Q goes on, not noticing the look. "There were loads of books at my house. Not surprising really, considering what my parents did. They were never around, but the books were always there for me." No real bitterness there (well, not much), just resignation. "The troll thing sort of snowballed from that one book. I decided to find out more about them. Facts, not myths." He smiles, remembering. "I didn't really realise how dangerous it was."
"We were fortunate to survive the dying part." Flat tone, knowing there were so, so many who hadn't. "Power," he says simply. "And endless research facilities. He would have wanted your expertise with potions where it could do him the most good."
"Well yes. The catching part is simple," Q goes on, still thoughtful. "But I know absolutely nothing about training birds. I wonder how John would get on with a raven?" he murmurs. "So are dogs," Q tells him. "And just because you're to the manor born doesn't mean you have class." He really is most toweringly resentful of Black. And not just for Severus' sake. He remembers some of the other cruelties he and his fellow Gryffindors inflicted on their victims. And he knows what they would have subjected him to if they'd found out about his dad. "I'm sorry," Q says a bit roughly. He knows that Regulus died, but nothing at all of the circumstances.