Dobby

Dobby
Biographical information
Born	28 June
Died	March 1998
Blood status	House-Elf
Physical information
Gender	Male
Hair colour	None
Eye colour	Big, green, tennis balls-looking
Relationship information
Family members	Unknown
Affiliation
Occupation	Hogwarts kitchens worker

"Thank you so much, Dobby, for rescuing me from that cellar. It's so unfair that you had to die, when you were so good and so brave. I'll always remember what you did for us. I hope you're happy now."

— Luna Lovegood at Dobby's funeral.

Dobby was a house-elf who served the Malfoy family. During Harry Potter's second year at Hogwarts, he tried to warn the boy of the plot to have the Chamber of Secrets reopened. The same year, Harry freed Dobby from the Malfoys. Dobby then went on to work in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry kitchens. He went on to save the lives of Harry and his friends Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Dean Thomas, Mr. Ollivander, and Griphook from Death Eaters at Malfoy Manor, though was killed in the process.

Quick Answers

How did Dobby become a free elf?

Dobby became a free elf in a rather clever way. Harry Potter, realizing that Dobby was enslaved to the Malfoy family, devised a plan to free him. Near the end of Harry's second year at Hogwarts, Lucius Malfoy, Dobby's cruel master, visited the school. Harry seized this opportunity and stuffed Tom Riddle's Diary into one of his socks, which he then handed to Lucius. Lucius, in turn, tossed the sock to Dobby. According to the rules of house-elf servitude, if a master gives their house-elf clothing, the elf is freed. So, when Dobby caught the sock, he was liberated from his servitude to the Malfoys. This is how Dobby became a 'free elf', a phrase that has since become iconic among Harry Potter fans.

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What is the significance of the phrase 'Dobby is a free elf'?

The phrase 'Dobby is a free elf' holds immense significance in the Harry Potter series. It symbolizes Dobby's liberation from the abusive servitude of the Malfoy family. Dobby was a house-elf, a magical creature bound to serve their masters until they are presented with a piece of clothing, a symbol of freedom. In Dobby's case, Harry Potter cleverly tricked Lucius Malfoy into giving Dobby a sock, thereby unknowingly freeing him. This moment is a turning point in Dobby's life, as he gains his freedom and starts a new chapter, working in the Hogwarts kitchens and aiding Harry and his friends. The phrase also represents Dobby's strong conscience and love for freedom, making it a memorable quote in the series.

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What actions did Dobby take to protect Harry Potter?

Dobby took several actions to protect Harry. He used a defensive spell to protect Harry from an attack. Dobby also tried to save Harry from danger, even if it meant hurting him. For instance, he once made a rogue bludger chase Harry, hoping that if Harry was hurt badly enough, he would be sent home. This was Dobby's way of trying to save Harry from Lucius Malfoy's plot to open the Chamber of Secrets. In 1998, Dobby even apparated to the Malfoy Manor to rescue Harry and his friends when they were taken hostage. Dobby's actions clearly show his unwavering loyalty and dedication to Harry's safety.

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Biography

Malfoy Family House-Elf

Dobby.

Dobby was the resident house-elf of the Malfoy family, serving Lucius Malfoy, his wife Narcissa, and their son Draco. They treated Dobby as a slave, often reminding him to do extra punishments. Doby also told Harry Potter that he was used to death threats as he received them frequently at home. Though he always did as he was told, he longed to be free of the Malfoys.

The Chamber of Secrets Plot

"Harry Potter must NOT go back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year!"

— Dobby warning Harry not to return to Hogwarts

Dobby at # 4 Privet Drive

Dobby knew of the plan to reopen the Chamber of Secrets during Harry Potter's second year at Hogwarts. Presumably this was because the Malfoys saw Dobby as an insignificant slave and because they knew that house-elves were not able to break the commands of their masters. Dobby went to the Dursley House to warn Harry not to go back to school, though he was unsuccessful. Still, Dobby managed a few visits to Harry, including one visit while Harry was in the hospital wing at the school.

