I'll take Hagrid's word that the house-elves don't want to be free and that payment is an insult. I trust his knowledge in this area. Of course that does not mean that Hermione is altogether wrong -- there is a difference between serving willingly and being BOUND to serve. There should be a possibility of escape for those who do not want to. I assume the binding has developed because a wizard would want to know that his "servants" could not betray his secrets to other wizards, and so that would be a precondition for them being allowed to serve. That would explain why they entered into it (I don't expect they would have been forced into it originally, considering the power of their own magic).
I don't know if you should, actually. Hagrid's an expert on magical creatures, but then that makes him more inclined to look at things the way everybody's always looked at them. We are naturally inclined to take Hagrid's word on all matters related to magical creatures, but should we really? Of course, the house-elves themselves will make clear that they think the same way later on, excepting Dobby, so you could say that proves Hagrid right, but then it's not unheard of in human history either that oppressed classes are wary of attempts to change things, or even feel insulted.
No idea how the binding thing originated, I don't think we get enough information anywhere to really speculate about it...
I really like that Hufflepuff, which is so often portrayed as "the rest", the unremarkable and nice, have the Hogwarts Champion. It validates them as a house. They are always in the shadow, and suddenly they have produced the best of the year (or, part of two years, I suppose). I really like that.
Agreed. And it's rather mean on Rowling's part to sabotage that by having Harry butt in yet again.

I wonder how long it will take us to get the first nudgenudgewinkwink comments about the wand-weighing.
That's just you.

The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Book Four Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
16/08/2010 09:28:48 AM
- 4112 Views
Chapters 1-3: A different beginning
16/08/2010 09:30:26 AM
- 1838 Views
Early characters
16/08/2010 09:32:12 AM
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Re: Early characters
16/08/2010 11:02:23 AM
- 2203 Views
Early plotting.
16/08/2010 09:32:52 AM
- 1902 Views
Re: Early plotting.
16/08/2010 11:02:09 AM
- 2008 Views
It's the things behind the scenes setting up the big plan (spoilers for this and later books)
16/08/2010 11:38:14 AM
- 2004 Views
Re: It's the things behind the scenes setting up the big plan (spoilers for this and later books)
16/08/2010 11:47:16 AM
- 2005 Views
Re: It's the things behind the scenes setting up the big plan (spoilers for this and later books)
16/08/2010 12:16:16 PM
- 2233 Views
Re: It's the things behind the scenes setting up the big plan (spoilers for this and later books)
16/08/2010 12:36:30 PM
- 1901 Views
Re: Early plotting.
17/08/2010 01:15:43 AM
- 1874 Views
Any other comments/observations
16/08/2010 09:33:34 AM
- 1811 Views
Mob mentality and British euroscepticism.
16/08/2010 10:37:10 AM
- 2112 Views
people in groups and baffling violence. And the godawful recaps
16/08/2010 11:03:09 AM
- 1948 Views
Yeah, I agree about the recaps, they're pointless at this point. *NM*
16/08/2010 11:17:37 AM
- 1091 Views
Good news! HP really caught on after this book and so the last books don't have a recap! *NM*
16/08/2010 03:27:24 PM
- 1056 Views
Chapters 4-6 - The Weasleys
16/08/2010 09:33:57 AM
- 1893 Views
Characters - a few new ones
17/08/2010 08:22:33 AM
- 1924 Views
Re: Characters - a few new ones
17/08/2010 11:07:43 AM
- 1984 Views
Re: Characters - a few new ones
17/08/2010 12:18:30 PM
- 1958 Views
Re: Characters - a few new ones
17/08/2010 12:24:41 PM
- 1937 Views
Also on the topic of Amos' talk of Cedric and Harry... (spoilers for end of book)
17/08/2010 12:44:19 PM
- 2065 Views
Re: Also on the topic of Amos' talk of Cedric and Harry... (spoilers for end of book)
17/08/2010 12:47:29 PM
- 2025 Views
Oh, I can think of a few more things that will prove relevant. But that's for tomorrow.
*NM*
17/08/2010 12:51:50 PM
- 1060 Views

And arguably another one of those fun names with a hidden meaning...
