He gives the tray a double-sided wtf (both for Q's assumption that he meant to demand hospitality and for the green liquid), look, and continues, "Speaking of house-elves, I've had a request from one of the ones from the school."
"Not really. Mentioning the possibility rather precludes the actual jokes. If imprecations to come out of one's shell really qualify."
He pokes at the roots, arching out of the floorboards in a perfect circle around the chair, with a careful finger. "One of the spells hit a shield. I think it really wanted to to turn my wand, rather than the floor; it felt that way."