[HPforGrownups] Re: Draco as Student

[Rhysenn]

No: HPFGUIDX 17324


heidi wrote
>Hi! I am at disney world this weekend and do *not* want to answer this on my
>Blackberry because thumb-typing is just too complicated for this.
>So wait until monday...

<delurking> Shall toss in my 2 knuts worth in the meantime, since Heidi has 
directed me over to this thread.


>Very well.  What are the arguments that cut both ways?  Personally I
>don't see anywhere in the books any sign that Draco values much
>besides his family name, social status and playing Quidditch.  Where
>is there even a hint that he is more than an average student?

My Draco-adulation aside, I've always had the distinct impression that 
Draco is a bright kid, at least a good deal above average. Now that I'm 
forced to analyse why I think so, these are the 4 main points that came up.

1) Lucius' preoccupation with Draco's grades - saying that he was appalled 
that Hermione had beaten Draco in every paper (paraphrased, don't have my 
copy of CoS with me). It's the classic sort of parental yardstick, where 
the subject of school grades keep being rehashed as a measure of a child's 
success. And note that he *only* mentions Hermione (who topped the level) - 
not Harry or Ron or anyone else - which may mean that Herm must be one of 
the very few people ranking above Draco in grades.

2) His general witty sarcasm belies an intelligent, quick-thinking mind. 
Snarky snipes like "So tell me, Potter, is Weasley's mother really so porky 
in real life, or is it just the photo?" and "if brains were gold, 
Longbottom, you'd be poorer than Weasley, and that's saying something" all 
have a cutting-edge sharp wit to them, and only a bright kid would be able 
to come up with retorts like that. (in this point, I'm just proving that he 
has intellectual aptitude, not necessarily corresponding secular brilliance 
- as we know, these two do not always come hand in hand at all. Gifted kids 
often don't excel in the traditional academic sense).

3) Draco sure knows quite a few curses off-the-cuff (as demonstrated by the 
duelling lesson). Additionally, I think it suspends belief that Lucius has 
made sure he is adequately prepared before he went off to Hogwarts, and 
basically I just think that Draco knows his stuff, to say the least. He 
starts on a higher footing than Harry and Hermione, since he had magical 
background - okay, so Herm's studiousness makes up for her lack of 
background, but that doesn't change the fact that Draco's headstart will 
likely mean he is in the top quarter percentile of his class, at least.

4) His "popularity" in Slytherin - Draco appears one of the most popular 
boys in Slytherin, able to command the respect and attention of his peers. 
Apart from the fact that he's quick-tongued and witty and Quidditch seeker 
and his good looks <g>, I think that he must at least be good in his work. 
Also, Ron doesn't mention Malfoy in the "oh how I wish they failed and got 
retained" remark in relation to Crabbe and Goyle, so that means Draco was, 
to say the least, not just a mediocre student.


IMO, evidence strongly suggests Draco was a good student, if not among the 
cream of the crop. But that's just my own take on the matter, and I might 
add a disclaimer that I am *intensely* biased toward Draco Malfoy. Does 
anyone who *doesn't* think so have any _canon_ evidence that suggests 
otherwise?


Rhysenn





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