Draco Malfoy is best remembered as a misunderstood villain throughout Harry Potter. Introduced as an arrogant 11-year-old boy, he is a rich and well-connected Slytherin who goes on to join the Death Eaters in both the movies and in J.K. Rowling’s books. While he eventually turns on Voldemort, his legacy is one of a confused young man who eventually redeems himself too late. With the Harry Potter TV show on the way, Draco’s story will soon be depicted on-screen for the second time.
Tom Felton, who played Draco in the movies, still has some warm recollections of his time in the role. In fact, he has even imagined warmer times. In a recent Instagram post, Felton showcased a behind-the-scenes photo that reveals a better life for the misunderstood Slytherin boy:
The picture features an older Draco, dressed in fine black clothes and set against a dim background. Draco is holding his hands in front of his waist and has a smile on his face. Though he appears uncertain and reserved, he does look happy, which is a sharp contrast to the cruel and arrogant Draco from the movies.
Draco Could Have Lived A Better Life
The Photo Plays On The Understated Tragedy Of Draco’s Life
Under Lucius Malfoy’s oppressive control, Draco lived a quiet tragedy. Though he was given access to anything money could buy, he found little love in a house dominated by Death Eater ideologies. Throughout his childhood, he faced physical threats for any misbehavior and suffered through a complete lack of warmth from his father. Narcissa Malfoy loved her son deeply, but it was not enough to heal the pain of his father’s disapproval. It was only after Voldemort threatened Draco that Lucius finally broke away to embrace his son and protect his family.
Tom Felton was 12 years old when he first began filming Harry Potter.
After Harry Potter ended, Draco broke away from his father’s ideology. He raised his own son, Scorpius, to respect those around him, regardless of their blood. Had his father raised him the same way, Draco might have found friends in Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Instead of being surrounded by cruel sycophants and Death Eater commanders, he could have smiled more and enjoyed his time at Hogwarts without fear and secrecy. Felton’s photo reveals an entirely new reality for Draco, which undoubtedly would seem completely alien to him.
Our Take On Tom Felton’s Photo
It Would Have Hurt Harry Potter’s Story
The entire point of Draco’s character is to serve as a foil for Harry. Both lived painful lives without much love and with unreasonable expectations, and both found a new home in Hogwarts away from their cruel families. The difference between the two characters lies in their response to their traumatic childhoods. Draco embraced a supremacist ethos, while Harry adopted a more accepting and open perspective. Changing Draco’s childhood would only take away Harry Potter‘s greatest parallel, and it would only hurt the tragedy of the story.
Source: Tom Felton / Instagram
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a multimedia franchise about an orphaned boy who enrolls at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family, and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world. Adapted from the novels, Harry Potter is an eight-episode film saga that follows the journey of Harry Potter and his friends, Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley, as they navigate the tricky world of growing up, school life, and magic. Starting from year one and moving to their seventh year, the films chronicle the students’ time at Hogwarts while unfurling a sinister plot that centers around the unsuspecting Harry. With the return of the dark wizard, Voldemort, the students and professors at Hogwarts will fight to carry on as the world around them may change forever. Harry Potter has expanded beyond the world of its films and novels with several video games, a spin-off film series titled Fantastic Beasts, and even attractions at Universal Studios.
- Cast
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Daniel Radcliffe
, Emma Watson
, Rupert Grint
, Tom Felton
, Alan Rickman
, Matthew Lewis
, Bonnie Wright
, Evanna Lynch
, Maggie Smith
, Michael Gambon
, Richard Harris
, Ralph Fiennes
, Helena Bonham Carter
, Alfred Enoch
, Harry Melling
, Gary Oldman
, Robert Pattinson
, Warwick Davis
, Oliver Phelps
, James Phelps
, David Bradley
, David Thewlis
, Katie Leung
, Jason Isaacs
, Imelda Staunton
, David Tennant
, Jamie Campbell Bower
, Timothy Spall
, Robbie Coltrane
, Eddie Redmayne
, Jude Law
, Katherine Waterston
, Ezra Miller
, Dan Fogler
, Alison Sudol
, Johnny Depp
, Mads Mikkelsen - Character(s)
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Harry Potter
, Hermione Granger
, Ron Weasley
, Dumbledore
, Minerva McGonagall
, Rubeus Hagrid
, Dobby the House Elf
, Draco Malfoy
, Sirius Black
, Ginny Weasley
, Voldemort
