the letter from the Ministry and Dobby

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 36763

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "A. Harr" <goddessa80 at y...> wrote:

> 
> It state in COS chapter two--- "The Wizard family
> Dobby serves, sir... DObby is a house-elf... bound to
> serve one house and one family forever."
> and since later we find out that he's Malfoys elf... I
> dont think he could be the Potters old elf.

As I see it...
He's bound to serve Potter Family. They wished him to leave for the 
Secret Charm. It's not like House-elf can't leave and find another 
family. Malfoys this time. (someone suggested he might hear something 
that might endanger a Potter in there - Dumbledore perhaps). So, the 
bound was made when he entered the house. He hears that the reason he 
had to leave Potters is broken and one family-member is alive - one 
who also beated Voldemort! He desires to return. He gets the Malfoy-
bound broken - assisted by Harry Potter. However, Harry Potter is not 
yet full-grown, he's unable to have a house-elf, living with Muggles. 
Dobby's presence *here* will get Harry Potter in trouble... Then, he 
and winky get into Hogwarts. The Galleon is symbolic - Dobby's free 
to leave any time he wants, but he's as near to Harry Potter as he 
can.

Anyway, Dobby's little clue about Tom Riddle -- as much as he could.
"bound to serve one house and one family forever". He says this when 
warning Harry Potter and giving him answers. This could well be the 
same sort of clue.

> Interesting that you say he's braver than winky about
> his freedom-- I've managed to convince myself that
> Dobby will die in the coming books, in some crazy
> heroic stunt to save Harry... after all, he was
> brought back in the GOF, when I wasn't expecting...
> and pluse he's malfoy's old elf! think of all the
> possibilites for the plot!

He might very well do something - he's not yet totally free - he 
can't speak of the Malfoys yet, but he may one day do so. For this to 
happen, Dobby must rebound. For that to happen, Harry must move into 
Wizarding Family.

So 1) Sirius gets free -- or 2)Harry goes to live with Weasleys.
In case 2)... Wouldn't Molly be happy to have a house-elf around to 
help?
Winky will be taking care of Crouch Jr., I suppose.