"You can read and plan all you like, but you're going to have to do the thing eventually," Rus tells him. "It was a near thing once or twice," he admits.
He shrugs. "A few times. But there were too many broken bones."
"Or both?" he asks hopefully. Rus grins evilly. "Whatever you wish." He bows to Severus. "Here, let me distract him so he won't see." He goes to Alf, who is looking mightily confused. He puts a companionable arm about his shoulders, turns him away from Severus and begins talking earnestly to him. Alf listens, nodding uncertainly.