Why Draco Malfoy Isn't Evil ... (a bit on strong female characters too)

[Indigo]

No: HPFGUIDX 14872

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., rainy_lilac at y... wrote:
I'd like to think that Draco likewise has a 
> good
> > side and that he too will have choices to make.
> > 
> 
> 
> I want this very much-- I would find Draco much more interesting if 
> he would come to a crossroad and maybe question what his father has 
> been teaching him. Even if he does end up as an evil character, it 
> would show some humanity I would feel it more deeply.
> 
> Suzanne

Unfortunately I don't see it happening.

Kids are among the most perceptive people in the world.  They're 
innocent and easily duped like Ginny Weasley, but they're also 
capable of telling right from wrong.

There are real world examples that bear this up.

Kids who had prejudiced parents growing up to not be prejudiced 
themselves.

Draco is, in fairness, jealous of Harry but he's going about handling 
it wrong.  Instead of trying to do his own great deeds, he tries to 
tear down anything of Harry's.

And if he really wanted to outshine Harry, he could be doing things 
to elevate himself in Hogwarts and the eyes of others.  Either he's 
entirely terrified by and cowed by his father, or -- more likely, 
given how he behaves -- buys into it completely and plans to grow up 
to be a Death Eater himself.

If Draco Malfoy had the slightest inkling prejudice was wrong, he 
would not still continually be using the "Mudblood" ephithet, because 
he knows full well it is one. 

He knows full well it is offensive to Harry's trio. 

He knows full well it is considered one of the worst things you can 
say about a person.

A person lacking prejudice would have reflected on this. Maybe not 
apologized for it, but would've at least stopped using that 
particular thorn to nettle his adversaries with.

IMHO, of course.

Indigo
[18 inches, sassafras, phoenix feather -- if you guys have wands, 
that's mine!]