From the outside looking in, Harry Potter's Draco Malfoy seems like the kind of character everyone simply loves to hate. He's a pure-blood wizard born of the Malfoy family - the son of a Death Eater. He is raised to hold strong beliefs that pure-bloods are the only worthy wizards, and that anyone else simply doesn't deserve the time of day. While he may have initially come off as a one-dimensional character who is simply out to make Harry's life hell, as his story unfolded, fans found out more and more about the dysfunctional Slytherin. J.K. Rowling herself is often confused at her fans' love for Draco. Is it because of Tom Felton's charm that people fell in love with Draco even more in the movies?
Or is it something about the "bad boy" trope? Either way, Draco has always polarized audiences. While he is definitely one of Harry Potter's biggest rivals throughout the series, it turns out that things aren't always as they seem. Draco goes through a huge transformation throughout the series, and there are many times that he is completely misunderstood. From his family history to his desire to be friends with Harry, there are a lot of things fans get wrong about Draco. As Draco goes through his transformation, everything about why he is the way that he is becomes crystal clear. Let's take a look at all the things about Draco Malfoy that people just can't seem to get right.
Updated on March 21st, 2022 by George Chrysostomou: With the reunion of the Harry Potter cast recently taking place, fans have been enthralled with Draco Malfoy once more and the role he plays in the overall franchise. The character is sometimes misunderstood and there are definitely some things that audiences might have missed about the Slytherin.
He's Related To Harry And Ron
When understanding the Draco Malfoy family history, their hatred for the Weasley family becomes very ironic. The way Draco acts, it's easy to think he's part of some master race, but because there are so few pure-blood families in the wizarding world, it eventually became impossible to maintain pure-blood status without marrying between families. Cedrella Black married Septimus Weasley, bearing 3 children, one of whom is said to be Arthur Weasley, Ron's father. Narcissa Malfoy, Draco's mother, was born Narcissa Black. Harry's father James was also born of the Black family.
This means that in some convoluted way, Harry, Draco, and Ron are all related via the Black family. Draco or his family just wouldn't be likely to it to the connection, seeing as how the Weasleys are not wealthy nor do they have the same agenda.
He's Actually A Powerful Wizard
Though it may seem like Harry Potter always comes out on top, it is often overlooked how powerful of a wizard Draco Malfoy really is. Though Draco Malfoy's intentions aren't as pure as Harry's, he is often just as skilled despite the unpopular opinions surrounding the character.
There are plenty of instances where Draco proves his worth as a wizard. One of Draco's most impressive skills is Occlumency - the act of closing one's mind to Legilimency. In simpler , keeping a wizard or witch from penetrating someone's mind and thoughts. Draco was skilled enough to keep Professor Snape out of his mind, which is no easy feat. Draco also kept Madam Rosmerta under the Imperius curse for quite some time, forcing her to do his bidding to and from Hogwarts-- another instance where he shows he not only knows a spell but has mastered it.
He Wanted To Be Harry's Friend First
Believe it or not, Draco's first intention with Harry Potter was to be his friend. Though they are basically mortal enemies for most of the series, in the beginning Draco eagerly tried to align himself with Harry. Draco knew who Harry was long before coming to Hogwarts. In fact, the Malfoy family were among those who believed that Harry may even be the next Dark Lord, seeing as how he defeated Voldemort.
Unfortunately for Draco, when he introduces himself to Harry he makes the mistake of thinking Harry will agree with his ideals-- only associating with pure-bloods. As soon as Draco insults Ron, and Harry stands up for him, it is clear that the two do not see eye-to-eye and will not be friends.
He Was Meant To Be Good From The Start
Harry Potter fans will know the importance of a wizard's wand. "The wand chooses the wizard," is the wandmaker Ollivander's famous saying because it's true. Wands are each built with different materials that attract a witch or wizard for personal reasons. Draco's wand knew from the beginning that he was meant to turn out good in the end.
J.K. Rowling went into detail on Pottermore about Draco's wand. Wands made from Hawthorne are for people with "inner conflict" and inside Draco's wand is unicorn hair, which shows a "good side." This definitely sums up Draco - conflicted by both the good and bad sides of himself - but the unicorn hair represents the good that will always remain at his core.
