Hermione and the Ragged Trousered House-Elves

[arrowsmithbt]

No: HPFGUIDX 77155

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "sylviablundell2001" <sylviablundell at a...> 
wrote:
> Hi Kneasy.  Glad no offence taken, as certainly none meant.I just 
> hate the idea of one race/class/whatever not only being subseviant to 
> another race/class/whatever, but actually enjoying it, the poor 
> saps.This is getting a bit off-topic but I would just ask why you 
> don't consider destroying Winky in order to achieve your cover-up as 
> ill-treatment.
> Best wishes, Sylvia
> P.S. Never had theluck to meet Tressell but I met his daughter. A 
> very interesting woman.

First off, read post 77148.
If he weren't already dead, I'd murder my uncle.

Now, Winky.
Do we agree that 'clothes' is the ultimate punishment so far as an Elf
is concerned? And that it is considered suitable for gross dereliction
of duty?
So far as Crouch was concerned, gross dereliction is putting it mildly
for what happened. Winky was charged with guarding his son, who is
an escapee from Azkaban, is a DE and has been sheltering in his
fathers house for months, if not years. It was only by the persuasion
of Winky that B.C.Jr. was at the World Cup. Yet Winky fails in her duty,
he gets away, sets off a Dark Mark, riots, muggles attacked and every-
one in the family looking at n years in the Azkaban slammer.
What would be a suitable chastisement?

Clothes.

I haven't been able to  find any other mention of Crouch ill-treating
Winky. Yes, Sirius does go on about it, but if Kreacher had done the
same, what would Sirius have done? Probably kill him.

After the event, Winky turns into the local wino, but refuses, on all
occasions, to hear any criticism of Crouch. Unlike Dobby who regards
the Malfoys as bad wizards. Unlike Kreacher who regards Sirius as a
traitor. Winky didn't want to be set free, but I can't find any evidence
that she thinks Crouch was unjust. If you can, please post.

Apart from the heads on the wall at the Black House, I haven't been
able to find any Elf deaths mentioned at all. Suspicious?

Kneasy