Pansy Parkinson

Pansy Parkinson was a witch in Harry Potter's year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and was sorted into Slytherin House. A prominent member of Draco Malfoy's inner circle, she was known for her pug-like features and a cruel, bullying personality. Throughout the series, she consistently antagonized Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and their friends, often acting as a sycophant to Draco Malfoy. Her allegiance lay firmly with the pure-blood elite of Slytherin House, and she ultimately displayed cowardice during the final confrontation with Lord Voldemort.

Pansy began her education at Hogwarts in 1991 and was placed in Slytherin during the Sorting Ceremony. She quickly became part of a gang of Slytherin students centered around Draco Malfoy.

• Third Year: Pansy was among the Slytherin students who relentlessly mocked Harry Potter after he fainted in the presence of a Dementor on the Hogwarts Express. Following Malfoy's injury by the Hippogriff Buckbeak, she was extremely solicitous, fawning over him and defending his exaggerated claims of injury.
• Fourth Year: During the Triwizard Tournament, Pansy was a vocal supporter of the Hogwarts Champion, Cedric Diggory, and wore a badge that read “Support CEDRIC DIGGORY—the REAL Hogwarts Champion,” which could be magically altered to insult Harry. She provided false and malicious information to the tabloid journalist Rita Skeeter, claiming Hermione Granger was using Love Potions on Harry, which resulted in a slanderous article in Witch Weekly. Pansy attended the Yule Ball as Draco Malfoy's date, wearing frilly pink robes.
• Fifth Year: Pansy was made a Slytherin Prefect alongside Malfoy. She enthusiastically joined Dolores Umbridge's Inquisitorial Squad, relishing the power it gave her to persecute other students, particularly members of Dumbledore's Army. She was present when members of the Inquisitorial Squad captured Harry and his friends in Umbridge's office after they attempted to use the Floo Network. It was Pansy who later found the list of Dumbledore's Army members in the Room of Requirement, leading to Albus Dumbledore taking the blame and fleeing Hogwarts.
• Sixth Year: On the Hogwarts Express, Pansy was seen sitting with a troubled Draco Malfoy, stroking his hair and offering comfort, while he seemed to recoil from her touch.
• Seventh Year: During the Battle of Hogwarts, as Lord Voldemort demanded Harry's surrender in the Great Hall, Pansy was the first and only student to scream, “But he's there! Potter's there! Someone grab him!” Her cry prompted the students of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw to rise in Harry's defense. Minerva McGonagall immediately took control, ordering Pansy and the other Slytherins to be evacuated from the castle first.

Pansy is described in the novels as having a “face like a pug.” She is consistently portrayed as unpleasant, mean-spirited, and a bully. Her personality is sycophantic towards those she sees as powerful, particularly Draco Malfoy, but cruel and mocking towards those she dislikes, such as Neville Longbottom, Harry, and Hermione. Her actions show a distinct lack of courage and a strong sense of self-preservation. She prefers to attack from a position of authority, as seen during her time on the Inquisitorial Squad, and is quick to advocate for surrendering Harry to Lord Voldemort to save herself.

Little is known about Pansy's specific magical talents. Her appointment as a Prefect suggests she possessed at least adequate magical ability and academic standing. As a member of the Inquisitorial Squad, she was granted authority to dock house points. She was seen attempting to jinx Harry in the corridor in her fifth year, though she was unsuccessful. No signature spells or particular magical strengths are mentioned in the books.

• Wand: The composition and length of Pansy's wand are unknown.
• Prefect's Badge: She owned and wore a Slytherin Prefect's badge during her fifth year.

• Draco Malfoy: Pansy was Malfoy's most steadfast female supporter. She was frequently in his company, echoed his prejudices, and was his date for the Yule Ball. While she appeared to have a genuine affection for him, his feelings were less clear, and he did not ultimately marry her.
• Harry Potter and Friends: She held a deep-seated animosity for Harry, Ron Weasley, and particularly Hermione Granger. She often led the taunts against them, mocking Hermione's appearance and spreading vicious rumors.
• Dolores Umbridge: Pansy was a willing and eager follower of Dolores Umbridge, joining her Inquisitorial Squad to gain power and punish students she disliked.

• The name Pansy is a type of flower. However, it is also used as a derogatory slang term, which may reflect J.K. Rowling's negative characterization of her.
• Parkinson is a common English surname, meaning “son of Peter” or “Peter's kin.” It lends a sense of realism to the character's name without a specific magical connotation.

• J.K. Rowling has stated that she always disliked Pansy Parkinson. She described Pansy as the “anti-Hermione” and “every girl who ever teased me at school.” Rowling also explained that while Draco was forced into his role as a Death Eater and had some capacity for redemption, Pansy represented a more mundane and petty form of malice. This is why Draco did not marry her; Rowling felt he needed a wife who was more “forgiving” and not an echo of his family's prejudiced views (J.K. Rowling interview).
• In the films, Pansy was portrayed by several actresses. Genevieve Gaunt played her in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Scarlett Byrne took over the role for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (film).