17/08/2010 07:47:43 PM
- 1883 Views
Plotting - anything of note?
17/08/2010 08:23:53 AM
- 2091 Views
Re: Plotting - anything of note?
17/08/2010 11:10:22 AM
- 1965 Views
The Lovegoods? This is why reading in translation can be annoying...
17/08/2010 12:29:50 PM
- 2004 Views
Re: The Lovegoods? This is why reading in translation can be annoying...
17/08/2010 12:38:09 PM
- 1885 Views
I thought that might be it. Yeah, different names in the Dutch translation then. *NM*
17/08/2010 12:40:45 PM
- 1003 Views
Any other comments/observations.
17/08/2010 08:24:20 AM
- 1964 Views
Chapters 7-9 - The Quidditch World Cup and Death Eaters
16/08/2010 09:34:26 AM
- 1808 Views
Characters: Ministers, Mothers, other important people.
18/08/2010 12:44:16 AM
- 1907 Views
Plotting
18/08/2010 12:44:48 AM
- 1925 Views
Other stuff.
18/08/2010 12:45:13 AM
- 1872 Views
Krum Catching the Snitch
18/08/2010 02:28:58 AM
- 1987 Views
It makes a certain amount of sense, I think...
18/08/2010 01:23:46 PM
- 1889 Views
Clothes and other schools
18/08/2010 09:44:02 AM
- 1867 Views
There's a first mention of Beauxbatons in chapter nine.
18/08/2010 01:37:14 PM
- 1906 Views
Re: There's a first mention of Beauxbatons in chapter nine.
18/08/2010 01:45:58 PM
- 1844 Views
Chapters 10-12: Back to Hogwarts and the Tri-Wizard Tournament. *NM*
16/08/2010 09:34:48 AM
- 989 Views
Characters: introducing Rita Skeeter and Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody. *NM*
19/08/2010 11:21:29 AM
- 1027 Views
Re: Characters: introducing Rita Skeeter and Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody.
19/08/2010 05:23:11 PM
- 1906 Views
Any other comments, observations or revelations? *NM*
19/08/2010 11:23:48 AM
- 1015 Views
There was that Durmstrang reference I was waiting for.
19/08/2010 04:23:16 PM
- 2010 Views
Re: There was that Durmstrang reference I was waiting for.
19/08/2010 05:41:04 PM
- 1967 Views
Chapters 13-15: First lessons, and the arrival of the foreign guests *NM*
16/08/2010 09:35:09 AM
- 966 Views
Characters: The Trio, Neville, Moody, first impressions of Karkarov and Maxime *NM*
20/08/2010 11:49:04 AM
- 988 Views
Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 12:59:41 PM
- 1989 Views
Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:10:03 PM
- 2089 Views
Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:20:22 PM
- 2062 Views
Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:33:04 PM
- 1869 Views
Re: Hagrid, Rita, Moody, Neville, Harry, Hedwig, Cedric, McGonnagall, Hermione and Madamme Maxime
20/08/2010 02:36:50 PM
- 1845 Views
Plotting and writing. *NM*
20/08/2010 11:51:43 AM
- 998 Views
Plotplotplot (plot makes a funny noise if you say it like that).
20/08/2010 01:04:01 PM
- 1870 Views
Re: Plotplotplot (plot makes a funny noise if you say it like that).
20/08/2010 01:55:29 PM
- 2030 Views
Re: Plotplotplot (plot makes a funny noise if you say it like that).
20/08/2010 02:04:07 PM
- 2117 Views
Anything else to add? *NM*
20/08/2010 11:52:05 AM
- 890 Views
Yes. Five things, actually. Magic, Snape, idiocy, apparating while presumed guilty aaand evil films.
20/08/2010 01:05:06 PM
- 1861 Views
Trelawney, or how one can be a Seer and not even know it.
