24. Lumos

"Isn't this really interesting? The Lumos charm wasn't invented until the 18th-century! Muggle light was invented only 100 years after they invented the Lumos charm. Can you imagine that? It only took the muggles a year to create what magical people could do." Teddy was amazed. This charms book was fascinating.

"Oh that is interesting," Lux said, peering over his shoulder.

Teddy wasn't quite sure if she was humouring him or if she really did find it interesting. It didn't matter, she never made him feel bad.

"What else does it say, Teddy?"
"Ummm... it was invented by a witch, Levina Monkstanley... some other German wizard lied and said he invented it. Why do people do that? Why do people always lie? It's wrong, it hurts people, and sometimes they do it for no reason! It's so frustrating."
Lux set down some hot chocolate in front of Teddy, sipping her own. "People lie for all different reasons. Fear... manipulation... pride. This German man might have wanted to boost his pride by making people think he had invented it."
Teddy nodded. They were wise words. His Lux always explained things to him when his brain got fixed on something.