Dobby and Winky -- their roles, futures and how they know each other

[Jessica]

Okay, I've asked this question on a couple of threads and no one has given me a good answer.

Dobby worked for Lucius Malfoy and Winky worked for Barty Crouch, Sr. The only way I could see them knowing each other would be if Crouch visited Malfoy or vice versa and brought the house elf with him. However, I can't see them visiting each other on a regular basis because Crouch is the head of the Dept of International Cooperation and I don't see Malfoy caring too much about what this department does.
Also, given Crouch's hatred of DeathEaters and everyone's suspiscion of Malfoy this does not seem likely.

The explanations that have been suggested are:

ALL HOUSE ELVES KNOW EACH OTHER: Seems unlikely. They are a repressed population. I don't think that they would be allowed to have a society or meetings. Socializtion breeds discontent among repressed populations.

MALFOY AND CROUCH ARE NEIGHBORS AND THE ELVES ARE ALLOWED TO ASSOCIATE WITH EACH OTHER: Again seems unlikely. I can't see Lucius Malfoy encouraging his servant to have a social life. I would imagine he would want Dobby at his beck and call.

I have two ideas of my own:

1) Either Crouch or Malfoy is not what he seems. Crouch is a DeathEater masquerading as an opponent or vice versa. Either way there might be a need for regular meetings.

2) As part of his sneaking out to help Harry Potter, Dobby contacted Crouch on his own and thereby met Winky. Possibly he chose Crouch because he heard Malfoy say how much he hated him?

Any other theories.

[Barbara Kennedy]

Perhaps the Crouch family attended some event at the Malfoy Manor and brought [or lent] their house-elf for the occaision?

[Mireille]

It is possible that Crouch and Malfoy did do business with each other and brought their house elves with them. We know that both were Death Eaters, but maybe they didn't know each other through that. This theory makes the most amount of sense to me only because I'm sure they wouldn't have known each other just because they are house elfs.

Did Dobby and Winky interact before they both were hired at Hogwarts? It's been a while, but if they weren't, then I was going to say that they knew each other because of that, but that makes too much sense, so I'm guessing that I am wrong.

[Jessica]

When Harry is at the Top Box at the Quidditch World Cup he sees Winky and thinks she is Dobby and Winky brightens and says "But I is knowing Dobby!" or something to that effect.

Later when Harry sees Dobby at Hogwarts, he says that he and Winky decided to look for work together since they had both been freed.

[ERut]

Well, Malfoy brought Dobby to Hogwarts, so maybe he brings him other places too, like to death eater meetings.

[Shi]

Malfoy being a DeathEater and Crouch Sr. being obsessed with finding them gives me reason to believe that they met at least a few times. Crouch Sr. probably has been to the manor to talk to Malfoy because Malfoy was thought to be a DeathEater, Winky may have tagged along like Dobby does at the end of CoS when Lucius is at Hogwarts.

Or, well this is kind of weird but... Lucius could have sent Dobby to check on Crouch Jr. (somehow knowing/guessing that he was still alive) and Dobby encountered Winky, who was looking after Crouch Jr.

[periwinkle-blue]

Originally posted by ERut (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=270137#post270137))
Well, Malfoy brought Dobby to Hogwarts, so maybe he brings him other places too, like to death eater meetings.


The idea seems feasible. But would wizards bring their house-elves everywhere? Even secret gathering like the death eaters?

Isn't is a rule for good house-elves not to be seen? We've only finally know there's loads of them in Hogwarts only in the fourth book. Winky's appearance on the top box during Quidditch World Cup was inevitable, since Barty Crouch Sr. ordered her to restrain and take care of Barty Jr. there.

I think house-elves have their own way to communicating with each other, a sixth-sense kind of magic perhaps. Their magical abilities are different from wizard's magical abilities, so it's possible their way of communicating with each other can be obtained without ever been in each other's presences.

But I still wonder why Lucius Malfoy would dragged Dobby to Dumbledore's office at the end of the second book.

[aiko amaya]

maybe Crouch is anotrher one of lucius's conections with the minsitry. Maybe they're family's are friends? Maybe Dooby came round Crouches house to ask for work after he got sacked from the malfoys. There are so many numerouzs ways that they could have met though. Maybe on A shopping trip or maybe, tehehehe, they're lovers hahaha.

