Draco and Daddy and Dobby(was: Why did Draco do it?)

[Hannah]

No: HPFGUIDX 125482


> > Hannah originally:  
 I think someone raised by a house elf 
> > would behave differently to Draco.  Of course, as you say, it is 
> > very speculative.  All Draco debate is, because we see so 
little,  and such a one-sided view.

> Dungrollin replied:
> Do you really think so?  Do you think Dobby would have had the 
power  to discipline Draco? Do you think Dobby would have had the 
power to  say "No sweets now, it's nearly dinner time"? If Draco had 
demanded  toys and sweets and chocolate, Dobby would have had to 
obey him, and 
> if he did not obey, Draco would have made Dobby punish himself. 
> Sounds like the sort of set-up that created Dudley, to me.

Hannah now:  
Yes, that's a good point.  OK, so suppose we had that set up - Dobby 
cares for Draco day to day, Draco gets whatever he wants because 
Dobby has no choice.  That isn't likely to engender any affection 
between the two.  And I still think that families like the Malfoys 
would be taking a risk by giving a creature like Dobby too much 
influence in the child rearing process.  If Draco was that dependent 
on Dobby, and that isolated from his parents, I think it's likely 
that he would end up taking on at least some of Dobbys views and 
mannerisms. Dobby may well have had some part in helping to rear 
Draco, but it would be a minor role, rather than a sort of surrogate 
parenthood.  

Hannah