Harry potter : Forgotten Lord

Charms Classroom - Flitwick P.O.V.

As his fifth year class came to end, he decided it was time to address the issue that had come up during his earlier conversation with Harry. He had come to a decision on which prefect would be Harry's mentor, or his first year guide, finally settling on Penelope Clearwater.

His reasons were simple. First, it would give one of his prized Ravens more time to focus on her O.W.L's, due to her having to only mentor one student, rather than having to take part in leading the study groups.

Also, both of them had similar interest in charms and runes, which would give them something to bond over. After all, Harry had no family so maybe a brother–sister relationship would form between them. He wasn't blind, it was clear Harry had issues and maybe Penelope could help him with them.

Secondly, Penny had a lot to gain if a friendship occurred. It would help her after leaving Hogwarts to have a head of an Ancient and Noble House supporting her. He knew it was often hard for his female students to find respectable careers in the magical world. The magical world was a male dominated society, and it was especially difficult for muggleborns, despite them often getting better grades than their pureblood counter parts.

Simply put, it was his job to look out for the best interests of his Ravens and Penny was the prefect, who stood to gain the most from at least forming a good working relationship with Harry. Hopefully the girl would see the advantages of friendship with a future lord, without him pushing her too much. He would rather not become as manipulative as Albus, but this really did give the talented girl a chance to make something of herself.

Seeing the class was about to end Filius said, "Miss Clearwater please stay behind. The rest of you are dismissed, but remember to read the next two chapters for the next class."

Penny followed her diminutive Head of House to his office, before making her way to the chair in front of his desk, which seemed to be larger than it was the last time she was here. After sitting down, she looked on as Professor Flitwick called a house elf to bring them refreshments.

Flitwick quickly went about serving them both tea after thanking the house elf, before starting the conversation. "Penny I am sure you are interested in why I asked you to stay behind, but first I have to ask if you finished reading the book I gave you at the beginning of the term?"

Penny recalled the book he gave her to read on magical sociality, which he had wrote himself. It had been shocking to learn just how backwards present day magical England was. Magical society seemed to be stuck in the 1700's, where positions were often bought through family connections, prestige and money was considered much more important than raw talent. With enough money you could get away with murder, provided you had right connections.

And a large amount of society was controlled by a few small groups of individuals, who controlled the laws, employment rights and positions within the government. Also, no muggleborn had ever risen to be a Head of any of the important departments in the Ministry of Magic.

The best she could hope for was to be a high ranking secretary, of an rather important department head. It had been sickening to learn how limited her future was without the right connections.

Also, to learn that many of her less talented peers would be favoured over her due to their blood status and gender, she was just above werewolves in status, and that was truly disheartening. Simply put, being a muggleborn and a woman meant most traditional pureblood males saw her as pair of legs for their own entertainment and pleasure.

Most wizards would expect her to stay at home to take care of their children and be a homemaker. It gave her visions of Percy's mother, who seemed nice, but bit controlling. But she wanted more out of her life, this also made her question the true intentions of a few of her male friends.

The book also explained the sneers and smirks she got from some of her male year mates, who obviously knew that if she wanted to go anywhere in her career that 'favours' would be expected from her.

Looking across the table, she saw her Head of House was waiting for a response. "Yes, the books you provided me were eye-opening. I had no idea just how backwards the Ministry was," Penny answered, trying not to take her anger out on her Head of House, who just wanted to help her.

"I hope you understand that I gave them to you so you would be prepared for how things work outside of Hogwarts," Filius responded before taking another sip of his tea. "However, I may have found a possible solution to your problem, if you are interested?"

"What do you mean?" Penny asked curiously.

"Well, as you know from the section in the book about peerages and their role in our government, the backing of a Head of an Ancient and Noble house could be beneficial for you. And to that point, Ravenclaw is currently housing a soon to be lord. If I recall correctly, you and Percy met the future Lord Potter on the Hogwarts' Express. Also, you and the other prefects have mentioned that he hasn't been attending the group study sessions," Flitwick answered.

"The first year that cast a bluebell fireball at another student?" Penny asked, hoping to confirm the individual her Head of House was talking about.

"Indeed, that is the young Lord Potter, who will be able to take up his lordship on his 14th birthday, which is a couple months after you finish your final year at Hogwarts," he replied, before continuing on. "Mr. Potter has already proven to be a most capable student, as well as having the potential for great things just like his mother."

Penny just nodded to show she was following along, but she was wondering where the Head of Ravenclaw house was going with all this.

"He does not feel the need to attend the study sessions, and I agree with him. He has proven himself to be far above the average Raven and I expect him to receive at least two masteries before he leaves Hogwarts," Filius explained, causing a shocked look to appear on Penny's features.

The comment about Harry's potential to achieve two masteries before he left Hogwarts had stunned Penny, because it was rare for an individual receive one, let alone multiple masteries. To hear that her Head of House expected him to manage at least two meant he had high hopes indeed. Looking back at her amused professor she questioned, "What does this have to do with me?"

"It means that I am hoping that you will accept my request for you to be Mr. Potter's mentor. Simply put, I'll excuse you from having to do study sessions with the lower years, so you that can supervise his studying. It will also give you more time for your own studies for your coming O.W.L.'s," Flitwick answered, hoping that the girl would make the connection between the books he gave her and opportunity he was presenting to her in aiding in the future lord's education.

Flitwick decided to drop a couple more hints, to make sure the girl would get what he was hinting at, "Mr. Potter's family was killed during the war against the last Dark Lord. Not only is he the last of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, but his mother was a rather talented muggleborn just like yourself."

Flitwick took another sip of tea, and realizing that Penny still hadn't connected the dots. Deciding he would have to be more obvious, about what he was hoping Penelope could achieve by helping the young Lord. To save time and confusion he continued.

"Traditionally, the Potter family has always been forward thinking in nature and rarely cares for blood status. Harry himself was raised by his non-magical relatives and I'm sure you can see the possible benefit of an alliance, or your gaining the protection of his house early on before his Lordship is announced. I'm sure some of the more politically aware students of Slytherin house, are already aware of the possible benefits of an alliance with Mr. Potter."

Penny suddenly understood what the Professor had been hinting at through the conversation and silently cursed herself for taking so long to catch on. Quickly realizing just how much it could help her, by being on good terms with young lord in the years to come. Also, since he and his mother had lived in non-magical world, he wouldn't immediately be dismissive of her, unlike most of his counter parts.

If she became his friend and proved herself to be talented or useful, it would be likely that she would receive some protection and support from the future Lord. Also, she remembered the Professor mentioning something about a lack of family, so maybe trying to be an older sister to him would also help.

Looking at the Professor, she could see he had been following her thought process, so she answered, "It seems a waste not to encourage his talent and skill, I look forward to being able to help direct his development."

Flitwick just nodded before saying, "I hope you realize the opportunity you've been presented with, and the additional benefits that could arise from tutoring him. Now, since our business is done, I must return to my marking," dismissing her.

Penny got up and started making her way to door, thanking her lucky stars for her Head of House's foresight. When she reached the door she turned around before offering a heartfelt, "Thank you."

Flitwick looked up from his papers at Penny standing near the open the door, "Don't thank me just yet. I just suggested a possible path that could benefit you both, but it is up to you to win the lad's friendship," he said before returning to his marking.

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