Near the end of the year, Lucius Malfoy came to the school with Dobby to see Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Here, realizing that Dobby belonged to the Malfoys, Harry tricked Mr. Malfoy into giving Dobby one of his used socks. From this point on, Dobby was a free elf.

Working in the Kitchens

Dobby punishing himself

After becoming a free elf, Dobby was hired by Albus Dumbledore to work in the kitchens for a Galleon a week. Hermione Granger was initially indignant at the amount of pay, but Dobby explained that he requested the amount, and Dumbledore had offered more. It was around this time that Hermione formed the organization called S.P.E.W.

When Winky, the house-elf of Barty Crouch Sr was given clothes to be freed of her servitude, she didn't accept it as a reward, as Dobby had, but rather as a punishment and shameful failure. She took up work at Hogwarts as well, but when she became a heavy drinker, Dobby took care of her. For a time, Dobby and Winky were the only ones who would clean the Gryffindor Tower because Hermione had set up garments hidden in messes that would free any elf who cleaned there. This was a delight for Dobby, though, because it allowed him to see Harry Potter and his friends, including Ron Weasley, who he called Harry Potter's "Wheezy."

The Triwizard Tournament

Barty Crouch Jr, disguised as Alastor Moody, tricked Dobby into stealing a helping of gillyweed to give to Harry Potter for the second task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. This allowed Harry to breathe underwater and retrieve Ron Weasley and Gabrielle Delacour from the lake.

Friendship with Aberforth Dumbledore

Dobby continued to work in the kitchens at Hogwarts, but was an outsider among the other elves in the castle. Over the course of his employment at Hogwarts, Dobby gained a close friendship with Aberforth Dumbledore, and spent much time at Aberforth's home in Hogsmeade, getting to and from the school through a secret tunnel.

Dumbledore's Army

Dobby the House-elf

"Dobby knows the perfect place, sir! Dobby heard tell of it from the other house-elves when he came to Hogwarts, sir. It is known by us as the Come and Go Room, sir, or else as the Room of Requirement!"

— Dobby telling Harry Potter of the Room of Requirement.

In 1995, when Dolores Umbridge banned all clubs at Hogwarts, Harry Potter asked Dobby for a secret place in which they could have meetings for Dumbledore's Army, half-heartedly. Dobby, however, told him of the Room of Requirement and how to get into it. Harry Potter successfully made use of the room and thus was able to start Dumbledore's Army meetings.

When Marietta Edgecombe revealed Dumbledore's Army to Professor Umbridge, Dobby immediately warned Harry that the Inquisitorial Squad was going to attack.

Rescue at the Malfoy Manor

"Harry...Potter..."

— Dobby's last words, said to Harry Potter.

One day in early 1998, Dobby was sent by Aberforth to rescue Harry and his friends from the home of the Malfoys. As he was able to disapparate to and from the Manor, Harry instructed him to first take Luna Lovegood, Dean Thomas, and Mr. Ollivander from the cellar, then return. He did so, bringing the three to Shell Cottage, the home of Bill Weasley and his wife Fleur Delacour. Dobby then returned in time to take Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger to Shell Cottage, but was hit in the chest by a knife thrown by Bellatrix Lestrange.

Funeral of the Free Elf

File:DobbyGrave.jpg

Dobby's grave at Shell Cottage.

"HERE LIES DOBBY, A FREE ELF."

— Epitaph on Dobby's grave marker, written by Harry Potter.

Captured by a group of Snatchers led by Fenrir Greyback, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dean Thomas, and the Goblin Griphook are taken to Malfoy Manor. There, Bellatrix Lestrange sees that the Trio are carrying the Sword of Gryffindor, and for some reason stops Lucius Malfoy from summoning Voldemort. Keeping Hermione upstairs for questioning, Bellatrix has the others sent to a locked room in the cellar, where they encounter Luna and Ollivander who are also being held prisoner there. Though the new arrivals are tied up, Luna has found a nail with which she is able to cut their bonds.

