One exception is Dobby, who was the house-elf of the Malfoy family he was so ill-treated there that he rebelled and eventually left their employ when Harry managed to engineer his receiving a sock from his master, Lucius Malfoy.

Most house-elves, however, do not want to be freed, and resist the suggestion most strongly. They must wear whatever castoffs they can scavenge, which results in many of them wearing things like discarded, damaged pillowcases and rags twisted into rude loincloths. House-elves can be freed giving a house-elf clothes frees it from its situation, which is why they are so ill-clothed. This suggests, first, that magic is involved, rather than simply tradition and second, that Kreacher is considered a part of the house, and thus property rather than an individual.

We cannot know whether there is a magical component to Kreacher's transference of allegiance, but Professor Dumbledore sees it as proof that ownership of Sirius' house has passed to Harry. Kreacher has no say in this, he very strongly resists becoming the slave of one he considers a Mudblood, but he must, all the same, obey Harry's orders. In fact, house-elves are considered chattel in the Wizarding world, and presumably could be sold while we never see this, we do note that at Sirius' death, Kreacher is apparently included as being part of the house and property which Harry inherits. Quite obviously, most house-elves are content with their status, and believe that their situation, caring for their owners in return for shelter and, presumably, food, is right and proper. Three house-elves play a significant role in the books: Dobby, Winky, and Kreacher a fourth one, Hokey, is mentioned (in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, where she serves Hepzibah Smith), but does not play a particularly significant role. In extraordinary circumstances, they can even disobey their masters, but afterwards they will punish themselves quite harshly for it.

House-elves are bound to listen to members of the family they belong to, but can choose to disobey anyone else. At Hogwarts there are hundreds of house-elves, preparing the food for the feasts, cleaning, and doing other chores. House-elves are essentially slaves – they will serve one family for a long part of their life, and they feel that this is right and proper, that this is what they were created to do. Beginner warning: Details follow which you may not wish to read at your current level.

House elf