Chapter Discussions: Chapter 4 Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place (Kreacher)-long

[Paula Gaon]

No: HPFGUIDX 83788


29Oct03 

Eloise wrote:

...We learn that there is a house elf in residence, yet the house has been 
uncared for. Should Kreacher's family loyalty not ensure that he keeps the 
house in order for whenever the rightful owner returns?

Paula now:

OK, I'm still hung up on the whole issue of house elves, especially Kreacher.  I reread chapter 4 after Eloise's post; something that I hadn't noticed before really jumped out this.  After the OotP meeting, Mrs Weasley called the kids to come down to dinner.  She noticed that dungbombs had been left outside the kitchen door (where the meeting was held) and asked who'd left them.  When Hermione covered up for the twins saying that Crookshanks had left them,  Mrs Weasley said, "I thought it might have been Kreacher, he keeps doing odd things like that."  This really makes me wonder about Kreacher's activities.  A couple of questions come to mind. 1) Has Kreacher been using his magic to eavesdrop on OotP proceedings by leaving objects scattered near the meeting place?  We learn later on that he greatly admires Bellatrix-a little spy work maybe?   Or  2) Could it be that Kreacher routinely throws things in fits of temper in his hostility towards Sirius?  We find out later how he
 routinely walks through the house muttering insults and collecting the possessions of Mrs Black.  These questions make me wonder exactly how the whole business of elf "Free Will" works.  Kreacher, because he is a house elf, must carry out Sirius' orders but really to what extent?  We learn later in the book that he could not directly divulge any information that his master did not want him to, but he could decide to reveal information that he deemed significant to an enemy. (Bloomsbury Ed. Page732)  So, all of this says to me that by the same token, he could decide how a house should be kept when the current master is not someone he particularily loves.

Finally, one last thing about Kreacher that's been driving me nuts.  Near the end of OotP, DD tells Harry that Kreacher injured Buckbeak, the hippogriff (Remember Kreacher's bandaged hands when he spoke to Harry in the fireplace)?  Why did he injure Buckbeak? Will Buckbeak be OK?  What could he have been trying to do?  Any ideas or hints from canon?

Paula "Griff" Gaon

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