house elves and laundry

[drjuliehoward]

No: HPFGUIDX 88148

> Me:
>      Makes me wonder why Hermione was so surprised to learn in GoF 
> that there were house elves at Hogwarts. Who did she think did the 
> laundry? Were there just none around at the time she stole the 
robes? 
> <snip>

I've wondered the same thing.  Wouldn't this be mentioned in the 
book she always quotes, "Hogwarts: A History"?  If so, why was she 
surprised?  If it weren't mentioned, why not?  Could it have 
something to do with the way they became slaves to the wizarding 
world, given that they are powerful beings themselves?  Just 
wondering...

Julie