Did the Potters have a house-elf?

[hermiones mum]

We have been told in interviews that the Potter family was a rich and old wizarding family - could it be possible then, that they had a house elf?

What would have happened to it - if they are tied to a family, wouldn't it be lurking near Harry or would it have been sent to Dumbledore to await a call from Harry (could explain how Dobby knew of Harry), could it now be in Hogwarts....could this be the unahppy house elf in book 5:eyebrows:

[dddraco]

That may well be but it wouldnt shock me to find out that dobby was the potters old elf... that would explain why he was so fond of harry, and beating himself up for him... the only way this would be true is if we found out that dobby went work for the malfoys after james and lilly died...

[Weatherby]

I don't think Dobby worked for the Potters. He would've mentioned being with another family since he said they were bound to one family forever.

[dddraco]

yeah i guess thats true but what would the potters house elf be named? Potty? ;)

[tabby]

They might have. We don't know just how rich they are. Rich can mean a lot of things.

I don't think it matters.

[Max]

Hmm ... I've never thought of the possibility of the Potters having a house-elf. Frankly, I have no idea, though if I were to make a choice, I would say no, because I've always envisioned Lily as being somewhat like Hermione -- concerned about the welfare of elves. I seriously don't know. :wacky:

[ilovelifex1000]

Um I don't know possibly. I though Dobby had explained in the book how he knew the potters. He overheard his master talking about Harry and the Potters and thats why he likes them so much. They are brave and good and what not.
"Dobby has heard of your greatness, sir, but of your goodness, Dobby never knew..." CoS ch 2

[smartypants]

No, that's not "The Potters", it' Harry Potter" He has heard many talk about Harry, not about his parents.

[Potter_fan]

I think The Potters could of had a House-elf but I highly doubt is wasd Dobby.

[Mike21]

Ive always assumed that Harry came from a old wizarding family becuase of the invisibilty cloak and also because of the Potters hiding in Godrics Hollow. We are told by Ron that house elves usually come with old building so i think that the Potters had one.

[Sinistra]

There is another possibility. That James and Lily were not living in the Potter ancestral mansion, but a small cottage and living like muggles to hide from Voldemort and Co. That house we saw in the first movie was nice, but an ancestral mansion or even a wizarding house????????

The Weasley's looks like a wizarding house. Hogwarts looks like a castle. And even Diagon alley looks more wizarding than that house.

Anyhow, if they were living away from the ancestral home, the house elf may still be there, tending the place for the day when Harry returns. It seems reasonable to think they did have a house elf. And as for Lily not accepting one, if they treated the elf nicely and asked and were nice and reasonable, then the house elf would have a much better life than Dobby or Winky.

[dantares]

I don't think the Potters have a house-elf. I think Sirius has.

[supernatural]

i love the idea of the potters having a house elf- he/ she would know all of the potter secrets including whether he is heir or not!!!
what a brilliant idea- i thought house elves may be important to the plot line and this could be it- i think this is a great idea!!!
:coolblue:

[Mike21]

If Harry discoveres he has a house elf and Hermonie finds out then they would have a big fall out.

[Guardian Angel]

There is no reason for Potters not having a house-elf. I somehow can't see them with a house-elf. I imagine people to be very rude to them, and I think that Lily and James weren't like that at all.

[Filius Flitwick]

Originally posted by Sinistra (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=265964#post265964))
There is another possibility. That James and Lily were not living in the Potter ancestral mansion, but a small cottage and living like muggles to hide from Voldemort and Co. That house we saw in the first movie was nice, but an ancestral mansion or even a wizarding house????????


It was in Godric's Hollow, which is assumed to be named after Godric Gryffindor and therefore a wizard neighborhood.

Anywho, I could easily see the Potter's having a house elf. Just because Hermione sees it as being cruel doesn't mean that everyone does. Even Ron said that his mom always wanted one, but that they couldn't afford it. I guess there must be a high one time fee because it's not like they earn a wage. So, it is probable that they had one but treated it well. If it was with them at Godric's Hollow then it either fled or died along with them.

