Throughout the series one of the most prevalent themes is power. Rowling uses different characters to show different aspects and types of power. Though never a main character in the stories Professor Flitwick is never portrayed as a powerful figure but the fact that he is a professor at Hogwarts shows that he has reached a certain level of proficiency in magic. In addition as mentioned in the earlier post Flitwick was a dueling champion when he was younger, and despite the fact that it was only mentioned in passing this underlines the subtel ways that power can be portrayed in the series. Flitwick is often described as being a kind and soft spoken person and is even portrayed as foolish when in Half-Blood Prince Flitwick is knocked out by Snape when Hogwarts is under attack. But in Deathly Hallows in the Battle of Hogwarts a different aspect of Flitwick is shown, Flitwick is the person who begins casting the charms to defend Hogwarts, and later joining in the fighting itself. Flitwick is an example of the idea of being loved rather than feared. Unlike Snape who is a more Machiavellian representation of power amongst the teachers at Hogwarts, Flitwick is respected as opposed to feared.
