Dobby

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Dobby (28 June(year unknown) –March1998) was a malehouse-elf who served theMalfoy family. His masters wereDark wizards who treated him cruelly. In1992, he disobeyed his masters and tried to warnHarry Potter of the plot to have theChamber of Secrets reopened. He came to know this via the contact between his masters andLord Voldemort.

At the end of that school year, after Harry had vanquished the memory ofTom Riddle and slayed thebasilisk in the Chamber of Secrets, hetrickedLucius Malfoy into freeing Dobby. Harry accomplished this by placingT. M. Riddle's Diary inside his own sock.^[14] Lucius disgustedly ripped the sock off the book and threw the sock into the air, where Dobby caught it.

Dobby suffered a period of unemployment, during which he was often ostracised for having no "proper shame" in regards to being out of work. He was generally pleased to be free, although he did enjoy working as a hobby. Dobby was ecstatic to be out of the abusive hands of the Malfoys, but equally pleased to join the Hogwarts staff. At Hogwarts he could come and go as he liked, did not have many tasks, and those he did have were fairly simple. Dobby requested some compensations for his work and eventually he andDumbledore came to an agreement.

Dobby went on to work in the kitchens atHogwarts, for which he was paid oneGalleon a week and got one day off each month. He had been accompanied to Hogwarts by his friendWinky (who had recently been dismissed) and so began Dobby's new happy life nearby his closest friends: Harry,Ron, andHermione.

In1997, Dobby helped Harry spy onDraco Malfoy along withKreacher. In 1998, he went onAberforth Dumbledore's orders to save the lives of Harry and his companions fromDeath Eaters atMalfoy Manor. During thisrescue he was fatally wounded byBellatrix Lestrange'sknife, but successfullyApparated Harry andGriphook to safety atShell Cottage. Harry dugDobby's grave without magic in the gardens of Shell Cottage, and carved into the headstone of the grave "HERE LIES DOBBY, A FREE ELF". His death was lateravenged byMolly Weasley.

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[]

Serving the Malfoy family(?–1993)[]

Dobby was the residenthouse-elf ofMalfoy Manor, servingLucius Malfoy, his wifeNarcissa, and their only sonDraco.^[5] They treated Dobby with unkindness and cruelty, often reminding him to perform extra punishments on himself whenever he did something disagreeable to them.^[3] The Malfoys were harsh and abused Dobby often.

Dobby was threatened many times during his time serving theMalfoy family and toldHarry Potter that he was accustomed to death threats, because he received them 'five times a day' from the Malfoys.^[8] Though he always did as he was told, he knew that their behaviour was wrong and he longed to be free of them.^[3][5] He is the first house-elf seen to "break free" of his masters' wills, warning Harry of the Chamber of Secrets (Kreacher did this too, however he technically did not disobey any orders, therefore it does not count), and alongside Kreacher, is the only house elf seen who truly dislikes their original master.

During the1985–1986 school year, Dobby befriendedJacob's sibling.^[15]

Re-opening of the Chamber of Secrets[]

Dobby knew of the plan to reopen theChamber of Secrets during Harry Potter'ssecond year atHogwarts. Presumably, this was because theMalfoys saw Dobby as an insignificant slave, and because they knew thathouse-elves were not able to break the commands of their masters, never believing he would try to interfere.^[3] Dobby spent the summer of 1992 spying on Harry. On the day of his twelfth birthday Harry thought he saw eyes peeking from with the hedges.^[16]

Dobby went to theDursley house to warn Harry not to go back to school, revealing that he had been intercepting his mail. The withholding of Harry's letters from his friends was done in an attempt to convince him that his friends had abandoned him. Harry adamantly refused to comply, stating that Hogwarts was his home. Dobby then performed aHover Charm on Aunt Petunia's pudding and dumped the pudding on top of Mrs Mason's head. This use of magic was detected by theMinistry of Magic throughthe Trace.^[3]

Mafalda Hopkirk of theImproper Use of Magic Office sent Harry a warning letter for the apparent transgression by an under-age wizard, informing the Dursleys that Harry was not allowed to use magic outside of school.^[3] Harry was then locked in his room.^[3] HoweverRon,Fred, and George Weasley came in their dad'senchanted flying car to free him from the Dursleys.^[17]

Unfazed, Dobby covertly watched Harry Potter and magically sealed the barrier toPlatform Nine and Three-Quarters, preventing Harry and Ron from reaching theHogwarts Express.^[8] This too failed, as the two used the flying car again to get to Hogwarts instead. This, however, almost caused Harry's and Ron's expulsion from Hogwarts, due to their damaging theWhomping Willow after arriving late at the school.^[18] Dobby was so shocked to hear that they managed to return to Hogwarts that he accidentally allowed the Malfoys' dinner to burn, for which he was punished.^[8]

Lastly, Dobby tried his most risky and dangerous plan bytampering witha Bludger to make it attack Harry during a Quidditch match, hoping to send him back to Privet Drive injured, but alive. This plan could not have been too well thought-out, because, under normal circumstances,Madam Pomfrey, the school nurse, would have been able to mend Harry's injuries instantly. However, anunfortunate blunder by ProfessorGilderoy Lockhart resulted in Harry losing all the bones in his right arm. Madam Pomfrey was able to regrow the bones by usingSkele-Gro, but it took an entire night.

