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by Dave Haber, Wizard News Wizard

For many years now, especially since the first Harry Potter movie was released, fans have been wondering if Professor Flitwick is completely human or something else.

Back in February, in an exclusive Wizard News interview in conjunction with HarryLatino.com, Warwick Davis, who plays Flitwick in the films, through his manager commented that it was his belief that Flitwick was just a very small teacher.

Warwick Davis as himself and Professor Flitwick

However, now, we have it right from J.K. Rowling herself, who said in an update of the FAQ section of her website today that Flitwick is indeed part goblin, as many of us assumed.

On www.jkrowling.com, J.K. said, "Just like Dean Thomas, Flitwick has a background that I now realise will never see its way into the books because it is not relevant to the plot. He is human but with a dash of goblin ancestry – something like a great, great, great grandfather. This is only interesting in as much as it gives him a perhaps unexpected empathy for people like Hagrid who are, in Death Eater parlance, half-breeds. However, Flitwick and Hagrid have never had a scene together, so Flitwick's genetic composition has been relegated to the very back of my mind over the six novels in which he features, although I think it has informed his character. Slightly dotty though he may be, he is welcoming of all students, whatever their background (he did say in 'Philosopher's Stone' that he was very fond of Lily, thus establishing that he was not prejudiced against Muggle-borns)."

On her site, J.K. also added, "I must admit, I was taken aback when I saw the film Flitwick, who looks very much like a goblin/elf (I've never actually asked the filmmakers precisely what he is), because the Flitwick in my imagination simply looks like a very small old man."

More information:
• J.K. Rowling Official Web Site

Related articles:

•	Warwick Davis thinks Flitwick is not a goblin (2/8/05)

Published April 6, 2005

This article is Copyright © 2005, David Haber, and may not be reproduced on other web sites or in print, in whole or in part, without expressed permission

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