Draco Malfoy was a main character in the Harry Potter books and movies who came from a pure-blood wizard family. Malfoy believed only those of his background were as worthy as himself.
He was known as a bully who looked down on Muggles and half-bloods, and was Harry’s rival. Yet, he did not remain that way in the end.
What happened to Draco Malfoy after the war? Did he turn good? He experienced a profound transformation where he indeed turned good.
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Who Was Draco Malfoy?
In the Harry Potter universe, Draco Malfoy was the only son of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy and a pure-blood wizard. Draco was raised to believe in pure-blood status, which distinguished wizarding families like his from other less worthy ones.
Draco looked down on Muggle-borns, or those wizards or witches with two non-magical parents. Draco came to Hogwarts and was placed in the Slytherin House, designated for students who were cunning and ambitious. He formed a gang of sorts and developed a rivalry with Harry.
Lord Voldemort, the most powerful Dark wizard, pulled Draco under his influence. Voldemort tasked Draco with killing Albus Dumbledore but failed. Severus Snape was the one who killed Dumblore.
Afterward, Draco reluctantly went along with Voldemort but knew it was the wrong pathway.
Author J.K. Rowling talked about Draco as a recognizable character because “everybody has known someone like him.” That is, people who think they are superior can be both infuriating or comical.
As one post commented, Draco was torn between the light and dark sides, and he never fully committed to being a villain. After the Battle of Hogwarts, Malfoy appears to have experienced a true change of heart and transition to the good side.
The Battle of Hogwarts occurred when Voldemort and his Death Eaters launched an attack on the school. Yet, they were defeated when Voldemort’s killing curse rebounded on him, concluding the Second Wizarding War.
This brought an end to the destruction and villainy and served as a departure point for Draco.
What Happened to Draco Malfoy After the War?
During the Battle for Hogwarts, audiences saw a different side of Draco Malfoy. At first, Malfoy attempted to bring Harry to Voldemort to prove his family’s loyalty, but he failed in this mission. Once Harry defeated Voldemort, Malfoy moved in a new direction.
Based on the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows book, Draco became “a changed man” who got married and had a son. Malfoy and his wife Astoria Greengrass also decided not to raise their son Scorpius with pure-blood thinking, meaning that he would treat Muggles and half-bloods with respect.
Scorpius became friends with Harry’s son Albus, and Draco Malfoy emerged as a kind father, especially after Greengrass died. We could say that Malfoy transformed from villain to husband and father figure.
Since Harry and Ron saved Malfoy during the battle, they helped spark this transformation. Malfoy witnessed Voldemort’s destructive influence, including his parents’ suffering. And, Draco saw how his presumed enemies came to help him.
![Goyle's Fiend Fire - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (5/8) (2011) [HD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q-LMXtaQpPo/0.jpg)
Afterward, Draco provided evidence against Voldemort’s followers, which helped keep Malfoy out of jail and side with the heroes. He turned toward helping those who helped him.
Fans commented on Malfoy’s marriage to Astoria Greengrass’ significance. Malfoy knew her blood malediction would kill her and that would end the Malfoy bloodline. Draco thus went against his parent’s wishes and chose his relationship with Astoria over descendants.
Their son Scorpius was also born not to preserve a bloodline but out of love and family. Malfoy rejected a family line of exclusiveness and villainy.
This turnabout comes from author J.K. Rowling’s “pity” for Draco Malfoy as “a product of his upbringing.” Malfoy’s parents misguided him, but after the war, he created his own family and reconnected with his mother and father.
Did Draco Malfoy Turn Good?
Along with the above scenario, Draco Malfoy did turn good. He respected others, had a family, raised a son, and chose a life of understanding. This seems like a fulfilled character arc.
However, Draco may have been good all along. If we look back at his first meeting with Harry Potter, Draco wanted to be friends. Harry didn’t agree with Draco’s viewpoints, so this did not materialize, but he did not immediately want to be Harry’s rival.
Along with the above point, Draco’s wand revealed that he was meant to be good in the end. Since his wand contained unicorn hair, we could say that Draco was good at “his core” but needed to be redirected to that goodness.
Other articles have pointed out how one could see Draco as a hero, not a villain, throughout Harry Potter. Draco, for example, warned Hermione of danger and could not bring himself to kill Dumbledore.
We could argue that Draco reluctantly joined the evil Death Eaters and was not a true killer. He had a flawed personality and warped perspective, but he was not a villain.
From these perspectives, Draco displayed a hidden good from the beginning and did not turn good. Then again, as one fan indicated, Draco may best be described as “borderline evil.” He gave aid to the dark forces, but then came around to the good guy’s side.
Draco Malfoy after the War
Draco Malfoy was a complex character who evolved after the Battle of Hogwarts, which ended the Second Wizarding War. He emerged as a husband and father, the latter even more so after his wife died.
Hence, Draco turned away from his disdainful views and position with the dark side. Yet, he may have had that goodness vested in him from the start. Maybe the character arc of bad to good is misplaced then? Or, maybe he did go over to the good side after the war.
Sion Fawkes has been covering Star Wars since January 2022, expanding his expertise in Star Wars Canon, Legends, and MCU. When not writing, you can find Sion in the gym or running trails. He also likes watching sports and listening to audiobooks.