Seamus Finnigan staggered toward the lectern like a condemned prisoner about to face execution, and began accepting Snape's "judgment."
As Snape announced the end of class, Seamus Finnigan practically had to be helped back to his seat by his classmates.
He looked like a cat drenched through by a storm, utterly dazed and defeated.
"Seamus!" Hermione squeezed her way in front of Seamus Finnigan, her brows knitted tight as she demanded, "Before curfew that night, did Fred and George say something to you?"
"Yes..." Seamus Finnigan nodded weakly. "I hadn't even started... and I nearly choked to death on that sweet."
"I knew it!" Hermione sighed. "Seamus, you should all just keep revising! Stop thinking about the Charm to Repel Weapons."
"If this keeps up, forget earning points... passing the O.W.L. Exam will be a blessing in disguise!"
"That actually reminds me..." Seamus Finnigan struggled to pull his wand from his pocket, still wanting to make one last attempt.
With great difficulty, he made the casting gesture for the Charm to Repel Weapons. "Averte Telum!"
Under the expectant gazes of Dean Thomas and the others, the miracle showed absolutely no sign of happening.
The Charm to Repel Weapons Seamus Finnigan cast was just like the previous few he had cast, like a light bulb on the verge of burning out. It only flickered with a few faint golden glimmers and could not persist for long.
"Averte Telum!"
"Averte Telum!"
There was unwillingness in Seamus Finnigan's voice as he tried a few more times, but still nothing changed.
His Charm to Repel Weapons remained impossible to maintain, like that light bulb about to burn out, able to release only a brief and feeble glow.
Clatter!
Seamus Finnigan's hand dropped weakly, and he could not even keep hold of his wand.