While Harry was in theHospital Wing recovering, Dobby appeared and admitted his acts, enraging Harry to the point that he threatened to strangle him. Dobby implored Harry to leave, accidentally admitting that theChamber of Secrets had been opened before. Harry demanded to know who had opened it last time, but Dobby refused to reveal any more information andDisapparated when he heard someone coming.^[8]

A free elf(1993–1998)[]

Near the end of Harry's second year, Lucius Malfoy came to the school with Dobby to see if it was true thatHeadmasterAlbus Dumbledore had returned. Here, realising that Dobby belonged to the Malfoys, Harry stuffed Tom Riddle's Diary into one of his socks and handed it to Lucius. Lucius ripped the sock off the diary, only for the sock to be caught by Dobby.^[5] This act freed Dobby from the Malfoys.^[14]

When Lucius tried to attack Harry in retaliation, Dobby blasted him backwards down a flight of stairs. Although house elves are treated as low-class slaves, they havevery powerful magic, and even some beyondwizard ability. Harry's only request in return for granting Dobby freedom was for Dobby never to try to save his life again.^[5]

Working in the kitchens[]

After becoming a free elf, Dobby struggled to find work, as he wanted to be paid, which was uncommon for house-elves.^[19] Eventually, he was hired by Dumbledore to work in the kitchens ofHogwarts for aGalleon a week and one day a month off.Hermione Granger was initially indignant at the amount of pay, but Dobby explained that he requested that amount, as Dumbledore had offered ten Galleons a week and weekends off. It was just before this time that Hermione formed the organisation calledS.P.E.W, which Ron often derisively called "spew".^[7]

WhenWinky,Barty Crouch Snr's house-elf, was given clothes and freed of her servitude, she did not accept it as a reward as Dobby had, but rather as punishment and a shameful failure in the fashion of most house-elves.^[7] She took up work at Hogwarts as well, but she became a heavy drinker ofbutterbeer, and Dobby took care of her.^[20] For a time, Dobby was the only Hogwarts house-elf who would cleanGryffindor Tower, because Hermione had hidden woollen hats and socks in with the rubbish with the intention of freeing them. The Hogwarts house-elves refused thereafter to clean the common room, as they viewed the hidden clothes to be insulting.^[10] This was a delight for Dobby, though, because it allowed him to see Harry and his friends,^[10] includingRon Weasley, whom he called Harry's "Wheezy."^[9]

During the second task of theTriwizard Tournament,Bartemius Crouch Jnr, who was disguised asAlastor Moody, tricked Dobby into stealing a helping ofGillyweed fromSeverus Snape'sstoreroom to give to Harry Potter.^[21] This allowed Harry to breathe underwater and retrieveRon Weasley andGabrielle Delacour from the lake.^[9]

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 became close friends withAberforth Dumbledore and spent much time atAberforth's home inHogsmeade. Aberforth seemed to have a close attachment to Dobby, since he felt very sorry when he learned of his death.^[13]

Dumbledore's Army[]

In1995, whenDolores Umbridge banned all clubs atHogwarts, Harry half-heartedly asked Dobby if he knew of a secret place in which they could have meetings for Dumbledore's Army; Dobby subsequently told him of theRoom of Requirement and how to get into it. He knew of this secret room, because he had used it frequently to hide Winky after she became drunk from Butterbeer. Harry successfully made use of the room and thus was able to start holding Dumbledore's Army meetings.^[10]

WhenMarietta Edgecombe betrayed Dumbledore's Army to Professor Umbridge, Dobby immediately warned Harry that theInquisitorial Squad was going to attack, even though the house-elves had been forbidden to tell anyone, but he told Harry as he was far more loyal to him than to Umbridge or Hogwarts in general and also a free elf that was not forced to obey. When he heard, Harry ordered Dobby not to punish himself for disobeying a direct order from Umbridge. Despite Dobby's warning, however, Harry and the other members were still caught and punished.^[11]

Spying on Draco Malfoy[]

On Harry's orders, Dobby, along withKreacher, formerly theHouse of Black's house-elf who now belonged to Harry, tailed Draco Malfoy and helped Harry learn that Draco was using theRoom of Requirement. Kreacher insulted Harry and stated that Draco would be a better master.

Dobby physically fought Kreacher and knocked out several of his teeth and tearfully told him that Harry was a great wizard and that the Malfoys were not good masters for a house-elf. Dobby felt that helping Harry was an honour and didn't even sleep on his job until Harry (not knowing this) said he could.^[12]

Malfoy Manor and death[]

Main article:Skirmish at Malfoy Manor

Captured by a group ofSnatchers led byFenrir Greyback,Harry,Ron,Hermione,Dean Thomas, and the goblinGriphook were taken toMalfoy Manor. There,Bellatrix Lestrange saw that they were carrying theSword of Gryffindor, and she stoppedLucius Malfoy from summoningVoldemort, afraid they had been in her Gringotts vault. Keeping Hermione upstairs for interrogation and torture, Bellatrix had the others imprisoned in the locked cellar, where they encounteredLuna Lovegood andGarrick Ollivander, who were also being held there. Though the new arrivals were tied up, Luna found a nail with which she was able to cut their bonds.^[2]

Desperate at hearing Hermione's cries ofpain from above, Harry frantically fidgeted with the fragment of thetwo-way mirrorSirius Black had given him years before and saw a sky-blue eye looking out of it at him. Harry pleaded for help from the owner of the eye,Aberforth Dumbledore, and soon Dobby, sent by Aberforth, Apparated into the cellar. As he was able to Disapparate to and from the Manor, Harry instructed him to first take Luna, Dean, and Mr Ollivander from the cellar, then return. He did so, bringing the three toShell Cottage, the home ofBill Weasley and his wifeFleur Delacour.

