That night when Hermione prepared for bed, she was pleased by the way her life was progressing. Her friendship with Spock might have been lost when he denied her, but she still had the utmost respect for him. Without his lessons, his example, she probably would have bent under social pressure and expectation, married Ron and settled into family life without accomplishing anything truly meaningful. Knowing Spock had forced her into developing the habit of self-examination and almost brutal honesty in the sanctuary of her own thoughts. It was why she had never taken offence at Snape’s tongue in Potions. It was only when that tongue had lashed at her appearance that she had faltered.