Severus shivered a little, involuntarily, at having his earlobe kissed, though he squeezed Sappho back when she cuddled him. He would have to make a point to ask her not to do things to his ears in public, however, for they were quite sensitive, and it was a touch embarrassing.
"What made you think I'd react negatively?" he asked, trying not to sound sullen. But really, everyone seemed to think he was surly with a terrible temper, if not downright evil. And ... well, he could never recall having told Sappho off. It rather hurt to be so isolated because of his reputation, whether it was intentional hyperbole or not.