20/08/2010 01:46:09 PM
- 1909 Views
Chapters 16-18: The Tri-Wizard Tournament begins *NM*
16/08/2010 09:35:31 AM
- 1022 Views
Characters: The Champions, Hagrid, Karkarov, and of course Rita Skeeter in person *NM*
21/08/2010 01:10:53 PM
- 1008 Views
Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 01:50:12 PM
- 1902 Views
Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 04:24:02 PM
- 1890 Views
Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 04:40:39 PM
- 1864 Views
Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 05:06:43 PM
- 2146 Views
Re: Karkaroff, Moody, Fleur, Krum, Ron, Hermione, Snape and Rita
21/08/2010 05:10:53 PM
- 1892 Views
Oh, you're right, it is then. I thought you meant she said it to Harry.
21/08/2010 05:31:49 PM
- 2071 Views
Re: Oh, you're right, it is then. I thought you meant she said it to Harry.
21/08/2010 05:41:44 PM
- 1942 Views
The teeth comment was by far the best Snape one liner in the series.
23/08/2010 09:20:18 PM
- 1842 Views

Re: The teeth comment was by far the best Snape one liner in the series.
23/08/2010 09:22:26 PM
- 2033 Views

Definitely true
23/08/2010 10:02:46 PM
- 2095 Views
Re: Definitely true
24/08/2010 06:20:53 PM
- 2153 Views
Plotting and writing.
21/08/2010 01:12:24 PM
- 2177 Views
plotting both for the book alone and the series as a whole
21/08/2010 01:39:10 PM
- 1909 Views
Other comments, small details you noticed,...? *NM*
21/08/2010 01:12:53 PM
- 1004 Views
House-elves, Hufflepuff and minds in gutter.
21/08/2010 01:35:38 PM
- 2192 Views
Re: House-elves, Hufflepuff and minds in gutter.
21/08/2010 04:55:10 PM
- 2014 Views
Re: House-elves, Hufflepuff and minds in gutter.
21/08/2010 04:59:55 PM
- 2120 Views
I love the bouillabaisse thing.
21/08/2010 05:02:47 PM
- 2081 Views
Re: I love the bouillabaisse thing.
21/08/2010 05:08:40 PM
- 2119 Views
I associate blancmange more with Britain than with anywhere else...
21/08/2010 05:26:17 PM
- 1951 Views
Re: I love the bouillabaisse thing.
21/08/2010 05:12:54 PM
- 1827 Views
No, no, the pudding and the bouillabaisse are two different things.
21/08/2010 05:24:50 PM
- 1805 Views
Re: No, no, the pudding and the bouillabaisse are two different things.
21/08/2010 05:39:06 PM
- 2164 Views
Hermione really comes into her own in this book.
27/08/2010 11:30:38 PM
- 1741 Views
Agreed, but spending really all her time with those two boys does make it easier...
27/08/2010 11:36:20 PM
- 1904 Views
Re: Agreed, but spending really all her time with those two boys does make it easier...
27/08/2010 11:48:19 PM
- 1931 Views
Chapters 19-21: The first task and House-Elves at Hogwarts *NM*
16/08/2010 09:35:53 AM
- 1000 Views
Characters: The Trio, the Champions, Moody, Dobby and Winky,...
23/08/2010 10:40:21 AM
- 1861 Views
The trio, Neville and the House-elves.
23/08/2010 11:07:50 AM
- 1877 Views
Re: The trio, Neville and the House-elves.
23/08/2010 11:35:56 AM
- 1972 Views
Re: The trio, Neville and the House-elves.
23/08/2010 11:44:08 AM
- 2158 Views
Ron and Harry, Winky, various other thoughts.
23/08/2010 11:19:21 AM
- 1806 Views
Re: Ron and Harry, Winky, various other thoughts.
23/08/2010 11:56:37 AM
- 1951 Views
Plotting and writing: the first task and other events *NM*
23/08/2010 10:41:20 AM
- 1022 Views
Good plotting in this section
23/08/2010 11:08:50 AM
- 1971 Views
Anything else you want to comment on? *NM*
23/08/2010 10:41:39 AM
- 979 Views
I love that there is a book called Men Who Love Dragons Too Much. *NM*
23/08/2010 11:09:15 AM
- 916 Views
Chapters 22-24: The - rather eventful - Yule Ball *NM*
16/08/2010 09:36:30 AM
- 901 Views
Characters: The Trio, Champions and their dates, Karkarov, Hagrid and Olympe,...
