Will Elfs make the difference in war?

[carsten]

Do you remember the Spielberg/Lucas movies around the Luke Skywalker character? It was about Star Wars and had a fine link to individual fate. Luke's fight against Darth Vader was paralleled with the course of the battle. One of the story twists I liked best was about the cuddly teddy-bear-like friends helping to fight against the empire.

It made me think, that Hermione's obsession with SPEW might become very important in future books. Right now elfs are a kind of slaves. But in the age of enlightenment we are very aware, that a servant who willingly chooses his master is much more valuable than a slave, who is forced to do things. Will the house-elfs become the cuddly teddy-bears, who might make the difference between victory or defeat in the coming war? Will they take a firm stand?

This would broaden the story perspective from only Harry's fate to a more global level, as it would be appropriate in times of war. And yet: Harry vs. LV will still be at the center of events, like Luke against Darth Vader in Star Wars.

Opinions please.

Carsten

[Athena Appleton]

I do think the house-elves (and all the other creatures we've gotton to know) will play a part in the final battle of good versus evil.

I never really got that much into Star Wars, I think I've seen the one with the ewoks (i think that's what they're called) maybe twice...

The thing is, the Harry Potter books are being paralleled with everything from Star Wars to WWII to the Bible, basically anything with an epic story of good versus evil. So, yeah, there are a few similarities between Harry/Skywalker and Voldy/Darth Vader...

[Groo]

i dont see the elves fighting a war against the DEs. maybe the Hogwarts elves will help in defending it if it is attacked, but i dont see DD asking the elves to go and fight a battle. i think Dobby will have a part to play though.

As for SPEW, it has been a complete waste of pages so far, so i think it has to have some meaning in the end. maybe with the Ministry in DD's control now, there would be fair treatment of all magical creatures and elves will get their rights with Hermione playing a big part in that. but i still dont accept its connection with the war.

[Evil Wizard Petting Zoo]

Groo wrote:

As for SPEW, it has been a complete waste of pages so far, so i think it has to have some meaning in the end.

I agree, Rowling doesn't waste pages for no good reason. Hermione will probably help pioneer the house elves into the fight.

[imc130d]

I'd guess that Athena's posts in the magic by elves thread pretty accurately inform how the house elves would be involved in the final battle. Specifically:

Kreacher showed us that elves, unlike dementors or giants, are likely to be good or bad, just like humans.

So I think we'll likely see house elves on both sides of the battle, if they participate at all. Dobby almost certainly, and I'd guess Kreacher as well.

Where SPEW is concerned, I'm beginning to think that Hermione is going to get a heaping dose of humility out of all this... I get the sense that she thinks she knows more about what's good for the house elves than they do themselves. Accordingly, I wouldn't be surprised if she actually hindered relations with the house elves. I don't know if SPEW would do enough damage to actually cause the Hogwarts house elves to refuse to aid Dumbledore, but it wouldn't surprise me terribly if JKR took it that direction. [/url]

[Jotomicron]

SOme time ago I heard a physics theory. The Universe, as we know, is made of Matter, Energy and Information.

The elves will not fight with wands and so, but they can certainly be helpful to get some infromation for their masters...

Anyway, I don't think the elves would refuse to aid Dumbledore, as they all consider him as their master. Refusing it would be agreeing to Hermione at some point, which they don't.

[Alice I]

Anyway, I don't think the elves would refuse to aid Dumbledore, as they all consider him as their master. Refusing it would be agreeing to Hermione at some point, which they don't.

I don't think that DD would even ask the house elves to participate in the coming battle.
If they are involved which I think there is a distinct possibility that they will be it would be of their own accord, maybe even led by Doby.

(*Shrugs well maybe not Doby )

[Athena Appleton]

welcome to broomsticks and owls, imc!!!

I have to agree with you on that... i think the whole SPEW thing will wind up teaching Hermione a lesson... the elves seem to SERIOUSLY dislike her, the more she tries to do for them, even though it's out of the goodness of her heart, the more she upsets the elves

[carsten]

So I think we'll likely see house elves on both sides of the battle, if they participate at all. Dobby almost certainly, and I'd guess Kreacher as well.

Maybe the elves won't have to fight themselves, but they would certainly have to take a stand in the controversy. That's what a civil war is about.

The position of Kreacher is extremely interesting, because he is torn apart in his loyalty to his masters of the past and of the present. Since Sirius was the last of the Black's, the house will very likely go to Harry. So Harry would be the new master for Kreacher: A very difficult situation for both of them.

Carsten

[yasmane]

I'm a bit confused Jotomicron.
You're saying that DD is actually the elves' master.
I didn't know that, expect of course for thjose who work in hogwarth.
but for all the other elves, D is nothing to them but only a human.

[Groo]

Maybe the elves won't have to fight themselves, but they would certainly have to take a stand in the controversy. That's what a civil war is about.

The position of Kreacher is extremely interesting, because he is torn apart in his loyalty to his masters of the past and of the present. Since Sirius was the last of the Black's, the house will very likely go to Harry. So Harry would be the new master for Kreacher: A very difficult situation for both of them.

Carsten

i dont see Kreacher serving Harry. i think he is bound to serve the family, unless i am mistaken, and as narcissa is the closest relative of the Blacks, he is now bound to serve her.

[carsten]

i dont see Kreacher serving Harry. i think he is bound to serve the family, unless i am mistaken, and as narcissa is the closest relative of the Blacks, he is now bound to serve her.

Maybe I am mistaken, but I thought elves were bound to the house.

I don't know whether an elf is expected to follow and exercise the last will and testament of his master. This could influence Kreacher's fate.

Kreacher moving over to Narcissa would be a serious threat to the Order.

Carsten

[Alice I]

I do not believe that Kretcher can move over to Narcissa Malfoy.
Sirius was his last master and his will is binding.
As Kretcher knows so much about the Order I am certian that DD would have made arangements to protect the Order in the event of Sirius predecesing Kretcher.
Maybe Kretcher must now chop off his head and hang it on the wall with his ancestors ( I wonder how he will manage that )

In anycase if Sirius had a last will and testiment drawn up which I would bet anything that he did and named Harry as his heir legally then I think acording to wizard law Kretcher would be bound to Harry.
Uncomfortable for him true but look how much Kretcher loved Sirius

I think Kretcher is stuck in that house unless something really drastic were to happen.

[Dumbledores Master]

House Elves are bound to the house not the residents of the house. Remember in CoS ron says

"House Elves only come with really old houses"

Harry will probably be really evil with Kreacher if he comes back (Sirius says get out, he didn`t say he had to come back) so Kreacher will probably run away since he knows what will happen to him. Although elves can only be freed with clothes. Hmmm *strokes beard thoughtfully*

[Alice I]

House Elves are bound to the house not the residents of the house. Remember in CoS ron says

"House Elves only come with really old houses"

Although elves can only be freed with clothes. Hmmm *strokes beard thoughtfully*

But Dobby tells Harry in CoS that he his bound to serve one family until he dies. So that contradicts what Ron said about them comming with houses.