"Poor girl," Severus murmured as his quill scraped across the pages of the book. "I'll send her my condolences. And recommend a regimen of potions to take to hopefully prevent her from getting one of your, likely, numerous diseases."

He glanced up briefly after that, feeling awkward and lightheaded.

"And for the record, Lupin will not ever be smarter than me, you daft fool." Only Severus could manage that with a quarter smile, as if it amused him. He sat back on his heels. "Speaking of, what did he have to say about the mark there? Amused or jealous?"