Author's note written for QLFC season 9 round 5
Team- Tutshill Tornados
Position- Captain
Prompt- Dishonesty
Word count- 2639
Flitwick takes pride in his intelligence and his heritage. It is why it pains him to make this decision. He knows he needs to go against his morals, or else it will be difficult for him to survive the war. He doesn't even have Dumbledore with him like the last time. It is not even about him this time. It's more about his students than him.
He knows that if he wants his eagles and the rest of the Hogwarts population safe, then he will have to lie periodically. He hates that it has come to this, but he won't let the Carrows get away with torturing his students. While the children at Hogwarts, it's up to them, the professors to protect these students. He would be damned if he let anyone hurt them without giving his best effort at protecting them.
That's how he finds himself at the yearly pre-session staff meeting with sombre faces.
"What are we going to do about the Carrows?" Pomona asks. She is looking around the room for answers.
"There isn't much we can do about them. They have been personally appointed by the minister," Minerva sighs in disdain.
"Charity is dead, isn't she?" Sinistra asks, looking sad. The atmosphere around the room turns more sombre. Nobody wants to say it out loud, but they all know the truth.
"We have to protect the students at any cost. We know they are death-eaters. We can't let them hurt the students," Pomfrey says desperately.
"It will be a difficult task," Hooch says distastefully.
"Which is why we would have to be on our guard at all times. We can't afford to slip even once. We will have to lie continuously and make it sound real," he says. He can't believe that a time has come where they would all have to lie and be dishonest to protest their students. He hates that he has to be untrue to himself.
"Hagrid, I know you are close to Harry, but you will have to keep your mouth silent regarding him. You can't protect the students and yourself if your relationship with Harry is out in the open. They can't know you are a half-giant either," he turns to Hagrid and firmly tells him to be careful.
"Understood, professor," Hagrid nods his head. Filius doesn't even want to think how soon Hagrid is going to forget about it.
"No one of us will go to the Carrows or Snape for any help. We are going to make sure that we don't hand out any detentions this year. We would also need to make sure that the students know they have to move around in groups. We will get the portraits and ghosts to keep an eye out for them too," Minerva says authoritatively.
"The incoming Slytherins would need to be protected from the older students too," Slughorn says sadly.
"We will protect them too, Horace. Don't worry about it. We especially have to protect the first and the second years and all those muggle-borns that chose to return this year. We have to make the Carrows believe that they are one of us," Minerva says.
"We can use confundus charm on them or put a block on their memories," Vector suggests.
"That would be too dangerous. A notice-me not charm on the muggle-borns should work better," Babbling says.
"I can charm the registration book to make those students look at least half-blood. The Carrows are dumb enough to believe it," Filius offers.
"Do that," Minerva gives her approval.
"We have to protect Firenze too," Pomona says, worried for the well-being of their fellow teacher.
"The centaurs won't take him back. Sybil, can he hide in your chamber? I don't think Carrows are ever going to venture there," Minerva asks.
"He can hide with me," Sybil agrees. For once in her tenure at Hogwarts, she is completely sober.
"What about those students who call themselves the DA? What are we going to do about them?" Slughorns asks.
"We turn a blind eye to their activities, of course. We are going to help them escape punishments as much as we can, but we can't stop them from fighting their wars. They are sixth and seventh-year students. They know what they are doing," Filius replies.
"Are we going to spy on the Carrows?" Pince asks.
"We should. It will be better if the portraits and the ghosts do it for us. We can't put ourselves in danger," Minerva says after a while. They all sit in silence, taking everything in.
"Well, if it's alright with you now I want to get to the muggle-borns and ask them to leave the country before Snape and Carrows arrives," Minerva dismisses the meeting.
"I will help you. I can work on the registration book too at the same time," Filius offers as they both get on to do their jobs to protect their future, their students.
Filius calls a house meeting the first-night students arrive back at Hogwarts. He looks at his students sadly. His hearts breaking out for them. The seven years these students spend at Hogwarts should be the happiest years of their lives; instead, theirs are going to be tarnished by the memories of the war. Especially for the older students. They have already experienced horrors for three years continuously now.
