Pleased when the little hedgehog accepted his request, Basil wondered momentarily again at the possibility of it perhaps being a real person trapped in that floofly little body. He was very likely off on a wild goose chase, but he made a mental note to return to it anyway. Perhaps in the new year he would devote some time to flipping through his texts for signs of human-to-animal transfiguration and common counter-spells.

For now, he tucked the little hedgehog gently into one of the pockets of his robe and threw in a piece of the scone for good measure. He was glad of the company, and whistled cheerfully to himself as he closed the door to the office and made his way out into the hall. Perhaps he’d think to get himself a pet in the new year too… No, Basil recoiled at the thought almost immediately. It was too much work to care for an animal. Besides, he always had this little guy when he most needed it. It would be a sad day when Mr. Urquhart graduated.

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