Entertainment

What’s Draco Malfoy’s Role In ‘The Cursed Child'?

by Emily Lackey

Huge news out of the world of Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling, in a bid to drop the most spoilers on Twitter possible, tweeted a picture about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child that revealed one major spoiler for the two-part play: Draco Malfoy is going to be the Cursed Child. And, of course, the thing that I want to know now that we know Malfoy is returning for the eighth Harry Potter story is what Draco's role will be in the play. Although, to be honest, I’m not just interested in what his role will be in the play. I’m also interested in knowing whether or not he’ll be friends with Harry.

The last time we saw Draco Malfoy, he wasn’t exactly BFFs with the good guys. Instead, he was fighting against Harry’s crew in the Battle of Dumbledore, trying to deliver Potter to Voldemort and pleading with the Death Eaters to save his life. Sure, he and his family switched sides at the end, and he and Harry were on good enough terms to nod at each other on the train platform, but a nod from across a train platform is basically nothing. I nod at people I recognize on the street all the time in the hopes that that will be enough to avoid a conversation.

So that doesn’t bode so well for Harry and Draco being besties in this continuing story. But, given that Draco is definitely in this eighth story, I think it’s likely that his role will be either as Harry’s new friend or Harry’s worst enemy. I guess being Harry’s best friend who is secretly betraying him may also be an option, but, with that kind of behavior, we may as well put him squarely in the “worst enemy” camp.

Of course, I’m secretly hoping for Harry and Draco to be best friends in The Cursed Child. Harry and his gang did save Draco’s life not once but twice in the final scenes of the series. That might be just what Draco needed to come over to the side of goodness and light a bit more permanently. But, given that the picture Rowling tweeted shows Malfoy’s wand is inspired by a saber, I’m nervous that the reality of his role will be less reformed bad boy and more you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

Let’s all hold hands and wish on all the magic wands that Draco Malfoy has come over the side of good in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Something tells me he’s going to need it.

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures; Giphy