[HPforGrownups] Re: House-Elves yet again

[Random832]

No: HPFGUIDX 181299

> Magpie:
> This thread has gone into this idea in a very detailed way, so I 
> don't see how you can just jump back to it like it's so simple. 
> Liking to *serve* is not the same as wanting to be *owned.* They are 
> pleased to serve people *they wish to serve*--they show plenty of 
> discomfort when forced to serve masters they don't want to serve 
> because they are owned.

Random832:
Well... not really. What is the difference between serving, and being 
owned? Even if we accept that they are forced (by whatever* means) to 
serve, and cannot choose not to, there is one important difference: 
House elves cannot be bought and sold. When Ron laments his family's 
lack of an elf, he speaks not of their financial situation, but of the 
quality of their dwelling, and one is left with the impression that a 
house elf would not _deign_ to lower themselves to serve a family that 
lived in such a shack.

*whether "whatever" is something that wizards have any responsibility 
for or power over is up for debate.