"Shut up, you big fat bird! Professor Harris was hurt because of you, and you still have the nerve to talk!" Neville's shout drew a lot of attention, and impassioned responses immediately rang out from the surrounding crowd.
Algy heard Neville's voice and, seeing the discussion interrupted, snapped furiously, "Neville! What nonsense are you spouting here? Go back to your dormitory area. Your grandmother and I absolutely will not allow you to study any Necromancy. It's too dangerous. It isn't something we Longbottoms should touch."
Seeing Neville shrink back under his uncle's angry rebuke, Allen narrowed his eyes. "Mr. Algy Longbottom, I have to say—leaving aside my Ancient Magic Class for the moment—apart from Herbology Class, where Neville can get an O for Outstanding, he can only get an E for Exceeds Expectations in Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Most of his other courses are terrible, especially Potions."
At Allen's words, Neville lowered his head gloomily. Flag, beside him, gripped his arm worriedly. Pomona Sprout, the Hufflepuff Head of House who had always encouraged Neville, looked at Allen with strong disapproval, but said nothing.
Algy's head snapped toward Allen. "It isn't your place to judge what a child of our family is like!"
"You misunderstand. I'm saying, haven't you noticed the problem there?" Allen's words made Neville lift his head, while Algy opposite him knitted his brows together, unable to tell what Allen was trying to say.
"Recently, I noticed that when Neville practiced the rather difficult lightning-series Charms, although he couldn't be called the best, he was actually a little faster than many students..." Allen walked to Neville's side and patted him lightly on the shoulder. "So, as your professor, I have a few conjectures."
Neville still had not understood what Allen was talking about when he