[HPforGrownups] Draco's marks

Tue Feb 12 03:40:13 UTC 2002

No: HPFGUIDX 35057

In a message dated 2/11/2002 8:52:10 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
Chelsea2162 at aol.com writes:

>  Being a Draco fan, I'd like to find out that his marks were good. In 
> defense of him, I'd say that in the conversation he has with Lucius while 
> in 
> Knockturn Alley, was simply Lucius expressing his disgust that a "mudblood" 
> 
> had bested him on his exam marks. However, there really isn't any other 
> mention of his marks in the canon, so I'm basically making a guess here. 
> 

I agree wtih Chelsea. Even before I developed affection/sympathy for his 
character (in writing a Draco-perspective fanfic, where I forced myself to 
see all the canon scenes through his eyes) I thought he was bright - that's 
the kind of comment a parent makes when very few kids have trounced their 
child in class. Otherwise, "shaming the family by being at the bottom of the 
class" would've likely been used. Also, I note that Lucius does not use the 
term "Mudblood" then - Draco uses it at the QUidditch pitch chapters later, 
but Lucius doesn't say it in the shop at all, IIRC

Other bits that I consider evidence for the theory that Draco's marks are at 
least in the same zone as Harry overall:
Harry doesn't say, "Crabbe, Goyle and even Malfoy..." when discussing who he 
was surprised about passing
Snape calls the class's attention to his potions and ingredient preparation, 
and I doubt he would do that if Draco's work wasn't at least something the 
rest of the class could emulate - giving a student good marks when they're 
not deserved is one thing - promoting that student in class is quite another.
He makes a few witty statements - the one about the skrewts is funny and 
actually completely "true" in a sarcastic way.  (btw - how does his sarcasm 
translate into other languages? And how do those of you who don't have 
sarcasm in your culture read that in English? Do you see it 
straightforwardly, or is the irony understandable?)

Also, just wanted to make a quick reminder about what Draco said on the train 
regarding Cedric - everything he said was true. He said it meanly, but he was 
also completely honest. The Dark Lord is back, he'll set his sights on 
"mudbloods and muggle-lovers" first, and Cedric was the first to be killed. 
Content - 10; context - zero. Also, he *did* stand up and toast Cedric at the 
farewell banquet, even though he didn't toast Harry (but IMHO, there are al
ready rumors flying, which Draco believes, or perhaps started with prodding 
from Lucius, that Harry somehow actively contributed to Cedric's death much 
in the same way that someone who starts a forrest fire and calls for help is 
hailed as a hero for summoning the aid) so even if he feels comfortable 
ragging him down in "private", in public he feels compelled to behave a 
certain way and give a certain glimmer of dignity for the situation. 

Ama wrote: 
> Draco? A victim of his parents' ideological
>inculcation? Sure, but he is also a teenager who is exposed to
>diversity and CHOOSES ignorance. He knows mudblood can scar someone
>deeply, even if he doesn't really understand why. And yet it's a
>weapon he likes using. 
Well, he's not exposed to much diversity in Slytherin house.    
I just went back to my post from October, where I said, 
I just found a post of mine from October, where I posted:
> You know, people keep saying that at Hogwarts, Draco should be 
exposed to
> different and positive ideas, but I just don't see it. Other than 
at the 
> 4th year leaving feast, Dumbledore never addresses the students on
> issues of bias and prejudice- not even 2nd year when muggle-borns 
are
> being petrified and the students are terrified. So where would Draco
> learn them from? In class? We haven't seen any class where ethics 
are
> taught. The Slytherin common-room? Not all those students' parents 
are
> Death Eaters- so do they debate blood purity issues? How would a
> student's opinions trump Lucius Malfoy's in Draco's eyes?

I still feel that way. Yes, in a way he's choosing not to look away from what 
Lucius has taught him, but I do think that his relationship with Snape will 
eventually be used to at least *give him* the option to choose. Whether he 
chooses wisely is yet to be seen. But he should at least have the option, 
somehow.

heidi
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