Ah, so she had been a student. How long ago, he didn’t dare ask. Instead, Basil nodded at her comments regarding the snow. He supposed it was rather pleasant. There was nowhere in this world he’d yet found the peace he did at Hogwarts when he was able to take a quiet stroll across the grounds just after a fresh snow. (Before little footprints all destroyed the serenity of an all white expanse.) He hummed his assent.

As they moved on to converse about academics, Basil found some of his bristles begin to settle. He nodded at the young woman’s admission that she’d not taken his subject at a higher level - he couldn’t blame her, few did - but when she admitted to liking astronomy he wished desperately for a glass of something strong to sink his nose into.

It wasn’t that he disliked the subject in any way, or even discredited its academic merit. Astronomy was just such a rudimentary field of study; there was nothing about it that could distinguish one as muggle or witch. No practical talent was necessary for success, just a clear mind for memorization and observation. “That is fascinating,” he couldn’t help but respond. “What continuing studies have you done?”

He supposed the fact that Ms. Malfoy had any academic interest she pursued after graduation was fascinating to him though. He hadn’t expected that from her (and at the very least she hadn’t chosen divination!) Perhaps there was more to her than he’d given due credit.

Nodding again then as she continued on to ask him about his own interests, the professor smiled a bit. “I do,” he replied. "I do a lot of independent research of my own accord in the subject outside of classes, however I find the most reward comes from seeing the success of a student master something they’ve been striving for under my direction.” Thinking about his first years, Basil couldn’t help but smile a little wider. It really was his favorite part of the day to see one of his students accomplish even the most basic transfiguration of say, a cup. The first years always seemed so proud of themselves and he, in turn, was proud of them.

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