Why protect the Malfoys?

[allies426]

No: HPFGUIDX 137098

Does anyone else think that it was extraordinarily forgiving of 
Dumbledore to offer protection to the Malfoy family?  I can *kind 
of* understand why he would offer to protect Draco (despite his 
arrogance and racism and attempted murder)- he's still a child, he's 
being coerced, he doesn't actually want to commit the murder, 
Dumbledore wants to think the best of people, etc.

We haven't really seen Narcissa in action being evil, although she 
did alert the Death Eaters to Harry and his friends going to the MoM 
last year.  I wouldn't be surprised if she was an active participant 
in DE activities either, although she does seem quite a bit more 
sane than her sister.  (It'd be hard not to be.)

Why offer to protect Lucius???  That, to me, is going above and 
beyond the call of duty.  Lucius Malfoy was a willing participant in 
the activities of the Death Eaters the last time around, and he 
joined up right away as soon as Voldemort returned.  He has, I'm 
sure, committed his share of crimes and unforgivables.  I can't come 
up with a good reason for offering him protection, other than 
solitary confinement in Azkaban!  

Allie