What If Harry Accepted Draco Malfoy's Handshake? - Harry Potter Theory

Hey everyone,

Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. In today’s video, we’re going to be discussing a popular “what if” scenario that Harry Potter fans have been asking for years: What if Harry had accepted Draco Malfoy’s handshake in The Philosopher’s Stone.

Let’s dive right in, shall we?

A memorable event both in the novel and on the big screen – although the setting is a bit different in the film – almost anyone who’s familiar with Harry Potter knows of this moment. In the book, it actually takes place less than 100 pages into Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. So, what significance does that have, exactly? Basically, if Harry had chosen to take Draco’s hand at the very beginning of the very first book, it likely would’ve altered the course of the entire series.

First, let’s start by taking a look at what happens in this scene. Harry finds himself in a travel compartment on the Hogwarts Express with a somewhat shy, yet friendly Ron Weasley, as they make the journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters at King’s Cross Station in London to Hogwarts for the very first time.

Harry and Ron have just exchanged introductions when Draco, flanked by his friends, Crabbe and Goyle, enter their compartment to see if it’s true that THE Harry Potter is inside. Of course, this isn’t the first time Draco and Harry have encountered each other – they had a strained exchange at Madam Malkin’s robe shop in Diagon Alley while shopping for school supplies – but now that Draco knows that Harry is Harry Potter, he’s showing a lot more interest in him. And, so, after insulting Ron due to his appearance – red hair, freckles, shabby looking…must be a Weasley – Draco offers what I believe is meant to be his best piece of advice, along with his outstretched hand:

“‘You’ll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don’t want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there.’

He held out his hand to shake Harry’s…”

Of course, in the book, Harry quickly rejects this offering, with the sentence ending with “…but Harry didn’t take it.”

But…WHAT IF he had? What if, in that moment, he had hesitated, ever so slightly. Paused just long enough to think, “Well, what’s the harm in keeping my options open? Who really knows who these two boys are? Who’s to say that Ron Weasley would make a better ally than Draco Malfoy in this new and intimidating world I’ve found myself thrown into?” And so, instead of immediately rebuffing Draco and making an enemy, he reaches out and meets Draco’s hand. Perhaps he does so while looking at the floor and even blushes a little – feeling a bit ashamed for not standing up for Ron, who has just been so nice to him. And when Draco takes his leave of the compartment, he avoids Ron’s eyes for the remainder of the journey. They sit in awkward silence, as an unspoken divide begins to form between the two.

Once they reach Hogwarts and The Sorting Ceremony begins, Harry listens to the Sorting Hat’s song along with the rest of the students, paying special attention to the following verses:

“There’s nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can’t see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.”

Students begin to get sorted in their houses, and Harry sees Malfoy, his new – and potentially only – ally become a member of Slytherin House. So, what could be so bad about joining a house with someone who’s offered to show him the ropes of the wizarding world? And then, as if answering this thought, when Harry is called up for his placement, the Sorting Hat shares:

“You could be great, you know, it’s all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that…”

And instead of fighting it, Harry embraces it, thinking that doesn’t sound so bad…Of course, from there, absolutely nothing would’ve been the same for our friend, Harry.

..Watch the video for the rest!
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