Extra Credit Blog: Draco Malfoy

There is no denying that all of the characters in Harry Potter changed significantly over the course of seven novels. Some developed more than others, and not everyone turned out the way the readers expected. I suppose that's Rowling's way of telling her readers to not judge a person based on their background.

For me, the person who changed the most was Draco Malfoy. All throughout the series, all the readers hear about is how proud Draco is to be associated with Voldemort and the Dark Arts, of how close the Malfoy family's relationship is with Voldemort and his Death Eaters, and of how Draco hero-worships Voldemort and his quest to purge the wizarding world of "mudbloods". And of course, who can forget Draco's infamous quip: "Wait until my father hears about this!"? At any rate, at the end of book 6, no one can doubt where Draco's allegiance lies, and that is with Voldemort, despite his hesitation at killing Dumbledore.

However, what I think is the most interesting part happens almost immediately at the beginning of book 7. Draco, who has gone on since the start about how he's going to be a Death Eater and he and his family are far superior to everyone else because of their pureblood status, seems to be doubting his decision to take the Dark Mark. For once, he's acting like the clueless, frightened boy that he is, and I think that shows so much of his character. You can't judge him, because he was raised in that environment and he was basically bred to have these thoughts and ideas. The moment he gets to think for himself, he starts to doubt that what's going on is okay.

Another wonderful example is that of Draco denying Harry's identity to his aunt and mother. The old Draco Malfoy would have given Harry up in a heartbeat, but this Draco keeps Harry's secret and protects Harry, if only for a few moments. And finally, I think the most telling part of Draco's character is when Harry is attempting to destroy the diadem. It's Crabbe who casts the fiendfyre and destroys everything, not Malfoy. And I think that that's the most telling aspect of his character: that he doesn't take his chance to kill Harry Potter.