"Criticized for being closed-minded about faith," Hermione laughs. She knows that there was a time when she would have been just as emphatic as Kate is on the matter. At the same time, she's never quite gotten over the criticism that Professor Trelawney made of her, so early in to the year. There are still undoubtedly forces in the world beyond her understanding, abilities that no one can quite explain.

Prophecy exists, even though sometimes, Hermione would rather it didn't.

"But I agree. As long as people aren't imposing their beliefs on others, there's little reason not to let people believe whatever they would believe. Anyway, let's speak of happier things. Ron's vows... he was so worried about them, but they were more beautiful than anything I could have imagined."