[Potterologist]

It's an interesting question.

The only reason I could think of their knowing each other is if Crouch and Malfoy had a meeting and brought Dobby and Winky along. It wouldn't surprise me if Malfoy did bring Dobby with him to different places. He seems pretty keen on reminding people of his wealth and status, and by bringing Dobby along with him, people would see his family does well enough to have a house-elf, thus another way to reaffirm his place in the social hierarchy.

Whatever the reason Winky and Dobby know each other, I hope it is included in future books because now I am wondering about the answer. :??:

[SnowyOwl]

Despite the restrictions placed on Dobby when he was with the Malfoys, he certainly got around. Perhaps House Elves meet together occasionally--like a support group.
I honestly cannot fathom how they could've met otherwise. Since the mark of a good House Elf is to not be seen, I don't think the Malfoys and the Crouches took their elves out and about with them. The only reason Dobby accompanied Lucius to DD's office was that he was in the middle of shining Lucus' shoes.

[familiar]

I think the house elves apparate (using their own powerful magic) and visit each other. The visits could be to gossip for a few minutes (I see this as being 5 or 10 minute visits) or to ask for advice on a specific task. It would be like Dobby popping in on Winky to tell her another house elf she knows is sick or to ask her if she knows how to clean a difficult stain out of a marble counter. They are very efficient and probably get right to the point, get their response, and then apparate back to their own house.

[rusk]

But I still wonder why Lucius Malfoy would dragged Dobby to Dumbledore's office at the end of the second book.

I'm pretty sure JKR sort of addressed that.

Wasn't the scene described as Malfoy having left in a great hurry, and Dobby was still trying to finish shining his shoes as they entered the office?

My guess is Dobby followed Malfoy all the way to the castle because he hadn't finished the job of shining the shoes, and he didn't want to have to punish himself for not doing the job properly. So he just tagged along.

I've also wondered exactly how powerful of magic the house elfs posses.

Numerous times throughout the books we've been told over and over that it is impossible to apparate or disapparate anywhere within the Hogwarts grounds. But when Dobby visits Harry in the hosptial wing in the Chamber of Secrets, he makes himself disappear like the crack of a whip.

Here is the exact passage (from Book 2, The Rogue Bludger chapter):

"Dobby must go!" breathed the elf, terrified. There was a loud crack, and Harry's fist was suddenly clenched on thin air.

Dobby didn't just make himself invisible or something, because Harry had a tight hold of Dobby's wrist to prevent him from hitting himself with the water jug. So Dobby is apparantly able to apparate/disapparate inside Hogwarts.

This makes me wonder about how much trouble a bad house elf could cause in Book 5, if they posses magic powerful enough to get past some of the defenses of Hogwarts. Perhaps that's for another thread.

[dorcasderr]

The ability of house elves to apparently apparate is addressed in another thread...of course i forget its name...but the idea is that house elf magic is different than wizard magic and what in a house elf appears to be apparition is in fact different. By the way i like the idea that the house elves do thier form of apparition to visrt each other briefly. It makes sense to me. Perhaps since house elves stay with one family for generations, the elder Crouches and Malfoys were not enemies and interacted so their house elves got to know each other...

[periwinkle-blue]

Originally posted by rusk (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=272465#post272465))
I'm pretty sure JKR sort of addressed that.

Wasn't the scene described as Malfoy having left in a great hurry, and Dobby was still trying to finish shining his shoes as they entered the office?

My guess is Dobby followed Malfoy all the way to the castle because he hadn't finished the job of shining the shoes, and he didn't want to have to punish himself for not doing the job properly. So he just tagged along.


Ah.. I must've missed that somehow. Thanks for the reminder, rusk. And also to SnowyOwl ;)

Like familiar said in his/her post, I always assumed that house-elves have ways to communicate with each other, and visiting one another by apparating (like Dobby did in Hogwarts) is one of the most possible ways I could think of.

