Random Thoughts on Draco

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 125503





> bboyminn (steve):
> 
> When I refer to 'degree of restraint and formality', I am 
referring to
>  Draco's general public face. What he does in private, especially 
what
> he does away from the gaze of his parents is quite another thing. 
But
> the /private face/ of everyone, especially when they are out of 
sight
> of authority figures is always quite different than their public 
face.
> 

a_svirn:

I still don't understand. What do you mean by his "public face"? 
When a teacher is present? Even on these occasions he is 
never "restraint or formal". Mostly he either gloats or whines and 
both attitudes are rather undignified and unbefitting to a person of 
his lineage and social standing.

> 
> > Steve:
> > 
> > > Notice that the Malfoys produced one male heir and stopped 
having
> > > kids. They had done their formal duty, they had done what 
society
> > > had expected of them, and that is all they were obligated to 
do. 
> 
> > a_svirn:
> > 
> > Actually, it is considered prudent for those who are in habit of 
> > contracting strategic alliances to have at least two sons. A 
woman 
> > is said to have done her duty by her husband only when she's 
born a 
> > heir and a spare. The Prince of Wales's marriage being the case 
in 
> > point. 
> 
> bboyminn (steve):
> 
> We are arguing the finer points now. The more general point is the
> continuation of the bloodline and the family name, and in Draco, 
they
> have that. Besides, by wizard standards, Mr and Mrs Malfoy are
> relatively young, and in Draco's absents, should duty call again, 
they
> are still in a position to produce another heir.

a_svirn:


Well, then they may still have a whole Quiddich team, like the 
Weasleys. And we don't even know that Draco is the only child, by 
the way. (Although you are probably right and he is).

bboyminn (steve):


> Draco clearly lays out his own aristocratic postion, in the 
process,
> trying to get a picture of where Harry stands. Is he sympathetic to
> the pureblood cause? Finally asking the big question of Harry's 
surname. 
> 
> Draco is maintaining a degree of social aloofness and restrained
> formality even as he is giving away his pureblood bias. I don't 
think
> in this case Draco is so much bragging, as he is trying to 
establish
> the social /pecking order/ between them; superior, inferior, or 
equal,
> and in what ways.
>
a_svirn:

No doubt I am missing something but how could possibly bragging and 
trying to impress a total stranger with one's possessions and 
accomplishments qualify as "aloofness and formality?" And without 
even bothering to make the necessary introductions first too! Draco 
may try to affect a "bored drawl", but he is NEVER aloof. If he had 
been he would have saved himself a great deal of trouble. 

I am with you when you say that at Mme Malkin's Draco is trying to 
gauge Harry's status in the WW. My point is that despite this 
careful training you think he's had as the heir to the "House of 
Malfoy" he goes about it in a totally wrong way. Either you are 
wrong and he hasn't been groomed for this highly elevated position 
after all, or if he has, he's failed miserably. 

a_svirn