House Elves: Beasts or Beings?

[smilingator4915]

No: HPFGUIDX 131187

I apologize if this issue has been addressed previously, but I
searched and did not find anything. I have read "Fantastic Beasts and
Where to Find Them", and I had a question about house-elves... are
they considered beasts or beings? It is obvious that they are treated
as inferior by some of their masters, but does this fact make them
"beasts". According to Scamander's book, beasts do not understand the
laws of the magical community and can not help in shaping those laws.
But don't house-elves have understanding of those laws? Why do they
choose to remain in their subordinate position? JKR has said that
house-elf magic is different from wizard magic... since house elves
can apparate within Hogwarts, does it mean that elf magic is more
powerful?

Any thoughts?

There is probably a great storyline behind house-elves and how they
ended up in the position they are in. Hope JKR let's us in on the
secret soon.

smilingator4915