Lucius caring for Draco? (was Re: Malfoys and Dursleys)

[David]

No: HPFGUIDX 47384

Heidi wrote:
> I'm not really sure what you look to in canon as evidence that
> Lucius cares about Draco. He certainly is critical of him in Borgin 
&
> Burkes, 

I think the B&B scene is capable of more than one interpretation.  
While I would not commend Lucius' criticism of Draco in front of 
Borgin as good parenting, I think it is compatible with caring.  It 
could reflect anxiety about Draco's progress, and the (probably 
mistaken) belief that to mention it in this way will encourage Draco 
to buck up.  It could even be that Lucius would admit that really 
it's not the best way to handle Draco but his feelings get the better 
of him.  For all his attempts to project a smooth and statesmanlike 
facade, LM is clearly a volatile and passionate person who on a 
number of occasions has acted against his own interests in public 
because of his inability to control his feelings.

Given wizarding longevity and conservatism, this scene could just 
reflect what would have been seen in the muggle world as normal and 
even correct a hundred or so years ago.

> he leaves him on his own when drunken Death Eaters are
> rampaging,

Well, we know nothing of the level of Draco's obedience at this point

> and Draco doesn't speak a word in public, other than in
> Borgin & Burkes, when Lucius is around.

Is Lucius there when Draco says 'Harry, you've got a *Girlfriend*'?

> His parents leave him at school over Christmas hols when Lucius 
*knows*
> that a Basilisk is roaming around the school

Again, it's hard to know what LM really knows: he has a mendacious 
diary that apparently conducts campaigns against mudbloods, which 
Draco isn't.

 and it's implied in CoS
> that on all of Lucius' visits to Hogwarts on various bits 
of "business"
> that year, he never spends much time, if any at all, with Draco.
> 
> Where in canon is the caring?

There is one other intriguing little sidelight.  In his very first 
appearance, Draco talks about 'bullying' his father (IIRC) into 
getting him a broomstick.  This could be empty boasting, and it is 
almost certainly not literal truth.  It does suggest to me a bit more 
to the relationship than stern authority.

David