House Elves in book 7 (was: Love/mercy/compassion/ Who dies?)

[Miles]

No: HPFGUIDX 147737

> kchuplis:
> Had another thought on who might die. I keep going back to the fact
> that we've been given the info that house elves have a powerful magic
> of their own and Dobby's really fierce love for Harry Potter, sir. We
> keep thinking of all of Harry's friends as candidates for death, but
> what if it's Dobby? What if Dobby provides a key piece of the end?
> Loyalties that Harry has from showing mercy (Dobby and Wormtail) could
> easily be a big part of how his ability "to love" (keeping in mind
> mercy and compassion can be types of love) helps him survive where LV
> has only slavery by fear. Thoughts?

Miles:
I agree that Dobby could be a key factor in the final book, but not him
alone (and I doubt he will die in book 7). We learnt in CoS, that Elves
communicate, that they are aware of how they are treated, and that they feel
their situation being improved after the fall of Lord Voldemort. Constraint:
Dobbie is a very special elf - but I do not doubt his words when he reports
to Harry, that the Elves appreciate being treated friendly and dislike being
tortured and mishandled, both within the limitation of their slavery.
So, it really could be possible that not only Dobby will give Harry a
helping (wandless, but magic) hand, maybe we will see more Elves or hear
reports of or about them assisting Harry to overcome Lord Voldemort.

Pure speculation, indeed, but I like it ;).

Miles