The Daily Prophet
Menu
In Memory of Dobby, A Free Elf
[Transcribed May 2, 2008]
On this day, we remember the ones who fell during the Second Wizarding War. Yet, I do not wish to speak as the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, but as an ordinary wizard who has lost a friend. For the longest time I couldn’t find the right words. For the longest time, I felt as though I had failed him. But today, I wish to tell his story because he deserved nothing less.
If you asked me to describe Dobby, I’d tell you that words don’t do him justice. He had always been there for Ron, Hermione, and I; and he always seemed to show up whenever we needed help the most. Not many of you know this, but in the months preceding the Battle of Hogwarts, we were overpowered and captured by a group of Death Eaters. We only escaped thanks to his help... at the cost of his life.
But I don’t want to remember the way Dobby died, because he was so much more than a sacrifice of life. Today, I want to remember my dear friend Dobby, who will always remain a free elf.
Now, some of you might be wondering how this unlikely friendship came to be. It’s actually a rather funny story.
When I first met Dobby, I thought he was a pain in the arse.
[Laughter]
You can laugh, but it’s true. When I first met Dobby, I was just about to begin my second year at Hogwarts. He showed up at my house - you must note, I lived with Muggles at the time - and warned me not to return to Hogwarts. Of course I refused, and long story short, he dumped pudding on our houseguests.
[Laughter]
There were two more incidents after this, but I digress, looking back, he was only looking out for me. He knew of the upcoming danger and in his own clumsy way, he tried to protect me. We were strangers at the time too. He really didn’t have to go so far, but he went out of his way to help a total stranger. That is the type of person Dobby was. He was always kind, always loyal. He never had a selfish bone in his body.
It was Dobby’s dream to be free. The other house elves never shared in his sentiment, but he never stopped dreaming regardless. His initial employers were... not the kindest of masters. After he was freed from them, he sought for a job where his efforts would be rewarded in pay. It wasn’t that he wanted money really, he just wanted to be recognized for his work.
His search eventually led him to Hogwarts, where we saw him all the time. He became the only elf who would clean the Gryffindor common room, because Hermione kept hiding clothes everywhere, trying to set the other elves free. I still remember the way he called Ron “Wheezy.” I still remember his constant care and support. And I still remember the genuine joy in his eyes whenever he greeted us.
I am... humbled to have known Dobby.
At the end of our second year, I distinctly remember asking him never to try to save my life again... He didn’t keep that promise. I will always remember what he said when he came to rescue us, ten years ago. He said, “Dobby has come to save Harry Potter, of course. Dobby will always be there for Harry Potter.”
[Silence]
In exchange for a single sock, I obtained one of the greatest friends I’ve ever had.
[Silence]
It was Dobby’s dream to be free. Ten years have passed since the day he left us, but I think something special will always remain. In many ways, Dobby isn’t really gone. His loyalty, his sacrifice, his dream - they still live on.
Dobby will live on through us - through our actions as we walk towards the future. Right now, we’re still a long way from realizing his dream, but with new Ministry reforms, we’re getting there. As for now, I’d like to believe he’s in a place where he will always be free... Just as I remember him: mismatched socks, balancing a tower of hats, and sporting the biggest grin on his face.
Forever in our memories, Dobby, the free elf.
- Harry Potter
On this day, we remember the ones who fell during the Second Wizarding War. Yet, I do not wish to speak as the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, but as an ordinary wizard who has lost a friend. For the longest time I couldn’t find the right words. For the longest time, I felt as though I had failed him. But today, I wish to tell his story because he deserved nothing less.
If you asked me to describe Dobby, I’d tell you that words don’t do him justice. He had always been there for Ron, Hermione, and I; and he always seemed to show up whenever we needed help the most. Not many of you know this, but in the months preceding the Battle of Hogwarts, we were overpowered and captured by a group of Death Eaters. We only escaped thanks to his help... at the cost of his life.
But I don’t want to remember the way Dobby died, because he was so much more than a sacrifice of life. Today, I want to remember my dear friend Dobby, who will always remain a free elf.
Now, some of you might be wondering how this unlikely friendship came to be. It’s actually a rather funny story.
When I first met Dobby, I thought he was a pain in the arse.
[Laughter]
You can laugh, but it’s true. When I first met Dobby, I was just about to begin my second year at Hogwarts. He showed up at my house - you must note, I lived with Muggles at the time - and warned me not to return to Hogwarts. Of course I refused, and long story short, he dumped pudding on our houseguests.
[Laughter]
There were two more incidents after this, but I digress, looking back, he was only looking out for me. He knew of the upcoming danger and in his own clumsy way, he tried to protect me. We were strangers at the time too. He really didn’t have to go so far, but he went out of his way to help a total stranger. That is the type of person Dobby was. He was always kind, always loyal. He never had a selfish bone in his body.
It was Dobby’s dream to be free. The other house elves never shared in his sentiment, but he never stopped dreaming regardless. His initial employers were... not the kindest of masters. After he was freed from them, he sought for a job where his efforts would be rewarded in pay. It wasn’t that he wanted money really, he just wanted to be recognized for his work.
His search eventually led him to Hogwarts, where we saw him all the time. He became the only elf who would clean the Gryffindor common room, because Hermione kept hiding clothes everywhere, trying to set the other elves free. I still remember the way he called Ron “Wheezy.” I still remember his constant care and support. And I still remember the genuine joy in his eyes whenever he greeted us.
I am... humbled to have known Dobby.
At the end of our second year, I distinctly remember asking him never to try to save my life again... He didn’t keep that promise. I will always remember what he said when he came to rescue us, ten years ago. He said, “Dobby has come to save Harry Potter, of course. Dobby will always be there for Harry Potter.”
[Silence]
In exchange for a single sock, I obtained one of the greatest friends I’ve ever had.
[Silence]
It was Dobby’s dream to be free. Ten years have passed since the day he left us, but I think something special will always remain. In many ways, Dobby isn’t really gone. His loyalty, his sacrifice, his dream - they still live on.
Dobby will live on through us - through our actions as we walk towards the future. Right now, we’re still a long way from realizing his dream, but with new Ministry reforms, we’re getting there. As for now, I’d like to believe he’s in a place where he will always be free... Just as I remember him: mismatched socks, balancing a tower of hats, and sporting the biggest grin on his face.
Forever in our memories, Dobby, the free elf.
- Harry Potter