Five Times Draco Malfoy Got What Was Coming to Him
I don’t understand why people love Draco Malfoy. I don’t even “love to hate him.” In my opinion, he’s an elitist brat who never redeemed himself. Sure, he passively told his father he “couldn’t be sure” it was Harry Potter the Snatchers captured and dragged to Malfoy Manor (DH 23). Does this make up for years of hurling slurs at Muggle-borns or his allegiance to the Death Eaters?
I’m not writing to defend my distaste for Malfoy. I’m here to celebrate the epic times when Harry Potter characters get their sweet revenge on Draco Malfoy.
5. Draco, the Amazing Bouncing Ferret
The Context: In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Draco uses an unflattering Daily Prophet article about Mr. Weasley to bully Ron. Harry sticks up for his friend, and Draco tries to hex him behind his back. Professor Moody (or Barty Crouch, Jr. if we’re being technical) intervenes and reveals his grudge against backstabbers.
‘OH NO YOU DON’T, LADDIE!’
Harry spun around. Professor Moody was limping down the marble staircase. His wand was out and it was pointing right at a pure white ferret, which was shivering on the stone-flagged floor, exactly where Malfoy had been standing” (GoF 13).
Why It’s Awesome: Draco’s talent for humiliating others makes him an effective bully time and time again. When Professor Moody turns him into a ferret in front of the whole school, it gives Draco a taste of his own medicine.
4. Sectumsempra
The Context: Harry spends all of his sixth year following Draco and trying to figure out why he is acting so suspiciously. Draco finds out, and he is not happy about it.
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 over as Malfoy, his face contorted, cried, ‘Cruci—’
‘SECTUMSEMPRA!’ bellowed Harry from the floor, waving his wand wildly.
Blood spurted from Malfoy’s face and chest as though he had been slashed with an invisible sword. He staggered backward and collapsed onto the waterlogged floor with a great splash, his wand falling from his limp right hand” (HBP 24).
Why It’s Awesome: Don’t get me wrong; Harry was irresponsible to cast Sectumsempra without any idea what the spell did. What if Harry’s reflexes weren’t so quick? Malfoy would have gotten away with casting an Unforgivable Curse since there were no witnesses to the duel. Harry’s impulse saved him from Malfoy’s torture curse and provided a rare moment of consequence for Draco.
3. Ron’s Invisible Punch
The Context: It’s the Battle of Hogwarts, and Malfoy finds himself pleading for his life at the hands of a Death Eater. The trio saves the day.
Harry Stunned the Death Eater as they passed: Malfoy looked around, beaming, for his savior, and Ron punched him from under the Cloak. Malfoy fell backward on top of the Death Eater, his mouth bleeding, utterly bemused.
‘And that’s the second time we’ve saved your life tonight, you two-faced bastard!’ Ron yelled” (DH 32).
Why It’s Awesome: Draco and Ron hate each other from their first meeting when Draco calls the Weasley family poor and unworthy of friendship. Up until this point, Draco has avoided the wrath of Ron Weasley. Finally, Ron gets his chance to redeem himself after his slug-vomit spell backfired in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
2. Buckbeak Demands Respect
The Context: Hagrid is teaching his first Care of Magical Creatures lesson. Draco gets jealous of Harry’s supercool encounter with Buckbeak and breaks the first rule of hippogriffs: Never insult one!
It happened in a flash of steely talons; Malfoy let out a high-pitched scream and next moment, Hagrid was wrestling Buckbeak back into his collar as he strained to get at Malfoy, who lay curled in the grass, blood blossoming over his robes.
‘I’m dying!’ Malfoy yelled as the class panicked. ‘I’m dying, look at me! It’s killed me!’ (PoA 6)
Why It’s Awesome: Draco pays no mind to those he thinks he’s better than. His prejudice as a pure-blood wizard allows him to believe he’s better than Hagrid the half-giant. However, being a pure-blood wizard doesn’t necessarily make you good with magical creatures. He could have easily avoided getting hurt if he had respected Hagrid enough to pay attention to his lesson.
1. Hermione Fights Like a Girl
The Context: Buckbeak is sentenced to death for attacking Draco. When Hermione hears Draco making fun of Hagrid for crying about the upcoming execution, she decides she’s had enough.
‘Have you ever seen anything quite as pathetic?’ said Malfoy. ‘And he’s supposed to be our teacher!’
Harry and Ron both made furious moves toward Malfoy, but Hermione got there first—SMACK!” (PoA 15)
Why It’s Awesome: Hermione keeps her composure through three years of Malfoy’s bullying, including his repeated use of the wizarding world’s most detestable slur: “Mudblood.” She’s resilient when she’s the target of Malfoy’s insults, but when it comes to her friends, Hermione does not mess around. Yas, queen!
What is your favorite Draco Malfoy moment?