From upstairs, where she was now questioning Griphook about whether or not the sword was the real one, Bellatrix heard the noise of Dobby Disapparating and sent Peter Pettigrew to investigate. Harry and Ron managed to overpower Pettigrew when he hesitated, reminded of his life debt to Harry, and his own magicalsilver hand gifted to him by Voldemort strangled him to death.^[2]

Attempting to rescue Hermione and Griphook, Harry and Ron were forced to surrender when a disarmed Bellatrix threatened to cut Hermione's throat with a silverknife. Dobby announced his return by causing a chandelier to fall on Bellatrix. Dobby also disarmed Narcissa Malfoy and informed Bellatrix that he had no masters, as he was a free elf. Harry seized the wands Draco Malfoy was holding and used a stunning spell onFenrir Greyback. Ron grabbed Hermione and they Disapparated to Shell Cottage, while Harry also Disapparated with Dobby and Griphook.^[2]

As Harry Disapparated, Bellatrix threw her silver knife at him. Harry, not knowing where he was heading, was relieved to find in the midst of his Disapparition, that he could feel Dobby alongside, his fingers gripped tightly in his hand. Arriving at Shell Cottage, Harry discovered that Dobby had been fatally wounded by Bellatrix's thrown knife, which was protruding from the elf's chest. Dobby died moments later in Harry's arms, a peaceful smile on his face, his final words being Harry's name.^[22]

Post-mortem[]

Harry, deeply grieving, decided to bury Dobby and dighis grave by hand without using magic. Ron and Dean joined Harry and laboured with him in digging the grave. They placed Dobby's body in the grave, wrapping him in a jacket and giving him socks, shoes and a hat. Standing over Dobby, Luna gently closed his eyes and thanked him for rescuing her and the others.Bill Weasley filled in the grave, while Harry used Draco's former wand and carved "HERE LIES DOBBY, A FREE ELF" on a flat rock he placed on the burial mound.^[22]

Griphook was positively affected by Harry's display of humility andlove for the house-elf, aiding him in his decision to help Harry retrieve aHorcrux fromGringotts Wizarding Bank.^[23] His death also helped close Harry's mind from Voldemort and gave him greater control over when he could access the Dark Lord's thoughts.Kreacher, Harry Potter's own inherited house-elf, led the house-elves of Hogwarts in theBattle of Hogwarts, moved by Harry's good treatment of house-elves. Dobby's death was later avenged whenMolly Weasley killed Bellatrix.^[24]

Over a decade later around his birthday in2011, Dobby was remembered byWinky as aS.P.E.W. activist and a good friend.^[25]

In the years since Dobby's death, Harry continued to regularly visit Dobby's grave at Shell Cottage to pay respects to the elf, bringing along a new pair of socks to leave at the grave each time to let Dobby know how much he was missed.^[26]

Physical description[]

Dobby was a house-elf, much shorter in stature thanhumans, standing only about 3 and a half feet (1.06 m). He had large, tennis-ball-like green eyes,^[4] a pencil-like nose and long,^[27] bat-like pointed ears^[4] and brown skin.^[5] Before he was given freedom, he wore a body-covering pillowcase. Later at Hogwarts, he wore a mismatched variety of jumpers, shorts, and socks.

Socks became his favourite clothing after he was freed by Harry's sock. He preferred colourful, mismatched socks. WhenHermione Granger began hiding clothes she made around the Gryffindor Common Room in an attempt to free the Hogwarts house-elves, Dobby kept the clothes and began wearing them, as the other elves thereafter refused to clean Gryffindor Tower.

Personality and traits[]

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.^[3][2] 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 was still a hard worker. When he went to work at Hogwarts he refused Dumbledore's original offer of ten Galleons a week and weekends off, opting instead for one Galleon a week and one day off per month. He explained to Harry, Ron, and Hermione that he liked freedom very much, but he liked work better. Although he enjoyed his freedom, he still showed some nature of a House Elf, showing some form of either disgust or fear in the sign of a little shudder at the sign of too much riches and leisure, such as those of a truly sustainable wage and work schedule, which Dumbledore originally offered. Dobby thought of Harry as his best friend, and Albus Dumbledore as his rightful and true master.

Because of his loyalty to his friends, Dobby tried everything he could to save them if they were in danger, even if it hurt them, and once attempted to seriously injure Harry Potter, hoping that if he was hurt badly enough he would be sent home (this led to Harry asking Dobby to never try to save him again after setting him free). He did not make the rogue Bludger chase Harry out of malicious intent, but because he was trying to save him from Lucius Malfoy's plot to open the Chamber of Secrets.^[8] When Harry found out, he was furious but Dobby explained why he had tampered with the Bludger,^[8] and by the end of the year Harry had forgiven him.^[5]

Regardless, Dobby displayed a lack of foresight and common sense in his efforts to keep Harry from returning to Hogwarts in that by doing so he was putting Harry in danger in the long run by essentially ending Harry's education, which would have left him vulnerable to his enemies. Not only that, he was unintentionally insensitive to the wishes and feelings of Harry, who loved Hogwarts and his friends, and Dobby was essentially trying to cut Harry off from the things in his life that gave him real joy and purpose.

One most noticeable trait was his capacity to self-harm whenever he believed he had done something wrong, usually using something to hit his head with and going as far as to iron his own hands. Dobby clearly had a strong conscience, and punished himself even when he had done "wrong" things that house elves should not do, even if they were for the right reasons.^[3]

Dobby's favourite gift to receive was socks, likely because he was freed from his enslavement to the Malfoys with a sock.^[5] He would get confused when he would get two of the same style as he preferred to have two brightly coloured or patterned mismatched socks, and would often give socks as gifts as well.

