Summary
Draco and Harry’s rivalry is one of the most iconic parts of theHarry Potterfranchise. The pair’s conflict has created many memorable moments across the series and has helped to fuel the iconicrivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin.
Draco and Harry’s rivalry has existed since their first year at Hogwarts together. It’s safe to say that the pair started off on the wrong foot after Harry rejected Draco’s offer of friendship. During their time at Hogwarts, Draco subjected Harry and his friends to endless amounts of torment, yet Harry refused to accept this mindless bullying and always stood up for himself and his friends – but why did Draco even hate Harry in the first place?
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Why did Harry reject Draco’s offer of friendship?
AsHarry Potterfans will know, Draco is from an incredibly powerful family of Pure-Bloods. Upon arriving at Hogwarts, Draco was looking to extend his sphere of influence, explaining why he attempted to become friends with the famous Harry Potter. It’s likely that Draco originally saw Harry as his equal in terms of social status.
Like the rest of the wizarding population, Draco was aware of Harry’s reputation and recognized him as the infamous ‘Boy who Lived’. When he offered Harry his friendship, Draco was evidently attempting to associate himself with a powerful and popular wizard.
As soon as he introduces himself to Harry, audiences quickly become aware of Draco’s arrogant personality. As seen inHarry Potter and thePhilosopher’s Stone, Draco introduces himself as: “Malfoy. Draco Malfoy” – which warranted an inadvertent snigger from Ron Weasley. By directly referencing the Malfoy name, Draco associates his family alongside a sense of superiority – something which is further reflected via his treatment of Ron.
After Ron laughs at his introduction, Draco cannot help but unleash his aggravation, creating an iconic interaction which reveals Draco’s true character. Turning to Ron, Draco cruelly remarks: “Think my name’s funny, do you? No need to ask for yours. Red hair and a hand-me-down robe? You must be a Weasley”.
In this snide remark, Draco is clearly targetingthe Weasley’s financial status. Turning back to Harry, Draco continues to mock the Weasley family, stating: “You’ll soon find out that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don’t want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there”. After seeing how cruelly Draco spoke to his friend, Harry firmly rejects the boy’s offer, telling him that he’s perfectly capable of telling the wrong sort for himself. In this case, Draco’s arrogance reveals that he himself is in fact the ‘wrong sort’.
Inthe Philosopher’s Stone’sbook, another scene reveals why Harry decided to distance himself from Draco. In the book, the boys originally meet for the first time at Madam Malkin’s robe shop. Whilst being fitted for their robes, it becomes abundantly clear to Harry how spoiled Draco is. His spoiled and arrogant attitude cannot help but remind Harry of his time withDudley Dursley. Draco then made some incredibly unkind remarks about Hagrid, solidifying Harry’s dislike of the boy.
Based on Draco’s spoiled upbringing, Harry’s rejection was likely the first time the boy had ever been told no. Draco’s selfish attitude couldn’t handle the dismissal, perceiving it as an affront to his ‘power’ and an insult to his family name. Following Harry’s rejection, Draco subjects the boy to years of torment and bullying - but there are more layers to the pair’s hostile relationship.
Was Draco Jealous of Harry?
It’s safe to assume that Draco’s hatred of Harry was fueled by jealousy. Although Draco attempted to disguise his jealousy with confidence, it still makes an appearance throughout the franchise.
Harry is an incrediblytalented wizard– something which Draco greatly admired. Draco had originally planned for Harry’s esteemed reputation to bolster his own social status whilst at Hogwarts. However, this plan evidently backfired after Harry rejected Draco’s offer of friendship. Harry’s popularity quickly became a source of irritation for Draco. Playing against each other during the Quidditch games further soured their relationship. After growing up as a single child in a wealthy family, Draco certainly wasn’t used to competition and was clearly jealous of Harry’s natural talent for the sport.
Draco also resentedHarry’s close circle of friends. Although Crabbe and Goyle followed the boy around Hogwarts, Draco never had a traditional friendship group.Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Princeshowed how truly isolated Draco was from his peers. Meanwhile, Harry was constantly surrounded by a group of loving and supportive friends – something which obviously irked Draco.
In a similar vein, Draco was also envious of Harry’s caring family. Although Harry was tragically torn from his parents at a young age,they sacrificed themselves to save his life– a clear display of their love for Harry. During his time at Hogwarts, family friends continued to look out for Harry, such as Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. Draco was never shown this type of love from his family. Instead, his parents pressured him to follow their traditional Pure-Blood ideals – something which strained their relationship with Draco. This immense pressure to comply with their Pure-Blooded ideology surfaces within Draco’s hostile relationship with Harry.
How did blood status impact Harry and Draco’s relationship?
Coming from a family of Pure-Bloods, Draco was taught to believe that he possessed the ‘superior’blood status. Having such prejudiced ideology installed upon him from a young age impacted Draco’s relations with his peers. In order to target Harry, he called Hermione the derogatory phrase ‘Mudblood’ on multiple occasions – a clear reflection of his parents’ own prejudiced views.
InHarry Potter and theHalf-Blood Prince,Draco finally begins to rebel against the Death Eaters’ bigoted ideology – an act which finally started to repair his relationship with Harry.
How did Draco seek redemption?
Unlike theDeath Eaters, Draco never wanted to physically harm anybody, and it wasn’t in his nature to do so. Despite the immense pressure installed upon him by his family, he couldn’t bring himself to kill Dumbledore. DuringHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, audiences see how this pressure has emotionally destroyed Draco as he finally sees the moral consequences of becoming a Death Eater. This film signifies Draco’s breaking point; he is no longer naively following his family’s beliefs. Following this realization, Draco tries to redeem himself. However, he had to be strategic in breaking away from the Death Eaters, otherwiseVoldemort would have killed Dracoand his family without hesitation.
InHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1,Draco refuses to identify Harry, saving him from the Death Eaters. Despite the hex, Harry is easily recognizable to those who know him, yet Draco proceeds to tell the Death Eaters that he “can’t be sure” whether it’s actually Harry. AlthoughLucius Malfoyattempts to pressurize Draco, he ultimately conceals Harry’s identity, sparing his life.
In a deleted scene fromHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Draco runs across to Harry and throws him his wand, helping him fight against Voldemort.Harry Potterfans are furious that this scene was cut, as it would’ve emphasized Draco’s redemption.
Harry Potter and theCursed Childfurther displays Draco’s separation from traditional Pure-Blood ideology. After his own traumatic experiences, Draco refuses to raise his son, Scorpius, alongside these bigoted beliefs – much to the aggravation of his parents. When Scorpius goes to Hogwarts, he becomes close friends with Albus Potter, Harry’s son. Scorpius’ friendship with Albus proves that if Draco hadn’t had this prejudiced ideology installed upon him since childhood, then he and Harry could’ve been good friends.
