House Elves and Freedom

[hedwigstalons]

No: HPFGUIDX 83141

I don't think that Hermione's knitted clothing would have freed the 
elves. We have only seen two instances in which house elves have been 
freed, and in both instances it was their MASTER who gave them the 
clothing which freed them. Malfoy threw the sock and Dobby caught it, 
Crouch Sr. said "this means clothes" and sacked Winky. I don't see 
that Hermione leaving clothes out would have freed the elves, she is 
not their Master. It would have to be Dumbledore who gives clothing 
to the elves to free them. (He's the one who hired Dobby, so he must 
be in charge.)
Hermione is 14 in GOF, at 14 many children are idealists and "have 
all the answers to the world's problems". ;) (I remember feeling that 
way at that age!) She thinks her knitted items will free the elves, 
but in reality they only offend the elves, so Dobby, who IS free, 
becomes the one to clean Gryffindor Tower. Dobby steps in to play 
interference, placating both sides.
Hermione, who is usually so well-read on subjects, needs to find out 
EXACTLY how the giving of freedom to house elves works. Wouldn't she 
have asked somebody? Why in OOP is she no longer campaigning for 
S.P.E.W.?

HedwigsTalons