Analyzing Draco (Was: Re: Dark Book - Blood and Cruelty)

[Zara]

No: HPFGUIDX 177290

> Carol: 
> Does anyone think, for example, that Draco in the early books craves
> the attention that Harry receives, even possibly viewing it as his 
by
> right as both a Malfoy and a Black? 

zgirnius:
I would agree. I also think he was shocked by Harry's rejection of 
his offer of friendship on the train, and has taken that a bit 
personally.

> Carol:
> (for example, Draco's hope in CoS that Slytherin's monster kills the
> "Mudblood" Granger) to point B (for example, his apparent reluctance
> to identify HRH and turn them in to Voldemort).

zgirnius:
This is something I can recall having read discussion of post-HBP. I 
agree with whoever it was (probably magpie...) who theorized that 
Draco feels he 'ought' to have this sort of sentiment, but has no 
understanding at all of death. His experiences in HBP, the danger he 
and his family were in as well as his own ultimate reluctance to kill 
Dumbledore even though it was clearly the way out if his immediate 
problems, changed that. I think in DH Draco stayed on Voldemort's 
side only because his parents were effectively hostages. Left free to 
choose, I am sure he would have preferred to sit it out, cheering the 
good guys from the sidelines.

> Carol:
> Also, oddly, he expresses concern for
> "that diadem thing" that Harry is trying to retrieve, afraid that
> Crabbe will destroy it with one of his spells (DH Am. ed. 629). 

zgirnius:
I did not find it odd. I found it very much in line with how Draco 
handled his mission in HBP. He really did not want to kill anyone, 
especially not in a personal, face-to-face sort of way. So he poured  
his energy into something else - fixing the cabinet. When what he 
heard Harry say ed him to believe the tiara might be importsant, I 
think he saw it as a way to achieve his goal (get his family out of 
Voldemort's doghouse) without having to kill anyone or turn them over 
to Voldemort (who Draco knows wants Harry only to kill him 
personally).

> Carol:
> Perhaps what we're supposed to see in this scene is Harry's mercy 
and
> gallantry (in contrast to Ron's reluctance to save Draco and Goyle 
and
> his harsh reaction to Crabbe's death), but we also see a Draco who
> (like his father) has lost his authority but (unlike his father) is
> reluctant to hurt Harry and shows genuine concern for someone other
> than himself. 

zgirnius:
Well, I have already gone on record in previous posts about this 
scene. I think it is Draco's big moment in which we are shown his 
best side. (Not that we're supposed to ignore Harry, naturally...)