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.
Obviously, the first major difference would have been his friendships at Hogwarts.
Hard to have best friends in Slytherin’s rival house of Gryffindor – especially,
if you’ve slighted one of those people before you even really got
to know them – *cough* Ron *cough*. And, it’s highly unlikely that Harry’s new pal, Draco,
would’ve accepted Hermione Granger – a “mudblood” or witch born of Muggle parents – as
acceptable company. And, so, Harry would’ve continued to develop a friendship with Draco.
This bond likely would’ve pushed Crabbe and Goyle out of Draco’s immediate crew – who
needs “bodyguards” – err, friends – when you have the great and famous Harry Potter as your bestie?
Due to Draco’s interest in Quidditch – or, at least, his interest in being
on the team – Harry may have still ended up playing the sport – but for Slytherin House.
Perhaps he would’ve intentionally ousted Slytherin’s former seeker, Terence Higgs, in his
first year at Hogwarts – fueled by his developing maliciousness. Or, maybe, he would’ve waited until
Lucius Malfoy – Draco’s dear dad – donated enough Nimbus 2001 broomsticks to the entire Slytherin
Quidditch team in their second year, resulting in both Harry and Draco being welcomed onto the team.
Harry and Draco may have fought over who played seeker – but something tells me
Harry would’ve earned the role being the talented and famous Harry Potter. In either case, I think
Harry would’ve still been enthusiastic about the game of Quidditch, just on a different team.
And, so, similarly to his friendships, Harry’s other relationships also would’ve been affected.
Most notably, his mentors. Instead of Albus Dumbledore, Hogwarts’ headmaster,
the obvious choice would’ve been the Head of Slytherin House, Severus Snape. With Harry’s
placement in Slytherin, rather than Gryffindor, perhaps Snape would’ve sooner revealed his past
connection with Harry’s mother, Lily – and seen less of a resemblance between Harry and his dad,
James, who was, of course, a Gryffindor. With Snape as Harry’s mentor, there would’ve been
little reason for Dumbledore to get so involved in Harry’s life
and progression through Hogwarts, as he already would’ve had the guidance of Severus.
And with Draco openly referring to the likes of Hagrid as “riff-raff,” it would’ve
been unlikely that Harry pursued any further interactions with a lowly school-gamekeeper.
Harry’s love interests and romantic inclinations would’ve also been impacted.
Hard to see him firing up a romance with Ginny Weasley after so many years of bad
blood between Harry and Ron – which, would’ve been a direct result of the handshake with Draco.
I guess it’s possible he may have still had a relationship with Ravenclaw’s Cho Chang – but
something tells me that this version of Harry would’ve been more interested
in someone a little less kind and a little more ruthless – like, say Pansy Parkinson,
leader of a gang of girls from Slytherin House, who were often associated with Draco and his crew.
It stands to reason that Pansy – who is seen to be romantically linked to, or at least interested in,
Draco throughout the series – may have even become involved in a love triangle between
Malfoy and Harry. If Harry had been a suitor, perhaps he would’ve been the one to take Pansy to
the Yule Ball in The Goblet of Fire, not Draco. From there, who knows what might’ve happened…
With all this in mind, it makes sense that if Harry had accepted Draco’s handshake on the
Hogwarts Express – due to his fame and innate talents as a wizard – Harry likely would’ve
taken on the role that Draco plays in each of the books, replacing Malfoy as the villain.
As an orphan who lost his parents at such a young age, and who was badly mistreated by his
extended family for his entire childhood, it really doesn’t seem that far-fetched
that Harry could’ve become the series’ antagonist, rather than its protagonist.
Can’t you just see it? A malicious version of Harry replacing Draco in each of Malfoy’s scenes?
Perhaps, he would’ve even been the one sought out by Voldemort to assassinate Dumbledore…
Which begs the question: If Harry had become the villain, who would’ve carried out the adventures
of Harry Potter? Who would’ve stopped Professor Quirrell slash Voldemort from getting the
Philosopher’s Stone? Who would’ve overshadowed Cedric Diggory in the Triwizard Tournament?
And who would’ve hunted down Voldemort’s horcruxes alongside Ron and Hermione?
Well, as it happens, I have a theory about that too…Guys,
What If Neville Longbottom Had Been the Chosen One? Stay tuned for a future video
diving into this very topic! Which means…sadly, yes, that’s it for this video.
If you enjoyed the content, I’d be grateful if you liked the video and subscribed to the channel.
As always, happy to hear your input on this and other Harry Potter theories – just leave
them in the comments below. And please feel free to share any topics you’d like to see
in upcoming videos! You guys always have great ideas.
Until next time…
SCARED, POTTER?