Chuckling softly, Hermione replies, "I suppose it is. A lot of the names we have for things are sort of funny." Her first year at Hogwarts had been interesting, with her trying to get used to adults using such silly words for some very not-silly things. "Even the oldest men have to have been born sometime. But yes, I think I understand what you mean. I knew a man like that once."

But thinking of Dumbledore still makes her a little sad as well, so she focuses on something that always manages to cheer her up somewhat: learning something new. She listens to Sam talking about "halflings" with the utmost interest, and she only dares to look down at his feet when he finally brings attention to them. What an absolutely curious way to differ from humans....

"I think you just might be selling yourself a bit short...pun not intended." And given how contrite she looks, she really does mean that much. "You're certainly more than half my size, so I'll stick with calling you a hobbit. And you have as much potential to be important as anyone else does. So the most obvious difference would be your feet; they don't bother you when walking across the sand?"