalized his decree with a bang.

The hall erupted with a roar of applause as Draco looked up at his parents. If loseing his family's status, money, and power effected Draco, he couldn't imagine what was going through his parents minds. However, he was still a free man and that held more influence in his mind than anything at the moment.

As they were led out of the uproarious court room, Draco glanced into the audience where he caught eyes with Harry who stood silently amongst the crowd. Before he disappeared through the doorway, the young Malfoy gave The Chosen One a curt nod of thanks.

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Well there you have it. As some of you who read Life Experience notice, I changed the conditions of the probation and added a few things I felt would be appropriate.

More to come soon!

Tell me what you think. Reviews = Love.