[HPforGrownups] Draco's redemption - reprise

[Zorb17 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 33260

David said:
<<The question is, how can it be satisfying?  If Draco is redeemed, it 
seems like a literary cliche.  He has been set up as the bully who 
has nuisance value, the foil for Harry who so far manages to be 
absent whenever adventure really gets going.

On the other hand, if he slides into Death Eaterism, then that's a 
triumph for destiny (whether by birth, or Sorting Hat, or just fate) 
over choice.

One way out is the Gollum scenario, where Draco teeters on the brink 
of redemption for a while before JKR heartlessly tosses him to the 
Dementors.

Any others?>>

I'm so glad that you brought this topic up, because it gives me a perfect opportunity to air my Theory of the Potterverse.  

The cliche problem is a tough one - damned if you do, damned if you don't.  I think it can be sidestepped by making Draco's redemption a relatively small plot point, part of a larger structure.

In my version of The Parallel Theory, Draco = Snape, Harry = James, and Ron = Sirius (possibly Peter, too).  The older generation has a lot of unresolved issues, namely Snape's enmity towards the Marauders, and Voldemort's vendetta (or whatever it is) towards the Potter men.  I think we can all agree that by the last page of Book 7, the Voldie issue will be resolved with Harry in the leading role.  It stands to reason, then, that Harry's generation will resolve the other parallel issues.

Draco, I believe, will start out as the poster boy for Junior Death Eaters (see P/SS, also CoS, also PoA, also GoF ;-)).  However, just as Snape eventually switched back to the Light Side, so will Draco, although much earlier in life than his counterpart (who may even have something to do with this switch).  He will be forced to come to Harry seeking absolution (probably not as dramatically as the word implies).  Unlike Snape and James, who never reconciled, Harry will once again demonstrate his capacity for forgiveness (see PoA with Peter) and accept Draco as a decent human being, though not as a new sidekick and best buddy.  I can see the two of them keeping up there general dislike of each other, but acknowledging that they're on the same side now.

This assumes that Draco will live.  I don't necessarily think that will happen.  I believe in his redemption, he will bring along some small piece of information or aid that will help Harry in some manner.  As a result of his switch, however, there's a good chance he'll die, but not before being redeemed.

Why did I mention Ron as Sirius?  Because I *also* think that as a Malfoy and a Weasley, Draco and Ron have a much more deeply rooted enmity than Draco and Harry do, as evidenced by their fathers' *brawl* in CoS.  Back in the MWPP days, it was Sirius who nearly caused Snape's premature demise, not James.  With the younger generation, I think this conflict will come to a head with Ron *finally* getting a chance to have a go at Draco and, essentially, beating the crud out of him.  This humbles Draco, perhaps does something to convince him to switch back, and also gives Ron his bit of glory before he has his own betrayal dilemma (and I am firmly in the camp that says he will).  If, however, both Ron and Draco go through traitorous cycles and come back, which I think they will, this almost guarantees that one of them will die - and I'd have to go with Ronniekins here.  His sacrifice will be bigger, but the piece of information or tool that he brings back with his redemption will also be bigger.

Phew!  I'm sure other listees have put forth these theories before, and if so, just take this as my agreement.

I like the Gollum scenario a lot, too.


Zorb