"A deer's anatomy yes, but human? To the extent of knowing in one's hands how deeply to cut, as well as where?" He shakes his head. "Indicative, yes, Mr. Holmes, but hardly conclusive, I must feel. The culprit was one with a penchant for taunting, one who wished to be sought after. I submit the possibility that such a person might have either assumed your involvement on a case of such high interest and complexity, especially one of such complexity and impossibility as he evidently considered it to be, or to have attempted to solicit it. For that matter, your investigations might have been seen, whether directly or through a network--forgive me," he adds, after a moment. "I am apt to pursue theoreticals."
Severus' mouth turns up at one corner. "Like most men, I find the aspect of normalcy the most effective disguise."
"I doubt it... ...Or a pillowcase. Not unclothed, precisely... at least, not uncovered. They don't generally wear items of human clothing, although I've gotten Winky to wear a lab coat and gloves before by calling it 'required equipment belonging to the dungeons' rather than clothes for her. Yes; if a house-elf's master gives him or her clothes, their connection is severed. In one instance, this happened when the human passed the elf a book while ignorant of the fact that someone else had slipped their own sock into it; not even someone connected with the family. Of course, the elf in question in that case really wanted to be freed; most would probably have taken it differently." He frowns thoughtfully. "Imagine a cross between a three-foot tall human and a raisin made from a green grape, with eyes the size of golf balls and ears rather like an elephant's."