At the comment from her chaperone, Basil couldn’t help but frown even if his face was turned down into his things, shuffling them in search of the correspondence. His French had always been quite passable, more certainly than his Italian (but not so good as Latin or Greek, oddly enough) and he caught the exchange with some chagrin. It was fine and dandy for a chaperone to do their part in ensuring propriety and safety, but stunting growth was another thing altogether. Gallant as ever though, and determined not to embarrass Ms. Bonaccord who was herself quite capable of speaking up, Basil ignored it in favor of presenting his findings. The look that spread across her face made it easily worthwhile. Beaming at Ms. Bonaccord’s reaction, Basil couldn’t help but nod eagerly. “It is a marvel!” he agreed. “Not many are aware of the fact but I have rather a soft spot for herbology myself and, if you’ve anything of an affinity for the subject, there are some fascinating notes in there that Beckham makes drawing parallels to Castelobruxo’s publications!” Basil perched himself on the edge of his desk, settling in for what was turning out to be his most interesting exchange all day. He’d often wondered himself how newly discovered species received their common names, the scientific evidently following some formulaic convention. To actually discover one however, was another matter entirely!
Ms. Bonaccord went on to explain some of her preliminary research then and Basil followed along - utterly enraptured - as she moved to his board. (If he was impressed at her gumption, he kept the observation to himself, smiling keenly all the while.) The suggestion of Lemon Balm assuaging the double heartbeat during an animagus transfiguration was an interesting hypothesis and her research into the matter seemed soundly thought out. The Greek supported her theory and Basil himself was a firm believer that the Greeks had discovered a great deal that had been lost to the Romans, so many centuries ago. Besides, there was some preliminary evidence to support the placating effect of lemon balm in other potions, particularly the calming draught he himself always had on hand. Shaking his head in a proud suspension of belief, Basil clicked his tongue. “If only I’d thought to discuss the matter with you sooner… the double heartbeat was a tremendous inconvenience during my own transfiguration. I’d have happily tested your theory in practice to save myself that anguish.” And it was true. The feeling of another being’s lifeline pulsating through his veins, merging with his own as if sucking the very life from the creature, was not an experience Basil had much enjoyed. That said, he couldn’t help but beam. “Your research seems quite promising, I must say Ms. Bonaccord. In my own limited discovery of other various, relative topics, I have seen Lemon Balm mentioned as a catalyst for different things. I could absolutely imagine a place for it - or other like herbs - in assuaging the most horrendous of the transformative effects of the animagus. You may have already thought to try Professor Skeeter, but should you need a liaison, I am happy to provide my assistance. For that matter, please, keep me appraised of your progress and if there’s anything I can do for you at all, don’t hesitate to ask!” Carte Blanche. It wasn’t an offer made lightly, but Basil had full confidence in Ms. Bonaccord’s work. And he really was looking forward to hearing more some date soon! As for his own efforts—
Rigid. It was as good a word as any for one who was not nearly as enamored by Transfiguration as he to describe Basil’s favorite of disciplines. The notion brought a smile to his face, amused with Ms. Bonaccord’s assessment but still incredibly flattered. If a hint of red tinged his cheeks too, that was nobody’s business but his own. “I do appreciate that, thank you,” he offered, soberingly. “I’ve just never seemed to find the right topic I suppose. What subject out there could I elaborate upon long enough to fill the pages of an entire text? Perhaps if I am ever able to answer that question, I shall take the challenge upon myself.” It would be a new adventure after all.
“While on the subject though,” he heard himself say, unwilling (apparently) to end their conversation there. “Have you given much thought to your own publication in the future? It’s never too early to start considering your options and I do think you have an interesting case here at least for a potential mention in Transfiguation Today,” If not a full spread! Basil gave it a moment of further thought. Perhaps, if Ms. Bonaccord didn’t mind, he’d mention it to his contact there the next time they met. He really did think her findings were promising and, even if they turned out to be foundless, it was worth sharing with the greater academic community. Someone else working on a similar matter may have further insight to communicate that might, one day, fill any gaps. And at worst, it would bring her the credibility he already recognized she deserved. “You might give it a whirl,” he added, nodding to himself in agreement. It would certainly be splendid to see her published one day.