Kreacher the Plot Device Elf (was: Potter...wealth - ...Nature of Elves)

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 161720

---  "Magpie" <belviso at ...> wrote:

> Steve:
> ...
> 
> I predict Kreacher's death, sometimes I suspect by his
> own hand, though I'm not willing to predict that aspect
> of it. Kreacher is very old and generally useless, so I
> don't see him long for this world. Actually, I had 
> previously assumed he would already be dead; can't get
> them all right though.
> 
> Magpie:
> I can't help but be a little amused at your continually
> calling Kreacher useless given how much he affected the
> plot. ...
> 

bboyminn:

Oh, Kreacher was a very valuable plot-device, and I don't
think that aspect of his role is over. He still has a 
few stashed trinkets that he needs to reveal. 

It is as a house-elf that I think he is worthless 
regardless of who he is currently working for. If Master
Black (the original, not Sirius) was still alive, I'm 
sure Kreacher would /try/ to do a better job, but I'm not
so sure he would succeed. 

Yes, if Harry is living alone, he doesn't really need a 
house-elf, but if he is running the headquarter for the
Order, and is playing host to the Dursleys, I don't see 
him up to cooking big meals for gangs of people. Nor do I
see Petunia cooking using a fireplace or a magical stove.
Further, I don't see Petunia in a position to be running 
down to the green grocers to pick up supplies.

Dursleys at Grimmauld Place is a prediction of mine based
on my personal desire for come-uppance, and based on my
prediction of a battle at Privet Drive that will drive 
the Dursleys into Harry's protection. But I will agree 
that we can predict a lot of story, but some how we have 
to squeeze it all into one book. THAT is going to be quite
a task even with the leanest of storylines. 

Of course, the point of having the Dursleys at Grimmauld
Place is to give Harry and Petunia a chance to have that
heart-to-heart talk that will reveal all her secrets. 

Further, other than a quick intro, I don't think we need
to dwell on Grimmauld Place. I suspect it will simply be 
the place where Harry resides between far more important 
scenes. So, once the Dursleys are at Grimmauld Place, I
see them having a very small part in the storyline.

So regardless of whether Kreacher is /capable/ of being
a good house-elf, I don't think he is. He isn't keeping
up the Black House, we never see him cook or clean, and 
he isn't faithfully serving his Master, and they can't 
let him go because he knows too much. All in all, as an 
Elf, I say pretty worthless, but I admit as a plot device
he has and does serve well.

Just passing it along.

Steve/bboyminn