Hogwarts House-elves (wasRe: Kreacher the Plot Device Elf (was: Potter...

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 161780

Potioncat:
> All Harry had to do was say "Kreacher" out loud and Kreacher came.
It even worked at the Dursleys. So why did DD send Snape to fetch Winky?  
> 
> It doesn't look as if DD did or said anything that Snape or McG 
> shouldn't hear. She went after the Animagus Black and Snape was also 
> sent for Veritaserum.(GoF)
> 
> Ideas?
>
Carol responds:
I'm not sure what you're getting at here, but Winky is a freed (or, in
her view, fired) house-elf who is employed by Dumbledore (or Hogwarts
in general) but doesn't regard him as her master. She doesn't do any
work, spends her days drinking butterbeer or sleeping it off, and
still regards Mr. Crouch as her master. Why would she obey Dumbledore
if he called, even if she can hear him? Besides, Snape has to get the
Veritaserum anyway. Why not send him to get Winky on the way back? And
better to send McGonagall to fetch the black dog than send Snape to do
a task he'll resent when he discovers who the dog is.

IMO, DD is sending them both to do useful and necessary tasks while
the Polyjuice Potion wears off. Otherwise, they'd just be standing
around waiting and Barty's story couldn't be as easily confirmed.
(Note that McGonagall's task isn't really essential to this process,
but I suppose DD wants Sirius Black to be involved in some way and to
provide emotional support for Harry.)

Carol, sorry to be confused but not sure of the point you're making