How much do you know about the understated, under appreciated Professor Flitwick?

Flitwick is Hogwarts alumni from the prestigious Ravenclaw house. During the book series, we see him as Head of House for Ravenclaw.

Professor Flitwick is the professor over Charms lessons. Due to his short stature, he sometimes gets tossed about in his on charms classes (Neville had him flying all about in one lesson in GoF).

Professor Flitwick is often the one in charge of placing baubles and decorations on the mighty Christmas Trees that decorate the great hall.

As to the Poll question, if you answered that Flitwick is a Goblin Descendant, you would be right! J.K. Rowling tells us on her official site that Flitwick is descended along the way from a Goblin. Something like a Grandfather. So, while he is mostly human, Flitwicks stature can be explained by this ancestry.

JKR also mentions that due to this heritage, Flitwick is very excepting of everyone.

She also mentioned, and I would agree, that a conversation on heritage between Hagrid and the charms professor would be a keen thing to read. (Though, it will never happen.)

Hey, I rather like Flitwick, if only to see him sailing through his charms lessons. I figure, maybe other people would like to comment on that too. Hey, share your facts and opinions on Hogwarts one and only Charms Professor!

I didn't know Flitwick was part goblin! It's neat, though. And now that you've mentioned it, I think I remember him looking more goblin-like in the first 2 movies than he did in
GOF. Did anyone else notice that? Or maybe my memory is playing tricks on me. I guess I'll have to go watch the DVDs again!

Yeah, strange but interesting piece of info, isn't it?

Actually, on her site, JKR went on to say that she had never bothered to ask what the producers had made Flitwick out to be in the movies. She said in her mind, she just visualizes a short old man ;)

It's ineresting that the creators of that costume though were apparently in tune to Flitwick's heritage!

That is cool!

Wait, I just thought of something. Did Umbridge ever mention anything about not liking Flitwick. Because if he is of Goblin heratige, surely she would have been somewhat prejudiced towards him? Unless she didn't know... I need to re-read OOTP.

Thanks for that DL! I never would have found that out on my own! lol

I don't remeber Umbridge being paticularly hateful towards him. I think she was a little busy with Hagrid and Firieze (or something like that)the centaur. A giant man and half-horse man is always going to be a little more obivious then a small man. That said, I do rember reading about him being part goblin but it was far back, like a grandfather as Dai said. So maybe the goblin heritage isn't as obivious as pure half/half like Hagrid's heritage?

I agree, Ali. Umbridge rather had her hands full tormenting the other two, and Harry, and Professor Trelwaney, and the quidditch teams.... the school at large!

Anyway, it's not a fact that JKR ever mentioned in the books anyhow. But I was just so fascinated when I discovered it on her page that I had to share here on the forum.

Well it is ssaid on JK's site that he just looks like a really short little man so Umbridge might not have realised Flitwick had Goblin heritage so blergh . . . I doubt she went through the Teachers family histories . . . well she might have but now I'm just contridiciting myself so I'll shut up. :D

I think Flitwick's cool. Though if you watch the movies you'll notice that the actor in the 3rd movie is different from the one in the 1st and 2nd. I like the original one better. I think it's pretty clever that Rowling has him standing on stacks of books instead of step ladders and stools and stuff. Though I mostly like him because he teaches charms and so do I.

WOOHOO! I was right and i didnt even remember that part. :P
[spoiler]I like that he was always ready to join in the fight, and I believe he helped kill the Deatheaters that killed Reamus and Tonks.... [/spoiler]