[HPforGrownups] Hermione's House Elf Hats: Question

[CareALotsClouds at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 80571

In a message dated 12/09/03 16:29:45 GMT Daylight Time, entropymail at yahoo.com 
writes:


> I know I must be missing something, but why does Hermione leave the
> hats she's knitted for the house elves all around the Gryffindor
> common room? Don't the clothes have to be given to the elves by their
> master for them to be freed? In that case, wouldn't Dumbledore have to
> give them to the elves, or else they wouldn't count? What have I missed?

I dont think you have missed anything.  I think you are right.  Harry took 
great care into making sure that Lucius gave the sock to Dobby.

CoS Chapter: The Rogue Bludger, pg 133 UK version:

'Why d'you wear that thing, Dobby?' he asked curiously.
'This, sir?' said Dobby, plucking at the pillowcase. ''Tis a mark of the 
House-elf's enslavement, sir.  Dobby can only be freed if his masters present him 
with clothes, sir.  The family is careful not to pass Dobby even a sock, sir, 
for then he would be free to leave the house forever.'

>From the canon, dobby says his 'masters' with a plural.  So maybe every 
student in hogwarts is his master since all the house elves serve the students.  
But Dobby does say in GoF that Dumbledore is his master. (My GoF is in America 
at the moment with my Mother).

I think its a plot hole ;)

Loadsa love
Nic xx


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