The warm fire of challenge in the other's eyes was noticed, it amused Severus somehow, but he wasn't alarmed, knowing it wasn't going to last long. "I don't think you are in the position of asking me anything." he muttered simply, and one of his eyebrows curled when he noticed her leaning closer. Severus himself wasn't used to having anyone this close, but he was good at hiding everything deep down, not a chance it would look on his face. "Never heard the saying 'The pen is mightier than the sword'?" he teased and his dark eyes were fixed into the woman's, still mischievous, still despising.