Certainly, they have reasons and means to gather around, get to know each other, meet and have families and expand their umm.. species(?), otherwise I don't know what to think of how Winky's mother and her mother before her served the Crouch family from generation to generation. There must be somekind of interraction amongst the house-elves society. I think it's evident enough that Dobby relentlessly worshipping Harry in CoS and telling him how dreadful he and the other house-elves were treated back during the rise of Voldermort.

[Fuchsia]

I think that two unemployed houseelves might meet each other pretty easily. Where else are they going to go you know?

[dumbleedore]

Crouch is a senior Ministry official and Lucious is a member of a very old pure-blood family. Despite dark activity, the families would know each other.

Either that or Winky and Dobby met before Crouch's son went to Azkaban and Malfoy took Dobby to meet with Crouch Jnr who bought along Winky.

[Padfoot127]

Do you think that the Malfoys took Dobby to the Quidditch World Cup, like Crouch did with Winky? And he and Winky met before the Quidditch match so that when Harry asked her if she was Dobby, she was able to say that she knew him? Plus, who knows if Dobby went to the Crouch residence and asked for a job and saw Winky there in the Prisoner of Azkaban. There are a numerous ways for them to have met, maybe we will find out, maybe we won't. It's up to JK! I personally loved Dobby...

[dumbleedore]

The Malfoy's didn't have Dobby at the World Cup, he was freed in CoS.

[Padfoot127]

ooo ya... Sorry! I forgot that part... THanks!

[Jessica]

Okay, I watched CoS on DVD this weekend and now I have a follow up/related question.

If Dobby served the Malfoy, family his whole life then where did he hear of "Harry Potter's greatness" and how did he get so obsessed with Harry's saftey?

[aiko amaya]

Originally posted by Fuchsia (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=272600#post272600))
I think that two unemployed houseelves might meet each other pretty easily. Where else are they going to go you know?

yes but Winky said she knew dobby at the begining of Gof at the world cup. That was before she was freed so she must hae known dobby before having to look for work. Istill think it would be so wild if they were secretly lovers tehehe.

[Fuchsia]

Dobby might have bounced from house to house meeting elves when he didn't have work. Searching for employment you know.
"No, this house is full!"
Winky did have quite a job to handle on her own with Crouch jr. afterall. Maybe Dobby did odd jobs?

[DocHollidaywe]

Perhaps in a Free Elf bar

[dumbleedore]

Originally posted by jessicacarstens (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=279911#post279911))
Okay, I watched CoS on DVD this weekend and now I have a follow up/related question.

If Dobby served the Malfoy, family his whole life then where did he hear of "Harry Potter's greatness" and how did he get so obsessed with Harry's saftey?


Probably talk among other house elfs. Dobby mentions about how horrible life was before Harry did his thing with Voldemort and how it has improved, so they'd think of him as terrifc cause of that.

[Blayde]

They're both old wizarding families, and reasonbly high-class people, so:

(A) You would expect them to run into each other on a regular basis during social functions and important events (ie the QWC). This seems only natural, and you can see that Winky and Dobby would have had the means to meet.

(B) They may very well live near each other, one can very well see that wizarding manors might be concentrated in areas where they won't be too out of place.

Besides, we know house elves have the ability to apparate, or something like it, without any trouble at all. They would have no trouble meeting. Also, you get the impression that they all know each other from the books, which lends weight to this theory.

[jimmalec]

I'm curious to know what you all think about this:
Why do Dobby and Winky keep popping up. Doesn't it seem odd to you that these characters seem to be so tighly woven into the story?
I have a feeling that they are both going to play a big role in the next three books and in the unfolding of this masterful plot.

What is the powerful magic that house elves have? Do we have any idea? So powerful that they don't need a wand?

Wouldn't it be funny if SPEW actually caught on and Hermione didn't know how to handle it?

What do you think?

~ Jim

[Lupin_Sirius_Fan]

I believe that the house elves have a greater role to play than JKR is letting on. I don't like them personally, they annoy me. But if you take the way Dobby sends Lucius Malfoy back with a fair welt at the end of C of S, they seem to have a fair bit of magic inside them.

Guess we'll have to wait and see.

