She retrieves her hand from his grip now, to clutch at her tea with both hands, sniffing impetuously. "I'm the Potions Mistress, Harry, I do what I want."

She wants to flash him an amused grin. "Oh come on, you have to try now. We could delight all the student body with our continuously taking the piss out of each other like this. It's practically tradition that the Defense and Potions professors don't get along, you know?"

She has a brilliant idea now: "Let's get drunk and write that letter. I'll help you win your case."