"At the beginning of the year, I told our returning seventh years that they would face challenges unlike the classes before them, or after them.  They were soldiers before they had finished being children, and that was a failure on the part of every adult in the wizarding world.  The same is true of our other seventh years, and once again, I must ask your forgiveness for my part in that."  Hermione could faintly see the reflection of a falling tear on McGonagall’s face.  "Now it is time for you all to step out into the world, to take on the responsibilities of adulthood, to make a difference in a way only you can."