In addition to the examples you gave, note that, in previous books, Pansy was accompanied by "her gang of Slytherin girls" who would giggle at the insults she threw at Harry.
Cho has a bunch of female friends in GoF also, iirc. And there's the endless girls who fancy Krum/Harry/Cedric, which the narrative usually points out, must be down to their fame/looks; whereas Ron and Harry dating girls based solely on finding them physically attractive (Cho, Lavendar, the Patil twins) is presented as almost understandable.
I liked her even *less* after Sectumsempra for completely turning on her best friend in order to defend Harry. (The content of her "defense" made it far worse, referring to Sectumsempra as "something good up [Harry's] sleeve".)
Precisely. Although I don't think anyone comes out of the Sectumsempra episode very well - I don't recall Ron's reaction, but Ginny seemed to approve wholeheartedly and focuses on petty issues to win an argument, such as Hermione's interest in Quidditch; Hermione's concern seemed to be being proved right about the Prince; and Harry getting into trouble rather than shock/objection to his actions themselves, and Harry goes from momentary guilt (although not quite strong enough for him not to remember to hide his book) to happily dating Ginny and irritation at Pansy for being upset and Snape for recieving detention; all in one chapter.
no subject
Cho has a bunch of female friends in GoF also, iirc.
And there's the endless girls who fancy Krum/Harry/Cedric, which the narrative usually points out, must be down to their fame/looks; whereas Ron and Harry dating girls based solely on finding them physically attractive (Cho, Lavendar, the Patil twins) is presented as almost understandable.
I liked her even *less* after Sectumsempra for completely turning on her best friend in order to defend Harry. (The content of her "defense" made it far worse, referring to Sectumsempra as "something good up [Harry's] sleeve".)
Precisely. Although I don't think anyone comes out of the Sectumsempra episode very well - I don't recall Ron's reaction, but Ginny seemed to approve wholeheartedly and focuses on petty issues to win an argument, such as Hermione's interest in Quidditch; Hermione's concern seemed to be being proved right about the Prince; and Harry getting into trouble rather than shock/objection to his actions themselves, and Harry goes from momentary guilt (although not quite strong enough for him not to remember to hide his book) to happily dating Ginny and irritation at Pansy for being upset and Snape for recieving detention; all in one chapter.