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harry potter - Why was Mafalda Hopkirk a "pleasant heliotrope?"


When you put some hairs/essence of a person into a Polyjuice Potion, the potion ends up a color that roughly represents the person.


Mafalda Hopkirk, as a Ministry witch under the corrupt Voldemortian Ministry, was a very bad person by the time Hermione Polyjuiced herself into her, but the Polyjuice Potion that Hermione drinks is described as being a “pleasant heliotrope”.


Now this is heliotrope:


Heliotrope colour


Looks like a nice color to me.


So why was Mafalda Hopkirk such a “pleasent heliotrope?”




Answer



I'm at a loss to find anything that confirms that Mafalda was a "very bad person". She was certainly working for the Ministry both before and after Pius Thicknesse took over, but there's no special indication that she was in any sort of position of authority or that she wasn't simply keeping her head down and getting on with her job.


Percy (in Deathly Hallows) mentions that by the point that it had become obvious that the Ministry was under the control of dark forces, that anyone who quits the Ministry would probably be labelled a traitor, with all the consequences that implies to them and their families.



‘It’s been coming on for a while,’ said Percy, mopping his eyes under his glasses with a corner of his travelling cloak. ‘But I had to find a way out and it’s not so easy at the Ministry, they’re imprisoning traitors all the time. I managed to make contact with Aberforth and he tipped me off ten minutes ago that Hogwarts was going to make a fight of it, so here I am.’




Best guess is that Hopkirk was actually quite a pleasant person, whose job simply involved sending letters and missives on behalf of more powerful people.


As noted in a comment, she does take the time to go above and beyond when it comes to signing off her letters, implying that she's normally quite cheerful.




We would also ask you to remember that any magical activity which risks notice by members of the non-magical community (Muggles) is a serious offence, under section 13 of the International Confederation of Warlocks’ Statute of Secrecy.


Enjoy your holidays!
Yours sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk


Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Chapter 2 - Dobby's Warning



and



As you have already received an official warning for a previous offence under Section 13 of the International Confederation of Warlocks’ Statute of Secrecy, we regret to inform you that your presence is required at a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic at 9 a.m. on the twelfth of August.


Hoping you are well,

Yours sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk


Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Chapter 2 — A Peck of Owls



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