[tizzy weasley]

I think it's apossiblity that the Potter's had an house elf but very doubtful that it was Dobby. Didn't Dobby say that he's been with his wizarding family forever?
I could also see Sirus having a house elf. BUt he never mentioned it or h\even hinted so it's very doubtful.

[harrythebest]

They might had one... but I don't think it was Dobby. Dobby is (or seems to be) fond of Harry, because he defeated Voldemort.

[Filius Flitwick]

I'm guessing that Dobby had a similar history to Winky. Winky said that she took care of the Crouch family just like her mother and her grandmother before her. It seems that families of house elves take care of the same wizarding family.

[Shoujo Kitsune]

So, if there was one in the Potter's family (it would have to be his being that lily was muggle born) then we would see more of him...or maybe he is the house elf...oh, wait I can't talk about it here...I'll have to go to the spoilers section to say this....

*scampers off to the spoilers thread*

[Max]

Originally posted by Filius Flitwick (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=266185#post266185))
I'm guessing that Dobby had a similar history to Winky. Winky said that she took care of the Crouch family just like her mother and her grandmother before her. It seems that families of house elves take care of the same wizarding family.


Yes, house-elves seem to stick with the same wizarding family.

I find it unlikely that Dobby is the Potters' house elf. Considering the fact that house elves are very loyal, if the Potters had a house elf, wouldn't it have at least defended them from Voldemort? And if James and Lily were trying to keep a low profile to hide from Voldemort, it wouldn't be very logical to have a house elf with them, especially when house elves are only owned by rich families.

[Jinxie Cat]

I highly doubt Dobby was ever the Potter's house-elf... As someone already pointed out, a house-elf is bound to one family forever. The Potters may have had a house-elf. It would make sense especially if they were rich and James was from an old wizarding family. But if they did have a house-elf I doubt they treated it like the Malfoys treated Dobby.....

[Earendil]

Originally posted by dddraco (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=265723#post265723))
yeah i guess thats true but what would the potters house elf be named? Potty? ;)



LOL!:rotfl:
Well, if there was a house-elf in the Potter household at the time when Voldie showed up, wouldn't the elf have been blasted to bits along with the rest of the house? Unless, like Sinistra pointed out, the Potters were staying in a different cottage, devoid of house-elfs, to hide from Voldemort.

[pegoheart144]

Originally posted by supernatural (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=266000#post266000))
i love the idea of the potters having a house elf- he/ she would know all of the potter secrets including whether he is heir or not!!!
what a brilliant idea- i thought house elves may be important to the plot line and this could be it- i think this is a great idea!!!
:coolblue:
Oh, I have always thought that the house elves could be key allies in the fight against Voldemort. I also think possibly Dobby being killed could stir the house elves up and they will fight (or the majority of them for the light side).

I also think that the James and Lily did not go into hiding in the Potters' ancestral mansion as others have stated. I do think it is possible that the Potters did have house elves maybe even more than one. Maybe the anecestral home and other possessions are in trust until Harry is old enough to inherit.

[Linda]

The Potters didn't have a house elf. We would've known by now, probably by Dobby. Also, if they had a house elf and that elf was killed by Volde, we would know that in the GoF scene (unless it died in the explosion, not be Avada Kedavara). And if that house elf lived, he or she would've tried to seek out Harry.

Which interview said that the Potters are an old wizarding family? I know James was respected...but does that mean old?

[NYCwitch920]

I don't think the Potters would have a house-elf. I doubt the thought of seeing the Potters supporting enslavement and J.K. Rowling clearly portrays her views of enslavement within the plot of the book. Harry himself wished freedom for Dobby and presented him with his own sock. If Harry had the desire to wish Dobby freedom, his parents would have done the same.

[Jessica]

Two completely seperate ideas:

1) In reference to the Potter's house being small, it is possible that they made it look smaller on the outside to blend into the neighborhood. I'm assuming muggles live there too because Hogsmeade is the only all wizarding community. Kind of like the tents at the Quidditch world cup and the Ford Anglia. Much more spacious than they appear.

