A Gift Fic presented to Crakaboom for all of his hard work for Ravenclaw in Round 10 of the Houses Competition!
I present: Silent, Blonde, Stranger
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"You're in here every day," I comment to the man on the other side of the desk. He smiles - almost - and hands over three books he picked up from the Philosophy and Ethics shelf over an hour ago. "How many of these books have you read then?" He shrugs, not committing to speech itself, though I know he can talk.
Last week he fumbled over a five pound note and handed it over claiming he wasn't fond of the new plastic sheen to them, and much preferred paper. I spoke something about them changing the ten pound notes, and he seemed to find his silence all over again. But I guess I find it sweet. The way he grins when he finds a book he likes the look of. The way he swipes back his white blonde hair. The fact that he reads. And I don't mean he reads books normally, I mean he must engulf them the rate he buys them at.
Either that, or he has a library at home to fill.
"You know, I read that book once," I add, packing Theology: A Mariner's Delve into the Molecular Composite of God into the small paper bag. "Very interesting."
"Not my favourite," he replies quickly, as though it scares him to say the words out loud.
"What's your favourite?" I ask, suddenly ridiculously curious.
"The Iliad." He takes the bag from my frozen fingers. "Hard work, very rewarding. You?"
So it seems that talk of actual books - discussing them - is what brings him to life.
"A Clockwork Orange." He raises a single eyebrow and a grin starts to spread. "I know, I know. Dark as Hell. But interesting if you're into linguistics. Like me."
"I'll add it to the neverending list."
With those last few words, he turns from my counter and leaves through the glass-paned door.
At least I know I will see him again tomorrow.
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Thank you for reading!