Desperate at hearing Hermione's cries of pain from above, Harry is nervously fidgeting with the fragment of the magic mirror Sirius had given him years before, and sees a sky-blue eye looking out of it at him. Harry pleads for help from the owner of the eye, and shortly Dobby apparates into the cell. Harry bids Dobby take Dean, Ollivander, and Luna to safety at Shell Cottage. From upstairs where she is now torturing Griphook, Bellatrix hears the noise of Dobby Disapparating, and sends Wormtail to investigate. Harry and Ron manage to overpower Pettigrew when he hesitates, reminded of his life debt to Harry, and his own magical silver hand strangles him to death.

Attempting to rescue Hermione and Griphook, Harry and Ron are forced to surrender when a disarmed Bellatrix threatens Hermione with a silver knife. Dobby announces his return by causing a chandelier to fall on Bellatrix. Harry seizes the wands Draco Malfoy is holding, and Stuns Fenrir. Ron collects Hermione and Disapparates to Shell Cottage, while Harry similarly collects Griphook. As Harry Disapparates, Bellatrix throws her knife at him. Harry, not knowing where he is heading, is relieved to find, in the midst of his Disapparation, that he can feel Dobby alongside. Arriving at Shell Cottage, Harry discovers that Dobby has been fatally wounded by Bellatrix' thrown knife. Dobby dies moments later, his final words being "Harry Potter".

Harry is deeply grieved and decides to dig Dobby's grave by hand without using magic. Ron and Dean Thomas join Harry and labor with him. They place Dobby's body in the grave and give him socks, shoes and a hat. Standing over Dobby, Luna thanks Dobby for rescuing them and the others follow. Harry fills in the grave and carves: "HERE LIES DOBBY, A FREE ELF" on a flat rock he places on the burial mound.

Aftermath

Griphook was positively affected by Harry's display of humility and love for the house-elf, aiding him in his decision to help Harry Potter retrieve a horcrux from Gringotts Wizarding Bank.

Kreacher, Harry Potter's own inherited house-elf, led the house-elves of Hogwarts in the Battle of Hogwarts, moved by Harry's good treatment of house-elves.

Physical description

Dobby was a house-elf, much shorter in stature than humans, standing only about 3 and a half feet. He had large, tennis-ball-like eyes and long, pointed ears. Before he was given freedom, he wore a body-covering pillowcase, and was very fond of socks, especially if they did not match each other.

Personality and traits

File:15.JPG

Dobby protecting Harry Potter

Dobby was a brave, loyal house-elf, willing to put himself in dangerous situations when he knew it to be the right thing to do. He was also very loyal to the few friends he had. He considered himself to be a good house-elf, though other house elves seemed to find his desires and proclamations of being a free house-elf to be shameful. Despite this, he is still a hard worker. When he goes to work at Hogwarts he only asks for a Galleon a week and one day off a month as opposed to ten Galleons a week and weekends off, which was Albus Dumbledore's original offer.

Dobby's favorite gift to receive was socks, and he would get confused when he would get two of the same style. He would often give socks as gifts as well.

Dobby refers to himself in the third person ("Dobby must punish himself most greviously for coming, sir") and tends to get his verb tenses mixed up ("I has seven now, sir"). Dobby refers to Ron as Harry's "Wheezy."

Behind the scenes

• Dobby has been removed from all movie adaptions except the Chamber of Secrets and Deathly Hallows. Perhaps not coincidentally, in both films Neville Longbottom does everything important that Dobby did in the books (giving Harry the gillyweed and informing him of the Room of Requirement).
• David Heyman has stated that Dobby will be returning for the seventh and eighth films and because of his last cuts will have more screen time.
• Dobby was voiced by Toby Jones in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and will be voiced again by the same actor in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows films.

thumb|300px|right|Dobby is freed

• Dobby shares his birthday with Mark Russell.
• Dobby's favorite article of clothing appears to be socks. This may be because Dobby was freed from a sock Harry tricked Lucius into giving him.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game) (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (film)