Dobby referred to himself in the third person and tended to get his verb conjugations mixed up. Examples of his strange speech pattern include "I has seven now sir"^[28] or "Dobby must punish himself most grievously for coming sir".^[3] Dobby also referred to Ron as Harry's "Wheezy."^[9]

He was extremely devoted to Harry after he freed him in1993,^[5] helping him out on several occasions, ultimately at the cost of his own life.^[2] He also tried to help Winky after she was dismissed byCrouch, getting her a job at Hogwarts as well,^[7] and looking after her whenever she became drunk onbutterbeer.^[20]

Magical abilities and skills[]

• Apparition: As a house-elf, Dobby was able to Apparate,^[3] even inside places that normally forbade Apparition such as Hogwarts^[11] and Malfoy Manor.^[2]
• Levitation: Dobby displayed the ability to levitate a pudding when trying to stop Harry from returning to Hogwarts. The Ministry referred to this as theHover Charm, mistakenly believing that Harry cast the charm.^[3]
• Magical tampering: Dobby also displayed a talent for magically tampering with objects. This was shown when he tampered with a Bludger forcing it to chase Harry hoping that if it hurt him badly enough he'd be sent home. Naturally Dobby was not intending to kill Harry; in fact he was trying to save him from Lucius Malfoy's plan to open the Chamber of Secrets. Also, he tampered with the barrier that leads to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, a very powerful magical barrier.^[8]

• Magical blasts: By clicking his fingers, Dobby can release powerful blasts of magic at other creatures or wizards and witches. He performed this ability in1993, when he magically blasted his former masterLucius Malfoy away from attackingHarry Potter, sending him flying down several flights of stairs.^[5]

• Disarming: Dobby displayed the ability to disarm wizards and witches of their wands with a snap of his fingers, much like thecharm itself.^[2]
• Overall ability: Overall, Dobby had avery great amount ofmagical skill. Although house-elves are generally treated very poorly as slaves, theydo have verypowerful magic, perhaps even beyond that of witches and wizards. House-elves do not need possession of awand to castspells or perform magical actions, as most wizards and witches do. In addition, boundaries are put on the Apparition of witches and wizards in certain areas, but this does not apply to house-elves, so in this sense, they have much greater power than that of wizards (as far as Apparition goes). They also can do magicwithout wands, something only the most powerful witches and wizards can do. Dobby could disarm with a snap of his fingers, send strong blasts to stun and disable opponents, and very efficiently performcharms like those of witches and wizards such as levitation and also tamper with magical objects. Dobby even managed to save Garrick Ollivander, Griphook the Goblin, Luna Lovegood, Dean Thomas, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter from a mansion full of some of the most powerful Death Eaters, even if it was at the cost of his own life—Dobby sacrificed himself in order to get Harry and his friends out of a situation in which they surely otherwise would have died. Without Dobby, Harry would not have lived, and Voldemort never would have been defeated. That being said, Dobby played a very significant role in the defeat of Voldemort, although sadly he was hardly ever recognised, probably partially due to the fact that he is a house-elf. Although quite small and humble, when put into perspective, Dobby was extremely powerful and was very heroic in his contributions to thewizarding world.

Possessions[]

• One ofHarry Potter's socks: This sock once belonged toHarry Potter and was inadvertently given to Dobby byLucius Malfoy (his master). Harry tricked Lucius by presenting him withTom Riddle's diary, having shoved the diary inside his sock.^[14] When Lucius took the diary out of the sock, he threw the small and dirty piece of clothing away and Dobby caught it, rendering him free.^[5] Dobby kept this sock on until theday he died.^[2]
• An old pair ofmustard yellow socks from Harry Potter during Christmas 1994.^[28]
• A pair of violet socks from Ron Weasley during Christmas 1994.^[28]
• Ajumper from Ron Weasley during Christmas 1994.^[28]
• Some socks fromGladrags Wizardwear during afterTriwizard Tournament's second task.^[29]
• Many scarves, socks, and hats made by Hermione Granger.^[10]

Relationships[]

Harry Potter[]

Dobby and Harry Potter had a very strong relationship. Dobby loved and respected him very much to the point where he considered Harry to be his best friend. When Harry first met Dobby, he was a bit confused by the elf's devotion to keeping him safe from harm. Harry was furious when he found out Dobby was intercepting all of his friends' letters to him, and demanded them back while refusing to promise him to stay out of Hogwarts.^[3] Throughout the year, when Dobby made attempts to drive Harry away fromHogwarts, causing some rather unpleasant results on the way, Harry made some threats that were never followed through.^[8]

Near the end of the1992–1993 school year, Harry freed Dobby from the slavery of theMalfoy family. Lucius became angry and intended to attack Harry but Dobby protected him by using a defensive spell. Dobby may have realised that he underestimated Harry Potter, when Harry managed to stop Lucius's plot and survive theChamber of Secrets.^[5]

Dobby was appointed to work at the kitchen of Hogwarts Castle in the paid service of HeadmasterAlbus Dumbledore, though even as a free elf, his loyalty always laid foremost with Harry. When Harry visited the kitchens and therefore Dobby, Dobby hugged him so tightly that Harry felt as though his ribs might crack. Dobby also asked if it would be alright if he visited Harry from time-to-time, with Harry responding with an of course.^[7] Dobby visited Harry on Christmas day and presented him with a present, socks and when Harry tried them on Dobby's eyes misted with tears.^[28] In 1994, Dobby also provided Harry with Gillyweed for the second task of the Triwizard Tournament.^[9]

In1995, Dobby told Harry about theRoom of Requirement and how to get inside. It is a secret room inside Hogwarts castle and cannot be seen even on theMarauder's Map. Harry and his friends used the room inDumbledore's Army's meetings and practises.^[10] WhenMarietta Edgecombe betrayed Dumbledore's Army to ProfessorUmbridge, Dobby immediately warned Harry that theInquisitorial Squad was going to attack, even though the house-elves had been forbidden to tell anyone, as he was far more loyal to Harry Potter than to Umbridge or Hogwarts in general. When he heard, Harry ordered Dobby not to punish himself for disobeying a direct order from Umbridge.^[11]