[jimmalec]

Indeed. I don't think JK would have spent so much time on SPEW if there wasn't a reason for it. Also, do you always notice how "Goblin Rebellions" keep popping up? I mean, in every single book we hear about Goblin Rebellions. Interesting connection between the two creatures possibly?

[dorcasderr]

Now that things are being stirred up by Voldemort's return I think we'll see more action from the house elves, the goblins, the giants, and maybe even more magical creatures we haven't yet seen in this series. The centaurs may even be persuaded to take action of some sort. I think the house elves may have a hard time of it because they serve a variety of masters, both good and bad, and their natural tendency will be to serve on the same side as their masters.... unless something decisive happens that affects them all to sway them one way or the other.

[Llopin]

I also don't like them very much, but they could be important to the plot. As how important, I don't know, but maybe they fall in a trap or are cheated, that would be predictable looking at how ingenuous they are.

However, one of them could also die. Dobby could pass away trying to protect Harry, but it wouldn't be a really tragic death at all.

[Dedalus]

Dobby has already played a huge part in the books, and Winky has too, perhaps to a smaller extent. So even if they haven't got more to come, small weavings of a character within a plot can do as much, if not more, as a character introduced for any one specific reason.

I'm sure they will play bigger roles, but not specifically just one, or a "purpose". I mean, most if not all of the characters have more than one purpose in the books, and often one of the purposes is just being that character.

[AvidSkyRise]

I think that the House Elves are going to play a part in the books, other than that Harry brought more hate on himself from the Malfoy family by freeing Dobby I mean
I think Dobby might stir up a house elf rebellion haha

[jimmalec]

Wow ... really interesting ideas. I like the comment about the Centaurs. I too could see them getting involved.

~ Jim

[FoolOnTheHill]

I think that since they have powerful magic of their own, they could be an important ally. Since Dumbledore is the master of tons of house elves, and they'll do whatever their master asks them to, I think they'd be more than happy to assist in some way in the fight against Voldemort.

[Weatherby]

I think Dobby and the other house elves will continue to serve the story.
There's still the issue of freeing them afterall.

[Loz]

House Elves - They serve three purposes

1 - they provide light comic relief
2 - they make the reader ask questions about enslavement and human/animal rights
3 - they wash your dirty socks.

Okay, sorry. The third one is really -
They will probably become very important as the series goes on.

[flibbertigibbet]

Well it's been mentioned a few times in the books that house elves have very powerful magic, they just don't use it for much more than cooking and cleaning for the most part. I'm sure they'll serve some sort of role in defeating Voldemort - it looks like a lot of different magical creatures are being rounded up for the fight (like the giants). Besides, they were treated quite badly last time Voldie was powerful. They've got to be harbouring some sort of resentment, even if they're suppressing it for now.

[Perdita]

What is the function of Dobby and Winky?

I think it was Rowling's way of showing how some people can be brainwashed into blind servitude, while others have aspirations to make different choices from the collective group, and thus, they get more out of life.

Winky represents, to me, the complacency of comfort in what one is accustomed to. She doesn't acknowledge that what her masters have done is very very wrong. Instead, she continues to support them.

Dobby represents the irrepressible spirit to challenge the status quo and push for change. It is not change for the better good of the public, but change for the betterment of one's own life.

------
I want to make the suggestion that this thread should stick to discussing the function of Dobby and Winky in the HP novels. There is already a thread discussing the powers of the house elves. Since there is considerable difference between these two topics, let's focus on Jimmalec's main topic question so that this thread does not get merged with Daniel's.

Just my suggestion.

[onetruegryffindor]

i agree with you on behalf of dobby but in my POV i think you've got winky all wrong

Originally posted by Perdita (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=310895#post310895))
Winky represents, to me, the complacency of comfort in what one is accustomed to. She doesn't acknowledge that what her masters have done is very very wrong. Instead, she continues to support them.



i think winky is keeping her masters secret as she feels she must and ...er... i dont feel she is supporting evil/wrongdoers either i think she is supporting her *master*
i dont know how intelligent house elves are, i mean come on
just look at dobbys dress sense, but maybe she doesnt really understand all about the right to free speach etc

Any way.... have you seen MIB2 when they open the door and we are just in a locker like the funny squeeky people?perhaps hats what its like for the house elves, pehaps like us they dont realise how big the world is and all about rights and freedom that doesnt mean that we should jump out of the locker we might end up in too deep
we cannot force them do to whats *right* after all... whats that?

