Friend or Foe | Gruffudd

Sunday, January 13, 1924
9:00 AM
The Information Desk

"Hello, I'm Avery Hale. Welcome to the Information Desk - "

"Yeah we get it, Hale. You don't have to introduce yourself every time."

"Welcome to the Information Desk, may I help you find something?"

The boy was nonplussed about being interrupted and would simply start over every time. He wouldn't be bullied into rudeness or unprofessionalism. That would be lowering himself to the intellectual level of the acorn-brained Hufflepuff that stood in front of him. His expression remained that of neutral indifference, a polite smile plastered lightly on his lips as the Hufflepuff rolled his eyes and barked to be pointed in the direction of 'On the Limitations of Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration'.

For a moment, Avery was almost impressed. A text like that would normally be far beyond the reading level of someone like...this person, but the twelve-year-old was never one to stifle education when it was requested. "Transfiguration is to the right. Three rows down and then two over, on the upper left-hand side of the last bookshelf on your left." He smiled again as the Hufflepuff stared stupidly at him for a moment and then rolled his eyes to wander off in search of the book.

Well, there was no helping everyone, Avery figured. He would normally guide the requestor to their given book, regaling them the entire way of its merits and his personal criticisms along with any tidbits he happened to know about the author - a real treat for anyone - but he didn't necessarily appreciate the Hufflepuff's tone, and was happy to let him sort it out himself.

He'd given accurate directions. That was enough.

As the line made way and a smaller Slytherin boy stepped up to the desk, Avery straightened his back, re-plastered on the same smile and gave a friendly little wave.

"Hello, I'm Avery Hale. Welcome to the Information Desk. May I help you find something?"

The most helpful library assistant, without exception.