In1996, Dobby had a fight with another house-elf,Kreacher after Kreacher insulted Harry.^[12] In1998, when Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna,Dean Thomas, MrGarrick Ollivander and the goblinGriphook were captured and taken hostage at theMalfoy Manor, DobbyApparated there to rescue them. As they attempted to Disapparate toShell Cottage,Bellatrix Lestrange threw her silver dagger, mortally wounding Dobby in the chest.^[2] Arriving atShell Cottage, the house of the newly-wedBill Weasley andFleur Delacour, Harry discovered Dobby's wound and cried out for help as Dobby died in Harry's arms, leaving Harry devastated. He dug a grave without using magic and held a smallfuneral for Dobby in the garden ofShell Cottage. Dobby's epitaph read "HERE LIES DOBBY, A FREE ELF".^[22]

Malfoy family[]

Dobby was thehouse-elf of the Malfoy family.^[5]Lucius,Narcissa, andDraco Malfoy treated Dobby cruelly and were very sadistic to him.^[3] He frequently had to punish himself and received death threats several times a day.^[8] Dobby feared them, but did everything they ordered him to. In1993,Harry Potter freed Dobby by tricking Lucius into unknowingly giving Dobby a sock. Lucius became angry and attempted to attack Harry, but Dobby blasted him down a flight of stairs and forcefully told him to leave, with Dobby finally getting revenge on his former cruel master.^[5]

The last time Lucius and his family saw Dobby was in1998, when Dobby came toMalfoy Manor to rescue Harry Potter and his friends. Dobby was eventually killed byBellatrix Lestrange.^[2] It is unknown how the Malfoys reacted when they learned of it.

Ron Weasley[]

Dobby first met Ron Weasley in1994 in the Hogwarts kitchens, where Dobby worked. When Dobby talked with Harry and Ron about his life as a free elf, Ron started to like Dobby, and offered him a maroon sweaterhis mother had made, making the house-elf excited.^[7] When Ron was used as a "hostage" for theTriwizard Tournament, Dobby who had learned of theSecond Task fromthe fake Mad-Eye Moody, became fearful of Harry losing his "Wheezy" (Dobby's name for Ron) to themerpeople and was manipulated by the fake Moody into stealingGillyweed for Harry.^[9][21]

Ron and Dobby met again three years later, in1997, when both Harry and Ron were at the hospital wing; Harry wanted Dobby to spy onDraco Malfoy because he believed he was aDeath Eater. However, Ron didn't agree with this.^[12] In1998, Harry, Ron,Hermione Granger and others were imprisoned at Malfoy Manor and Dobby came for their rescue. However, he was killed during the battle byBellatrix Lestrange.^[2] Ron then respected Dobby very much and thanked him for saving his life. He also gave Dobby his shoes and socks to be buried in.^[22]

His death seemed to finally drive home to Ron the sorry life that house-elves lived, as during theBattle of Hogwarts, Ron voiced the opinion that they should evacuate the house-elves, or else risk another death like Dobby's. Dobby, as an inadvertent result, thus helped Ron and Hermione begin their relationship. Overcome by his thoughtfulness towards elves, Hermione kissed Ron for the first time.^[30]

Hermione Granger[]

Hermione Granger also met Dobby for the first time at the Hogwarts kitchens, where the latter worked. Hermione appeared to like Dobby, because he loved his freedom and because he wanted to make the other house-elves want freedom too.^[7] During her fifth year at Hogwarts, Hermione spent most of her time making clothes and hiding them in many places of theGryffindor Common Tower. However, the house-elves stopped cleaning those places once they found the first of the clothes, as they didn't want to take them. Thus, Dobby cleaned Gryffindor Tower by himself, taking and wearing all of Hermione's knitted clothes.^[10]

Dobby and Hermione didn't meet again until1997, when Harry had sent Dobby to spy on Draco Malfoy. When Dobby came to the Malfoy Manor to rescue them, Hermione was being tortured byBellatrix Lestrange. Dobby then brought them toShell Cottage but was killed by Bellatrix by her throwing a knife and stabbing Dobby during the Apparition.^[2]

Winky[]

Dobby was first seen with Winky, a femalehouse-elf, in1994. Earlier that same year, Harry had mistaken Winky for Dobby at the Quidditch World Cup. Winky excitedly told Harry that she knew Dobby, too; they evidently were friends previous to1994 even though their relationship was only first displayed that year. It is likely that they met in the company of their masters, as Winky's masterBarty Crouch was a high-ranking ministry official and Dobby's former masters theMalfoy family were well-connected and influential socialites.^[19]

Unlike Dobby, who loved his freedom, Winky was depressed and thought she was useless. When Dobby expressed his opinion that his life as a free elf was better than as a servant, he made her believe that he was a "bad house-elf". So, Dobby tried in vain to convince her that she could live without serving theCrouch family by finding them both jobs at Hogwarts.^[7] It is known that Winky eventually managed to get over the fact that she was fired, although Dobby had died by then. He was remembered by her as a good friend whom she missed over a decade later, even though Winky still considered him a bad elf due to his beliefs on freedom.^[25]

Kreacher[]

Dobby presumably met Kreacher, anotherhouse-elf, in late 1996 when Harry sent Kreacher to work in the kitchens of Hogwarts, and they did not have a good relationship. Firstly, Kreacher strongly disliked Harry because he was a friend of many Muggle-borns and “blood-traitors" and because Harry initially wasn't very nice to Kreacher. Dobby loved and respected Harry very much for a variety of reasons; these differing viewpoints on Dobby's hero/best friend was mostly the reason why the two house-elves often fought with each other.^[12]

