[HPforGrownups] House elves question

[Lee Kaiwen]

No: HPFGUIDX 174668

que_44601 blessed us with this gem On 06/08/2007 09:21:
> But, didn't Hermione knit clothing for the house elves,
> therefore making them free?

Just off the top of my head, I believe the house-elf's owner has to 
present the clothing in order to free the elf. Thus, e.g., Harry had to 
contrive a way for Malfoy to unwittingly give the sock to Dobby, thereby 
freeing him; presenting the sock himself wouldn't have done it.

So who owns the Hogwarts elves? And who has the authority to free them? 
The headmaster?

Lee Kaiwen, Taiwan