He wants to lie to them and tell them that nothing will change. They will be safe here except he knows this isn't the time for him to be dishonest with the students who need him the most.
"I don't need to emphasize how different this year is going to be from the years before. It's going to be an extremely difficult year for you. Look out for each other. Don't go anywhere alone. Always move around in groups. Don't approach the Carrows or Professor Snape at any cost. The rest of the professors are safe to approach if you need help. The portraits and ghosts have been asked to look out for you. Go to them if you can't see a professor around. Lie as much as you can to protect yourself. I know it sounds ridiculous coming from me but I need you to be dishonest with the Carrows. The more they believe you the safer you will be. Make them believe you are on their side," He instructs them.
He then dismisses them but keeps the students he knows are in DA around. "I won't stop you if you want to continue with the DA. The professors have decided to turn a blind eye to your activities. You need to promise me that you will look after the younger students and make them feel safe. Don't do anything reckless and watch your backs," he warns them before dismissing them.
He has done his job and made sure that the students know the danger they are in now it's up to him to do his job properly. It's exactly what he does for the rest of the year.
Filius in his Alecto's office. He is being questioned about his muggle-born students. As if he is going to tell the death-eater that yes, there are five returning muggle-borns in his house. He didn't spend days planning and acting on his plan for it to go waste now.
"I can assure you professor none of my muggle-born students has returned this year," He confidently says.
"Are you sure you aren't lying, Professor?" Alecto asks menacingly. She isn't scary enough to scare him.
"I can assure you, professor, that I am not lying. I had 15 muggle-borns last year and none of them has returned. We didn't let any muggle-borns in this year. I suppose they are in hiding or have left the country. I heard from Minerva that her muggle-borns are on run too perhaps they all are," he replies.
"Every well. You are to let me know if you hear any rumours about that we need to catch those magic stealers," she snarks.
"I will let you know if I hear any rumours about them. After all, it's my job to help you run things smoothly at school. You won't have any disobedience from me," he simply lies.
"Make sure that you are saying the truth or else you won't stay alive to see your students graduate," Alecto warns him.
"I won't dream about it. Professor. Now if I have your permission can I leave? I need to prepare for my next class," He asks permission to leave.
"You may go," Alecto dismisses him.
"Thank you, professor," Filius fakes before leaving. This is perfect he thinks as he leaves.
Filius finds two of his first years standing at his office door. "We need your help professor," one of them says. One of them has blood streaming down his legs while the other supports him.
Filius makes them sit on the sofa in his office."What happened?" Filus starts examining the damage on the other child's legs
"We were returning from our potions class when some sixth year Slytherins corner attacked us," comes the reply.
It makes his blood boil. The older Slytherins are getting out of hand. It's like Umbridge all over again but worse.
He fixes the leg and helps them calm down. "There it is all new. Everything is fine now. Make sure nobody outside your house knows that this incident happened. We don't want professor Snape and Carrows to know about it," He needs them to understand the importance of keeping it quiet.
Once they have calmed down and understood the gravity of the situation. He takes them back to their common room. They encounter Amycus Carrow on their way.
"Professor isn't it a little late for these little ones to be out of their common room," Amycus eyes them hungrily.
Filius barely stops himself from pulling the children behind his back. "They had a detention with me. I am taking them back to the common room," he lies to Amycus.
Amycus gets a gleam in his eyes that Filius hates. He turns more protective of his eagles.
"Oh we're the little brats being disobedient," he mocks the students. The students flinch and hide behind Filius.
"Yes, they were and I made sure to punish them properly for that. I followed your instructions properly. I am sure that's enough for you. You have much better things to do with your time than deal with these weak children. After all, you have been working hard," he firmly says. He won't let Amycus come near them anytime.
"Who's side are you on, professor?" Amycus stares at Filius.
