According to the chronology of the Harry Potter series, Dobby the free house-elf dies in March of 1998. Harry, Ron, and Hermione have been captured by the Snatchers and are imprisoned in Malfoy Manor. Harry and Ron sit in the cellar with the other prisoners, Luna, Dean, and Mr. Olivander, but Hermione remains upstairs under torture. Harry, in desperation, pulls out the fragment of the two-way mirror Sirius gave him and calls for help. A short while later, Dobby apparates into their midst. He has been sent by Aberforth Dumbledore, who holds the other mirror.

As a house-elf, Dobby is not bound by the limitations set upon Malfoy Manor, and he can apparate and disapparate at will. Harry asks him to rescue Luna, Dean, and Mr. Olivander first and take them to Shell Cottage. Dobby returns just at the right moment to rescue Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the goblin Griphook. But at the very last instant before the group leaves Malfoy Manor, Bellatrix throws her silver knife.

When they reach Shell Cottage, Harry looks down at Dobby and sees the knife sticking out of the house-elf's chest. Dobby dies in Harry's arms, and his last words are Harry's name. Harry buries Dobby at Shell Cottage. He digs the grave by hand rather than by magic as a last tribute to his friend and rescuer and carves “Here lies Dobby, a free elf” on his headstone.