For a darker take on it, you might theorize that the house-elves are naturally intelligent and free-thinking, but were magically "domesticated" for slave labor at some point in the past, and that Dobby is a throwback to their true normal state.
I believe this strongly. Less based on this:
" 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.'"
than on this, also from DD's explanation at the end of OotP: "He was bound by the enchantments of his kind"
I think that wizards put an enchantment on the house-elves. And I think this means they can un-put it. And that the house-elves, if released, could be a powerful force in the war.
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Date: 2004-10-03 05:57 pm (UTC)I believe this strongly. Less based on this:
" 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.'"
than on this, also from DD's explanation at the end of OotP:
"He was bound by the enchantments of his kind"
I think that wizards put an enchantment on the house-elves. And I think this means they can un-put it. And that the house-elves, if released, could be a powerful force in the war.