Seven Times Draco Malfoy Should Have Been Punished

As the problems in the wizarding world grew bigger throughout the Potter series, the enforcement of the rules at Hogwarts became laxer. This was especially true when it came to Draco and his troublemaking. Here are seven instances when Draco should have been punished for his actions but got away without any consequences.

 

Bullying Neville

 

 

‘Malfoy,’ said Neville shakily. ‘I met him outside the library. He said he’d been looking for someone to practice that [the Leg-Locker Curse] on.’ (SS 218)

Poor Neville did not have it easy at the beginning of the series. Draco constantly put him in a Leg-Locker Curse and mocked him. What’s terrible is that no teacher got involved. Neville had to stand up to Draco himself.

 

Calling Hermione a Mudblood

 

 

‘No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood,’ he spat.
Harry knew at once that Malfoy had said something really bad because there was an instant uproar at his words. (CoS 112)

This was still quite early on in the series when the problems in the wizarding world were still fairly light, so there is no reason why Draco shouldn’t have been punished for this. There were plenty of witnesses around to corroborate Hermione’s word.

 

Giving Rita Skeeter Confidential Information

 

 

‘He was talking to her, in his hand,’ said Hermione. ‘He knew, of course. That’s how she’s been getting all those nice little interviews with the Slytherins. They wouldn’t care that she was doing something illegal, as long as they were giving her horrible stuff about us and Hagrid.’ (GoF 728)

First off, sharing confidential information with a journalist is just a terrible thing to do, but sharing secrets about a teacher should have at least earned Draco and his friends detention.

 

Attacking Harry on a Train

 

 

And he stamped, hard, on Harry’s face. Harry felt his nose break; blood spurted everywhere. (HBP 154)

A lot of other things may have been going on in the wizarding world at this point, but that doesn’t excuse Draco attacking Harry, resulting in a broken nose.

 

Cursing Katie Bell

 

 

Then, six feet above the ground, Katie let out a terrible scream. Her eyes flew open but whatever she could see, or whatever she was feeling, was clearly causing her terrible anguish. (HBP 249)

The trauma that Katie experienced was horrible. Snape and Dumbledore both knew who was responsible, but they didn’t act in any way to punish Draco.

 

Poisoning Ron

 

 

But Ron, who did not appear to be listening to the toast, had already thrown the mead into his mouth and swallowed it.
There was one second, hardly more than a heartbeat, in which Harry knew there was something terribly wrong and Slughorn, it seemed, did not. (HBP 397)

If Harry hadn’t had a bezoar handy, Ron would have died. It’s only thanks to him and good luck that Ron survived. This matter should have been thoroughly investigated, and when it was revealed that Draco was the culprit, he should have been expelled.

 

Almost Using an Unforgivable Curse

 

 

There was a loud bang and the bin behind Harry exploded; Harry attempted a Leg-Locker Curse that backfired off the wall behind Malfoy’s ear and smashed the cistern beneath Moaning Myrtle, who screamed loudly; water poured everywhere and Harry slipped as Malfoy, his face contorted, cried, ‘Cruci —’ (HBP 522)

This incident was overshadowed by Harry’s curse at the end of the duel, but that doesn’t mean Draco’s role should be overlooked. In fact, if Harry hadn’t used his spell, Draco would have tortured him, so Harry’s act was in self-defense. Draco deserved some sort of punishment from an authority figure for his deeds too.

 

What do you think of my list? Are there any other moments you think Draco should have been punished for? Let us know in the comments.

Minal Daswani

I entered the wizarding world in 2006, and haven’t left. In my Muggle time, I enjoy reading, bingeing TV shows, baking, and travellng.