From the nest Al had just been peering into, came a tiny 'eep!', timed neatly enough to sound like agreement with Al's assessment of unreadiness.
Snape snorted amusement, and took a couple of idle steps into the building, watching Al all the while, enjoying the freedom of being able to walk around in the Owlery without having to look down and watch one's step among old drifts of bones and droppings and pellets.
"And how are you?" Snape added, in tones softer still as he searched Al's face. "With Scorpius back..." his voice trailed off. There was no way in hell he could give voice to the rest of the thought: ...and your sister still lost.