Lockhart clapped an Auror on the shoulder and called out:
"Brothers, during our arrest just now, Dolores Umbridge resisted arrest and fled, then attempted to attack the Aurors with dark magic. We ultimately killed her on the spot. Her body fell into the Black Lake, where beasts at the bottom devoured it, leaving no trace."
"Isn't that right?"
The Aurors caught his meaning and chimed in.
"Right! That's exactly what happened!"
"The criminal Umbridge has been executed on the spot!"
"We can all testify to it!"
Lockhart looked at his quick-witted subordinates and nodded in satisfaction.
He turned toward Hermione. Seeing her give a slight nod, he immediately understood and faced the assembled crowd, announcing loudly:
"Following an investigation, Dolores Umbridge is suspected of serious violations of the law. Her appointment as acting Hogwarts Headmaster is hereby revoked!"
With that, he lingered no longer, bowing once more to Hermione and Dumbledore.
The latter opened an exit in the spatial lockdown, and Lockhart led his entourage out of the Great Hall, escorting an ashen-faced Fudge.
The conscience of the Ministry of Magic had left.
The doors of the Great Hall slowly closed, shutting out the outside world.
Hermione descended the steps of the dais, slowly, one at a time.
Her crisp footsteps echoed through the silent Great Hall.
With every step, Umbridge's body gave an involuntary shudder.
In her earlier fury, she had lost all reason and dared to trade curses with Fudge.
But now, with everyone from the Ministry of Magic gone and the Witch before her once again, she finally regained her senses.
The horrors buried deep in her memories finally surged up like a tide.
She finally realized that she had been utterly abandoned.
Worse, she had now thoroughly offended both Dumbledore and the Witch.
An overwhelming desire