Main image via Pinterest + BBC
If you’re an avid Harry Potter fan, you would know the heartbreaking death scene of the beloved house elf “Dobby”.
Sadly, fans might have to bid farewell once again as his grave could soon be removed.
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Although Dobby is a fictional character, Harry Potter fans have not resisted paying tribute to the fallen elf by creating a grave of their own above Freshwater West beach in Wales, where the scene of his death was filmed.
The area is marked with a number of rocks, socks (in reference to Dobby being set free) and pebbles left by fans, many of which bear the same words as his original gravestone while others simply read "RIP Dobby."
Image via BBC
However, the National Trust, who owns the beach, have released a survey about its Freshwater West site, asking the public about traffic, parking – and Dobby’s grave.
In the survey, the questions address whether it should be left on-site, or moved to a “suitable publicly accessible location off-site".
"We love welcoming people to the site (beach), but the increase in numbers does mean its facilities and infrastructure are under even more pressure. We want visitors to have an enjoyable, safe experience while ensuring this special landscape is looked after for future generations,” the National Trust stated, as reported by BBC.
"A survey is now under way to help us understand the issues in more depth and to consider options for a sustainable future for Freshwater West, which includes the memorial to Dobby.”
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According to Ladbible, a local Harry Potter fan named Victoria MacLean told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that fans would simply construct another tribute if the existing one is removed.
"Leaving a fresh sock is lovely but after a while that sock probably gets covered in all sorts and I can understand the socks.” she said, as reported by Ladbible.
"But the pebbles, some people have gone to great lengths to paint some of those pebbles, just to leave something in memorial to one of their favourite characters and it is so beautiful to see.
"I think if they took the grave away, fans are just going to build another one, because there's millions of them, '' she added.
"There needs to be something that will please the fans yet keep the beach looking beautiful because it is a stunning beach."
Image via Twitter
However, Twitter users were split over the decision.
Dobby, who first appeared in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, was enslaved to the Malfoy family before being freed by Harry at the end of the first book and film.
He then repaid the favor in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by spiriting Harry and his friends to safety but was hit by a knife and died shortly afterwards.
In the book, Harry digs a grave for Dobby, marking it with a stone that says: “Here lies Dobby, a free elf”.
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The survey is said to be open until 31st May, to give members of the public the chance to share their opinions. Respondents are being given the options from 'strongly support' to 'definitely against' as well as the option to add any additional comments on the subject.
What do you think of the survey? Should they remove the beloved House Elf Dobby’s grave or keep it?
Info via Ladbible + BBC