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What is a House-Elf?
It is an ancient rule that House-Elves, once born or bought into a family are bound to serve that house forever. They are unpaid, without holidays, sick leave, or pensions. The majority of House-Elves (with the exception of the hundreds of Elves working in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry) are not allowed to speak ill, or even speak of, their families.
"'Tis part of the house-elf's enslavement." Dobby explains. "We keeps their secrets and our silence, sir, we upholds the family honour, and we never speaks ill of them."
House-Elves, like other Magical Folk, have their own form of magic, but law states that they are not allowed to hold or use a wand. Brainwashed over the centuries to find happiness in work, House-Elves have one chance at freedom from their slavery - however, due to their lack of education, they see this as a bad thing.
"Winky is a disgraced elf, but Winky is not yet getting paid!" A freed elf, Winky, exclaims. "Winky is not sunk so low as that! Winky is properly ashamed of being freed!"
A House Elf may only be free when their masters present them with clothes. For this reason, many house elves clothe themselves in rags, such as (shown on Dobby, above) pillowcases, or, as on the Hogwarts elves, dish towels.
This evidence, combined together, is what makes the work of S.P.E.W. so important. | |||||||
The origin of the House Elf (Dwellingus Pixius) is unknown to Wizarding Folk of today. However, this does not stop them from abusing them. House Elves, small (about the size of a 5-year-old human child), skinny, bat-eared and big-eyed creatures, are generally seen as inferiors to those they serve.