[FawkesBox]

I agree with most of the things said here but the most tantalizing suggestion is the notion of SPEW and an house-elf rebellion (perhaps in concert with a goblin or giant one) we will see.

[Sinistra]

Dobby and Winky (and the rest of the house elves and magical creatures) provide another layer to the wizard/mudblood/muggle plotline. They carry it one step further, but not all the wizards catch on. Ron says House Elves like their positions in life (paraphrase). Harry and Hermione do understand all intelligent creatures should be treated equally, but few others do. Arthur understands, but realizes the political climate isn't ready for that yet. Probably Dumbledore understands, but he seems to go about it in a different manner.

Anyhow it can also be compared to the animal rights movement. Though House Elves (and other magical creatures) are more than animals, they have fewer rights than humans, and there are those who object to that.

[Thyme_of_Change]

I did a search, but it may not have been thourogh. Please feel freet o move/close this threaad if it has already been discussed.


I think that Dobby will probably hang around Hogwarts and may even save Harry a time or two more. Or at the very least help him ina time of need.

On the other hand, I think Winkie should go work for the Weasleys. Thay can't afford to pay her (which she wants) and they are a "good" wizarding family and would be very considerate of her. Plus Hermione could not complain that they were treating her wrong there, lol. ;D

[Isaraniel]

Winky working for the weasleys seems a good idea :)

[LionHeart14]

Hmm ... I have a feeling that the disgruntled house-elf mentioned in the teasers will be Winky. But, the idea of either Dobby or Winky working for the Weasley's would be fantastic!

[Barbara Kennedy]

*BUMP*

[Yadiami]

I've wondered why the Weasleys don't have a House Elf. They seem an old wizarding family and I guess they can 'afford' it.
It would be very interesting to read a Winky-in-the-Burrow. She would like it.

[caroline40]

I dont understand why you have to be well off to have a house elf like the Crouchs snd Malfoys when you dont pay them anyway

[Horntail]

I've allways wondered what Dobby meant when in CoS he talks about how bad our kind (house elves) were treated when Voldemort was in power last time. Was it just that many of the Deatheaters owned house elves and that bad treatment of house elves was more socially acceptable? Or was something even worse happening to house elves. Maybe Voldemort forced large groups of them into slavery to do his evil bidding, or killing, or somehow taking advantage of their strong magic.

[caroline40]

If the purpose of house elves was simply to cook and clean etc they wouldnt need powerful magic
So it seems they must have another more important role somehow

[FawkesBox]

I think that is because house elves come with old manor houses and the Weasleys live in the Burrow. What if Winky went to work with the Weasleys (that's tongue twister!)? If she retained her old alliegances then perhaps she could lead death eaters to the Burrow, thus to Harry staying at the Weasley, thought safe there, and thus the terrible death to write (Mrs. Weasley dying to save Harry)

[Dumblydorry]

If the disgruntled house elf turns out to be Winky who then works at the Weasleys and leads death eaters to the Weasleys house like FawkesBox said... then the results could be disasterous! AhHhHhH!

[Thyme_of_Change]

I never thought of that! EEk!

[I heart Sirius]

I always assumed the disgruntled house elf would be a new one we haven't met yet. But yeah, I can see it being Winky.

[FawkesBox]

I Heart Sirius, I agree that there is a possibility of a new house elf arriving- perhaps more than one works at Malfoy Manner- one intimately acquainted with all the dark arts artifact containing secret areas of the Manor- who properly motivated could wreak utter havok.:devil:

[Yadiami]

Easy, easy, we don't have proof Winky is a Dark Elf, she was just being loyal to the Crouchs -as far as we know. Now that they're dead, if she went to another house, I think she would be loyal to her new masters.
At least, I hope so.

And disgruntled people -or elves- doesn't have to be bad people -or elves-, do they?

