House elves

[darrin_burnett]

No: HPFGUIDX 58075

Kelly wrote:

> Exactly.  To my mind, I see it as a magically binding commitment.  A house
> elf swears to serve a given household, in this case, the Malfoys, and that
> elf and all of his/her descendants must also serve that family.  Granted,
> this leaves a lot left open.  When the house elf has children, do the
> children also need to swear the commitment, or are they bound because 
their
> parents swore the commitment?  Can any member of the family set a house 
elf
> free, or does it have to be the Head of House?  We've seen Crouch Sr and
> Lucius have the authority to set a house elf free, but could Draco fire one
> if he so chose?
> 

God, I love this stuff!  

We know the dismissal isn't based on intent. Lucius certainly didn't want to 
dismiss Dobby. Dobby also, if I  recall, says something about how his "family" 
is very careful not to give him clothes. This could indicate that any one of them 
could, but I don't know if it's conclusive.

Let's just say that Draco would have some serious 'spaining to do if he 
accidentally did it.

Now, the counter to this is Barty Jr. In his more lucid moments as he was 
coming out of the Imperio curse. One strategy might have been to force 
clothes on Winky, to free her, and then hope she leaves.  (or is so 
overwrought he can slip away) He didn't do this.

Of course, his father might just have gotten another one, so maybe this is bad 
strategy.  Again, inconclusive.

As for the children, I don't know. But we know that house elves have to come 
from somewhere.

Say the Weasleys, once they get Percy and the twins out of the house, find 
themselves with more money than they are used to.  Say Arthur finally gives in 
and gets Molly a house-elf for their retirement years. (They send the elf away 
whenever daughter-in-law Hermione comes over -- sorry, minor Ship attack 
there.) 

Where would they get one? Is there a trading post? An elf trade where they 
are on display on a stage -- much like the slaves were? An elf store? 

Presumably, they would have to be charmed from "neutral" or "bound to their 
trader" to "bound to the Weasleys."

But, coming to the children... maybe the children of a house elf are sent to the 
trading posts? I mean, the stock would have to come from somewhere. (In 
which case, Hermione is dead-on right to continue her fight.)

Darrin
--  Weasel Binders would be a wonderful name for a band.