Poppy knew mama had told her to simply ignore the letter and move on with her day. The Zabinis were only invited so as to not snub a rather pureblood, pure-minded family. She knew it, and she simply felt horrid doing as much. Here was a woman who'd never said, or done, anything out of line or particularly scandalous (that she knew) who simply wanted to strike up a friendly acquaintance. The fact that she was middle class didn't bother Poppy, in fact one of her closest friends was firmly entrenched in the middle class! But mama was strictly of the mind that these acquaintances would, and should, fade now that she was a proper 'out' young lady. To make new ones simply wouldn't do. Still, Poppy figured it would be rude to simply ignore Mrs. Zabini. She picked up her quill and wrote out the response several times. Perhaps she could convince mama to let her call on Mrs. Zabini in July if Atticus came along; he was as strict a chaperone as she generally. What harm would that do?

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I appreciate your invitation and am pleased to hear you had a lovely time at the debut.

I have a few pressing engagements coming up and shall be in Hogsmeade for the next fortnight. I shall certainly write when a better time arises! Perhaps in July.

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