In J.K. Rowling’s fantasy novel Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the house-elf who serves the Malfoy family is Dobby.
Dobby secretly warns Harry Potter not to return to Hogwarts because he knows that the Chamber of Secrets is connected to a dangerous plot. Although Dobby is magically bound to the Malfoy household, he repeatedly acts against his masters’ wishes to protect Harry.
The character first appears as a frightened, devoted servant, but his actions reveal a strong independent conscience. His attempts to stop Harry include blocking the barrier to the Hogwarts Express and sabotaging a school match, both of which cause trouble rather than solving the danger.
Dobby is often confused with Kreacher, another important house-elf in the series. Kreacher serves the House of Black, while Dobby is associated first with the Malfoys and later becomes a free elf.