Filius knows he needs to be firm and pleasing towards Amycus "I am on your side of course. I told you and your sister I am here to help you in any way I can."
"Very well. Take them out of my sight before I punish them more myself," Amycus snarks before walking away.
Filius sighs in relief. The kids are going to be safe for now.
Luna Lovegood hasn't returned from the Christmas Break. She has likely been captured by the death eaters. Filius wishes he knows exactly what happened to his favourite eagle.
He holds back Terry Boot and Anthony Goldstein after 7th year's Charms lesson. "Do you know what happened to Luna? He asks them.
"As far as we know, she was taken during the ride home. Neville, Seamus and Ginny saw it happened," Terry replies.
"That's unfortunate. Be careful you guys. Off you go," he dismisses them. His fears have turned true.
"What are you kids doing here?" He hears Alecto's voice after a few minutes. He looks out of his classroom to see that she has cornered the two boys.
"We are coming out of our charms lesson professor," Anthony replies.
"The class ended 10 minutes ago you should be in your next class right now," she mocks them.
"That would be my fault professor. I took too long in answering their queries," Filius interrupts. He comes and stands next to his students, hoping that they will realise he will support them.
"And where are you going professor?" she asks him warily. He is never sure whether the Carrows ever believe him.
"To the staff room. It's my break," he replies. He was supposed to grade some papers in his classroom but Alecto doesn't need to know that.
"Very well, off to your next class you two. Won't want to get punished for being tardy would you?" She dismisses the two boys.
Terry and Anthony have the presence of mind to leave them alone quickly.
"I would suggest to you professor that you make sure that your students are on time from now on," she tells Filius.
"Understood, professor. I will make sure of that," he replies easily.
Filus sees Neville and Ginny running down the corridor. He is confused as to why those two are running away hurriedly. It then clicks to him that it must be something related to DA.
"Professor, have you seen Neville Longbottom and Ginny Weasley? Amycus asks when he bumps into him at the end of the corridor.
"I am afraid I haven't seen them since yesterday, professor. Is everything alright?" He fakes concern.
"Those two set off firecrackers in the defence classroom. Just wait until I get my hands on them," Amycus snarks.
"That wasn't nice of them. I will bring them to you if I happen to see them," he says to please Amycus. Secretly he is proud of those two.
"I am going to make them pay for it," Amycus continues snarking.
"As you should, professor. They were out of the line. You must be exhausted from dealing with it. Would you like a cup of tea?," he agrees to Amycus. He knows he needs to stall Amycus. He manages to convince him for the tea making sure Neville and Ginny are safe wherever they are right now.
Snape, Amycus and Alecto have called a staff meeting. They are interviewing the professors one by one. Students have started to disappear from Hogwarts. It started with Neville Longbottom and now more and more students are disappearing. All of them from the DA. He doesn't blame any of them as things are getting tough at Hogwarts.
"Do any of you know where the students have disappeared?" Snapes asks.
"I have no idea. It's not like they trust us anymore," Filius replies.
"You must know something Filius," Snape says.
"Do I professor? I have made it quite clear to the students that I will side with you. The DA doesn't trust me anymore," Filius in the last few months has managed to fool the Carrows into thinking he is on their side. He isn't sure about Snape.
"I don't know why we are interviewing Filius. He is on our side," Alecto says. It pleases Filius how well his deceit has worked.
"Yes, professor Snape I am on your side. I have nothing to hide from you," He has an idea where the students can be. They haven't left the grounds and there is only one place that is untraceable at Hogwarts. The room of requirements. They are probably hiding there. He will not tell them that.
He challenges Snape through his eyes to call him out on his deceit. He knows that Snape knows he isn't being truthful. Snape doesn't call him out instead he lets him leave.
"Let Alecto into the Ravenclaw common room whenever she asks, Filius. She needs to investigate the matter herself," Snape instructs him.
"Of course," he responds. It's not like he has any other choice anyway. What Filius didn't realise then is that it was the last lie he ever told. He never had to lie ever after that.