The following morning, Ginny found Hermione in the common room, immersed in a book.

The way Ginny saw it, the previous night's events had taken care of their immediate problems, which meant the rest of the school year should be a breeze. Despite this, Hermione looked as frazzled as ever.

Ginny sat down next to her. "Hermione?"

"Hmm?" the other witch responded, without looking up.

"I was wondering something."

"Mmm-hmm."

Ginny realized she'd need to use stronger measures if she wanted her friend's full attention. "I need you to explain something about magic to me."

Hermione's head popped up. "Oh, of course! What do you want to know?"

Ginny glanced around the room. "It's about the you-know-what and… observation, I guess?"

"Okay," Hermione answered, while also checking to make sure no one was listening. "But can we call it something that doesn't sound so much like 'You-Know-Who'? What if we call it 'the device'?"

"Fine. You said observers prevent the device from working. But the first time I saw you use it, I was observing you pretty closely."

"Yes, and I was afraid it wouldn't work, but you didn't leave me much choice. Part of the reason I'm supposed to keep it secret is to avoid attention. The less attention is on you, the better the chance a jump has of succeeding. That's why the device is best suited for mundane things. Nobody focuses on you if you're somewhere they expect you to be, doing something ordinary, like going to class."

"Then why did it work that time in the shower?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe because the two of us were so isolated from the rest of the world?" She shrugged. "The subjective nature of attention means it's not an exact science. Maybe the Department of Mysteries has figured out more exact limits, but if so, no one told me. I don't need to know for the things I'm supposed to be using it for."

"I guess that makes sense. But I think you missed the subtle innuendo about me observing you closely," she said with a grin.

Hermione looked back down at her book. "If you don't have any other questions, I need to get back to this."

"My main question is whether what we're planning to use the device for is even going to work. Will the four of us be able to jump back together to put more time into practicing mind magic? We should step things up, now that we've cleared our other problems out of the way."

"I never agreed to use it for that. And we haven't cleared final exams out of the way."

"Yeah, but with as much time as we want…"

Hermione threw her hands up. "It's not that simple, alright? The extra time doesn't come cheap. Besides disrupted sleep, you have to keep track of multiple schedules, despite not even knowing what day it is half the time. And that's on top of having your attention divided across all the things you're trying to work on at once."

"Okay, okay. Sorry, I didn't get it. I thought the lost sleep was what was causing all the trouble. Well, that and worrying about Black. Look, I promise I won't bring it up again until after exams."

Hermione took a breath and let it out. "No, I'm sorry. But you have to believe me, this is the worst possible time for me to try to add something new to my routine, or for you and the guys to start learning to cope with the stresses. If the device let you do a full twenty-four hours in one turn, it would make everything simpler, but it doesn't. Anyway, what was your question?"

"It doesn't matter right now."

"No, it's fine. You wanted to know about people traveling together. In that case, their personal timelines would stay aligned with each other, which reduces the chance of paradoxes."

"Okay. Thanks for explaining. I'll let you get back to studying. What class is that for anyway?"

"Divination."

"You haven't dropped that yet?"

"What? Of course not."

"It's just that everyone is always saying how rubbish Trelawney is."

"I've certainly never used such a term to describe a teacher. Besides, the subject is a recognized part of the curriculum, whatever one may think of the teaching style of a particular instructor. Professor Binns is not the most captivating speaker, but that doesn't make History of Magic any less important."

"Hmmm, maybe not the best example to make your case. The main reason they keep Binns around is to keep the History class safely neutered."

"Excuse me?"

"Well, yeah. Ghosts are pretty set in their ways. A living teacher might decide to cover more recent, politically-charged history–the last war, for instance."

Hermione looked at her in horror. "We're being kept ignorant about the last war on purpose? In a classroom? No. It can't be. The headmaster would never stand for it."

"Not if it were up to him, no. But he has to answer to the Hogwarts Board."

