My take on house-elves and their families

[ericoppen]

No: HPFGUIDX 114704


Judging from Winky's reaction, I have a theory of my own on house-
elf "servitude"---the bond between house-elf and wizard (or witch) 
might be a lot like the bond between parent and child.

I've never been a parent myself, but I am quite certain that if I had 
told my mother "Go away!  I don't want you for my mother any more!  
You're disowned!" it would have broken her heart--no matter how rocky 
things had become between us.  And even after that, she'd have 
continued to see herself as my one-and-only, rightful, mother, and 
would have continued to react as such---just as Winky did for the 
Crouches.  If she, in that situation, had heard news of me, she'd've 
taken an interest---just as Winky did.  

This also covers why the other elves plainly think Dobby's weird and 
strange.  How would _you_ feel about someone who welcomed their child 
disowning them?  At the very least, you would think there was 
something very odd going on there, and you might think that this 
person is best avoided.  

Just my two Knuts.