[HPforGrownups] Who do the Hogwarts house elves answer to?

[Anne Robotti]

No: HPFGUIDX 70818


-----Original Message-----
From: Richelle Votaw [mailto:rvotaw at i-55.com] 


>I'd always assumed that Dumbledore was in charge of the house elves at
Hogwarts.  After all, he hired Dobby, even gave him a salary, and gave Winky
a job too.  So it's only natural that when Umbridge took over she would be
in charge of them in place of Dumbledore.  Which explains why Dobby was
beating himself up over warning Harry about her coming.  But then Harry
orders Dobby to lie to her if she asks him if he's talked to Harry, and
orders Dobby to stop hurting himself.  And Dobby thanks Harry.  Can any
student order the house elves around?  Even over the "headmistress?"  I know
Fred & George had no trouble getting food from the house elves in the
kitchen, but that didn't really seem like ordering them around, they were
more than happy to provide food.

>Thoughts on the matter?  

Now me (Anne):

Richelle, I think Dobby is in a unique situation. He's free, he doesn't
*ever* have to torture himself and he doesn't owe any loyalty to anyone
beyond what he feels. He (and to a greater extent, Winky) are always still
fighting the old house-elf habits. I think he hurts himself when he warns
Harry out of habit, and then is relieved when Harry tells him not to anymore
because he can follow an order from *somebody* not to do it anymore.

Anne