There, look, they've shaken hands and neither of them have burst into flames on contact. What's more, his hand hasn't withered off from touching her - though she can't imagine that McGonagall would hire him if he actually still held those blood prejudices close to heart.

It takes effort to give people the benefit of the doubt, and Malfoy is putting her through the ringer here.

"I am - and thank you," she says, to follow. Then chases it down by sticking her foot in her mouth with, "And the Head of Slytherin, believe it or not. No more favouritism on my watch."