Rodolphus eyed the woman with a bland expression. Sometimes, Mafalda reminded him a bit of Bellatrix. Wouldn't that be an upsetting thing for her to hear? Though she differed in the way that she spoke to Rodolphus, her dark lord. Mafalda spoke to Rodolphus as a pureblood woman would often refer to her husband (slight respect and obedience) while Bellatrix had nothing but utmost respect for Voldemort.
"Apparently, you haven't learned to respect me enough." It was both a threat and an innuendo.
"Adrian, respect is learned, you see. You teach it. Young ravenclaws can be taught, as can older Slytherins." He stood, dark and towering, "Tell me, boy, do you think that I need to refresh Miss Hopkirk's lessons?"
It was an excruciating tactic to use, asking Adrian to perhaps speak against a witch who was his superior. Both parties would go away from this feeling awkward. Yet, it was an useful tactic to remind them that the other levels of heirarchy were nothing when compared to the one, main power.
As he spoke, Rodolphus' eyes met Mafalda's, an unspoken challenge issued. Almost imperceptibly, his lips quirked into the smallest of a earnest smirk.