24/08/2010 11:09:33 AM
- 2061 Views
Ron and Hermione, mainly.
24/08/2010 11:47:49 AM
- 2144 Views
Makes sense.
24/08/2010 01:15:37 PM
- 1868 Views

Re: Makes sense.
24/08/2010 03:53:20 PM
- 1856 Views

Re: Makes sense.
24/08/2010 05:00:59 PM
- 1953 Views

Plotting and writing: a bit of a lull in the tension, perhaps, but there's still a lot going on. *NM*
24/08/2010 11:11:49 AM
- 1068 Views
Yule Ball, preparation and aftermath
24/08/2010 11:48:30 AM
- 2058 Views
Re: Yule Ball, preparation and aftermath
24/08/2010 02:18:04 PM
- 1885 Views
Whatever else you want to say about these three chapters. *NM*
24/08/2010 11:12:33 AM
- 1067 Views
Gender roles, Dobby, national stereotypes, creepy magic and gobbledegook.
24/08/2010 11:49:16 AM
- 2029 Views
Re: Gender roles, Dobby, national stereotypes, creepy magic and gobbledegook.
24/08/2010 02:27:51 PM
- 1915 Views
Re: Gender roles, Dobby, national stereotypes, creepy magic and gobbledegook.
24/08/2010 04:15:15 PM
- 1983 Views
Ron's lasso comment is brilliant. Absolute genius.
24/08/2010 02:23:37 PM
- 1926 Views
Lasso comment?
24/08/2010 04:20:35 PM
- 1924 Views
When discussing methods to separate girls from their gang.
24/08/2010 04:27:47 PM
- 1920 Views
Ah. Hehe. Yes.
24/08/2010 04:30:34 PM
- 2003 Views
It's not really a humourous pun, just a nice find by the translator.
24/08/2010 04:45:34 PM
- 2067 Views
Re: It's not really a humourous pun, just a nice find by the translator.
24/08/2010 04:48:50 PM
- 1955 Views
Holy crap.
25/08/2010 02:44:57 PM
- 1865 Views
Yeah, I don't know if the Google pictures are entirely representative...
25/08/2010 03:06:25 PM
- 1997 Views
Chapters 25-27: The second task and Padfoot's return
16/08/2010 09:36:55 AM
- 1899 Views
Characters: The Trio, Krum, Fleur, Sirius,... *NM*
25/08/2010 11:18:49 AM
- 948 Views
Snape, Percy, Hermione, Ron, Mrs Weasley and Sirius.
25/08/2010 05:31:18 PM
- 1831 Views
I'm a bit worried about people's reactions to Snape during these discussions
25/08/2010 05:41:43 PM
- 2083 Views
Re: I'm a bit worried about people's reactions to Snape during these discussions
25/08/2010 05:45:30 PM
- 1864 Views
Agreed. Snape is one of the most fascinating characters I have ever read
25/08/2010 05:57:12 PM
- 1949 Views
Fleur shows that, when push comes to shove, she has her priorities straight.
26/08/2010 10:54:11 AM
- 1762 Views
Re: Fleur shows that, when push comes to shove, she has her priorities straight.
26/08/2010 11:21:59 AM
- 1908 Views
Plotting and writing: clues, red herrings and recapitulation *NM*
25/08/2010 11:19:47 AM
- 1001 Views
Merpeople and the second task.
25/08/2010 11:34:40 AM
- 1939 Views
And something else I never understood about the second task
25/08/2010 02:32:51 PM
- 1960 Views
That's a good point, yeah...
25/08/2010 03:07:30 PM
- 1851 Views
Maybe they should have had a magical big screen projection of what was going on in the lake lol
25/08/2010 03:57:48 PM
- 1903 Views
Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
25/08/2010 05:23:30 PM
- 1892 Views
Re: Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
25/08/2010 05:40:39 PM
- 1962 Views
Re: Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
25/08/2010 05:42:52 PM
- 1865 Views
Re: Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
26/08/2010 11:09:20 AM
- 1862 Views
Re: Lots of stuff -- I may have to change my opinion of Rowling's plotting in this book.
