Severus considered that for a moment as he scanned the inhabitants of the room. "Draco, perhaps. He knows me well," he said blandly.
He snorted derisively. "Mr Wood," he said archly. "It is not my task to come up with the piece of research you wish to collaborate on. If so, it would be my apprenticeship and not yours. When you have something, bring it to me and we shall collaborate."
His expression hardened slightly. He would make no apologies for moving himself and Faustus to Malfoy Manor at the end of the school year. "As for my absence, I have been endeavouring to ensure my son has as normal an upbringing as possible given the circumstances. Part of that involves having him spend time at places other than Hogwarts. Given that the school year starts in less than a month, we shall be returning to Hogwarts soon enough and I shall be more available. Until then you can easily contact me via an owl or if you wish to avoid the results of that idiotic woman's decrees, the house elf Titchy can be sent with a message."