A/N: Sorry All! This is Freelancer Mississippi. I apologize for the shortness of this chapter. I promise it won't happen again. cokeerr and I are working on Chapter four as this chapter is being posted. Enjoy!
Draco gulped. The former Death Eater stood on the platform, nervous, knowing that the trial was waiting. It levitated up. The harshness of the chamber's lighting momentarily blinded him and he blinked several times.
Draco, of course, knew of the chamber he was sitting in; it had been the place where his aunt Bellatrix, his uncle Rodolphus and even his own father had been sentenced.
"Draco Malfoy," a voice boomed from the front of the chamber. The Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, sat in the center of the body known as the Wizengamot. They were all dressed in the plum robes of their office.
"You stand accused of being a Death Eater, an enemy to the state, several counts of torture, as well as participating in the attack on Hogwarts resulting in Albus Dumbledore's death."
"Yes, I admit several of these crimes. But I did it under threat of torture from my family and later death from Lord Voldemort. I should not be sent to Azkaban because I was scared and impressionable," Draco argued as he smiled inwardly. He had prepared his defense well. He could see several members of the fifty-strong body nodding, but most members of the Wizengamot looked skeptical.
"Hem, hem," a familiar voice said. Dolores Umbridge was looking down at him with that sickly smile she had, the one like when she ordered him to interrogate students. "Didn't you allow the Voldemort to stay at your estate?" she asked. I smirked.
"And didn't you prosecute muggle-borns under during the Voldemort-run administration?" Draco retorted. Umbridge hiccuped and turned away. Out of the corner of his eyes, Draco saw some of the members of the Wizengamot nodding, impressed with the refrain from the word 'mudblood'.
"Furthermore," Draco said, knowing the next words might decide his fate. "I am willing to cooperate with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and lead them to Death Eater hideouts globally as well as expose Ministry officials who are, in fact, corrupt." Kingsley looked at him, then looked at the ceiling, apparently in deep thought.
"Give us a few minutes to deliberate," Kingsley grunted. They began conversing in whispering tones. Draco , Kingsley turned. Umbridge sat, looking positively peeved.
"Cleared of all charges!" Kingsley announced. Draco mentally celebrated as Kingsley held up his hand to stop some of the clapping.
"In several days," Kingsley began, "Auror training shall start. You will go and begin assisting the department with a troublesome Death Eater hideout in Ireland. You will meet with Auror Bradley Hunt in a few days. He will act as your auror that you check in with everyday. Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Malfoy. You are dismissed."
Draco stepped off the pedestal and shook hands with the prime minister. He gave Umbridge a sinister look as she passed.
'It's good to be a free man' Draco thought as he strode out of the chamber, knowing his freedom was assured.