2) How did Winky and Dobby know each other. It seems unlikely that all house-elves know all other house elves. If so, then Dobby would know the Potter's house-elf. If not than Dobby not mentioning him does not negate the possibility.

[Filius Flitwick]

Yeah, what is the likelyhood that Malfoy's house elf would hang out with Potter's house elf(once again, this is if the Potter's even had a house elf)? The chances that Dobby met many good wizards is pretty slim given the company that Malfoy tended to keep.

[Shi]

I don't think they had a house-elf because Lily was from a muggle family (yes, I believe this until JK tells me otherwise) and I think she is like Hermione (also from a muggle family). It just seems to me that a muggle-born would naturaly see elf enslavement as cruel, I know I do.

[Filius Flitwick]

Well, Harry was brought up muggle and he didn't really seem to have a problem with it. Even after all of Hermione's pressuring he didn't seem to care whether house elves received wages or not.

[gred&forge4ever]

I too am in the camp of doubt about thePooer's owning a house elf. it is cruel and they are nice people:). Thought, Godric's Hollow is the name of the Potter ancestoral home after their ancestor Godric Gryffindor? Or Godric's Hollow is the former home of GG himself and has some of that ancient magic the protect Privet Drive, therefore in theory James and Lily were safer there?

[Shoujo Kitsune]

well, we don't know that every wizard is cruel to their house-elf...I think of them as more of maids and buttlers...they get mistreated all the time and still there are those who are not cruel to them...plus if it was a family elf, then the Potters would be being cruel to not allow him or her to help, as we have seen they are very commited to their work, and the people they serve....

[hedwig7]

Has it ever even occured to anyone that Godrics Hollow is in Hogwarts?? i mean- the "secret room" that Harry has been in and doesn't know of its significance yet... when the Potters died and if they had a house elf P. Dumbledore might have taken up the house elf and he might still be at Hogwarts (not Dobby though) , but that "cranky house elf" that was mentioned????

June 21st... I can't wait!!! :angry:

[go_anna40]

I really don't think the Potters had an house-elf.
We're not sure that the Potters found keeping house-elves as slaves was unfair, so I'm keeping my options open.

[pegoheart144]

But if James Potter's family was an old, influential and rich line of pure-blood wizards, then they probably did have them. Apparently the Invisibility Cloak is a family heirloom passed down from generation to generation.

[jordmundt6]

I don't think Lily and James had one. I think that they probably have the same attitude toward House Elves htat Harry and Hermione do. Especially Lily, growing up with that annoying and cruel sister of hers. She'd take pains to treat any house elf she met with respect. Of course, they might take that as an insult. Who knows?

[Filius Flitwick]

I wanna know where people are seeing that Harry has a problem with House Elves. The only problem I thnk he has is that Dobby had to work for the Malfoys. After that he seems to not really care at all about them.

[jordmundt6]

Well, he treats them all like his equals and is generally benevolent toward them. If they wanted freedom, he'd be willing to give it to them (that's pretty much Dumbledore's stance). He also does see that they should be treated like people (as Mr. Weasley and Hermoine do). You'd never catch him talking to anyone like Diggory does

"Elf, do you know who I am? Explain yourself, elf."

So, he's not a crusader like Hermione but he does see the injustice. He's also openminded about Giants, even though he's never met one.

[Filius Flitwick]

So, Hermione and Harry's attitude are similar but not the same. It is possible to have a house elf work for a family without pay and to be treated fairly. I think Harry is like Dumbledore, he wants the House Elves to be happy and not to force their beliefs on them.

[jordmundt6]

Well, that's my view anyway. Do you think there are holes in it?

[Charmed]

I never thought of the Potter's having a house elf before. But I just can't see them having one. They just don't fit the mould of the characters we have known about who have house-elfs. And also the opinion I have formed of the Potter's leads me to believe that they wouldn't like the idea of a servant.

[jordmundt6]

But, in some cases house elves become like members of the family. And even Molly likes the idea of the convenience of someone to help her do the housework. I don't think Lily and James had one, but James is old-school pureblood, and his family is loaded. That fits the profile. He might have grown up with one.