Hermione pulled out her little notebook and pen and started writing.

Ginny added, "Dumbledore has learned how to pick his battles."

Hermione paused to consider this. She put her notebook away, though Ginny noticed she didn't cross out what she'd written.

Ginny said, "Speaking of priorities, how about sorting yours out and dropping Divination before you have some kind of breakdown?"

"I just need to make it through finals, then I'll be able to relax."

"This year's finals won't really be the end though. O.W.L.s year is tough, and N.E.W.T.s year is worse. Trust me, I've seen more than one older brother struggle with taking too many courses."

"If they made it, so can I."

"Your situation is different."

"How?"

"Priorities. They weren't busy keeping Harry alive."

"And how am I supposed to figure out what I need to know to do that?" Hermione demanded. "What if the one class I don't take–or the one book I don't read–has the exact piece of information I need to save Harry? To save everyone? I don't know this world. I didn't grow up here." She took a moment to collect herself, then returned to her book. "No. It's best if I just learn everything."

"You can't possibly learn everything."

"We'll see."

"Listen, I did grow up here, so maybe I can give you some friendly advice?"

"You already did. Drop the class. Thanks for the advice."

"I can explain why if you'll listen."

"Fine. Explain."

"I can tell you're really going to listen with an open mind."

"Ginny."

"Alright, then. You've said yourself that Divination relies a lot on making vague statements that people can read whatever they want into, like even Muggle fortune-tellers do. That tracks with how Ron and Harry are getting away with bluffing their way through the course."

"Then why aren't you pushing them to drop it?"

"For them, the class is harmless stress relief. They think it's a bit of a laugh. And Trelawney can't even tell the difference."

"That doesn't invalidate the whole subject. I can supplement her lectures with my own studying, but I need to attend class for the practical work."

"It's not just Trelawney. From what I know, there isn't a lot anyone can teach. You need to be born with the ability. Some forms of magic are like that."

"That hasn't been definitively proven. Maybe no one has tried hard enough."

"Then why does the ability to make true prophecies run in families?"

Hermione huffed. "Prophecies. Don't get me started on those."

Ginny stared at her. "Prophecies are the one form of Divination most people accept as valid. If you don't even believe in prophecies, I don't understand what you're hoping to get from the class at all."

"I didn't say I don't believe in them. It's more that I think the world would be better off without them. I hate the idea of having the future already set, so that our choices don't matter."

"I thought Arithmancy was your favorite course. How is it any different?"

"It's one of my favorites. Arithmancy helps you consider all possibilities, and estimate the likelihood of each. It lets you prepare for whatever might happen, and work towards the best possible outcome. Prophecies limit choices in a much stricter way."

"Isn't that what happens when you use the device though? Sorry, forgot I wasn't going to bring that up."

"I don't mind talking theory, as long as you're not pushing me to use it more." She considered the question. "When you use the device, you voluntarily place limits on your own choices, and only for a few hours. A prophecy gets imposed on you from the outside, and can wind up controlling your whole destiny. Once one is in effect, the best you can do is try to come up with a clever interpretation that fulfills it in the least awful way."

Ginny said, "Then to sum up… Divination is sketchy, aside from prophecies, and you hate the existence of those. Arithmancy handles the other bits better. Is that about right?"

"If you're trying to make Divination sound as bad as possible."

"I'm trying to make it sound like you make it sound. All I'm doing is putting it all together, like you would have done sooner or later, if you gave yourself half a minute to stop and breathe once in a while."

Hermione sat in silence and stared off into nothing. Ginny gave her time to think.

In a plaintive tone, Hermione said, "If I drop it, I won't get every O.W.L. and every N.E.W.T."

"Some people like to collect Chocolate Frog Cards, but they don't drive themselves crazy over it."

"Cute. I need to think about this."

"Oh? That's not like you."

"Go away now, please."

Ginny laughed as she got up and walked away.

