Should Draco have been saved in DH?

[MerryLore]

Originally Posted by ShadowSonic

Well, DD didn't exactly have the time to do anything about Draco (and also, he probably knew about the Vow Snape made and knew if he did anything to Draco it would affect Snape as well). Once it was all settled and Minerva was Headmistress, you'd think she'd go over what happened and decide if punishment was required (he was a minor, but attempted murder and conspiracy to murder are still crimes).

DD needed Draco to try to kill him so Snape could intervene and kill him instead. His plan was to get Snape to get Draco to trust him, I think. And DD wasn't noted for punishing attempted murder if he thought it would affect the bigger picture and the Greater Good, IMHO.

McGonagall? DD was headmaster up until Draco tried to kill him. When Snape killed DD, Draco left with Snape. When Draco returned to Hogwarts, Snape was headmaster. It was never in McGonagall's hands.

[ShadowSonic]

I meant after the war, when both DD and Snape were dead McGonagall would've been the new Headmistress (IIRC). I'm assuming Draco's education wasn't completed in his 7th year, so he either just never completed it or he would have to go back to Hogwarts to finish up when McG was now Headmistress and would've been able to review Draco's actions.

Unless of course Harry was (for whatever reason) so super-grateful over Narcissa's help (which wasn't even that helpful, IMO) he had the whole family pardoned.

[MerryLore]

Originally Posted by ShadowSonic

I meant after the war, when both DD and Snape were dead McGonagall would've been the new Headmistress (IIRC). I'm assuming Draco's education wasn't completed in his 7th year, so he either just never completed it or he would have to go back to Hogwarts to finish up when McG was now Headmistress and would've been able to review Draco's actions.

Unless of course Harry was (for whatever reason) so super-grateful over Narcissa's help (which wasn't even that helpful, IMO) he had the whole family pardoned.

You mean, after it was all over and the Ministry had made their rulings, McGonagall should have gone after something that had already been handled by those who were in charge at the time and who had most of the facts on the situation, whereas she did not? Because now she was Headmaster? Does her being Headmaster now mean she should go back into the past and address wrongs done prior to her administration? I disagree - it was DD's call, since he was Headmaster at that time.

Draco was not perfect and made some huge mistakes, as did many others, and, returning the thread back on topic, yes, Draco deserved to be saved. Very few people deserve to be burned alive, and IMHO, he was one who did not.

[leah49]

Originally Posted by MasterOfDeath

I agree. I think Jo's point was even though the wizarding world improves after Voldemort's defeat, it still isn't perfect. It's very realistic.

That's a great point. We want justice and everyone bad to get what they deserve, but that's not how it works in real life. Not everyone who deserves it gets punished.

[wolfbrother]

Originally Posted by leah49

That's a great point. We want justice and everyone bad to get what they deserve, but that's not how it works in real life. Not everyone who deserves it gets punished.

Didn't Harry have something to do with them not being punished ?

I'm not particularly bothered with the Malfoys getting away with it. Lucius did end up spending time in Azkaban. We do not know if Narcissa was involved in any death eater activities. I do not know if Draco deserved time. Its possible that Harry did not feel it necessary because of the pressure he was under.

[ShadowSonic]

I can't remember if it was in some interview, but Jason Isaacs did say that even though they escaped prison the Malfoys did still suffer: Lucius remained somewhat broken and estranged from his family for how he dragged them into everything, and the Malfoys were exposed for being DEs and DE supporters and lost their reputation and place in society.

So, they got their punishment. It wasn't seen, but it happened.

[asdfasdf17]

Originally Posted by ShadowSonic

Well, DD didn't exactly have the time to do anything about Draco (and also, he probably knew about the Vow Snape made and knew if he did anything to Draco it would affect Snape as well). Once it was all settled and Minerva was Headmistress, you'd think she'd go over what happened and decide if punishment was required (he was a minor, but attempted murder and conspiracy to murder are still crimes).

Draco left with Snape after the attack and I'm guessing by the next year when he was attending Hogwarts for seventh year, Snape was already Headmaster. So because of that I doubt McGonagall could have given him a punishment. Also, there were other things to worry about like Dumbledore was dead and Voldemort was taking over.

[CyclonePrefect8]

I agree with Harry going back to save him, it wouldn't fit his character for him not to! The way the movie made it out to be the fire seemed really low and less dangerous (making the choice seem easier) than the book in my opinion. After being rescued, Draco still should have faced punishment for he still attempted murder many times AFTER the 6th book. Maybe not time in Azkaban, and if so a short sentence, but he should have some punishment no less. However, I believe Narcissa should face little or no punishment for her crimes were just aiding a known criminals, but made up for it by saving Harry. Lucius on the other hand deserves more punishment than Draco even though he spent time in Azkaban. That was for just BEING a death eater, He did not answer his CoS crimes which seemed proven by this time. I guess all this was just lost in the mad aftermath, but I still feel some punishment could/should have been applied.

[MasterOfDeath]

I agree Narcissa didn't deserve any punishment as she technically or legally didn't do anything wrong. That's not to say she's a good person IMO. She's a mafia-wife and an enabler and happy enough to turn the otherway when horrible things happen around her and she benefitted from the blood money as well. But in a court case, there'd be no real case against her.

Lucius definitely deserved to return to Azkaban for life and Draco should have served at least some time there.

Harry was right not to let him be killed though. Harry is a noble soilder who only kills when he has to, out of self defense. I personally always admired his saving people thing however foolish it could seem at times.

[asdfasdf17]

Originally Posted by snapes_witch

That's only the movies, Jason can't speak for the books.

Sometimes Rowling tells the actors about their book characters (like how she told Alan Rickman Snape's story/past beforehand) so maybe he was just going on what Rowling told him?

[HedwigOwl]

Originally Posted by Pearl_Took

The 'worthiness' of Draco to be saved is irrelevant.

A good person might risk their own lives to save the life of a friend. But saving one's nemesis is an act on a higher plane, and that is what Harry's heroism illustrates. It's a sacrificial, redemptive act. Harry does the right thing because it's the right thing to do, irrespective if how Draco would behave if the roles were reversed.

I agree. It doesn't matter whether Draco "deserved" to be saved or not. It was not something Harry would have considered; he just saved him, period. His nature would not let him do otherwise.

[snapes_witch]

Originally Posted by asdfasdf17

Sometimes Rowling tells the actors about their book characters (like how she told Alan Rickman Snape's story/past beforehand) so maybe he was just going on what Rowling told him?

Could be, but that's a lot more than she told Alan (Snape loved Harry's Mum) and still more than what's on Pottermore, which is only that Lucius escaped Azkaban by testifying against the DEs. Actually I think he was just speculating, like we do here.

(My apologies, I deleted that comment, intending to come back later with a slightly different one.)

On topic:

Of course Harry should have saved Draco, Harry's a good guy and there's a possibility Draco could be turned around. Dumbledore thought so.

[twinsrule26]

Yes Harry did the right thing . Draco was ,I think a much changed guy by the time of the battle in Hogwarts. I think Harry saw this in the way Draco was no longer able to control Crabbe & Goyle and how he tried to stop them from killing the Trio. I believe Harry wouldn't let anyone except maybe Voldemort or Bellatrix burn to death.

I would like to think I would save Draco, but to be honest if faced with that fire I just don't know how I would behave .

[Melaszka]

Just a reminder to keep this on the books, not the films, and also to avoid discussing what JKR's intentions were - the only person who can say what they were is her.