"...All right, then," Severus concedes grumpily after giving this a moment's suspicious consideration, feathers settling slowly.
"Shan't bother hoping," he retorts, letting the blow knock him forward a few inches, because he always does. Indignantly, he starts, "Of course I--" Then he stops, cocks an eyebrow, and squints speculatively at the ceiling. "Just for the fun of it?" You can almost see occasions and events scrolling across his vision. Eventually, he concludes, "Shouldn't think so."
"Not badly, actually," he sighs. Which is true--by Severus Snape's standards of 'badly.' "Why would it? Most Slytherins have generations of breeding behind them to teach them how to be gracious in victory. Off the pitch things were relatively harmonious for a while there."
...Wait, hasn't he actually already showed him? When Rus first got here? Did-your-mark-do-what-mine-did, sort of thing? More like Toga! Chiton! Rice and Lentils! Pita Bread! Fish Sauce! Roast Shoulder of Beef! Couscous And Pine Nuts! Feta Cheese! Watered Wine! Trivia Questions About Seneca! (g) Yeah, me too. Baby is unhappy little camper and mommy is thinking she's a bad mommy for wanting to dump baby on its Totally Eager Grandparents for a Whole Weekend. (g) Ah, yes. Everything's on hold until after Halloween. Including shopping. (guards parking space jealously and considers ordering pizza even if box won't fit in fridge)