~*~

After carrying out a thorough Arithmantic analysis on the question, Hermione decided to drop Divination. Ginny went along to support her, first to clear the change with McGonagall–who turned out to be remarkably supportive of the decision–and then to see Trelawney.

As they neared the top of the spiraling stairs leading to Trelawney's classroom, Hermione huffed, "I won't miss climbing these."

Ginny was too winded to bother with an answer.

At the top of the stairs, they took a moment to catch their breath, then went up the ladder, through the trap door in the ceiling, and into the classroom.

The Divination teacher greeted them with her usual demeanor, but then her face went blank, as she began to speak in a deep, booming voice. "It will happen tonight."

Hermione said, "I think this is an actual prophecy!"

"The Dark Lord drifts alone and friendless, abandoned by his followers," Trelawney continued.

"Oh, hell no," Ginny said, drawing her wand. "Silencio!"

Trelawney's lips continued moving, but no sound emerged.

"Ginny! What did you do?" cried Hermione.

"We just talked about this the other day. If prophecies limit your choices, nothing good can come of us hearing one."

"What if there's an event that's destined to happen anyway, but now we won't have any warning?"

"Huh. Didn't think of that. Well then, I may have just fucked us all, and not in a fun way."

"This isn't something to joke about! And you used magic on a teacher!"

"Because of what you told me about how terrible prophecies can be!"

Trelawney lips stopped moving. The absent look began to clear from her face.

Ginny had been watching for this. She gave a subtle flick of her wand, and murmured, "Finite."

Trelawney blinked several times. She cleared her throat and asked, "Now then, what brings you here today?"

"Professor," Hermione began, "you were–"

"Don't you already know why she's here, Professor?" Ginny interrupted, giving Hermione a discreet nudge.

Trelawney peered at her through thick glasses. "Of course, dear, but it's polite to act otherwise when speaking with people who lack the Sight."

Hermione said, "Yes, well. I'm sorry, Professor, but I don't think Divination is for me. I think it's best if I drop your class."

Trelawney gave her a sage nod. "Ah, yes, just as I have foreseen. Do not let this decision weigh on you, child. You should feel no shame at lacking the Sight. Instead be grateful you do not suffer under the heavy burden of forbidden knowledge."

Hermione said, "Um. Okay, then. I suppose that's all. Good afternoon, Professor."

"Good afternoon, Miss Granger."

Hermione and Ginny descended the ladder, and started down the stairs.

Once they had moved out of earshot of Trelawney's classroom, Ginny said, "Well, guess we dodged a curse there. It's like she didn't remember it at all."

"Wait until we get to the bottom and can talk properly."

At the bottom, they stopped to catch their breath, and Hermione wiped her brow. "The other thing I won't miss is how stifling hot she keeps that room. How is anyone supposed to stay sharp and focused in that environment?"

"I didn't notice."

"You never do with heat."

Ginny shrugged. "True."

Hermione gave her a grave look. "I'm not sure you should have done that. Trying to interfere with a prophecy can have major consequences. What if blocking the delivery of one is even worse?"

"Look at it this way. A lot of prophecies wind up getting fulfilled by the people who hear them. If no one hears it, maybe the whole thing never gets started. You know, nip the problem in the bud."

"I hope you're right."

"Me too. That said, should we do anything about the part we did hear?"

Hermione thought back on Trelawney's words. "The first line said something will happen tonight, which isn't exactly news. Something is always happening. Whatever the specific thing was–assuming it was bad–we just have to hope that blocking the prophecy means the event is no longer fixed like it would have been."

"That's pretty much what I was thinking, in the two seconds I had to decide. Guess we'll have to wait and see. Probably best if none of us go wandering around alone tonight. Stick together, just in case."

"Good idea. Anyway, the other line–the one about the Dark Lord being alone and friendless, with none of his followers–is actually good news."

"Yeah, couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. I doubt any of his followers would count as real friends anyway."

