That is a matter for the Congolese.

Sir, in the matter of our contract...

In the matter of the last will and testament, of Maureen Margaret Cranston...

(Crowd stops) There is a lack of opposition in the matter of free elections.

In the matter of the fire, sir, he need not have expressed himself as he did to my son, who is by birth and education a gentleman.

“Very well,” she said, and she pulled out her wand. “Very well… I am left with no alternative… this is more than a matter of school discipline… this is an issue of Ministry security… yes… yes…”

Hermione whispered imploringly to Harry and Ron, who were both watching Malfoy, faces set and fists clenched. “It’s what he wants.” “I mean,” said Malfoy, raising his voice a little more, his grey eyes glittering malevolently in Harry and Ron’s direction, “if it’s a question of influence with the Ministry, I don’t think they’ve got much chance… from what my father says, they’ve been looking for an excuse to sack Arthur Weasley for years… and as for Potter… my father says it’s a matter of time before the Ministry has him carted off to St. Mungo’s… apparently they’ve got a special ward for people whose brains have been addled by magic.”