House Elves

[zanooda2]

No: HPFGUIDX 173532

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Kathryn Jones <kjones at ...> wrote:

> I have a question about house-elves. We are told that their magic 
> is different and that it can be quite powerful as when Dobby blasted 
> Malfoy. Why then would they defend Hogwarts from Deatheaters with 
> frying pans and kitchen implements?


I found it strange too, and I was able to come up with only one 
explanation so far. Remember how Fred (in CoS) explains to Harry that 
even though house-elves have a powerful magic of their own they cannot 
use it without their master's permission. 

I assume that the school's headmaster should be considered the 
Hogwarts' elves master, and there was none at the time of the battle, 
so no one could give them permission. I hope someone else can think of 
a better explanation :-).


zanooda