"I find it most unprofessional, especially considering this is meant be place of education," Harry answered. "I understand the need to have a strict classroom work ethic, due to the dangers involved in brewing potions, but the attitude is not required."
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The Professor just nodded in agreement before speaking, "Professor Snape's attitude has often been considered a problem by many students and parents, but the Headmaster requires him.
The depth of his knowledge is unquestioned, and finding someone of his skill level is a rare thing," he said with sad smile, before continuing, "History and Defence have been having problems for a number of years.
Budget cuts and policy have led to their decline, because even though Hogwarts is a not state school, it still has to at least listen to Ministry of Magic. The best I can advice is independent study and if you have any problem in Defence ask me.
I am sure I can help direct your development, after all in my youth I was known for being quick with my wand." The Professor's wand suddenly appeared in his hand, before returning to its holster.
"Thank you for your offer, I may take you up on it sometime in the future since I have a interest in developing my own duelling skills," Harry replied. The main reason he hadn't approached the ex-dualist earlier was simply because his own body was underdeveloped and weak. It would need time before he could undertake such physically intense training.
He had approach Ayra, asking if she was willing to be his own personal healer and an agreement was quickly agreed upon for a price. The price was quite high compared to her ministry employed counter parts, but she offered the privacy he needed and wanted.
During their discussion, she had told him he would have to space out his own recovery across a year before he could undertake any high stress activities. He had started with minor workouts in the morning, and planned to move to a more advanced routine as soon as his body was able.
Ayra had stated with honesty that his body was undersized, had bones which had healed incorrectly and muscles that were underdeveloped. Effectively, the only thing that had kept him alive was his magic. If everything went well, he would be able to take up an extensive exercise routine this summer.
Hearing Professor Flitwick say something brought his attention back to present, "That might be possible in couple years. How are you enjoying your time outside the classroom? I know you're helping Padma, but you don't seem to have made much of an effort for the other Ravens."
Deciding to be honest, after all they had been the ones to annoy him since arriving at Hogwarts, Harry answered, "Most of my fellow first year Ravens lack maturity. They demanded help, without making the effort to attempt the work on their own first. Why should I spend my own time and energy helping someone, who is unwilling to push their self? Every minute I spend helping them, is a minute less I can spend on my own personal development."
Taking a sip of his tea, he continued, "I assist Padma because she is willing to work hard and has a similar work ethic to me. There are places where my knowledge is lacking due to not growing up in magical world, and she can offer insight only gained from experience. In time, when my other year mates mature, I expect I will have better relations with them, but at the moment they test my patience."
Saying that they tested his patience was an understatement, but it was most diplomatic way to phrase it. Simply put, most of his fellow Ravens were spoiled brats, who made demands without offering anything in return.
"I see," Flitwick began with sad smile, "This happen often in my house. My students own intelligence blinds them. They spend so much time believing they are all knowing and feel they don't need to revise, that it isn't until they achieve average results that they realize they need to push themselves."
He took a sip of his tea before continuing, "Being a Raven does not make one smart, it just provides a student with an environment where they can push their own academic skills with other students who have similar potential." Flitwick continued, "I just wanted to make sure everything was fine, but I do see your point on giving up you own time. So what other interests do you have?"
"I've started reading some basic Ancient Runes texts on theory and everything, since they have many practical usages. Plus my mother was known to be rather knowledgeable in the subject," Harry said which bought out a sad smile from his Professor.
"Also, I like anything that gives me a good challenge, or tests me," Harry finished with a smile.
"Most interesting, I'm sure our local Runes mistress will be keen to meet you in your 3rd year," his Head of House said, causing Harry to flush a bit in embarrassment. "Now my senior prefects have told me you haven't been turning up to the group study sessions, may I ask why?"
"To be honest, I don't need their help, since all the assignments so far are very basic. Why waste two hours going over an essay that I've ready written to an 'o' level? I prefer to focus my energies elsewhere, plus I don't want to waste the prefect's time when they can spend it helping people who actually need the assistance," Harry answered. He knew it was bit arrogant, but he wasn't going to lie.
"Fair point, your charms essays themselves have been at an outstanding level. I don't think you've missed a single point since you started in my class. Maybe it would be for the best to assign you to a single prefect to monitor your studies, and assist you if you need it," Flitwick stated.
"That's fine, as long as he or she doesn't slow me done. I'd rather I didn't have to keep explaining myself," he said jokingly, causing the professor to smile.
Flitwick observed him curiously before chuckling again, "Mr. Potter, you are so much like your parents and yet so different I can't help but find it amusing."
Seeing the almost desperate, inquisitive look in Harry's eyes, Flitwick decided to explain further, "Had your mother or father been in this position, the former would have been bursting with questions and the latter would have probably been a tad bit boastful. You have a mix of them both," he admitted with a smile.
"Yet you sit before me, the picture of the perfect gentleman by allowing me to speak with no interruptions. It shows that you have respect for me or my position and most probably have some knowledge of pureblood customs."
Harry just smiled at the acknowledgement, but his good manners were mainly due to his relatives beating him whenever he interrupted them. However, Harry was getting a bit uncomfortable with Flitwick's ability to assess him so easily.
"You are so much like your parents with your thirst to learn, your mother more so than your father. While your father always endeavoured to better his own skills in transfiguration and duelling, he never really showed any interest in doing so until his third year, and even then it remained solely in those fields. Your mother however," Flitwick paused and stared out into space before letting out a wistful sigh.
"Your mother was one of the most brilliant students I've ever had the pleasure of teaching. She had such a powerful thirst for knowledge and such brilliant skill in charms; it was a shame she was never sorted in my house."
"She mentioned you being her favourite professor in her journals a lot Professor," Harry interjected when he was sure he wouldn't be interrupting."She also said you were an excellent teacher." He hoped it would encourage the Professor to assist him when he tried his own hand at duelling.
Harry found it amusing when the tiny wizard's cheeks turned red in embarrassment. "Well, she was a most excellent student, I assure you," Flitwick replied, after a little cough.
"Your mother also had the same concerns as yourself," he explained with a smile. "Though her thirst for knowledge eventually outweighed her reservations, and she eventually asked me for help in her 4th year," he said with a twinkle in his eye.
Flitwick hopped off from his chair and removed a rather large and dusty book from the large bookshelf near his desk before taking his seat again.
"I hope I have gained enough of your trust that you can come to me if you feel you are not being tested sufficiently. I must cut this wonderful meeting short; I have a lesson starting in the next couple minutes, however take this book," he said with a smile before handing the book over.
He then stood up abruptly and headed towards the door and opened it for Harry. "I hope my copy of 'Charms: More than Making Things Float!,' challenges you further," he said with a smile.
"I hope however that you will keep this quiet, I would rather not have my N.E.W.T students swarming me trying to get their own copies," Flitwick said with another smile. "Just return the book when you have read it to its full potential," he finished with a chuckle, leaving a stunned Harry as he exited his office.
Leaving the office quickly, Harry made his way to his dorm room, eager to begin reading the tome that his Head of House had provided.
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