"I won't be trying any of my more difficult spells," she assures her, "not until I've practiced to the point where I think I have things sorted. I don't know if that will ever happen, but you don't have to worry about seeing any flying silver otters floating about." There's a brief pause before she explains, "My Patronus is an otter, and they appear as a silver light in the shape of the given animal." Because otherwise, that sentence just sounds perculiar.

While Hermione would never say no to a mentor, she still has to insist, "I think I might be more accomplished than most graduates, given all I've been through. If not in regards to talent, then surely in regards to firsthand, real-world experience. I'd appreciate learning about Thedosian magic, or any tricks that might help me bring my own magic up to par, but I can at least promise that I'm responsible enough not to do anything too stupid."

Not that Casandra has any reason to actually believe that, but it still feels like a good promise to make.