Hermione's Hats -Elves Clean Clothes - Quote

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 89037

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "amanitamuscaria1"
<saraandra at s...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "watercolor_stain" 
> <watercolor_stain at y...> wrote:

> >watercolourstain writes :
> > That's not quite true is it, because the house elves were 
> > "insulted" and they refused to clean the Gryffindor tower for 
> > "fear" of finding one of the hats and being freed. snip
> 

> AmanitaMuscaria now: 
> 
> No, the houseelves aren't frightened by the clothes, they are 
> insulted, though. (UK OotP pg.341-2)
> 
> ...edited...
> 
> Cheers. AmanitaMuscaria


bboy_mn:

Just going to jump into the conversation here with a quote from Goblet
of Fire-

- - - Quote - Gof Am Ed HB pg 677 - - -

Crouch!Moody speaks to Harry...

"You told me at the Yule Ball a house-elf called Dobby had given you a
Christmas present. I called the elf to the staffroom to collect some
robes for cleaning. ...etc..."

- - -end quote- - -

Now one could argue that Dobby was already free, so he could come and
collect the robes without worry of freeing him again. But I don't
think Fake!Moody had that much knowledge about Dobby. To him, Dobby
was just another elf. But that didn't stop him from calling Dobby to
collect some robes for cleaning.

I still stand by the postion, that Hermione was and is hopelessly
misguided. She was struck with an impulsive idea that she didn't think
through. If there is one word that describes Hermione's efforts on
behalf of the house-elves it is 'misguided'.

What do you think all the elves would do if they were suddenly free? I
can /almost/ guarantee you that the would continue to serve the House
to whom they were previously attached, or if force, would go find a
new family to serve. 

The elves really are happy with what they do, and take pride in having
served generations of a family with generations of there own elfin
family. The problem is that wizards exploit the good nature of elves,
and feel free to abuse and mistreat them because they know the elves
are too honorable to go back on their commitment to the family.

What has to happen, is that some law, policy, or new attitude has to
be created to protect the elves from gross exploitation and abuse.
Something that forces wizards to enter into this agreement of
servitude with the same sense of honor, loyalty, and respect that the
elves bring to it.

The elves are fine, it's the wizards who need to be fixed.

Just a thought.

bboy_mn