"Want to come together?" Draco's voice was as calm as ever, his gaze sweeping over Hermione walking beside him and Olivia beside him.
"My history... well, my history of interpersonal relationships is probably far worse than my Herbology," Draco quipped.
He then added, "The next lesson is Professor Binns ' History of Magic. Considering his unique teaching style, outlining the key timeline of the Goblin Rebellion and the demands of all parties beforehand might prevent us from getting completely lost in those dates during class. If you don't mind."
Upon hearing this, Hermione paused almost imperceptibly.
She didn't answer immediately, but instead glanced quickly at Olivia beside her, as if silently seeking her opinion.
Olivia understood immediately and said, " Goblin Rebellion? Yes, it's certainly necessary."
"The textbook's account of that period of history is far too brief, especially the details and contradictions in the contracts between Goblin and wizards before Gringotts was established—it's infuriatingly vague. It would be great to be able to sort out the timeline beforehand."
Upon hearing this, Neville, as if he had found a lifeline, quickly echoed:
" The History of Magic! Oh, Merlin's beard, all those messy dates and tongue-twisting names, I always get them mixed up... If only I could sort them out beforehand! Hermione, are you good at this?"
Hearing her companions' words, Hermione's icy guarded expression finally showed a reluctant hint of melting.
She glanced quickly at Draco and said:
"The timeline of the Goblin Rebellion, especially the gap between the 1163 Memorandum on Wand Usage Rights and the 1194 Galleon Minting Agreement, is key to understanding the subsequent escalation of the conflict."
"Many people only remember the outcome of the war, but they overlook the loopholes in the clauses of these two documents, which are the root of the conflict."
Hermione spoke quickly, clearly intending to take the lead in the discussion.
"Furthermore," she continued, "If we approach it from the perspective of economic dependence and the monopoly of magical tools, we might be able to explain more clearly why the negotiations of 1210 completely broke down."
Although Neville couldn't understand, his gaze towards Hermione was full of trust.
"Yes, yes, there's so much to remember in the History of Magic! I always get the order of these treaties mixed up... It's so helpful to have you help me sort it out!"
Neville then instinctively moved closer to Draco, feeling as if he and Draco had become allies in their shared "lack of expertise in the History of Magic."
This realization made him feel even closer to Draco.
Hermione's gaze softened slightly, and she looked at Draco, saying:
"If you are still interested in the Goblin Rebellion, Chapter 3 of ' Trade and Contracts in Medieval Magical Society ' contains a more detailed account and analysis."
" Trade and Contracts in Medieval Magical Society," Draco repeated the title she mentioned clearly. "Thanks, Hermione. This approach is much more useful than simply reciting years."
He thought to himself: Even with the system as Knowledge Compendium by his side, maintaining the persona of a "bad student in the History of Magic " is still the right thing to do.
This way, he can get closer to Hermione without appearing too overt, which is a win-win situation.
"Of course," Hermione said confidently, slightly raising her chin.
" Bagshot's book only provides a sequence of events, but tax and trade data can truly reveal the real flow of resources and power imbalances between the wizarding and Goblin communities."
As she spoke, the arms that had been holding the book no longer hugged it so tightly in a defensive manner.
Draco nodded, adding as he continued:
"I remember the book mentioning that in the agreement of 1194, the Goblin were responsible for forging Galleon, but were forbidden from possessing wands, which in itself was a power imbalance."
"This suppression was the catalyst for the later rebellion."
The four of them strolled along the path outside the castle, discussing the intricate details of History of Magic with great enthusiasm.
Draco would occasionally interject with a few insightful remarks, which were neither too boastful nor too simplistic, yet still precisely hit the nail on the head.
This drew frequent glances from Hermione, whose eyes now held a hint of approval.
Immersed in the ocean of knowledge about the History of Magic, the four unknowingly stepped into the castle's Entrance Hall.
The Entrance Hall was bustling with people, and many students were discussing their greenhouse adventure in small groups.
Just then...
A piercing, shrill laugh shattered the harmony of the enormous chandelier hanging in the center of the Entrance Hall.
"Oh ho ho ho! Look who's here? A bunch of little bookworms, their noses practically buried in their parchment!"
Accompanied by the mocking voice, a figure dressed in tattered clothes and with a comical appearance jumped down from the chandelier and hovered in mid-air in front of the four people.
They all recognized him; he was Peeves had tricked Percy last night.
The students around him all showed expressions of disgust and tension when they saw Peeves.
They quickened their pace in terror, trying to slip past, muttering curses under their breath:
"That annoying guy again!"
"Hurry up and get out of here! Don't mess with him, or you'll be in for trouble!"
Neville's face turned deathly pale in an instant, and he instinctively shrank back between Draco and Hermione, as if trying to hide himself.
"Oh no... it's it again..."
"Waaah! Look at that chubby little guy!" Peeves immediately set his sights on cowardly Neville.
It pointed its finger directly at Neville, whose face was pale and who was trembling, and imitated Neville's tone in a tearful voice.
He was so scared he almost wet his pants!
As he spoke, he made all sorts of comical and frightening dive feints in the air, each dive causing Neville to shrink back in terror.
This made Peeves even more smug, and his laughter almost shattered the glass in the Entrance Hall.
Hermione's muscles tensed instantly, and her other hand reached into the wand pocket inside her robes with astonishing speed, pulling out her wand.
Her eyes were full of disgust as she looked at Peeves.
" Peeves!"
"I'm warning you, if you dare to soil my books with those filthy things, or attack any classmate, I will definitely report you to Professor McGonagall! Then you'll be in big trouble!"
Hermione used a reprimanding tone typical of a model student leader, attempting to overwhelm the other person with her imposing manner.
"Oh--! Listen to who's giving orders? It's Miss Nerd! Professor McGonagall! I'm so scared!"
Peeves gave an exaggerated shiver in mid-air, then bowed to Hermione with a sarcastic tone.
Then she suddenly moved closer to Hermione.
Draco immediately stepped forward, blocking Hermione's path and shielding her behind him.
"Oh--!" Peeves let out an exaggerated exclamation and slowly turned himself over.
It looked Draco up and down with great interest, as if it had discovered something new and interesting.
"Look who's here? A little white weasel trying to play the hero today?"
He flew around Draco for a short distance, trying to find a better angle to tease him.
In the end, they returned to Draco's side.
"But I remember, the Malfoy family boys used to love watching others make fools of themselves!"
Peeves deliberately rubbed salt into the Malfoy family's wounds, his tone full of sarcasm.
"What, have you changed your mind? Or is it...?"
He glanced at Hermione hiding behind Draco with ill intent, a wicked smile playing on his lips.
"You've taken a fancy to this bookish girl?"
"His nonsense is as worthless as that filthy mud, Granger."
Draco ignored Peeves ' provocation and instead turned to Hermione behind him and whispered something.
Hermione's violent trembling, which had been triggered by Peeves ' humiliation and anger, abruptly stopped the moment Draco finished speaking.
Looking at Draco's tall, straight back, she felt a strange sense of peace.
Draco raised his hand and clearly uttered the incantation. " Protego!"
A semi-transparent magical barrier appeared instantly, like a giant protective shield, standing between the four people and Peeves.
Draco then turned his gaze back to Peeves, and said mockingly, "You want to die, don't you, Peeves!"