Draco's break from Lucius (Was Re: Draco's redemption)

[uncmark]

No: HPFGUIDX 37829

Any discussion of Draco's redemption (which I trhink would be a great 
twist) MUST include consuderation of Draco's relationship with Daddy 
Lucius.

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Rohit Puskoor <columbiatexan at y...> wrote:
> (about that scene in Borgin & Burkes in Book 2)I just assumed it 
> was there to give us an idea of what kind of evil guy Lucius Malfoy 
> was, and that he was up to no good (and also to give us an 
> indication of how much antipathy there was between Lucius and
> Arthur).  

> I don't think a redemption of Draco Malfoy is likely to
> happen.  I think this redemption is going to have to remain 
> squarely in the readers' imagination; 

Agreed Draco's redemption is unlikely and by no means definite, but 
it would evolve the character beyond a 1-dimensional racist rich kid. 
That character development marks a great book from a merely good one.

> I would have bought it all the way until the end of Book 4, because 
> until then, Malfoy's comments have been solely restricted to the
> realm of being a snotty, bratty little rich boy.  But his comments 
> at the end of Book 4 (right before Harry, Hermione, the twins, and 
> Ron hit him with the barrage of curses) to me indicates where his 
> future path lies.
>  What he said about Hermione, Ron and then WHAT HE SAID ABOUT 
> CEDRIC was so cold-blooded, so atrocious, so disgusting, it made me 
> lose any hope I had for his redemption and any sympathy for him at 
> all. Think about it

Ok Compare Lucius and Draco through the four books. Draco, though a 
bully and instigator has done little that cannot be forgiven. For the 
most part, his actions were limited to 'words', insulting mudbloods, 
teasing Harry, and making racist comments. (Agreed, his comments 
about Cedric were bad, but not unforgiveable yet, after all, Darth 
Vader came back in the last movie)

Lucius, from history, committed numerous atrocities in the LV war and 
lied about being under the Imperius curse. In Ch of Secrets, he 
committed what I consider High Treason, Conspiracy to commit murder, 
and numerous charges of blackmail for his actions with Riddle's Diary.
Trying to kill Buckbeak in PofA would again Conspiracy and 
Obstruction of Justice. In GofF, again High Treason, Conspiracy to 
commit murder, and attempted murder for his attack on Harry in the 
graveyard.

Draco, for all his badness, seems to be following his Dad's example 
and trying to satisfy what he has been taught was the qualities of a 
great wizard. 

MY POINT, what will Draco do if his perception of 'a great wizard' 
changes? When Lucius does what he considers 'unforgivable'?

> Draco seems to have just gotten worse and worse throughout the 4 
> books.  He has not shown one *iota* of caring for anything except 
> himself...

Oh? Consider his devotion of his mother. In GOF Ch.13, we see Draco 
get angry enough to attack Harry from behind and away from Snape. 
This is unusal because every other duel seemed to have been planned 
to be near Snape so Draco would be safe from any repercussions. What 
got Draco angry? Harry mentioned his mother...

> Unless Narcissa Malfoy is secretly a good person trapped in a
> loveless marriage (and so far, all we know about her is she's a 
> very snobby rich woman with her nose in the air looking down at 
> everything), I just don't see where he's going to get the guidance 
> for redemption. 

What I can reasonably assume about Narcissa, is that Draco has a 
devotion to her and she has the same for Draco. As far as Lucius, I 
would not put any evil act past him. 

What happens in book 5 depends on MoM politics. Will Lucius be a 
fugitive, or on an 'extended trip' for LV? 

***PURE BRAINSTORMING WARNING*** 
Suppose that Voldemort gathers the DE's and their families for a 
planning session. He starts applying Crucio indescriminately to 
instill terror and fear. Something about Draco or Narcissa's look 
attracts LV's attention and someone says the wrong thing...

Narcissa: My husband never abandoned you, My Lord. It was he who 
tried to remove Dumbledore...

LV: WHO ARE YOU TO SPEAK TO ME! MALFOY THIS IS YOUR WOMAN?

Lucius: Yes my Lord.

LV: You wish to prove your loyalty?

Lucius: I will do anything my Lord...

LV Then Choose...

Here Voldemort may demand Lucius kill Narcissa, Crucio her, or even 
more evil Choose between killing and casting crucio on Draco or 
Narcissa. I think that would be unforgivable to Draco.

OR more simply Lord V would kill Lucius and Draco has to decide 
whether to follow LV on his own.

> NAGINI'S BANE was a really clever acronym Tabouli came up
> with--I don't remember exactly what it stands for (you
> can look it up though, it's in one of her more recent
> posts), but it basically states that the thoroughly
> underestimated Neville and Ginny will prove to be far
> more formidable than they've been given credit for

Imagine if at some point Neville or Ginny saves Draco. Would Draco 
owe some life sebt to them?

Opinions?
Uncmark