[HPforGrownups] Re: Dumbledore's Hypocrisy

[Laura Ingalls Huntley]

No: HPFGUIDX 129233

Alla:
>> Of course we will never know, since Sirius did not treat him
>> kindly, but I absolutely disagree that he did it because of prejudice
>> towards House Elves. I would say because of hatred towards his
>> family and anything connected to it.

a_svirn:
> What do you mean by "prejudice against house elves"? Sirius was a
> proud owner of a house-elf (a slave in effect) and didn't hesitate to
> make use of him. Does it or does it not qualify as a prejudice?

To call Sirius a "proud owner" of a house-elf is entirely false.  For 
good or for bad, Sirius would have set Kreacher free if he'd had his 
way.  As it was, however, Sirius was *forced* to keep the little git 
around because he knew too much about the Order.

I can actually only think of *one* instance in which Sirius attempted 
to "make use" of Kreacher, and, not to criticize Jo, but I think the 
only reason it was written that way was to make a point of the fact 
that Kreacher had left the house.  Throughout the rest of the book, 
however, cooking and cleaning is conspicuously left up to the witches 
and wizards.   Most importantly, it should be noted that Sirius *never* 
made Kreacher help purge the house of his Mistress's belongings, 
although this would have been entirely in keeping with the normal 
Master/House-Elf relationship.

Now, I'm not arguing that Sirius treated Kreacher with any respect or 
kindness.  But I think it's clear that, at the very least, he was not 
interested in owning a House-Elf.  Furthermore, I think one can infer 
from his discussion with HRH in GoF that, again, at the very *least*, 
he does not support House-Elf enslavement or mistreatment.  If *only* 
because he associates it with his family.

His treatment of Kreacher was wrong, yes.  But I don't think it was 
prejudice that made him act so -- merely personal dislike.  As for 
underestimating Kreacher -- well, Dumbledore can act all high and 
mighty if he likes, but do you really think it ever crossed *his* mind 
that Kreacher was even *capable* of betrayal?  As the leader *and* 
Secret Keeper of the Order, it was more his responsibility than anyone 
else's to make sure that Grimmauld Place was secure.  *Especially* if 
he was going to insist that Kreacher remain there.

Personally, I would have forgiven Dumbledore of this oversight (no one 
else saw it coming, after all, and everyone makes mistakes), except 
that he goes out of his way to implicate Sirius in the matter.  Sigh.  
Sometimes I can't fathom how the man takes himself seriously.  He's 
worse than Lockhart in some ways.

Laura (who swings wildly between being absolutely furious at Dumbledore 
at times and quite liking him at others.)