[HPforGrownups] The Malfoys

[Lenore]

No: HPFGUIDX 173531


Stephanie:
>(snip)
>The family really began to interest me in HBP when Narcissa took her
>life in her hands, and threw pride to the winds in the interest of
>preserving her son's safety.

Lenore:
Yes.  She saw a chance and took it.  That episode seems to show her
as a soft, gentle woman, and I began to realize that I had never seen
her characterized in any other way.  I suppose she too was in Slytherin
but, as far as Draco was concerned, she was the epitome of devotion.

Stephanie:
>Here, I thought, is an interesting character.
>My interest in the Malfoy family was only further peaked in DH when I
>saw the Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco's obvious love for one another.
>
>Draco's character seemed so on the verge of really blossoming in a
>fascinating way but then the series ended! FINITO! Drop curtain!!
>AIYEEE!
>
>It just struck me that Draco truly WAS a product of his upbringing,
>and this showed itself quite plainly when, about to perish by
>accursed fire and having been dragged out of the path of destruction
>by Potter, his first words spoke his concern for the welfare of
>his friend.
>"C-Crabbe" chocked Malfoy as soon as he could speak, C-Crabbe..."
>
>Nor do I forget that while being chased by this same cursed fire,
>Malfoy willingly slowed his own flight to drag a stunned Goyle along
>with him and, with Harry's help, to ultimate safety.
>
>The origins of this sort of reaction were explained when Narcissa and
>Lucius, at the height of the fighting weren't even remotely
>interested in the battle, the dark lord, or any of the rest of it.
>Their whole focus was on their son and his safety. (snipped)

Lenore:
Of course, Narcissa and Lucius had both lost their wands so they were
powerless to join in the fighting.  Thus stripped of power and pride, their
only focus was for Draco; and as you say, we discover that the Malfoys
had always enjoyed a strong family bond.  It makes me wonder why they
became Death Eaters in the first place.

Possibly my favorite part in DH was when Draco was in dire peril from
the FiendFyre, and Harry swooped alongside him to take him to safety--
over Ron's protest.  We never find out whether Harry followed up on it,
but that kind of shared 'war experience' would surely have helped to
dissolve the hatred that existed between them. I had that hope.

I wish that Harry could have made a minimal approach to them,
sitting together apart after the battle was over. It might have been
at least a start in rebuilding the WW with a bit more heart. What
bothers me is that Harry seemed to expect Draco to come to him,
and I recalled that Dudley came to Harry, not the other way around.
But... maybe the time wasn't quite right for a detente with Draco.

I'm with you. I would have liked another chapter to gather the threads
together. This was one of the best things about the earlier books--
there was always the moment, often in the hospital, when many things
were clarified.

Lenore (hoping the formatting holds a lot better this time, ack!)