In1996, they fought in the hospital wing because Kreacher had badmouthed Harry. Harry attempted to make them stop, but thenPeeves appeared and encouraged them to hit each other. During the scuffle, Dobby managed to hit Kreacher in the mouth hard enough to knock out half his teeth – it is unknown how Kreacher grew them back or if he ever did. Furthermore, Harry told both Dobby and Kreacher to go and spy onDraco Malfoy; even then, they argued: When they reappeared to give a report, Dobby was angry that Kreacher hadn't informed him that he was going to Harry. Dobby didn't want it to seem like he hadn't been helping, as Kreacher was trying to make it out.^[31]

However, Kreacher later started to respect Harry and be less prejudiced in general. It is possible that, since Kreacher had contact with the Hogwarts kitchen house-elves, he had contact with Dobby, too, and their common ground caused a release of the bad blood, but it is unknown. Dobby might not have learned about Kreacher's change before he was killed in1998. Kreacher looked like Dobby in appearance, but was angry and antagonistic in character.

Hogwarts kitchens house-elves[]

Dobby started his work at the Hogwarts Kitchens in1994, a year after he was freed byHarry Potter. He loved his life as a free elf, something that the other house-elves who worked at the kitchens did not. They believed Dobby was mad and there was a great difference between their ideology and Dobby's, about a house-elf's life.^[7] Thus, he didn't have such a good relationship with his co-workers, as they believed that a house-elf should not have any personal life when they had to work and serve their masters.^[7][10]

However, their opinion about Dobby might have changed during their later years at Hogwarts. During theBattle of Hogwarts all the house-elves, with Kreacher as a leader, fought against theDeath Eaters, without anyone ordering them to do so.^[24] This indicates that they learned a house-elf can have a personal opinion, and that they should have as many rights as the humans. Unfortunately, Dobby had died by then.

Albus Dumbledore[]

Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster ofHogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was considered by many people (including Dobby) as the greatest wizard of all time. Dobby always admired Dumbledore, because he was kind to everyone, even to thehouse-elves, as well as how he opposedLord Voldemort and was against things such as forced labour, cruelty and making someone do something against their will, which Dobby had suffered from all his time working for the Malfoys.^[7] Dumbledore met Dobby in1993, when he was still the servant of theMalfoy family.^[5] In1994, Dobby asked Dumbledore for a job at the Hogwarts kitchens and the headmaster gave him the job, offering a much higher salary than Dobby expected and gaining the house-elf's respect, but Dobby refused and requested a much lower wage and much less time off, as he still bore some nature of a house-elf, such as valuing work, finding the idea of so much money and free time either repulsive or frightening.

He also permitted Dobby to call him as he wanted (such as "a barmy old codger"). Dobby was very fond of Dumbledore and knew he would never insult him, but he was awed by Dumbledore's gift of freedom of speech.^[7] When Dumbledore died in1997, it is unknown how Dobby reacted, or whether he attended his funeral, but he was likely very upset by his death and would remember him as the best and kindest "master", for lack of a better term (really more as a boss/supervisor than master, but House Elves referred to those as masters) he had and would ever have.

Aberforth Dumbledore[]

Over the course of his employment at Hogwarts, Dobby became close friends withAberforth Dumbledore, and spent much time at Aberforth's home inHogsmeade, getting to and from the school through a secret tunnel. As Aberforth was an old and grumpy person, he didn't have a good relationship with many people. Despite this, however, Dobby offered him friendship and someone to talk too.

In1998,Harry Potter and his friends were captured bySnatchers and imprisoned at theMalfoy Manor cellar. Harry asked for help while looking at a two-way mirror; Aberforth had the other mirror, and sent Dobby to rescue them; the house-elf did so, stating that "he would always be there for Harry Potter", but was killed byBellatrix Lestrange. After learning of this, Aberforth told Harry, Ron and Hermione that he was really sorry, stating that he had liked Dobby.^[13]

Luna Lovegood[]

In1998, Dobby savedLuna Lovegood, along withGarrick Ollivander andGriphook, fromMalfoy Manor.^[2] She attended his funeral later atShell Cottage, where she expressed much gratitude for him saving her life.^[22]

Etymology[]

According to theOxford English Dictionary, a "dobby" is an old English word for a benevolent elf that would perform household tasks secretly in the night, like the elves in tales of the elves and the shoemaker. However, just as those elves disappeared when the shoemaker made them shoes, so the dobbies were said to disappear when offered clothing. Also called a Brownie. A dobby is also a small mechanical part in a loom that enables the weaver to create small geometric patterns.

Behind the scenes[]

