"Could be," he allows. "Although I think that if Merlin had been the bashing-people-round-the-head type, history might have turned out rather differently."
"Oh, yes, several," he assures him. "But one doesn't hear about them, as they're far too busy doing their jobs for amusing peccadillos or public relations disasters."
Severus stares at him for a moment, declares, "This is like the cats, isn't it," and turns to the waiter to negotiate for a few pasties to take away. They'll make a nice change from sandwiches.
(rubs hands together) Oh, really? And here we thought he kept waving his crush around on purpose. (g) Well, no, she would have been... n,n;;;