Author's Note: Set-up chapter, next chapter will be the official beginning.

"Draco Malfoy Cleared of All Charges"

Draco Malfoy, seventeen, was cleared of all charges yesterday after a trial. It is unknown as to why the decision was made or whether a different punishment than had been suggested will be used for his crimes.

"Can you believe it?"

"No, it's horrible."

"Exactly, if I had to choose what to do with that scum, I'd probably Avada Kedavra him the first chance I got."

"It's ridiculous, letting a Death Eater go. Especially one who was involved in Albus Dumbledore's death."

"I wonder what's next."

"They'd probably let Voldemort go free."

The air was muggy and Draco rather preferred it that way. Little beads of sweat fell casually down his face; he didn't bother to wipe away the sweat. He was preoccupied.

On his lap sat a black leather bound book. And in his right hand he held a quill. Draco Malfoy was not one for owning a journal but in the past month stranger things had happened. Besides, he was alone in the world now, his beloved father still in Azkaban and his mother dead. Voldemort had murdered her. Made her believe that she and Draco would be safe and then killed her in a rare moment of happiness.

He had walked into the manor, happy to be free, only to find his mother's frail body on the cold floor. He was two hours late in saving her.

The day is the first of August. Today is the first full day of my newly found freedom. Honestly, I had been expecting to be sentenced to Azkaban. I never for one second thought that the ministry would take into account that I never murdered anyone a month ago. True, I had been planning on killing Dumbledore but for some reason or another I began to doubt if I could kill the old man. Looking into his eyes and hearing him tell me that everything would be alright made me feel better.

I felt my wand drop slightly and I began to think about what if I turned my back on Voldemort's request. I didn't have much time to think it over before Snape interrupted.

Everyone seems to think it was me that killed Dumbledore, but it wasn't. It was Snape, who I later found out had made a deal with my mother and aunt to protect me.

I didn't kill anyone. And that is the ministry's sole reason for not sending me straight to Azkaban. My punishment instead is much less harsh. I am to attend Hogwarts again, but to remain houseless and under constant supervision.