That's pretty much the conclusion I came to, as well. It's not (at all) that I always agree with the authorial comment on things, but on that issue, I can't work out what it is .

I can understand that Ron doesn't support her, considering that his family is very traditional in some ways (and how much does he know about house elves, apart from received wisdom?), but it's odd that Harry isn't more openly for it, although he has other things on his mind.

I do admire Hermione, for that, but that kind of moral crusading without (possibly) understanding all the issues instinctively worries me.