The two good Slytherins

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 176370

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Sharon Hayes <s.hayes at ...> wrote:
>
> Laura:
> >   Well, if you are going to include Draco as a half good
> >   Slytherin, then you should probably also include Regulus.
> >   So that makes 2 + 1 + 1/2 + 1/2 = 4. Four "good"
> >   Slytherins.
> >
> >   [And maybe 1/4 more with Kreecher as an honorary
> >   Slytherin. :-) ]
> 
> Sharon:
> I love Kreacher! he just wanted someone to show him love and affection in 
> return for his loyalty.  I do wonder though, why Harry didn't give him his 
> freedom? Surely with Hermione there to bust his but over elfish welfare and 
> Harry's own history of being kind to house-elves, especially setting Dobby free, 
> he would have considered giving Kreacher his freedom? Initially I suppose in DH 
> he needed Kreacher to help them with their plans, but surely Kreacher would 
> have continued to help the wizard that gave him his freedom?
> 
> Then again, house-elves were bred to serve and maybe that's all they know how 
> to do?  Dobby was a free elf, but he certainly was ready to serve Harry anytime 
> anywhere. It may have been well-nigh impossible to emancipate house-elves at 
> this stage. Anyone else got thoughts on this?

Geoff:
I think that you've answered your own question. Dobby is considered by 
the other house-elves as a maverick or even possibly a traitor. Look at the 
conversation Harry has with Winky in the stadium just before the Quidditch 
World Cup. It's rather a long quote to reproduce here but it's in the chapter 
"The Quidditch World Cup" , pp. 88-90 UK edition. 

We also know that the house elves refused to come into the Gryffindor 
common room when Hermione was leaving hats etc. for them because they 
didn't want their freedom and Dobby was handling the task on his own taking 
the clothes out so that Hermione thought that she was reaching them.