"And how does one come upon that knowledge?" he points out. Somberly, "It could have." "Packages are most efficacious at certain types of communication," he says neutrally. An overactive imagination in the realms of both the ridiculous and human cost coupled with the memory of Molly Weasley's face on receiving a jumper herself, for once, would tax anyone's pokerface, but through heroic effort, his face doesn't change.
"No," he agrees somberly. "We only remember those who put on a show, or otherwise engage our imaginations. Unvarnished tragedy is hastily put from our minds." Drily, he adds, "I do recall hearing. Perhaps we should be careful not to converse at such times, as we might so easily drive each other to previously unplumbed depths. But all is not lost, as I believe the convenience stores still sell black nail varnish."
"She eats," Severus assures him, "but many house-elves regard it as a travesty of nature when humans--well, wizards, at least, I've no idea if they've even the imagination to consider mundane lives--cook, or do housekeeping beyond light tidying up after themselves. A cultural tradition instilled to create job security, possibly; it's not a universal attitude. She'll probably turn up in a tea cozy or something of the sort; I've impressed on her that she'll have to wear garments resembling human clothing, which was difficult, but she won't receive them until her employment at the school is formally terminated. Because the receiving of clothes has such a specific meaning for elves, it's best to leave laundry in the hamper regardless of how untidy one may be in other areas. Some may take it as a termination of employment and scarper, some may take it as attempted termination of employment and leave it where it is while taking revenge in small ways, but only a contented and secure elf will regard it as normal work. What else would you like to know?"