Theodore watched her fingers, wondering if he'd over-stepped -- but it was too late for what-ifs, and he attended to his tea, now growing cool as it awaited his attention. He awarded it a paltry sip, but it was not good enough to provide a salve for the malaise he felt at her story. That there were officials in the government who acted above the law didn't surprise him, but a ten day obliviation? That was excessive and, well, a bit shocking. What was Stebbins thinking?
"Yes, you should have. I would have advised you, as I will advise you now, that you mustn't speak of this to anyone else. If Stebbins chose not to have you arrested and prosecuted in order to keep the truth from coming out, there is no telling what he will do to you if the truth spreads. And Padma." He pulled free his glasses to look at her, deadly serious. "You must not do anything so foolish as attack him again. Particularly not after curfew and particularly not in the view of muggles. Do not go anywhere near him. Your tracking charms should be deterrent enough, but if not, Corner's Azkaban sentence is more than enough proof that you must exercise self-restraint."