 Bathes in Maple Syrup | Dancing Lobster | Moy Pomidor | Seneca's Beard | That Is So Fetch!
Rajan nearly jumped. The sudden appearance of a centuries-old ghost while he was eyeing his cold tea certainly caused his shoulders to tense.
"Merlin." The word escaped on a breath more startled than intended.
His gaze lifted, finding the familiar silvery figure reflected first in the window before he turned properly toward her.
After a moment, however, the surprise gave way to a sheepish smile.
"Sorry, Lady Helena. I was rather focused."
His eyes followed hers toward the scattered notes and books, realizing that his statement might have been the understatement of the century. Looking at them now, he could admit the arrangement resembled more the aftermath of an academic explosion.
At the Grey Lady's observation, Rajan glanced down at the translation occupying his attention. A faint flush coloured his cheeks.
"In my defence, the author appears determined to use three different words to mean the same thing and then changes his mind halfway through the paragraph." He lifted the parchment. "I understood the passage a while ago. I simply keep finding ways it could be more accurate."
The confession was accompanied by a small sigh. It was an old habit. One he knew perfectly well. If an answer could be improved, then surely it should be improved. And if it could be improved again—
Well. That was how one ended up rewriting a translation multiple times, chasing precision as yearningly as some students chased Quidditch victories.
"And yes," he admitted, his gaze drifting toward the neglected mug beside him, "the Heating Charm would have been the sensible solution."
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