Hermione had always been a realist, but she'd been used to dealing with the extremes of naive optimism and cynical pessimism. But Kirk? For being an adult well past his school years, he seemed to be so mind-numbingly optimistic that Hermione didn't know whether to feel sorry for him or be angry at him.

"We can't change a world that doesn't even want us in it, Kirk," she retorts, frowning deeply as she absently watches him cut through the second apple. "I wouldn't care so much about people calling us demons, but after seeing how they treat demons? Especially when it had been in the guise of a child? I think my magic would be better spent looking for a way out of here before certain members of the Inquisition decide we've worn out our welcome."