[FirefightingMuggle]

I can't really see Winky becoming Disgruntled. I think she likes her work too much, just like Dobby does. I always thought that Disgruntled meant that you are ticked off and hate your job and everything about it. Maybe I'm wrong. I can see Winky becoming one Depressed little elf though. She couldn't stop us from finding out her master's secrets, and now he is dead, and his son is dead. What's an elf to do besides get drunk on butterbeer ;)

[Moonstone]

Assuming no new house elves are introduced, Winky's the far more likely candidate to be disgruntled than Dobby. As far as Dobby is concerned, life is (now) good. Winky, on the other hand...

[HPviolinist85]

Winky is now working for Dumbledore and she seems to be really upset. She is probably really mad at Fudge, because he ultimately brought the dementor in. Even though he ultimately is a bad wizard, she took care of crouch jr meaning, she must love him. Thus, it would make her really upset and angry at dumbledore and crew who brought out the secret of the family. She is still working at hogwarts. Could this effect her loyalties and could she be one of Voldemort's inside access?

[rotsiepots]

If you're going to discuss the spoilers from Scholastic, please do so in the official Book Five thread (you can find that here (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7914)). Open discussion of these spoilers, violates our OotP Spoiler Policy.

Similarly, a thread discussing the futures of Dobby and Winky has already been established and is entitled Dobby and Winky -- their roles, futures and how they know each other (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8056).

I'll merge these two now. :)

[rotsiepots]

I'm going to merge this with an existing topic on our two leaing house-elves entitled Dobby and Winky -- their roles, futures and how they know each other (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8056). :)

[Jessica]

On the idea that only wealthy families have house-elves - Do you think it is possible that they were originally purchased like slaves? This would explain why only the very wealthy have them. If so do you think the Hogwarts house elves were originally purchased or do you see Hogwarts as more of a refuge for house elves that have been "set free" by their masters.

Also on Winky working for the Weasleys I don't think that would fix her problem. She is fixated on the masters she lost. If she was willing to bond with a subsequent employer don't you think she would have started to hero worship Dumbledore?

Completely unrelated, this is the first time somebody's thread has been merged INTO mine. Mine always get merged into somebody elses!

[Thyme_of_Change]

I think it's hard for Winky, because she rarely sees DD. With a family like the Weasley's, she would have a chance to bond.

[miri]

Yeah, also she's seen as a disgrace as she is a free house-elf. If she were to bond to the Weasleys, then she would be accepted again.

I was wondering how it's decided where baby house-elves go. We know Winky stayed with her mother, but who was her father?

House-elves are valuable commodities - do you think they *breed* them, like with horses, so their owners pay for the female elf to be bred with the *stud* elf?

But seeing as they have intelligence... If they do I can't see that being mentioned in the books. Speaks too strongly of slavery etc.

[Jessica]

Good question. I never thought about that.

You can't really bring over one house-elf and tell him he has to go mate with another. I can see Malfoy doing it but not everybody else.

Maybe they don't need to breed? Maybe the mothers can just concieve without mating. But then why would they have male house elves.

Actually this gives support to the theory that house elves are allowed to socialize with each other. Maybe they let them do so only to create future generations of house elves.

Absolutely no idea.

[Doggy]

About Winky; she was in cosiderable distress (practically became an alcoholic) by being fired and finding out that her master was sick. Now, her master is dead (killed by her master's son) and the son is worse than dead. What will that do to her? Madame Pomfrey won't be able to help enough. Maybe Dumbledore will talk to her and make her see sence, he seems that sort of person.

Winky seems to me the kind of house-elf who needs a big role, not like at Hogwarts where one house-elf more or less doesn't make a diference, and where they hardly ever (as far as we know) see their masters. Winky is a very "maternal" house-elf, who likes fussing around individual people - at least it's seemed that way to me, so maybe she should change masters, to a normal family in need of only one house-elf, so that she could feel important and necessary again.

[jimmifer]

Well i dont know if anyones brought this up, cos i havent had time to read all the thread, but Mr Crouch's son - Crouch Jnr, who has his soul sucked out (niiiiiiiice) by the dementors in goblet of fire was convicted of being a death eater - lucius malfoy is a death eater too. If you think back to GoF, Winky seemed a lot closer to Crouch Jnr than Crouch himself

[jglovesdolphins]

I don't really know what to think about this thread but I have two ideas 1. they are related or 2. there parents knew eache other (how I don't know)

[Liselle]

I'm going to give this thread a bump up.....

