Kreacher: Prophet, Plotter or Pawn?

[mfisanich]

No: HPFGUIDX 86922

Linnea wrote:
> Alarm bells?
> Did I miss SB throwing a boot at Kreacher or something?
> Is Kreacher "free" now to plot against SB?
> 
> It could be reconciled if, for example, while at the Malfoys, LM 
had
> some way of showing Kreacher that SB did indeed die at the MoM.
> Otherwise... what?


I am not writing from home where my book is, but I just re-read this 
passge of OotP recently, and I believe there is an answer to the 
question.  Certainly, while SB is still alive, upstairs tending 
Buckbeak, Kreacher would be under the obligation of his kind not to 
plot against him.

However, we have seen house elves (Dobby) violate this obligation 
before and get away with it by punishing themselves.

If I recall correctly, Harry notices that Kreacher is wearing 
bandages in the fireplace scene, when he lies about SB's 
whereabouts. I had formerly assumed that Kreacher's bandages were 
the result of injuries from Buckbeak.  Maybe Kreacher has had to 
punish himself for plotting against SB while SB still lives?

Yours in HP obsession,
Melissa