Dumbledore and Draco

• Harry and Draco have been opposed since Book I, when Draco insulted the Weasleys.
• Harry has been opposed to Draco in one-to-one competition very consistently throughout the series, almost in parallel to Harry's opposition to Voldemort.
• Ron and Hermione underestimated Draco in Book VI, so much that Harry could not even speak to them candidly about Draco, whom he knew to be plotting something evil.

All of this leads to a false impression that Draco is nothing but an evil boy who in the end will be counted among the Death Eaters.

But several factors point against this. It is helpful to take a look at Draco from Dumbledore's point of view.

First, Dumbledore is an educator. He is not just the Headmaster of Harry, although that is how we see him most clearly. He is the Headmaster of Hogwarts. He has been responsible for the formation of many students over the years, including Draco's family and, of course, Tom Riddle. He has had some successes and some failures.

When he looks at Draco, Dumbledore sees a kid who could go either way. Draco is not yet confirmed in evil. This is clear from the fact that he cannot bring himself to murder Dumbledore, even though he is incapacitated and right in front of him. Yes, Dumbledore is messing with Draco in that conversation, playing with his insecurities. But he is also holding a mirror up so that Draco can see himself: No, look Draco, you are not a cold-blooded murderer.

Dumbledore intends to shield Draco from evil in the most significant way, through love, especially love expressed through giving one's life for another. Dumbledore's death will have many beneficial consequences. But most immediately, he will die to place "the mark of love" on Draco's life, so that evil will not be able to touch him.