Fifteen minutes later he emerged from the bathroom, and he was still the only one awake. He looked out the window. It was still dark, the sun had not yet risen, though he could see that this was drawing near. Having set his watch for local time last night, he checked it. Five minutes to six. He walked out of the room, and descended the stairs to the bottom of the tower, and made his way into the common room.
He found it was not empty of people: Professor Flitwick was sitting on a large purple cushion near the fireplace, which held another blue smokeless fire. Professor Flitwick seemed to have noticed Harry before Harry noticed him, as he called out, “Come have a seat by the fire, Potter.”
Harry did so. Flitwick waved his wand, conjuring another purple cushion, which Harry sat down on.
“Your placement here in Ravenclaw probably surprised quite a number of people, Potter. It is a very nice surprise for me though.” Harry saw that Professor Flitwick was smiling.
Harry’s expression was neutral. “I wouldn’t know.”
Professor Flitwick nodded. “Indeed. You wouldn’t. I don’t suppose you’ve ever heard much about your parents?”
Harry’s expression became less neutral. “Next to nothing.”
The professor shook his head. “They were both in Gryffindor. James Potter and Lily Evans, Head Boy and Head Girl, class of 1978; number one and number three in the year, respectively. James Potter, powerful and brilliant, descended from a line of Gryffindors, going back all the way to Godric Gryffindor, some believe; Lily Evans, a Muggle-born but powerful and brilliant witch in her own right.” He shook his head. “Terrible thing, to be orphaned at such an age, Potter. But...you seem alright.” He smiled.
Harry’s expression was neutral again. “I make my own way. Life favors those who make their lives for themselves.”
The professor’s eyebrows rose. “Wisdom far beyond your years, Potter. Already you’re much smarter than scores of adult wizards I could name.”
At this Harry laughed. The professor smiled.
“I think we’ll get along fine, Professor.” Harry was smiling now, his laughter having died down.
Professor Flitwick nodded. “Just do your best, Potter, and we probably will.”
The two were silent for several more minutes, before Harry broke it, by broaching a question that had been on his mind for a while.
“Can you teach me to fight?”
Professor Flitwick’s eyebrows rose again. “To fight, Potter?”
Harry nodded. “To fight with magic. To duel. I need to learn the ways and means of magical combat.”
The professor’s eyebrows were still raised. “Are you not a little young for that?”
Harry shook his head. “I’ve been learning to fight, in a different way, since I was six. I have obligations I need to fulfill.”
Professor Flitwick’s expression was neutral now. “Obligations?”
Harry’s expression became very cold. “Debts. I have debts owed to me. They are long overdue. I need to collect on them.” It was a good thing Harry was reining in his power, else he would probably have frozen the floor, with all the warmth his voice currently had.
And yet Professor Flitwick shivered anyway. “I see. I think you should talk to the headmaster, Potter. Somehow, I feel, he will be able to give you...what you require.”
The coldness in Harry’s face and aura vanished. “Thank you, Professor.” Harry got up, and walked away.
Professor Flitwick stayed perfectly still for a long time, after Harry had walked away. Finally he sighed, and spoke softly to himself: “Obligations. Debts. It seems there never was a boy there, but a man, singularly committed.”
He waved his wand toward the fireplace. The fire vanished.
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(Posted Sat, 27 Dec 2003 22:54)
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