Dobby's Emotional Breakdown Over Sitting Down

PAGES: 13-14

When Harry asks Dobby to sit down, the house-elf is overcome with emotion, as no wizard has ever treated him as an equal before. Dobby bursts into noisy tears, much to Harry's horror, as he tries to calm the elf down. Harry is worried that the Dursleys will hear Dobby's loud wails from downstairs. Dobby eventually composes himself but remains deeply moved by Harry's kindness.

“Sit down,” said Harry politely, pointing at the bed.

To his horror, the elf burst into tears—very noisy tears.

“S-sit down!” he wailed. “Never... never ever...”

Harry thought he heard the voices downstairs falter.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, “I didn’t mean to offend you or anything.”

“Offend Dobby!” choked the elf. “Dobby has never been asked to sit down by a wizard—like an equal—”

Harry, trying to say “Shh!” and look comforting at the same time, ushered Dobby back onto the bed where he sat hiccoughing, looking like a large and very ugly doll. At last he managed to control himself, and sat with his great eyes fixed on Harry in an expression of watery adoration.

[PAGE 14]

“You can’t have met many decent wizards,” said Harry, trying to cheer him up.