Holly's heart began beating faster when the Slytherin matron made an appearance, but it was soothed when she realized she wasn't at fault. As Slytherins, the house matron would obviously believe them, right? She knew them!

"Madam Sykes!" she greeted a bit too eagerly. "We were practicing dueling just as Professor Sleptov instructed, and then Mr. Blackwell decided to take his anger out on the wall. It was absolutely dreadful — right, Mr. Urquart?" she asked, turning her attention to the second year with brows raised in a position that suggested he comply, lest they all end up in detention.