Β Β Instantly sheβd sitting down next to him, shoulder bumping against his.Β βThatβs the green and silver one, right? The clever house?β The movement of this leaf between his fingers held her attention, the simple movement entrancing, keeping her from seeing his meaningful glance.Β βThat seems like Merlin.βΒ
Resting her head against his shoulder, she hummed as she cracked open her book again.Β βWe have whole books about him,β Lily told him with a bit of a grin. Then it turned into a frown as she glanced up.Β βButβ¦I thought Muggles werenβt supposed to know about witches and wizards. How come we know about Merlin, then?β Sure, he could be the greatest Β wizard in the world, but wouldnβt the greatest wizard in the world follow the rules too?
Lilyβs SOFT affection, her gentle touches -- the way she leans against him, as if he were more than a simple, undesirable thing, but an EQUAL, a person of merit, deserving of a treatment so comforting -- itβs an incredibly warm feeling. It soothes him, heβs never experienced it before and he wishes he could have it with him ALWAYS. Maybe he can, if he just sees her every day . . . yes, that would surely be enough.Β
He dares not to move, as if Lily were a small kitten, afraid of disturbing her and causing her to flee from his grasp forever . . . Β but rather tilts his neck a bit to give her a more comfortable position, his own frame stiff as he continues to turn the leaf in his fingers.Β β Merlin liked Muggles a lot, β he explains, after a moment.Β β He helped with their rights, and he didnβt believe we should use magic on them, so thatβs why itβs against the law. β Muggles, on the other hand, werenβt quite so kind . . . but Severus still bites his tongue. Β β He wanted them to live peacefully. β