Invisibility Cloak & Dobby

[Kathy]

No: HPFGUIDX 158583

Re: More thoughts on the Cloak - tk wrote: JKR noted that there is a 
significant - even crucial answer.  (snip) Making a little 
assumption on my part - I read this literally to mean that James 
left it with DD specifically>

Carol responded:
Hi, tk, and welcome to the group. I agree that James left the cloak
with Dumbledore for safekeeping though I'm not going to join the
discussion about the cloak being "special."  (snip) but JKR has said 
that we ought to be looking at Dumbledore's family, which, along 
with his owning Fawkes, leads me to believe that *he's* the Heir of 
Gryffindor--and the owner of the cottage in Godric's Hollow.) Carol, 
not denying that the cloak could be special but not convinced that 
it is, either.

KathyO responding to both:  First, Carol, I have to say I LOVE your 
theory that Godric's Hollow is actually Dumbledore's.  That leads 
into an idea I had
that's way left field
but
what the heck.

I think the cloak is only special because it belonged to Harry's 
father.  

However, I don't really think that Dumbledore was given it by James 
directly.  I really think the reason the House Elves are in the 
books, is to show us their loyalty, whether sick or not, to 
their `family'.  

This being said my supposition is that Dobby was the Potter's House 
Elf.  He didn't go to Godric's Hollow.  He stayed at the Potter's 
home to take care of it, while they were sequestered – as you 
suggested – in Dumbledore's home.  When Dobby was told that the 
Potter's were dead, he gave Dumbledore the Invisibility Cloak – and 
possibly other things James and Lily may have left – to give to 
Harry when Dumbledore saw fit.  

How do I come to this theory?  Simple.  Winky is so loyal to her 
family, that once dismissed, she becomes a little drunken elf.  She 
would have done anything for her master.  Kreacher – well, you know 
all about him
but
we definitely know how loyal he is to his `chosen' 
family.  

So why do I believe that Dobby belonged to the Potters?  Mainly 
because he could leave the Malfoys to warn Harry, and the way he 
protected Harry at the end of COS when Malfoy threatened him.  

We have been given no canon that suggests a House Elf can leave 
their family, or would even think of doing so.  Dobby has no reason 
to warn Harry, unless he had been a part of the Potter household 
first.  With Harry living with the Muggles, Dobby could not follow 
him.  So Dumbledore suggested that he could take care of Harry 
another way, by joining a Death Eater's family as their House Elf.  

Doesn't that tie things up a bit?

KathyO