Dobby (Harry Potter)

Dobby is a house-elf, who, unlike most other house-elves, wanted to be freed. Dobby was the abused and tormented slave of the Malfoys before the events of Chamber of Secrets. In his first appearance in the series in Chamber of Secrets, Dobby knew of Lucius Malfoy's plans to re-open the Chamber of Secrets using Tom Riddle's school diary for months before it happened. Dobby appears in the Dursley family's house at Privet Drive and attempts to discourage Harry from returning to Hogwarts. When Dobby's attempts fail to persuade Harry, he smashes a pudding in the Dursleys' kitchen. Being caught in the kitchen with the wreckage, and receiving a warning letter for illegal use of magic, Harry is locked up by the Dursleys, who insist that he will not return to Hogwarts, but Ron, Fred and George Weasley are able to rescue Harry in their father's flying Ford Anglia. Dobby later tries to keep Harry away from Hogwarts by magically sealing off the hidden entrance to Platform 9¾, but Harry and Ron foil that plot by piloting the flying car back to school. During a Quidditch match of Gryffindor vs Slytherin, Dobby enchants a Bludger to chase after only Harry, hoping to injure him enough to be sent home; it manages to break his arm. When Harry – having just returned from the Chamber of Secrets – discovers that Dobby's master is Lucius, Harry tricks Malfoy into setting Dobby free – a feat that secures him the house-elf's undying loyalty. Harry frees Dobby by placing a slimy sock in Riddle's diary which he tosses to Lucius Malfoy. Lucius tosses the diary to Dobby who finds the sock, freeing Dobby (when house elves are given an article of clothing from the family they serve, they're freed).When, in a fit of rage, Lucius tries to attack Harry for setting Dobby free, Dobby protects Harry from the spell. Dobby returns in Goblet of Fire. He has been demanding payment for his services, which makes it difficult for him to find any employment at all. He later obtains a post at Hogwarts, and is the only paid house-elf on the staff. In this book, Dobby gives Harry the Gillyweed he needs to survive the Second Triwizard Task. Dobby is also the only house-elf who cleans Gryffindor Tower since Hermione begins trying to set the house-elves free by leaving clothes she has knitted in the Gryffindor common room and the house-elves find these clothes insulting. Dobby appears a third time in Order of the Phoenix, showing Harry the hidden Room of Requirement, which Harry uses for his Dumbledore's Army meetings. When Umbridge finds out about the meetings later, Dobby enters the room to warn the group to leave. In Half-Blood Prince Harry entrusts Dobby to help watch Kreacher when he orders him to work in the Hogwarts kitchens with the other house-elves. When Harry needs somebody to follow Draco Malfoy, he is helped by Dobby and Kreacher. When they report back, Kreacher tells Harry only mundane things, such as Malfoy's class schedule, while Dobby cuts to the chase and tells Harry about Malfoy's visits to the Room of Requirement. Dobby makes his last appearance in Deathly Hallows when Aberforth Dumbledore sends Dobby to rescue Harry, Ron, and Hermione from the cellar of Malfoy Manor (despite the promise he made to Harry in Chamber of Secrets never to try to save Harry's life again). Dobby helps Harry and Ron escape their prison and gets Luna Lovegood, Dean Thomas, and Mr Ollivander out of the manor, then helps Harry and Ron free Hermione and Griphook from torture at the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange. While he succeeds in his task, Bellatrix throws a silver knife at Harry, but the knife hits Dobby instead, and he dies before he can be healed. Harry physically digs a grave for Dobby without using magic, and writes upon a stone: "Here Lies Dobby, A Free Elf". Dobby's last words to Harry were "Harry Potter", the same as his first words to him when he meets him in Privet Drive in Chamber of Secrets. Dobby's name is derived from a creature in English folklore. This creature performs household chores and is kind to children,[15] as is the character in the series. Dobby was voiced by Toby Jones in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and is confirmed to return for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, to do his final appearance.[16] In the Comic Relief spoof, Harry Potter and the Secret Chamberpot of Azerbaijan, he is played by Basil Brush. (less)

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