"I can certainly understand that," Severus answered, progressing to a small chuckle this time. "Indeed, it was my own wish to be useful that had me making such a request in the first place. I'm not normally one to, ah, socialize."
That was an understatement, actually. It would have been much more accurate to say that he was a misanthropic bastard, as a rule. Which didn't explain why he was standing there, talking to her, when he'd planned on nothing more than finding something new to read. That was something else to ponder, but again -- later. Because at this precise moment, he was rather enjoying himself.
"You'll be happy to know that I did finally manage to locate a Von Graefe knife," he added then, with a small smile. Well, she might not be happy at all to know that, actually, but if she had tried to help, perhaps she might. And it was something to say, after all.