The red socks include a Dobby design woven in gold metallic thread, while the grey socks make it clear that "Dobby is a free elf," with sock motifs sprinkled widely among the phrases. Dobby might be gone. He might be staying forever. But his socks still color-code his status. Dobby, who was played by Bob Bennett, was a small gray elf who worked as a house-elf at Mr. Grunt's residence. Dobby helped clean the house and do other tasks for Mrs. Slocombe and her children. He also served as a kind of mascot for the family since Mr. Slocombe went to work at the Ministry of Magic many years ago. When Mr. Slocombe failed to return from his mission one night, Mrs. Slocombe went to look for him. She found him dead next to his locked office door on which was written: "All I ask is that you use your magic wisely." This mystery had a lasting effect on Mrs. Slocombe, who after that abandoned her job as a secretary to go looking for her missing husband. Although she never found him, she took care of him well until her death several years later. Since then, Mr. Grunt has been alone ever since except for his servants.