"Yes, that's one advantage we have over him. But my point was it sounds like at least he hasn't possessed anyone else. I'm more worried about the part we didn't hear, and whether it's still destined to happen."

"I did what felt right in the moment. Sometimes, if you wait to see if everything is going to hell or not, it winds up being too late to act, because everything has already gone to hell. You just have to trust your instincts, you know?"

"No, not really. And when did you learn the Silencing Charm? Isn't that fourth or fifth year?"

"I don't know what year Hogwarts teaches it." Ginny hesitated, then admitted, "Riddle taught me. He didn't say why at first, but… it can be useful to stop people from calling for help."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Well, never mind that. This wasn't the only impulsive thing you've done lately."

"How so?"

"Pettigrew. It's not up to us to start executing people. That's for the legal system to decide."

"The same legal system that sorted things out the first time around? The same one everyone just accepts is going to drag its heels on fixing its mistake, even after we gave them Pettigrew, because that's just how it goes?"

"I have problems with that system too, but even if killing Pettigrew was in any way justified, it wasn't something you had to decide right that second, without discussing it more with the rest of us."

"Okay, I suppose that's fair," Ginny admitted.

"As for what just happened, I hate that prophecies exist, but that doesn't mean silencing one will nullify it. I don't know. You may turn out to be right, but it worries me. I hope this at least buys us some time. I read one theory that says controlling the spread of information about a prophecy can influence the timing of events."

"There you go then. Having more time to prepare is a good thing, right?"

"Yes, but like I said, it's just a theory. Oh, I'm already starting to doubt my decision to drop Divination. What if we hear another prophecy?"

"Why'd you go through with it then?"

"I was so shocked, I think I was running on autopilot."

"On what?"

"Never mind, Muggle thing." She sighed. "I hope we didn't both make big mistakes today."

"We didn't. You worry too much."

Hermione looked back up the stairs leading to the Divination classroom, then shook her head. "I'm not going back on my decision now. I did the Arithmancy to weigh the pros and cons, and I have to trust the results. If I ever need to interpret a prophecy, I'll just have to research the matter on my own."

"That's the spirit. You'll be better off coming to it without a lot of nonsense filling your head."

"I hope so. Well, what's done is done. Let's head back."

They started moving again, and walked together in silence for a while.

Ginny asked, "What about Muggle Studies?"

"What about it?"

"Don't you already know enough about Muggles? As much as the teacher, at least?"

"There's not a lot in the content itself that I don't already know," Hermione admitted, "though Professor Burbage is quite well-informed. What I am learning is how the wizarding world sees the Muggle world. Getting that perspective will be useful for working on changing backwards views towards Muggles and Muggle-borns. Between dropping Divination, and you pushing me to get more sleep, I'm managing."

"Speaking of, you haven't come over in a while. I'm not sure you're managing as well as you think. You almost had a nervous breakdown in the common room the other day."

"I'll be fine. You helped me through the worst of it this year, and I'm grateful, but I need to figure out a better option for the long term. I'm sure you don't want me sneaking into your bed for the next four years."

"We've been over this. There's plenty of room. And it's sort of comforting sometimes."

"Well… If you're sure, maybe just for tonight. To be honest, I could use a little comforting myself. This whole business of prophecies is awful. To have your choices taken away like that is just so…"

"Awful."

"Yeah."

Ginny said. "I don't know much about Arithmancy, but the way you describe it, couldn't you use it to find the least awful way to fulfill a prophecy?"

"In theory, yes. The problem is the amount of calculation required. The wizarding world doesn't have anything with the necessary computing power, and Muggle electronics don't mix well with magic. It's a good idea in principle though."

They reached the entrance to the common room and paused.

Ginny said, "See you tonight then? And before you ask, yes, I'm sure you won't be a bother."

"Am I so predictable?"

"Only for those of us with the Sight."

Hermione laughed. "In that case, yes. And thanks."

"What are friends for?"