House Elf loyalty was Re: Dumbledore on the Dursleys in OotP (LONG)

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 151495

> Nikkalmati:
> Here is something that has been puzzling me.  How can Kreacher be  dangerous? 
>  I mean, based on what we have seen of Dobby and Winkey   the loyalty of a 
> house elf is absolute.  Even the thought of criticizing  the Malfoys sends Dobby 
> into a fit of self-punishment, regardless of how cruel  Lucius is to Dobby.  
> How can Kreacher betray Sirius, the heir of the house  of Black, even by 
> trickery or deception? Even with the collusion of  Narcissa?   Winkey goes downhill 
> when she is fired for supporting  Barty Jr. against the orders of Barty Sr.  
> Kreacher's treachery does not  seem to fit what we have seen of house elves.
> Has this been discussed?  


Pippin:
I think the spells that control House Elves produce only the illusion of loyalty,
just as love potions produce only the illusion of love. 

As Dumbledore says, Kreacher had no genuine loyalty to Sirius. Provided
he could endure the pain of punishing himself, he could do things that
Sirius had not directly forbidden even if they were disloyal, just as 
Dobby could. Sirius forbade Kreacher to tell anyone any of the Order's
secrets. But he never thought of forbidding him to say that Sirius and
Harry were coming to care for one another. Sirius did not realize that
information would be useful to Voldemort. But Narcissa did.

OTOH, House Elves can be genuinely loyal to their masters. Winky was truly 
loyal to the Crouch family and  remained loyal even after she'd been
dismissed, because her true loyalty was not commanded by enchantments.

Pippin