A house-elf whom Harry freed two years ago. Dobby used to work for the Malfoys, who abused him. Dobby wants to work for pay, get time off, and wear clothes, all things that other house-elves believe are uncouth and improper. Though Dobby is happy when Dumbledore employs him at Hogwarts, he does recognize that he's an outlier and is instrumental in explaining to Harry and Hermione that Winky, another freed house-elf, isn't adjusting to freedom. Similarly, while he's something of a poster child for Hermione's organization S.P.E.W., Dobby doesn't want everything that Hermione thinks he should have (like a pension or a higher salary) and realizes that most house-elves are happy in their posts. He adores Harry, as Harry was the person who orchestrated Dobby's freedom, and to repay Harry's kindness he helps Harry with the second Triwizard Tournament task. Because Dobby loves socks, especially mismatched ones, Harry buys Dobby socks to thank him.