[Limited cooperation is better than none. He's used to it from his time as a Prefect, which was a lot like being a professional cat herder.]

...any harbor in a storm I suppose.

[Any more snark though ends the moment Gilles tries to put an arm around him. Oh Lord! Give him strength even though he is not a believer! He can pretend! For five seconds!]

It's not caring! It's just curiosity!

[He's pulling away quickly as possible, because oh dear. Why does he always wind up in the vicinity of touchy feely people? It's a curse.]

I just like studying up on historical figures that like to intrude in my personal life. It also helps with essays.

[He knows all about Astaroth and John too, because why not? that sort of knowledge might net him an A one day.]