Basil was surprised at the surge of affection he had for the redheaded Cecil (whose name he realized he might actually now learn.) The hedgehog had become a constant in his life over the past few years, his companion on some of the longest evenings of research had yet. It was a comfort those nights to have someone to talk to, someone to ramble at and help him organize the chaos of his thoughts. He would miss that. Luckily this time, unlike the last, there was little - Basil hoped - of his secrets that the man could know. He was almost sure he’d never had the nugget in his pocket for any of his exchanges with Lissington. At worst the hedgehog might be able to share just how eccentric the Transfiguration professor really was, passionate and mad about his subject. But anything more incriminating, Basil was relieved to think was safe.
He threw a hand over the blanket, shepherding the poor lost soul through the growing crowd. When they broke though, door to the Great Hall in sight, Basil took the lead and sighed as the noise of the crowd died down behind them. He made a straight beeline for his office.
Aubrey Davis et. al <3