I have come to the startling realization that this is the only fic that I have ever read where Fudge was portrayed as a sympathetic character. True there are some where he does not downright work against the Order, but he's generally depicted as either stupid or opportunistic or cowardly. Your story flowed marvelously, all the little threads – Tom's rejection; Horace's breakdown; Cornelius's quiet, unassuming help; Azkaban – wove together spectacularly into a neat whole.
You've left me wanting to write my own good!Fudge fic, or at least try my damndest to find another. An excellent, very professional piece. Nicely done, mystery author.