Snorting a little at his friend’s comment, Basil gave the other a small nudge with his elbow. “I will rather. Mother would be scandalized to hear of the likes of me in Bartonsburg,” he teased lightly. In all truth, unless he was courting someone from the middle class, his parents probably wouldn’t care all too much about his having friends there. But Basil couldn’t help poke and prod at the Hufflepuff a touch. He appreciated the gesture, and likely he would be visiting Gus at any and every given opportunity. Humming at the next suggestion, Basil shook his head lightly. “I thought about it, but I don’t think a tour is in the cards for me,” he replied, solemnly. “Professor Thompson asked if I wanted to continue assisting him with some research over the summer and beyond and I don’t think I could let go of the last piece of my identity keeping things afloat.” Basil laughed a little self-deprecatingly. “I don’t know what the family has in store for my future, but I doubt working a professional career would be it. I’ll count myself lucky if I’ve not yet been married off in a year with a child on the way.” He snorted again, this time the joke falling rather flat as Basil’s tone quickly dove from jovial to bitter. He was not yet resigned to his fate, even though he knew it was coming. That was the job of the second son wasn’t it? To play their part and keep out of the way.
Releasing Gus’ hand, Basil shifted and leaned back, lacing his hands behind his head, until he was looking up directly at the sky above them. It was annoyingly bright and blue, without a cloud on the horizon. He felt this didn’t quite match his current mood and wished it would grey a little.
“What about you?” he queried. “Will you be taking on a career? You’d be marvelous at it, whatever you choose.” He smiled up at the back of his friend’s head. “And your family would be much more supportive, whatever the case.” So take advantage of it, Basil wanted to add. But that felt rude, even if it was just to Gus.