• Dobby appears in thefilm adaptation ofHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets andHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1,^[32] being voiced byToby Jones in both films.^[33][34]
• Dobby's favourite article of clothing appears to be socks. This may be because Dobby was freed when Harry tricked Lucius Malfoy into giving Dobby a sock.
• The magic Dobby used to fend offLucius Malfoy to protect Harry resembles theKnockback Jinx.
• InHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, it appears that instead of a rock to mark Dobby's grave, there is a more conventionally-shaped tombstone.
• InHarry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, the player (asJacob's sibling) can have meals with Dobby in theGreat Hall any time they want, but this would be impossible in canon, since Dobby was not aHogwarts employee during the1980s.
• InLEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4, Dobby throws Harry's school books in the bin, because he thinks this will prevent Harry from returning toHogwarts.
• In thefilm adaptation ofHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Dobby's eyes are bright green. However, inHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Dobby's eyes appear to be darker blue-green.
• InHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Dobby is still wearing his pillow case instead of the clothes he wears in the books but he is also wearing shoes.
• InHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Dobby speaks in first person, even though he and Kreacher had always spoken in the third person.
• InHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, during theSkirmish at Malfoy Manor, Dobby snaps his fingers and disarmsNarcissa Malfoy.
• Dobby's death and burial scenes inHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 were filmed onFreshwater West beach, Pembrokeshire,Wales.
  • Many fans have visited the beach to lay painted rocks, several crosses, and socks in Dobby’s memorial. However, as the memorabilia has had a negative effect on the environment, the beach asks that visitors just interact with the site by taking photos.^[35]
• In the second book, Harry asks Dobby to promise to not save his life again, but 5 books later Dobby does because he is the last hope of getting out of Malfoy Manor. He loses his life by doing so because of Bellatrix Lestrange throwing a knife into his chest. According to Harry, Dobby also saved his life with the Gillyweed.
• The first and last thing Dobby ever said to Harry was, "Harry Potter." In the film they expanded this line, but still making "Harry Potter" the last words said.
• Dobby appears in five of the books but only appeared in two of the films.
• InHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Dobby appears with Kreacher when he is bringingMundungus Fletcher to the trio, something he doesn't do in the book.
• In the thefilm adaptation ofHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Dobby is wrinkled and is barefoot, andHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, he looks smooth and wears brown shoes on his feet (instead of the bunches of mismatched clothing he is described to wear in the novels).
• Series authorJ. K. Rowling owned a model of Dobby as he appears in theHarry Potter films. She gifted it to the Marcliffe at Pitfodels inOctober of2013, along with a personalised letter, as a thank-you present for the service they had provided her during the several months she stayed in the hotel while her father was undergoing treatment at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.^[36]
• OnPottermore, there was a feature: "5 friendship lessons we learned from Dobby".
• Series authorJ. K. Rowling has hinted that she picked Dobby's birthday date to match with her sister's, Dianne Rowling, who is fond of the character.^[37]
• Dobby is possibly one of the few characters known to be killed with a non-magical item, as theknifeBellatrix Lestrange threw at him was not known to have any magical properties.
• In the TV seriesBlindspot, recurring antagonist Rich Dotcom pretends that his lover has recently died when trying to convince the protagonists in the FBI to save him from an assassin, but his lie is seen through as the death scene Dotcom described was copied from Dobby's demise, prompting his lover to express disbelief at Rich's choice of lie when the FBI reveal how they uncovered the truth.
• In thefilm adaptation ofHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the way Harry tricks Lucius into freeing Dobby is slightly different. Unlike how Harry stored the diary in the sock, which Lucius threw to Dobby after removing the diary, Harry instead stores the sock inside the diary. Lucius then gives the diary to Dobby, who opens it on Harry's command, revealing the sock.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin was claimed to be the model for Dobby in the films.^[38]
• In the2022 filmChip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers', Dobby is seen on a poster, having become a model for Gucci after theHarry Potter films wrapped up.^{[citation needed]}

Appearances[]

The Harry Potter Wiki has 225 images related toDobby.

• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets(First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)(Not in home console version)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban(Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)(Possible appearance)
• 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: Part 1
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2(Mentioned only)
• Pottermore
• HarryPotter.com
• Harry Potter: The Creature Vault
• Harry Potter Trading Card Game
• LEGO Harry Potter
• LEGO Harry Potter: Building the Magical World
• LEGO Harry Potter: Characters of the Magical World
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
• LEGO Dimensions
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
• Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells
• Harry Potter: Magic Awakened
• The Harry Potter Wizarding Almanac

Notes and references[]

