Hermione's House Elf Hats: Question

[feetmadeofclay]

No: HPFGUIDX 80579

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "entropymail" 
<entropymail at y...> wrote:
> Just a quick question: 
> 
> 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 wondered that too.  But from the apparent reaction by the 
elves it would seem that students are considered to be masters.  I 
suppose it means that if you can command someone - as Draco does 
Dobby, you have the ability to free them. Students must be considered 
part of the Hogwarts house/family for the time they are students - 
just as Draco is a member of the Malfoy house. 

It would also mean that every student can order house elves about.

Golly