Sooner or later, he's going to have to start dealing with the fact that he's the most important teenager in the Protectorate; pretending doesn't change anything. What is, is.

I wonder what he would say if I told him that, though.

There's definitely a part of him that likes to tempt trouble, but in a brainless way instead of a crafty way, you know? I think he's trying to figure out a way to make his father realise that he can't REALLY control Harry. Which, yeah, that's not going to happen. Ever.