26/08/2010 11:17:36 AM
- 2012 Views
Marauder's Map.
05/09/2010 05:27:17 AM
- 1901 Views
Other comments. *NM*
25/08/2010 11:20:11 AM
- 981 Views
Two completely unrelated things.
25/08/2010 05:24:26 PM
- 1959 Views
Re: Two completely unrelated things.
25/08/2010 05:36:29 PM
- 1925 Views
Re: Two completely unrelated things.
25/08/2010 05:42:20 PM
- 2035 Views
Chapters 28-30: Moving towards the climax *NM*
16/08/2010 09:37:22 AM
- 927 Views
Characters: The Trio, Krum, Karkarov, the Crouch family,... *NM*
26/08/2010 12:15:59 PM
- 1017 Views
Madame Maxime, Crouch, Snape, Twins, Fudge and Neville
26/08/2010 02:48:04 PM
- 1912 Views
Plotting and writing: increasing signs of danger, and revelations about the past. *NM*
26/08/2010 12:16:50 PM
- 988 Views
Some good plotting here, and some recurring issues.
26/08/2010 02:50:29 PM
- 1922 Views
Re: Some good plotting here, and some recurring issues.
26/08/2010 03:38:53 PM
- 2148 Views
Re: Some good plotting here, and some recurring issues.
26/08/2010 03:51:32 PM
- 1957 Views
Chapters 31-33: The third task
16/08/2010 09:38:01 AM
- 1843 Views
Characters: The Trio, the Champions, Voldemort, Wormtail,,... *NM*
27/08/2010 01:32:11 PM
- 1026 Views
Ron, Mrs Weasley, Madame Maxime, Wormtail, Voldemort, Quirrel
27/08/2010 03:50:03 PM
- 1815 Views
Re: Ron, Mrs Weasley, Madame Maxime, Wormtail, Voldemort, Quirrel
27/08/2010 05:09:48 PM
- 1806 Views
Re: Ron, Mrs Weasley, Madame Maxime, Wormtail, Voldemort, Quirrel
27/08/2010 05:23:14 PM
- 1871 Views
Plotting and writing: thrilling action, but also a fair bit of infodump/flashback. *NM*
27/08/2010 01:34:13 PM
- 992 Views
Stuff happens.
27/08/2010 03:50:33 PM
- 1847 Views
Riddle Family.
05/09/2010 05:39:29 AM
- 1865 Views
Anything else to add? *NM*
27/08/2010 01:34:39 PM
- 979 Views
Chapters 34-37: The climax and the aftermath *NM*
16/08/2010 09:38:22 AM
- 966 Views
Characters: Well, pretty much all of them, I guess. *NM*
28/08/2010 11:04:41 AM
- 996 Views
Voldemort, Harry, Dumbledore, Snape, Ron and Hermione
28/08/2010 11:57:25 AM
- 1940 Views
Plotting and writing: tying up, explanations and setting up the future books. *NM*
28/08/2010 11:05:33 AM
- 967 Views
Revelations and then some
28/08/2010 12:02:36 PM
- 1891 Views
Any other thoughts? *NM*
28/08/2010 11:06:03 AM
- 1014 Views
Two questions and one other thing.
28/08/2010 12:03:14 PM
- 2019 Views
The book as a whole: overall thoughts, comments and obversations
16/08/2010 09:39:24 AM
- 1913 Views
What do/did you think of Rowling's writing in this book?
16/08/2010 09:40:03 AM
- 1941 Views
I think she has more room to display her talent in this book.
28/08/2010 11:27:20 AM
- 2004 Views
Suggestions for the re-read.
16/08/2010 09:41:01 AM
- 2054 Views
Is it possible / easy to make the post an Announcement while it's ongoing?
17/08/2010 03:08:31 PM
- 1897 Views
When should we start the next book? And at which pace?
28/08/2010 11:09:07 AM
- 2194 Views
Re: When should we start the next book? And at which pace?
28/08/2010 12:05:31 PM
- 2148 Views