Hearing Seamus Finnigan call his name, Neville instinctively spoke aloud what he had been silently reciting.
"In the third century BC, conflicts often broke out between Wizard settlements and Giant tribes on the European continent over disputes about hunting territory."
"In Muggle myths and legends, descriptions of 'burning spears falling from the sky' have been preserved. Scholars of History of Magic believe this description points to the history of early Wizards using Flame Charms to fight Giants!"
He swallowed, then turned to Seamus Finnigan and answered the earlier question. "I was reciting the passage about the Giant Wars from History of Magic."
Seamus Finnigan was the first to clap. "That's amazing!"
Dean Thomas jabbed Seamus Finnigan with his elbow. "How do you know it's amazing? Was all of it right?"
Seamus Finnigan shrugged. "Did you forget the trick Fred told us? For magical subjects like History of Magic, the professors marking the papers get headaches too..."
"So if you don't remember the answer, just follow your own memory and make some of it up. Fill the exam paper densely, and it'll be easier to get marks."
"Then let me ask you..." He turned to Dean Thomas. "Just tell me, did Neville recite it fluently or not? Being able to recite it that fluently—isn't that a skill too?"
"If only that were true..." Neville scratched his head in embarrassment. "That means memorizing them did have some effect."
He seemed to realize something. "Seamus, were you looking for me for something?"
"About that 'Charm to Repel Weapons'..." Seamus Finnigan immediately perked up, his eyes shining. "Have you heard anything on your end?"
Neville frowned slightly and said, a little confused, "Heard anything?"
"Like... um..." Seamus Finnigan tried hard to organize his words. "Is there some trick that can help us master this