Draco's nature

[Cathy Drolet]

No: HPFGUIDX 110397

psyche/Kate:
"I think Draco's excuses are just as good as LV's. He's had a neglectful, loveless, abusive upbringing by a Death Eater. It's clear that his father has left huge scars on him. I get the impression of a miserable, frightened, lonely boy who tries to make himself feel and look big by bullying. Even his loathing of Harry seems to me mostly rooted in wounded pride and jealously, maintained by the impulse to agree with his father rather than a simple rejection of Harry's personal qualities."


DuffyPoo:
I've never seen Draco in this light at all.  I think he comes from a very priviledge background.  A loving, wealthy family as pure-blood as they come and gets away with everything (quite like Dudley) with perhaps a little scolding for being indiscreet.  He is what I thought DD was trying to avoid by placing Harry with the Dursleys instead of a Wizarding family (that and the charm, of course).  "You were not a pampered little prince, but as normal a boy as I could have hoped under the circumstances." (OotP)

Lucius not only bought a top of the line racing broom for Draco, but one for every member of the Slytherin House team so Draco could play.  When Draco was cut by Buckbeak, Lucius pulled out all the stops to have the thing slaughtered.  Lucius wanted to send Draco to Durmstrang for real Dark Arts study - important to him - but Narcissa over-ruled him, not wanting Draco so far from home.  Draco has been home for Christmas, as far as we know, every year but two.  "Malfoy's eagle owl was always bringing him packages of sweets from home, which he opened gloatingly at the Slytherin table." (PS)

I think there have been moments in the past for Malfoy, Sr., and may be more in the future, when it will not be - shall I say - prudent for him to show his overwhelming love for his son.  Knowing that Draco could come in for a share of any punishment given if he were to refuse to participate in an activity.  Or knowing that his love for Draco could be held against him by LV/DEs as being soft.  I think that Lucius may be quite strict with Draco, on some level, but that is for his own protection.  "You have told me this at least a dozen times already and I would remind you that it is not -- prudent -- to appear less than fond of Harry Potter, not when most of our kind regard him as the hero who made the Dark Lord disappear."  Appearing less than fond of Harry Potter, in some particular manner, may give away that daddy dearest is still a DE, something which he is still denying. Still, Draco apparently does not listen to LM's repeated warnings as here he is complaining about HP again and Father has to 'remind' him not to appear less than fond of Harry!  Draco's been whining and snivelling about HP (perhaps Hermione beating him in exams as well) all summer from the sounds of it and Dad finally got fed up.  

I personally think Draco is a spoiled rotten, 'pampered prince' who looks up to Dad for who he is and what he's done, and thinks there's no one better.  Draco would be just like Dad, but I don't personally think he's got what it takes.




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