Draco Malfoy – Devoted Death Eater or Devoted and Misguided Son?

In an exclusive interview with Harry Potter, the Quibbler learns what motivated Harry Potter to testify for Draco and Narcissa Malfoy following the war, and what, if anything, really happened between the now Deputy Head Auror and the former Death Eater.

Imagine, if you will, being raised to believe that you and your loved ones, and your very way of life, were under constant threat. That it was your duty as a wizard to protect not only yourself and your family, but the entire wizarding world. That was what you were called to do. Imagine then going away to school to study magic under, you were told, one of the very men who were aiding and abetting this threat. And also imagine your father – the man you most looked up to in the world – held such power in the halls of the Ministry of Magic, providing counsel to the Minister himself, that you had no reason to question his world view.

That is what it was like for Draco Malfoy growing up. Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father and follower of the dark wizard known as Lord Voldemort, had indoctrinated his son in this very way. The indoctrination continued through his school years, and was even reinforced by none other than Dolores Umbridge from the Ministry, when she had taken over as Headmistress at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry while Voldemort was working to regain power. When his father was later imprisoned, Malfoy senior blamed Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore rather than take responsibility for his own actions.

When Lord Voldemort broke his followers out of Azkaban, he sought to punish Malfoy senior for their troubles, and embarked on a mission to recruit Malfoy junior and force Draco to do what he commanded, or be responsible for the deaths of himself and his parents. When most of the adult wizarding world couldn't stand up to Voldemort, what chance did a sixteen-year-old have? To complicate things further, Voldemort moved into Malfoy Manor, their family home, and Draco was forced to witness torture and murder – including a teacher from his own school – at the hands of Voldemort and his followers. He knew what Voldemort was capable of, so he did what he could to save his family.

But even under such circumstances, Draco found a way to push back. Asked to identify Harry Potter personally (an easy task for someone in the same year, and a known rival of Potter's) he chose not to. That act prevented his father and aunt, Bellatrix Lestrange, from handing Potter over to Voldemort, which would surely have resulted in his death. At great risk, when faced with the decision to hand Harry Potter over to his death, Draco Malfoy chose to do the right thing.

That is why Harry Potter testified at his trial. Neither Narcissa nor Draco Malfoy knew he was going to do so. He testified because it was the right thing to do. He knew Draco didn't deserve the fate that awaited him without Harry's testimony, just like Draco knew Harry didn't deserve the fate that awaited him if he'd identified him.

When asked to sum up his take on the situation at the time, Mr Potter said, "He was a scared kid trying to save his parents' lives and not die in the process. But when he could have done what his father, his aunt and Voldemort wanted, he did not. And I'm alive now because of that brave decision. Likewise, Narcissa Malfoy was asked to confirm that I was dead and, knowing full well I was still alive, she lied to Voldemort himself, also saving my life. How could I live with myself if I'd said nothing and watched Draco and Narcissa Malfoy go to prison for the rest of their lives because of the choices Lucius Malfoy made?"

When asked about the public's concerns that the Malfoys didn't have to pay for what they did, he said, "Unless you experienced first hand what it was like to live with Voldemort and the Death Eaters under the same roof, you can't presume they didn't suffer. Whatever Lucius suffered was his own doing. And whatever light sentence he was given was determined by the Ministry and the Wizengamot. But his family? They suffered greatly all through the war, and in the time leading up to it. They did pay. They just didn't – thankfully – pay with their lives."

Mr Potter notably did not testify on behalf of Lucius Malfoy, though Malfoy senior did receive a drastically reduced sentence after not actively participating at the Battle of Hogwarts, and later testifying against his fellow Death Eaters. He remains under house arrest at this time.

When asked about what happened after the war, Mr Potter said, "I finally got to know who Draco really was. I knew, obviously, he was brave enough to face down immense pressure in order to do the right thing, but it wasn't until we found ourselves at Hogwarts, helping with the rebuilding effort, that we became friends. We'd never even had a proper conversation before that."

When asked how that could be, Mr Potter explained, "House rivalry is bad enough at Hogwarts, particularly between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Then Draco grew up with his father telling him that Voldemort – the man who killed my parents and tried to kill me as a baby – was the good guy, and those of us fighting him were the bad guys. Let's just say we didn't have much of a chance as friends in school. So it was interesting getting to know him without all that weighing on us. We learned that we didn't really know each other at all."

And so, the big question: is there any truth to the rumours that something more than friendship developed between these former rivals? "For a short time, yes," Mr Potter confirmed. "But it was long after the trials, after we'd become friends. And then it was over. Not meant to be, I suppose. And we hadn't spoken again until Draco reported a break-in at his home and a threat on his life. I was assigned to his case."

Did he think it was strange, after their history, to be given the case? According to Mr Potter, no one at the Ministry knew of their past, except what was public. He was also aware that some people at the Ministry might not have been keen on helping someone whom they could only see as a former Death Eater. So after five years apart, he didn't see any reason to say anything.

Since the war, Draco Malfoy has become a well-respected and world-renowned potions master, quite an accomplishment for someone his age, and in particular with his past. There has been no evidence since his trial that he has conducted himself in any way contrary to the law, and is by all measure an upstanding member of society. Perhaps Harry Potter had not been mistaken in his decision to testify on Mr Malfoy's behalf after all.

And in closing, because we know the public will want to know the answer to this question, we asked Mr Potter, now that the case has been solved, and the culprit – Thorfinn Rowle, Death Eater and former associate of Lucius Malfoy – is safely locked away in Azkaban, if he and Draco Malfoy have rekindled their relationship.

"No, we have not."

Harry, I know you stopped taking the Prophet years ago, but I thought you ought to read this morning's front page before you get ambushed with questions.

Wife and son of known high-level Death Eater kidnapped

... Reports identify the kidnapper as Thorfinn Rowle, a former associate of Lucius Malfoy and known Death Eater, previously thought to have perished during the war

... Motive is unclear at this time but many speculate that it was a deal gone bad with former Death Eaters – who some in the know have said were close during the height of Voldemort’s rule – trying to start a new uprising

... The Malfoys have been lying low since receiving what many have said were lenient sentences, equivalent to slaps on the wrists, in exchange for throwing their fellows under the bus

... Malfoy senior has been under house arrest after serving a short stint in Azkaban. Is this latest incident proof that the Wizengamot got it wrong by not putting him away for good? Or, perhaps, that the Ministry had been premature in removing the Dementor’s Kiss from their repertoire of punishment options?

... Malfoy senior’s wife, Narcissa, and son, Draco, received no prison time, thanks to the testimony – and close friendship with the Minister – of Harry Potter.

... Witnesses present at the time of Rowle's capture describe a "rather intimate moment" between the Auror and Malfoy junior – also a former Death Eater – leading many to speculate about what may have really been behind the Chosen One’s testimony all those years ago. [See "Forbidden love affair" on page 3]

Ron,

Gin told me what happened. I reckon everyone else will tell you in great detail how you fucked up, which you did. Here's all I have to say on the matter: it's up to you to make things right.

Charlie.

Potter,

I need to speak with you right away concerning Draco. He's fine, but it's important that we speak. I would have Floo-called, but yours is not publicly accessible (obviously). I won't take up much of your time, but I believe you'll find that I am not overstating the importance of the matter.

I'll await your return owl. I can come to your residence or you can come to mine, or if you'd prefer, we can meet somewhere else.

Sincerely,
Pansy Parkinson-Zabini

Parkinson,

I don't know what you need to speak with me about, but I can give you a few minutes. I'll open my Floo to you for the next two hours. Come through when you wish.

Curiously,
H Potter