And what of Draco?

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 133454

Geoff wrote: 
snipping
 Dumbledore 
> offers sanctuary but before things can move further, the Death Eaters 
> arrive and the opportunity passes.
> 
> Draco is alternating between wanting to "be one of the big boys", 
> doubting whether he can bring himself to kill and also fearing the 
> consequences. 

Potioncat:
DD is offering sanctuary not only to Draco, but also to Narcissa and 
Lucius. (Just don't ask me why!!!)

DD has known all year that Draco is planning to kill him. He's seen the 
efforts, but he's allowed Draco lots of room to think and to make his 
choices. The choices we make are what's important, at least to DD. And 
now, at the last moment he's offering mercy again to Draco's entire 
family. Draco even seems on the verge of stating that choice, when time 
runs out. And at that point, DD sees to it that Draco doesn't have to 
change his mind.

Oddly enough, I think DD's been after Lucius as well. Go back to CoS, 
chapter 14.Lucius has just come to say that DD is being replaced. They 
are in Hagrid's hut, Harry and Ron are under the IC.

"Dumbledore had not taken his bright blue eyes off Lucius Malfoy's cold 
gray ones. 
However,...you will find that I will only truly have left this school 
when none here are loyal to me. You will also find that help will 
always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it."

Harry thinks DD then glances toward the corner. We think DD is talking 
to Harry and I suppose he is. But he is most certainly talking to 
Lucius too.

I really think having Snape do the job, satisfied several needs of DD 
and the Order at large, but one of the important ones was to keep 
Draco's hands clean.

 

Geoff:
> As a side issue, there is still the unresolved question of the "good 
> Slytherin". Nott was noticed in converse with Draco in the book so 
> does this cancel some of his Brownie points?

Potioncat:
I remember Theo being mentioned between Blaise and Draco. So it was 
obvious that Theo was not in the Slytherin compartment nor was he part 
of the Slug Club.  I don't remember if we see Theo and Blaise laughing 
in another scene or if it's Draco and Blaise. But given how much I 
thought he'd been set up as a major player for the book back in OoP, I 
was wondering where the heck he was?! And I wonder if he was the fourth 
Slytherin in Potions.