Draco as student/teacher's pet

[lea.macleod at gmx.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 17139

I won´t put in any quotes on the topic because I keep attributing the 
bits and pieces to the wrong persons and then getting bashed 
for it off-list...

You´re discussing whether Draco is a good student or a bright boy. 

I think it doesn´t matter. It´s not an integral part of his character, 
or we would know about it. He probably looks very bright next to 
Crabbe and Goyle, but that doesn´t mean much. I don´t think he´s 
competing with Hermione for the top of every class position. He may be 
envious of her academic success, but not as a rival. He rather enjoys 
making fun of her know-it-all-attitudes as well as of her physical 
disadvantages (remember the Densaugeo-hex that caused one of Snape´s 
worst ever comments was Draco´s spell originally).

I think Draco is a very average student, bright enough to feel 
extremely superior to Neville, and normal enough to be envious of 
Hermione´s success. He´s probably very convinced it´s not even 
*necessary* for him to be a good student, since fame and money will 
buy him everything in later life. That´s very typical for spoiled kids 
like him, coming from a rich and famous family, with arrogant and 
ambitious parents. I went to a school with lots of Dracos, and he 
constantly reminds me of a lot of my classmates (in his general 
attitude, minus the meanness).

As to Draco always hiding behind Snape´s black cloak, so to speak, I 
think it is true. Draco never puts a toe out of the line when teachers 
are looking (e.g. not picking fights in the Great Hall or on the train 
with Lupin around). But on the other hand, he´s constantly looking for  
the teachers´ support to get Harry into trouble (telling Filch about 
the duel, Flitwick about the Nimbus 200O, McGonagall about Norbert in 
HPPS and Snape about Harry´s illegal visit to Hogsmeade in PoA). He 
never even tries to sort things out with Harry directly. What a 
coward.