In the light of the book6 title the half blood prince and the various theories doing the rounds I was wondering if anyone had any new ideas to throw on this subject.

I had always assumed that the all house elves knew one another (maybe a little like the Borg from star trek...except far less creep-ish) in some way or that they had a network of communication running between large/important families or dwellings where there were house-elves....or they were all inter-related in some way. I think the happenings of Phoenix and the supposed link between books 2 and 6 have to raise the question of the house elves, their loyalties and abilities again.

If the house elves do come to prominence again its likely we'll see S.P.E.W, Hermionie has her heart in the right place in this respect but I think she's going about the whole thing wrong......who knows maybe we'll see a house-elf liason officer before the series is out


the idea of Winky going to the Weasleys is one I like....it would make Mrs Weasley's life much easier for one anyway :tu:

[TerrierMom]

If you read novels or watch TV shows or movies about the British nobility, the nobles socialize with each other often. Their servants all seem to know one another at least in passing if not very well. I figure it's the same idea with the old, noble, pure breed wizarding families in Harry Potter.

[Skrewt30]

On how house elves meet: they might run across each other while on errands. We know that elves can leave a house on their masters' orders, because Kreature leaves when Sirius says "out". I can't imagine Narcissa or Lucius Malfoy running household errands like going to the butcher or buying dish soap - they might send their elves instead. So, the elves probably meet when they apparate into the wizard grocery stores and such.

As for their futures, all the mentions of goblin rebellions certainly make me think a house elf rebellion could happen. But it's so against their nature, I'm not totally convinced.

[filius]

All pure blooded families are interelated. Maybe their house elves are too. Thats what i think anyway :p

[DarkThunder]

They could have simply met shortly before we see them together.

[Katya75]

This hasn't been addressed for over a year, so I was wondering if anyone had any new thoughts. So, is anyone else curious about the way things were left for this poor heart-broken house elf? She was so upset when she believed Crouch had to take care of himself, is she happier now that he's dead and doesn't have to worry about dusting? Will she play a part in the future or is she played out? Now that her family is dead, will she accept one of Hermoine's malformed yarn projects? Will she ever get over her butterbeer addiction?

Thanks for any input! -- Katya

[PateleyMoor]

At the end of OOTP:

'Sirius did not hate Kreacher,' said Dumbledore. `He regarded him as a servant unworthy of much interest or notice. Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike … the fountain we destroyed tonight told a lie. We wizards have mistreated and abused our fellows for too long, and we are now reaping our reward.'



This I see as important in the future of house-elves - Dumbledore is saying the war coming will be significant for magical creatures too. Perhaps house elves will be emancipated and fight against the dark lord. Seems to me that some will stay with thier masters some leave to fight.


Certainly dramatic possibilities here.


Will other magical creatures pick a side? Or stay out of it.

Thinking about it - Creatures are already picking sides, or being courted. The Giants being the most obvious example. Both Dumbledore and the Dark Lord have sent envoys to the Giants.


The Dementors have already joined the Dark Lord.

The Centaurs, however - are divided - from TPS

"Firenze suddenly reared on to his hind legs in anger, so that Harry had to grab his shoulders to stay on.
'Do you not see that unicorn?' Firenze bellowed at Bane. 'Do you not understand why it was killed? Or have the planets not let you in on that secret? I set myself against what is lurking in this forest, Bane, yes, with humans alongside me if I must.'"


So creatures are taking sides........

[aggiefan1206]

Dobby i believe will continue to help harry out and possible Dumbldore. He could definatly get malfoy into tons of trouble i wonder that now he is no longera slave of the malfoy if he is allowed to tell their secrets. I would have to say that Barty Crouch and Lucius knew each other im sure house elves get to know each other just like people or anyother creatures do

[Paintball]

I have started to think that the house elf enslavement comes from an old spell which placed the elves in slavery. Sort of like magical chains. In addition to house elves, are there field elves who work in the fields or shop elves who work in the shops, etc. If this spell is in some way lifted then they could be very helpful in the fight against the Deatheaters. They would know a lot of useful information.

