How gallant of you, son! But of course I'm going to worry about you; I'm your mother. Are you sure there's nothing I can do to help? Perhaps if I sent something to Professor Carrow, it might sweeten his attitude toward you?

Between you and me, Pansy has always been a touch odd. I can forgive much because I know she lost her father so early. It's bound to colour her perceptions. But her mother clearly paid little to no attention to her proper upbringing. What she did in first year was ... not entirely her fault, of course. But she is just the type of inquisitive, attention-starved creature who would fall prey to the kind of trouble she found.

On the other hand, I know she cared for your cousin Regulus, quite a lot, and I expect she still misses him a great deal. As do I So she cannot be beyond hope. Clearly, it's her association with Gryffindors - and subpar ones at that - that has tainted her.

I would have thought your influence could steady her. At least, I hoped so when you two were able to spend time together this summer. I know it does vex your father when she grows headstrong.

She is very close friends with Miss Sally-Anne Perks, isn't she? What do you make of Miss Perks, son?