Quidditch World Cup - house elf social life

[catherinemckiernan]

No: HPFGUIDX 96590

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "potioncat" <willsonkmom at m...> 
wrote:
> 
> Anneli wrote:
>  
> > Also, on another subject Winky tells Harry that she knows Dobby 
and
> > spoke to him.  If house elves are tied to their family for life, 
> how
> > does she know him?  Some house elf social function?  And I can't
> > really see Crouch and the Malfoys moving in the same circles for 
> them
> > to meet that way.
> 
> Potioncat:
> Perhaps as Purebloods there are times they are in the same social 
> setting. And it does appear that wizards have the elves with them 
> away from home.  House-elves must have some way of getting together 
> or there wouldn't be any baby house-elves.

Then me, Catherine McK:
The question of baby elves is one I've found myself (wholly 
involuntarily) considering. Winky served Crouch, as did her mother 
and grandmother before her. Likewise Kreacher inherited his post. So 
we know that house elves reproduce in the normal fashion. However if 
there are few places are big enough to need more than one house elf, 
how do they ever meet others in order to actually produce more house 
elves? Potioncat hints that wizards must have to get involved, if 
only on the very basic level of permission to leave the house: "Dobby 
is wondering, Mr Malfoy sir, if Dobby might be permitted to make a 
personal visit?" Is there an organised house elf stud service or are 
these things managed discretely between families? Could Dobby be 
hired out by the Malfoys for stud duties? Does Crouch have 
Winky `serviced' and sell the off-spring? We know you can buy house 
elves, but they are very expensive. What happens if a female house 
elf cannot perform full duties while pregnant – can you hire a 
replacement? If so, would you be assured of its loyalty? 

Interesting questions?

Catherine McK