[Yrraine]

I wondered how Dobby happened to visit Winky, since he didn't know she was freed until then. I think house elves can and do visit each other, perhaps with something like a beeper so they'll know if the master is looking for them. House elves can apparate; why bother if they don't go anywhere except kitchen to drawing room? If the mark of a good house elf is that you don't know they're there, they could manage lots of discreet visits without needing to mention to the masters what they were up to, and the masters can fondly imagine the house elves can't leave the premises, as Sirius so firmly and wrongly told Harry.
I see Winkie's relationship with Crouch Jr. as a variation on the dear old nursemaid--when she talks to him at the end of GoF, it's as you would talk to a child. I think she would have been destroyed, perhaps in an inversion of Kreacher, if Crouch Jr had inherited the house, and her, and turned them into a dark arts headquarters.
It's interesting that she wears clothes in GoF. Can a house elf not be re-enslaved, even if they want to be? Or does she refuse to be bonded to someone other than the Crouch family--they betrayed her, but she deserved it, she won't betray them?
Someday I want to start a thread on house elf enslavement--I'm bothered by those who blithely say "they like slavery" without seeming to consider that they are magically compelled to like it, or to keep quiet if they don't. Rereading OotP, I'm struck by how Kreacher's intial responses are always perfectly humble, it's only the muttering that's poisionous, and he can say it aloud because he's insane. If he wasn't insane, couldn't do his running diatribe, couldn't appear where he wasn't wanted, I can imagine Sirius telling him to stay in the boiler room and believing Kreacher to be perfectly happy, even ecstatic.

[silver ink pot]

OK - not meaning to startle anyone with a wild theory, but that is probably my specialty. That is why I have Luna as my avatar ~ because people think I read the book upside down. :p

Does anyone else see a parallel between Winky the butterbeer alcoholic and Professor Trelawney, who is constantly taking a nip?

Dobbie tells Harry about the Room of Requirement and that he took Winky there so she could sober up, and then later Harry sees Madame Trelawney somewhere in the castle talking to herself as she walks along. This reminded me of the way Hermione muttered to herself in front of the Room of Requirement. Did Trelawney go there to sober up, too?

I just see a parallel between the two characters ~ their tears and their problem. But also that they are both capable of being brave if they have to - Winky sitting up in the stands at the Quidditch World Cup though she is afraid of heights, and Trelawney standing up to Umbridge day after day.

Frankly, I don't see Winky going anywhere unless Dobby goes with her to take care of her. For one thing, she isn't fit to do much, because of her emotional problems. For another thing, she is in danger because she used to belong to the Crouch's. She would be too much of a target.

Someone mentioned British Servants - I can see Winky and Dobby taking the place of Kreacher at Grimmauld Place.

[BrAinPaiNt]

This is a very interesting thread.

I bumped it up because I have had some questions about winky and Dobby.

Some of them were answered or at least were given opinions on in this thread.

Winky possibly working for the weasleys but then again the possible perils of that action and the idea that Winky is still morning the loss of her past masters as she probably feels that their deaths are her fault.

Also I am not sure about posting this as it would seem it should be in the divination forum...but then again If I post it there then I am sure I would be told to search the forums first and have my thread closed...so it is a sort of a catch 22 situation lol. So I guess i will go ahead and do so in this thread since it is already established and appears to have been merged with another already.

If Kreacher is no longer working at Grimmwauld Mansion(sp?) , and this is an assumption by me as I think he either goes to the next kin (LeStrange) or Dumbledore somehow makes him leave while keeping quiet, then should dobby and possibly winky be moved there and take over as the house elves working to continue to keep the place clean?

The order could still pay Dobby and he could keep busy helping.
This would also be a good way for Dobby to be able to apparate anywhere anytime someone is in trouble (even in hogwarts).

Also please...if anyone knows of a thread already posted (it is hinted on in this one) that goes into more detail about the magical creatures or animals that could be on the good or bad side of the upcoming battles please send me an owl with that link.
I asked about this in another thread and wondered if Aragog or his sons and daughters could possibly be swayed to help in the fight as JKR has said we will see him again.

Thanks