Severus inclined his head in mute thanks. "You must understand, I was under great stress at the time. And, to be perfectly frank," he continued in quieter tones, "I was at a complete loss to account for your behaviour. Why on earth would you want to spend time with me? Seasoning my cauldrons," he nodded at the copper gleaming in Al's hands, and gave one of his rare, flashing smiles. "I seized on my mistaken interpretation as the one possible explanation of your mysterious behaviour." He shook his head, huffing dry amusement. "It made no sense to me otherwise, that you would willingly spend time with me, especially in such a mundane activity."
It was a pity Al couldn't hear the complex timbre of old rue and wry fondness in that low voice.