Apologia pro Draco (was Re: Wizarding Top Ten)

[sistermagpie at earthlink.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 188477

 Geoff:
> I don't think, as Magpie suggests, that "he didn't have the courage to 
> take the next step and declare for the other side". He didn't get the 
> opportunity to do this. On the Tower, he appeared to be about to do 
> that when he was interrupted by the arrival of the Death Eaters. He 
> was then hauled away by Snape and, throughout Deathly Hallows, is 
> hardly in a position to make a move.

Magpie:
I'm not sure how this really disagrees with what I said. Whether one things he had a chance or not to declare for the other side, he winds up, imo, clearly against Voldemort but not actually doing anything for the other side, which would make him neutral, but not good. (And as lots of people probably know if they've read me talking about him before, I love the guy and he's my favorite character!)

But I thought the author was very intentionally keeping him at that level to draw that distinction. If she'd wanted to give him a chance where he could do something clearly for the good side she would have. In the identification scene she takes pains to show Draco's own desires to let the Trio go, but he's unable given his equally strong desire to save his family from Voldemort. He's not his father who is actually eager to get into Voldemort's good graces, he just doesn't want to possibly betray them or get them in even worse trouble. Whether it's the fault of his circumstances or not, that's where he winds up.

Nikki:
> But he could have left Hogwarts with the other Slytherins and
> either gone to the Forest or into hiding. He chose to stay to
> attempt to capture HP.


zanooda:

I'm pretty sure that the whole idea of trying to capture Harry in the RoR was Crabbe's, not Draco's. At this time Draco is definitely not the leader of the Slytherin trio anymore, and he is reminded about it by Crabbe: "Who cares what you think? I don't take your orders no more, Draco. You an' your dad are finished". I think that maybe Draco tried to discourage Crabbe but without success. He then decided to stay as well to have at least some control over the situation. I must say that I dislike Draco very much, but in this case I just believe that's what happened :-).

Magpie:
I agree with zanooda here. Voldemort himself says that Draco didn't join him with the other Slytherins when they left--I don't think leaving Hogwarts with the other Slytherins and hiding was really an option. Staying behind in itself Voldemort views as a sign of disloyalty, which I suspect it was on Draco's part. I think he was trying to hide when the Trio happened to appear in front of them. Crabbe is the one leading the charge into the RoR--Crabbe also already knows how to get into the room. Draco's actions in that scene are not positive ones toward LV, they're all passive actions against Crabbe. The one thing he talks about doing is grabbing the diadem, which would not involve hurting anyone but could appease LV. His parents are quite definitely in danger and have been so for the entire book. That LV is currently treating Lucius like an errand boy doesn't make Lucius safe. Draco's trying to appease LV enough back him off their family (who remember he's been specifically tormenting like a cat playing with a mouse for two books now), and trying to keep people--including those on the good side--from being killed. He's living up to the choice he was making in HBP, where he would have left LV completely and accepted protection on the good side.

-m