SS: Always bothered me

[corinthum]

No: HPFGUIDX 71246

Talisha wrote:

> Something has always bothered me about the 1st book. Why, when they 
> got to Hogwarts, did Malfoy want to befriend Harry?  He said 
> something along the line of distinguishing the good wizarding 
> families from the bad ones, meaning he thought Harry was from a 
> good one. Why, given Harry's history and Lucious' history of being a 
> death eater, would Draco want to befriend him?

Draco was raised with the notion of "It's not what you know, it's who
you know."  His father has always advanced in life by getting to know
and gaining influence with the right people.  Therefore, it seems
natural that Draco would pick up on this behavior.  When he first
attends Hogwarts, Harry is famous throughout the Wizarding World,
making him arguably the most influential member of that class and
therefore putting him at the top of Draco's get-to-know list.

I do not believe Draco was secretly plotting to gain Harry's trust in
order to make him vulnerable to Lord Voldemort.  His father was busy
establishing a good, honest, Voldemort-free reputation, and I doubt
he'd enlist his 11 year old son to gain the possible trust of the
adversary of his believed-to-be-dead former lord.  Too high a cost for
too small and unlikely a benefit.

-Corinth