[Auri DeMeer]

I think the idea of the Potters having a house elf makes sense. (Rich, old wizard family). Where is he/she now? Probably working at Hogwarts. Why has he not "contacted" Harry yet? Maybe Dumbledore doesn't allow it.

If the Potter Elf exist, I can imagine he can tell Harry everything about his family and Harry will really appreciate it. He can tell him even more than Dumbledore I presume.

[Jessica]

I agree.

Not to be a House Elf racist here or anything but JKR seems to portray them as genuinely happy. Especially if they are considered to be well treated members of the family or the ones at Hogwarts.

If James' family had a house elf who was happy with them it seems like it would be more cruel to let them go and risk maltreatment outside their control.

[Auri DeMeer]

Yes, Dobby being happy because he's free is the exception to the rule... But working for the Malfoys, what can one expect?

[Jessica]

Originally posted by Auri DeMeer (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=269673#post269673))
I think the idea of the Potters having a house elf makes sense. (Rich, old wizard family). Where is he/she now? Probably working at Hogwarts. Why has he not "contacted" Harry yet? Maybe Dumbledore doesn't allow it.

If the Potter Elf exist, I can imagine he can tell Harry everything about his family and Harry will really appreciate it. He can tell him even more than Dumbledore I presume.


This would be so cool. I doubt it will happen in Five though because the big revelation is supposed to be about Lily and the house elf would probably know more about James.

[hermy_weasley2]

I was going to start a thread on this, but then Ifound this one. :)
A lot of the questions posted in this thread were answered in OoTP, but we still don't know if the Potters ever had a House Elf.

So, I don't know if Lily and James ever personally had an elf, but I'm pretty sure the Potter family would've had one at one time. There's really no way to answer this, but something makes me think that house elves are associated with old, rich, dark pureblood families like the Malfoys and the Blacks.. Since James hated the Dark Arts more than anything, he might not have liked to have a house-elf. Lily doesn't seem too fond of the Dark arts either. Because Sirius ran away from his family and stayed with the Potters, I don't think the Potters were much like the Blacks. So, following my pattern of familes that have house elves tied to them tending to lean to the dark side, the Potters wouldn't have been likely to have had one. But, there are house elves at Hogwarts, so, you never know.....


Now I'm just rambling.

[seeker]

I've always pictured Lily and James inheriting an adoring, fanatically loyal house elf from James's parents. In my little mental world, Lily tried to trick the elf into taking clothes before James convinced her, quite correctly, that the elf was happy with them and that it was insulting to offer him clothes.

I think it would be really great if this house elf had stayed at the Potter's old home when they went into hiding, and had been waiting ever since for Harry's return. Then, when Harry takes his inevitable journey home, he will be hailed as "the young master" and will get a loyal friend and guide who can tell him a lot more about his parents.

[TerrierMom]

If they did, I'm sure Voldemort would have killed him or her before killing the Potters

[winter snow]

It's possible they could of had a house elf. They would have treated them with respect and decency, unlike the Malfoys. It would also explain how Dumbledore found out so quickly. House elves can apparate to Hogwarts. That's one idea of how Dumbledore knew. While Voldermort was downstairs battling with James, the house could have apparated to Dumbledore's office. Maybe the house elf is now working in the kitchen at Hogwarts. Just a thought.

[MakoDraco_luvme]

I think the Potters had a house elf. Not all wizards teat their elves badly. Look at Mrs. Weasley...You just know she would bake cookies for that elf. I think that the Potters had a new baby that they might have needed helpp with and all. Wizards know nothingof hard work too so I think its a distinct possibility even though it doesn't really have anything to do with the main plot.

[WhoAmI]

I was going to start a thread on this, but then Ifound this one. :)
A lot of the questions posted in this thread were answered in OoTP, but we still don't know if the Potters ever had a House Elf.I have jokingly suggested (on more than one occasion) that there is a house elf in residence at the Dursley's, which is why the place is so sparkling clean all the time. So I guess it is possible the Potters had a house elf, and maybe it was sent to stay with Petunia when they went into hiding. Of course, I have been known to go a little nuts on the subject of house elves & Petunia so don't take my word for this! :p