Minerva had not wanted to listen in on their conversation but it was pretty impossible not to when they were such a short distance away from her. She overheard the girl telling the two boys that fairies didn't like water and she bit her lip wanting to counteract that statement. Honestly, people really shouldn't say things that they were not a hundred percent sure of at all. Then as if life just wanted to ruffle her feathers even more the girl moved to where Minerva was seated and on seeing her there, greeted her and asked if she could sit. Minerva wasn't rude by nature, but she did come across that way at times. She looked at the spot the girl sat down on and wondered why this girl had even asked if she could sit when she had just gone right ahead and done it anyway? People her own age would always confuse her, saying one thing, doing another entirely. Why couldn't people just mean what they say and say what they mean?! Was that so difficult.
She gave a brief smile of acknowledgement and murmured a 'hi' back to the girl, looking back at her book again before anyone else could say anymore. Minerva felt relieved that at least the girl had a book with her and would hopefully be entirely engrossed in that. However, she had not counted on the boys greeting her as well and so when they did, she made a great show of placing her book mark in between the pages of the library book and closed it pointedly.
"Hello" she returned, with neither smile nor frown to show her feelings on their interruption, "I am Minerva." she replied to the boy's introduction and looked from the girl Morry beside her to the boy. They didn't look much alike but the same could be said for her own siblings she guessed. She looked to the boy who was paddling now in the lake and shook her head slowly.
"No thank you, I've heard that there is a giant squid or shark of sorts in that lake ... though how it ever got there is beyond me. I haven't come to that particular part in Hogwarts, A History yet but you are right, there are mer people there, not very pleasant apparently."
It was as if a candle had been lit that would not quench now and Minerva could not help herself as she continued.
"Oh ... and there are fairies that are specific to water. The most famous is Nimue who gave the Excalibur to King Arthur but there are many others. Land faeries do not like water much, it is why superstition in Celtic countries have muggles spit on their hands before they make a deal. Faeries will not shake a wetted palm but merpeople are a specie of the water fairy."
She gave a pleasant enough smile, or hoped she did at any rate and with that she paused a moment more before opening her book once again.