The death of Dobby the House Elf was a pivotal moment in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Like many iconic movie moments, the filming location for the scene has become something of a shrine to Harry Potter fans. A real-life memorial on Freshwater West beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales, recently was under threat when too many people started to visit the site and was put under review. However, that review has now concluded that the memorial can stay in place, with a simple caveat for fans not to leave items at the location.
After being introduced back in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Dobby became a much-loved character, as well as, ultimately, a deus ex machina to allow Harry and his friends to escape one of their many potentially life-threatening predicaments. However, his will to help Potter also ultimately led to his demise on a beach after being fatally wounded during their escape from the Malfoys.
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The scenes of Dobby’s death were filmed on the Pembrokeshire beach, and just like King’s Cross Station, Durham Cathedral and Alnwick Castle, fans from around the world frequently descend upon the shooting location to say they have been there. Welsh news service Nation Cymru reported that after a review, it has been agreed that the memorial will be allowed to remain in place “in the immediate term.” A statement from National Trust Wales noted:
“Based on the consultation results, the memorial to Dobby will remain at Freshwater West in the immediate term for people to enjoy. The Trust is asking visitors to only take photos when visiting the memorial to help protect the wider landscape. Items like socks, trinkets, and paint chips from painted pebbles could enter the marine environment and food chain and put wildlife at risk.”
How Important Was Dobby to Harry Potter?
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While Dobby made more appearances in J.K. Rowling’s novels than he did on screen, the character of Dobby was one that immediately endeared himself to fans. Voiced by Toby Jones, the British actor best known for more dramatic roles in the likes of Frost/Nixon and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy as well as playing Arnim Zola in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Claudius Templesmith in the Hunger Games franchise, Dobby only made movie appearances in two Harry Potter movies as opposed to his five-book appearances.
Although Dobby was popular enough for fans to still get emotional over his death, the importance of Dobby to Harry’s story over the seven novels was not really translated well in the movies, and instead, Dobby’s second and final appearance did come across as something of a plot device and nothing more. However, the legend of the house elf clearly lives on, and for now, will continue to do so on a beach in Wales, where his memorial can still be visited by those willing to make the trek a pay their respects to the fictional hero.
