This is more a shortfic idea than anything, but it made me laugh - what if the reason house elves bind themselves to wizards is that they feed on the ability to think logically? Look at who keeps them, and who has the most trouble with thinking things through - the old families, the headmaster and staff, and increasingly as years progress students at Hogwarts... Dobby was probably so bad off while still bound as the Malfoys are the sort to show off by having a large staff despite being just the three of
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"Anko, what you do in your free time is your own choice. Use it wisely. And if you do not use it wisely, make sure you thoroughly enjoy whatever unwise thing you are doing." - HymnOfRagnorok as Orochimaru at SpaceBattles
woot Med. Eng., verb, 1st & 3rd pers. prsnt. sg. know, knows
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"Anko, what you do in your free time is your own choice. Use it wisely. And if you do not use it wisely, make sure you thoroughly enjoy whatever unwise thing you are doing." - HymnOfRagnorok as Orochimaru at SpaceBattles
woot Med. Eng., verb, 1st & 3rd pers. prsnt. sg. know, knows