"Maybe a little," he said, flicking some ash from the end of his cigarette. "Just getting some space to think. And I wanted to catch you before you got inside and everyone swarmed."
He extended a hand to shake Remus' warmly.
"It's been much too long. I think some congrats are long overdue, on the kid," he said. "We saw Tonks the other day. She looks great."
He reached for the pouch of tobacco.
"Fancy one?" he asked. "Nasty habit of mine but it gives me a reason to escape out here. Tell me if you're too cold and we can sneak into the study."