Anna had mentioned Dobby, and Daphne instinctively, tugged on her hair. There went the most obvious answer. "It's true that house elves seem to have a fierce loyalty towards the wizards they serve," stated the blond redundantly. "And it's true, as history proves it, that to a certain degree they have self-will enough to betray their masters considering their treatment. If that is all true, then it means they are capable of knowing right from wrong. Therefore, can't they be trusted to judge for themselves whether they are free or not?"

UGH. Why did she feel like she was beating a dead hippogriff?

"I believe Helga Hufflepuff was just killing two birds with one stone. Hogwarts clearly needed someone to help tend after all the students concerning food, laundry and cleaning. The house elves needed a place where they could still work with a free conscious, without mistreatment or the worry of having their pride wounded."