[ Severus doesn't know how to talk about Lily. He can't be honest, but he can't be angry, either. There will always be hurt and pain there-- when she chose the people who tortured him, when she refused his apology, when she married the ringleader of those animals. But Severus did worse to her. Anger is reserved for Black, and Potter, the werewolf, and that pointless little rat.

He still loves her. Of course he does. Lily's the only person who was ever selflessly kind to him. He'll never not love her. It's out of love that he doesn't say more. She deserves more than being associated so closely with him, and having her business spread around.

Talking about potions is better. ]

Yes, it's still magic. [ Severus seems a little distant at first, but slowly shakes it off. ] There's a kind of silent communication during the process. Only witches and wizards can coax the correct properties from it all.