The Great Hall was startlingly crowded, though Basil shouldn’t have expected much for the first day of the spring term. 1892. A fresh new year, with a fresh new start. Students milled about all catching up with one another about their holiday and swapping gifts or stories they hadn’t managed to share quite yet. Basil for his own right was chaperoning/keeping an eye out until the opening term feast began. He meandered about, assisting students where they needed with luggage and the like. It was days like this Basil wished he could step in as the Ravenclaw Head of House. He had such an affinity for his house and his students, though he wasn’t particularly biased against any house. He just would have liked to help set-up the common room and assist his house with their needs. He knew better than most what it was to be a Ravenclaw returning for the start of a new term.

His own return had been rocky, at best. Basil had come up a day early, making the train ride yesterday evening instead. It had given him some time to settle in and organize not only his office and sleeping quarters, but also update the classroom a little bit. He’d needed the break to escape Atticus and the stifling nature of their relationship. It was starting to become painful being home; Atticus was more adamant than ever to see him socially acceptable and - potentially - married off; Eldritch was obviously living his own life in London with new friends and acquaintances; even his mother had her own friends and life to attend to. It left Basil feeling a little worse for wear and self-pitying. He knew he ought’nt though. He had plenty in his life to be grateful for and if he was alone, it was of his own doing.

A first year carrying a much too large owl cage toddled by him and Basil watched, half a smile on his face, as the sprightly little Hufflepuff made his way out into the hall. Yes, he had plenty to be grateful for here. He had an illustrious career, wonderful students, and he did have friends even if they were superficial or sparse. Basil laced his fingers behind his back and continued to meander around, offering assistance or simply nodding to those who greeted him. Yes, he was happy the way he was. There was no doubt about it.

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