Elves

**Elves**, also known as **house-elves**, are a lineage known for their slight stature, powerful innate magic, and history of servitude to mages. While elves are often described as naturally generous and submissive, their servitude to mages is controlled by the Elf-Bind. The Elf-Bind is generally considered by Elf Studies academics to have been created non-consensually, with this true nature being effaced by centuries of propaganda and systematic erasure of Elven culture.

While much of Elven history and language has been lost, due to the lineage's subjugation, it is thought that elves were a powerful but small and disperse community, likely divergent from Goblin lineage, inhabiting central Eurasia, with powerful innate magic that allowed them a long lifespan and to communicate with plants, animals and the elements. Because they were nomadic, occasionally finding shelter in the homes of humans they pitied and chose to aid, there is little certainty about specific groups or locations associated with Elves. Elf subjugation began circa 6th c., when mage society in Europe was at its most disperse. No record remains of which mage or mages first used magic to control or overpower Elves as well as non-magical humans. Their strong ability to apparate was likely highly prized, while also guaranteeing that having an Elf under your control was a demonstration of great power. 'Owning' Elves, especially bound by fealty (having a notable strong sense of honour and word-power) rather than active enchantment, became fashionable. During the 15th c., as the transatlantic slave trade began, mages made a greater effort to distinguish themselves from the perceived immorality of non-magical humans, leaning into the narrative of Elves' humility, previous poverty, and offered servitude. It was likely during this time that the last free Elves were eradicated or indentured, and their population was spread by humans into the Americas.

As mage societies coalesced into separate governments with defined laws, the Elfbind was formalised, standardising the magical contracts that bound Elves. It includes never asking for payment, dismissal by being given clothes (thus guaranteeing they went without clothing), being magically compelled by commands, including apparition connections to their masters, and the passing of contracts between Elves and their children. It is unknown whether Elves' nonverbal magic was historically typical, or was demanded by generations of humans that kept Elves as servants in their homes.

Modern 'justifications' for keeping Elves include:

* They are naturally submissive and only want to serve; they would be much unhappier if they did not have that opportunity
* Keeping an Elf and treating it (relatively) kindly is much better than them being kept by an abusive owner, or worse being unemployed and starving
* Tradition; people that keep many Elves foster a long-standing community in their households/institutions
* Elves are lesser beings; if they cannot escape subjugation, they deserve it (part of blood purism ideology)

The mage community of New Zealand was the first in the world to outlaw Elven slavery, in 1930, and to allow Elves to vote in their magical electorates, in 1961. By 1980, most mage communities in South America, Africa and the Pacific had also outlawed it. However, the Elfbind is still legal in Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, the United States, and Australia.

In 1989, the British Ministry of Magic released regulations on the treatment of Elves, including space requirements for an Elf's personal room, and criminalising assault and physical abuse on Elves. However, there was no precedent within the Wizengamot of these regulations being legally binding, and they were not regularly enforced, especially without mage eye-witness, and thus were likely breached regularly without repercussions.

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Kaleidoscopic Grangers, chapter 55 https://archiveofourown.org/works/24597805/chapters/65021638
2. ↑ Kaleidoscopic Grangers, chapter 286 https://archiveofourown.org/works/24597805/chapters/84422101