The words had been sweet relief as Cora spat them at Fudge, however the look on Fudge's face (in addition to the own look-over-the-edge-of-a-bottomless-pit feeling that was slowly sinking into her own stomach) after she'd said it did little to quell the tumult of anger, sadness and, frankly, self-loathing that overwhelmed her.

She clenched her jaw, her hands in fists as she stared down at the Ravenclaw. Her own tears threatened to give her feelings away, and she turned hastily away and followed Trixie out – not before casting a guilty glance back at the place where Fudge's wand had been kicked out.