Hogwartsfaculty
Founders	Godric Gryffindor ·Helga Hufflepuff ·Rowena Ravenclaw ·Salazar Slytherin
Headteachers	Giffard Abbott ·Walter Aragon ·Phineas Nigellus Black ·Elizabeth Burke ·Antonia Creaseworthy ·Dilys Derwent ·Armando Dippet ·Albus Dumbledore ·Mordicus Egg ·Everard ·First Headmaster ·Niamh Fitzgerald ·Dexter Fortescue ·Basil Fronsac ·Brian Gagwilde ·Limebert ·Minerva McGonagall ·Eupraxia Mole ·Edessa Sakndenberg ·Brutus Scrimgeour ·Phyllida Spore ·Severus Snape ·Amrose Swott ·Quentin Trimble ·Dolores Umbridge ·Fytherley Undercliffe ·Vindictus Viridian ·Vulpus ·Heliotrope Wilkins ·Gimlet-eyed Headmistress ·Headmaster (1568) ·Headteacher (1792) ·Unidentified Headteachers
Deputy Heads	Alecto Carrow ·Amycus Carrow ·Minerva McGonagall ·Matilda Weasley
Heads of House	Muldoon Cragg ·Filius Flitwick ·Godric Gryffindor ·Gryffindor lady ·Gryffindor man (II) ·Gryffindor man (III) ·Gryffindor man (IV) ·Gryffindor Seeker ·Helga Hufflepuff ·Neville Longbottom ·Minerva McGonagall ·Valeria Myriadd ·Uric Oapley ·Podric Piles ·Pink-faced Headmaster ·Prendergast ·Proudfoot ·Rowena Ravenclaw ·Abraham Ronen ·Horace Slughorn ·Salazar Slytherin ·Severus Snape ·Pomona Sprout ·Tobias Stump
Teaching staff	Bartholomew ·Bathsheda Babbling ·San Bakar ·Herbert Beery ·Cuthbert Binns ·Bexelinda Bornswallow ·Kate Brindlemore ·Charity Burbage ·Herodiana Byrne ·Camelia ·Alecto Carrow ·Amycus Carrow ·Bartemius Crouch Junior (disguised asAlastor Moody) ·Clodagh Dromgoole ·Albus Dumbledore ·Archibald Eagleton ·Eleazar Fig ·Firenze ·Filius Flitwick ·Fortinbras ·Mirabel Garlick ·Mirabel Garlick's predecessor ·Jakub Gorski ·Olivia Green ·Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank ·Rubeus Hagrid ·Dinah Hecat ·Rolanda Hooch ·Bai Howin ·Arsenius Jigger ·Igor Karkaroff's Yule Ball partner ·Silvanus Kettleburn ·Chiyo Kogawa ·Leah Lee ·Gilderoy Lockhart ·Neville Longbottom ·Remus Lupin ·Elspeth MacGillony ·Mazoni ·Minerva McGonagall ·Galatea Merrythought ·Isidora Morganach ·Mudiwa Onai ·Prendergast ·Quirinus Quirrell ·Percival Rackham ·Patricia Rakepick ·Abraham Ronen ·Charles Rookwood ·Concordia Rowle ·Luna Scamander ·Satyavati Shah ·Aesop Sharp ·Arif Sikander ·Aurora Sinistra ·Horace Slughorn ·Severus Snape ·Pomona Sprout ·Swoopstikes ·Sybill Trelawney ·Trocar ·Dolores Umbridge ·Septima Vector ·Matilda Weasley ·Matilda Weasley's predecessor ·Unidentified professor ·Charms professor (medieval) ·Potions professor (16th century) ·Holidaying professor (before 1890s) ·Unidentified Potions teacher ·DADA professor (1984–1985) ·DADA professor (1985–1986) ·DADA professor (1986–1987) ·DADA professor (1987–1988) ·DADA professor (1989–1990) ·DADA professor (1990–1991) ·Muggle Studies professor (1990s) ·Music professor ·DADA professor (1998–?) ·Potions professor (21st century) ·Charms professor (?th century) ·Herbology professor (?th century)
Hogwarts house-elves	Bilm ·Boil-ridden house-elf ·Cooky ·Cosa ·Deek ·Dobby ·Feenky ·Filk ·Gimkey ·Gosby ·Krafty ·Kreacher ·Nonsuch ·Pitts ·Retch ·Ringkull ·Rooky ·Vekey ·Wigby ·Winkle ·Winky ·Wooby ·Wugby ·Unidentified house-elf (I) ·Unidentified house-elf (II)
Support staff	Phineas Nigellus Black's secretaries ·Noreen Blainey ·Rancorous Carpe ·Argus Filch ·Harry Fricker ·Rubeus Hagrid ·Rolanda Hooch ·Hankerton Humble ·Gladwin Moon ·Ogg ·Irma Pince ·Poppy Pomfrey ·Apollyon Pringle ·Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus ·Agnes Scribner ·Wainscott ·Carriage driver (1890s) ·Gamekeeper (1890s) ·Unidentified Healers ·Librarian (?th century) ·Librarian (21st century)

Order of the Phoenix
Founder: Albus Dumbledore
Leaders: Albus Dumbledore ·Alastor Moody ·Kingsley Shacklebolt
Original Order of of the Phoenix: Aberforth Dumbledore ·Alastor Moody ·Alice Longbottom ·Arabella Figg ·Benjy Fenwick ·Caradoc Dearborn ·Dedalus Diggle ·Dorcas Meadowes ·Edgar Bones ·Elphias Doge ·Emmeline Vance ·Fabian Prewett ·Frank Longbottom ·Gideon Prewett ·James Potter ·Lily Potter ·Marlene McKinnon ·Mundungus Fletcher ·Peter Pettigrew (defected) ·Remus Lupin ·Rubeus Hagrid ·Severus Snape ·Sirius Black ·Sturgis Podmore
Reconstituted Order of the Phoenix: Aberforth Dumbledore ·Alastor Moody ·Arabella Figg ·Arthur Weasley ·Bill Weasley ·Charles Weasley ·Dedalus Diggle ·Elphias Doge ·Emmeline Vance ·Fleur Delacour ·Fred Weasley ·George Weasley ·Harry Potter ·Hermione Granger ·Hestia Jones ·Kingsley Shacklebolt ·Minerva McGonagall ·Molly Weasley ·Mundungus Fletcher ·Nymphadora Tonks ·Remus Lupin ·Ronald Weasley ·Rubeus Hagrid ·Severus Snape ·Sirius Black ·Sturgis Podmore
Order of the Phoenix allies: Andromeda Tonks ·Augusta Longbottom ·Buckbeak ·Dobby ·Fallen Fifty ·Fawkes ·Filius Flitwick ·Firenze ·Garrick Ollivander ·Ginevra Weasley ·Grawp ·Helena Ravenclaw ·Horace Slughorn ·Karkus ·Kreacher ·Lee Jordan ·Luna Lovegood ·McKinnon family ·Mr Westenberg ·Mrs Westenberg ·Muriel ·Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington ·Neville Longbottom ·Oliver Wood ·Olympe Maxime ·Rita Skeeter ·Patrick Delaney-Podmore ·Peeves ·Percy Weasley ·Pomona Sprout ·Poppy Pomfrey ·Sybill Trelawney ·Ted Tonks ·Westenberg family ·Winky ·Xenophilius Lovegood
Other affiliations: Dumbledore's Army ·Forbidden Forest Centaur colony ·Headless Hunt ·Hogwarts Hippogriff herd ·Hogwarts house-elves ·Hogwartsghosts ·Hogwartsstaff ·Hogwarts students ·Hogwarts Thestral herd ·British Ministry of Magic ·Giant colony(UnderKarkus's control)