First Impression of Draco

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 168386

--- , "Geoff Bannister" <gbannister10 at ...> wrote:
>
> ---  "montavilla47" <montavilla47@> wrote:
> 
> Betsy Hp:
> >> This is fascinating to me because I had *such* a
> >> different first impression of Draco.  My first 
> >> thought was actually, "ah, here's Harry's soon 
> >> to be best friend".
>  
> Montavilla: 
> > I came rather late to the Draco fan club--but he was
> > the character who most intrigued me leading into HBP.
> > I was intensely curious what the boy whose Dad was 
> > just sent to prison ...
> > 
> > ...
> 
> Geoff:
> Curiously, I have always had a weak spot for Draco and
> I would love him to be involved in some sort of 
> rapprochement with Harry in Book 7 - maybe stemming 
> from what Harry saw on the Tower.
> 
> The problem is that I have always felt that the meeting
> on the train was a pivotal moment between them and that
> the continuing rivalry, obstruction and dislike took 
> root and grew from that point in time.
> 
> ...

bboyminn:

Sorry to have cut so much of the previous post. I'm just
going to make some general comments on Draco.

Draco made a strategic error when he met Harry both the
first time and the second time. Harry has learned at the
Dursley's to not make waves. Courtesy and politeness are
ways of not making waves. Consequently, if Draco has 
presented himself a little differently, Harry would have
certainly shaken his hand out of nothing other than 
courtesy and as I said, a desire not to make waves or
create unnecessary conflict. 

But, on there second meeting on the train, Draco 
unknowingly has couched his offer of friendship in a not
so veiled insult against Ron. That simply can not be
allowed in Harry's mind. To shake Draco's hand is to 
confirm and accept the insult to Ron. Harry already 
likes Ron and does not like Draco. The outcome in
simple, Draco looses. 

I think in the only way Draco knows how to, Draco did
offer Harry what in his impression was friendship. But
to most people it was not. He was offering Harry an
strategic alliance in which Draco, as the guide, would
have the upper hand, as indeed a Malfoy should. That
is not the kind of friendship Harry wants or needs,
and as I said, in the framework offered, Harry could
only reject it. 

If Draco had even a small degree of common sense and
diplomacy, I'm sure he could have won a more favorable
impression from Harry. But once the breach comes, Draco
is determined to make that chasm wider and wider. He 
simply, with his status and prestige, can not stand the
rejection, and has determined that anyone who would
reject a Malfoy, is automatically his enemy.

Harry would gladly leave Draco alone, if only Draco would
leave him alone, but Draco seems determined to provoke 
Harry at every turn. Presumably, to prove his own 
superiority both to himself and to Harry. A plan which
constantly fails. 

Clearly, Draco is the provocateur, and Harry is merely
reacting to the provocation. 

Just passing it along.

Steve/bboyminn