His Family Used To Do Business With Muggles
It may seem like Draco Malfoy's entire persona revolves around hating any wizard who isn't pure-blood. While that may be true, the Malfoy family wasn't always intolerant of muggles and muggle-born wizards. While this may come as a surprise, don't give them too much credit.
Before the "International Statute of Wizard Secrecy" which would eventually hide the wizarding world from muggles, the Malfoy family had relationships with wealthy muggles who helped them acquire many of their artifacts and wealth. The reason the Malfoys did not agree with the Statute of Secrecy is because of their financial connections in the muggle world - not their kind hearts. Even still, it is ironic to learn that the Malfoys built themselves on the very people they claim to hate.
He May Not Have A Dark Mark
If fans have only seen the Harry Potter movies, likelihood is they consider Draco Malfoy a Death Eater. Since Death Eaters carry the Dark Mark, and Draco shows his arm with the mark in the film, all seems to be settled, right? Well, looking back into the books, fans have a different story.
In the Harry Potter novels, it is never specified whether Draco has the Dark Mark or not. Going into further detail on Pottermore, J.K. Rowling its that she left Draco's Death Eater status up to interpretation in the books. There are slight suggestions, but nothing so obvious as showing his arm. Not blatantly stating whether or not Draco has the Dark Mark left even more room for his redemption arc at the end; even if he didn't have the moral high ground.
He Did Not Become His Father
As much as it seemed like Draco Malfoy was destined to end up just like his father, he thankfully did not. In The Cursed Child, fans learned that Draco finds a wife, Astoria Greengrass, who was raised with similar pure-blood values as the Malfoy family. Both Astoria and Draco learned to be more tolerant despite their family's teachings, which lead to Narcissa and Lucius finding Astoria to be a disappointing daughter-in-law.
Eventually, Astoria and Draco had a son, Scorpius, and they vowed not to raise him how they were raised. Draco said he would be fine with Scorpius befriending and even marrying whoever he chooses, pure-blood or not. Thankfully, the good in Draco really continued into his adult life.
He Had Feelings For Pansy Parkinson
More often than not, Draco seems to keep people in his circle as a benefit to himself. Take Crabbe and Goyle for instance, they are basically Draco's minions, agreeing with everything he says and doing whatever he wants. Many of Draco's friends stick with him out of fear, but also out of respect for who he is. Pansy Parkinson, for instance, is basically the female version of Draco and saw him as a great opportunity to further her status at Hogwarts.
While this may all be true, it's still fair to point out that Draco only kept people around he really liked. He had a relatively small circle, and if he really didn't like someone, he would not tolerate their presence. Draco Malfoy and Pansy's relationship lasted years, so he did not completely hate her-- as many fans argue.
He's A Good Student
In all the chaos of the wizarding world, it can be easy to forget about the actual studies going on at Hogwarts. While we've established that Draco is a skilled wizard, this also means that he takes his studies very seriously. Having grown up in a strict household where the best is expected, it's no wonder that he is a top student.
Draco may have natural talent, but he also makes sure to maintain excellent grades in each class. This is confirmed when he is made Slytherin house Prefect in his fifth year at Hogwarts. Only one boy and one girl are chosen as Prefects, and both excellent grades and talent are required for receiving this honor.
J.K. Rowling Doesn't Think You Should Fancy Him
Thanks to Tom Felton, and some sort of "bad boy" fascination that fans seem to have, Draco has become a huge heartthrob in the Harry Potter fandom. In fact, he may be an even bigger favorite than even Harry or Ron - but J.K. Rowling thinks that her fans are misguided.
In a tweet celebrating Draco's 35th birthday, Rowling jokes that she wasn't invited to the celebration "because [she] keeps telling girls they're misguided to fancy him." As per EW, she later elaborated that sympathizing with someone so cruel and bigoted is "unhealthy" and that she never meant for Draco to be beloved. Casting Tom Felton really threw a wrench in things.
