Kreacher the Plot Device Elf

[justcarol67]

No: HPFGUIDX 161933

Nikkalmati wrote:
>  
> I tend to agree with Betsy here that Kreacher is exaggerating his
mental condition to get away with whatever he wants or doesn't want to
do.  I  don't for a minute believe that he doesn't realize his
mutterings are  overheard.  He can't directly call Hermione a Mudblood
to her face, but I  am sure he knows she hears him say it to himself.

Carol responds:

Which leads me to wonder how Kreacher, or the painting of Mrs. Black,
know that Hermione is a Muggleborn. Surely, her blood status isn't a
topic of conversation at 12 GP. Draco says in GoF that the DEs will
know Hermione is a Muggleborn and treat her like they're treating the
Muggles at the QWC. Maybe Draco is lying, maybe not, but Kreacher and
Mrs. Black (the painting) definitely know the status of everyone in
the house, and some who aren't currently there. Of course, not all of
Kreacher's insults relate to blood: "werewolves" refers to Lupin,
"thieves" to Mundungus, and "traitors" (not "blood traitors") quite
possibly to Snape. Some of this information could be obtained by
eavesdropping, but I don't see how Kreacher could learn that Hermione
is a "Mudblood" in that way. Ideas, anybody?

Carol, who agrees tha Kreacher isn't as batty as he seems but thinks
that he may have sustained some mental damage from drinking the
poisoned memory potion in the cave with Regulus