What will come in book 5ish

[probonoprobono <probono@rapidnet.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 50448

Cathy wrote:
>I don't think Draco is any genius in his classes.  from CoS:
> 
> "Ah, the Hand of Glory!" said Mr. Borgin, abandoning Mr. Malfoy's 
list and
> scurrying over to Draco.  "Insert a candle and it gives light only 
ot the
> holder! Best friend of thieves and plunderers!  Your son has fine 
taste,
> sir."
> 
> "I hope my son will amount to more than a thief or a plunderer, 
Borgin,"
> said Mr. Malfoy coldly, and Mr. Borgin said quickly, "no offense, 
sir, no
> offense meant -"
> 
> "Though if his grades don't pick up," said Mr. Malfoy, more coldly 
still,
> "that may indeed be all he is fit for - "
> 
> This gives me the impression of someone who is not anywhere near 
the top of
> his class.  Draco goes on to blame the teachers for having 
favorites like
> Hermione.  I think that when Mr. Malfoy went on to comment "I 
would have
> thought you'd be ashamed that a girl of no wizard family beat you 
in every
> exam"  it was just to embarass and shame Draco further.
> 
> ~Cathy~

Me again: Yes, that's the quote! It's interesting how differently we 
interpereted this passage. I read Lucius as being an overbearing 
father who most likely has impossibly high expectations for his one 
and only son (and heir, I might add), Draco. My reasoning being that 
only Hermione is singled out as beating Draco in every exam. We know 
Hermione is the head of the class and if Draco was at the bottom or 
even middle of the class, probably more than one Muggle would have 
had better marks than him. I know I'm reading between the lines of 
this passage, but for me it offers alot of insight into Draco's 
character and why he behaves the way he does. 

At this point in Draco's life, we see how much he idolizes his 
father. He mentions him whenever he can, and even directly quotes 
him. He also tries to emulate Lucius in his own 
behaviors, 'opinions', even his choice of friends (the sons of 
Lucius' friends). I couldn't imagine living in the home environment 
that I envision Draco must live in, but it is one that is oft-
repeated through literature when it comes to father-son 
relationships. I see Draco spending the rest of his life (or at 
least the series), trying to gain the respect of his father and 
never getting it....OR,just maybe he cracks, rebels, and instead 
sets out to destroy his own father. Now, that's what I'd call fun! 
-Tanya