The Harry Potter series has a happy ending, in part, thanks to Narcissa Malfoy, but the books and movies don’t get too explicit about why Draco’s mother lies to Voldemort and saves Harry’s life. A lot happens at the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, but Narcissa’s choice is a turning point in the Battle of Hogwarts. When Harry initially meets Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest, he accepts that he needs to die — but he soon learns that only the part of him that is a Horcrux must be destroyed.
That’s why Harry survives Voldemort’s initial Avada Kedavra curse, but Narcissa is the reason the Dark Lord doesn’t strike Harry with a second one. After he and Harry recover from the first killing curse, he asks Narcissa to check and see if Harry is ᴅᴇᴀᴅ. She lies to Voldemort, giving Harry the element of surprise later on. And Narcissa’s reason for doing this connects to the question she asks Harry just before turning on Voldemort: “Is Draco alive? Is he in the castle?” Obviously, Narcissa’s decision connects to her son, but there’s a lot more behind it than it first seems.
Why Narcissa Asks Harry About Draco Before Lying To Voldemort In Deathly Hallows
She’s Weighing Her Options & Deciding Her Next Move
The wording of Narcissa Malfoy’s question in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows differs slightly in the book and movie, but the reasoning behind it is the same. Narcissa appears to be weighing her options in this moment, deciding her next move based on what’s best for her son. By the time the Battle of Hogwarts begins, it’s clear that Narcissa is frustrated with Voldemort and his treatment of her family. She’s worried about Draco most of all, and she fears he’ll perish during the conflict between Hogwarts and the Death Eaters.
By ensuring that Voldemort and Harry’s duel doesn’t continue for longer, she’s able to get back to Hogwarts and search for her son.
Harry confirming Draco’s survival tells her that there’s still hope, and this is the reason she tells Voldemort that Harry’s ᴅᴇᴀᴅ. By ensuring that Voldemort and Harry’s duel doesn’t continue for longer, she’s able to get back to Hogwarts and search for her son. Time matters in this situation, and Narcissa is opting for the outcome that gets her back to the castle faster, hoping that she’ll be able to protect Draco.
There’s a deeper meaning here as well, even if it doesn’t factor into Narcissa’s decision directly. Harry is the reason that Draco survives the Battle of Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, as he convinces Ron and Hermione that they need to go back for Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle in the Room of Requirement — even though they’re the reason it’s consumed by Fiendfyre in the first place. In the context of the story, Narcissa saving Harry is a reward of sorts for Harry doing the right thing beforehand. Of course, it’s also the best option for the Malfoy family.
Narcissa Malfoy Lies About Harry Being ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Because It’s The Best Option For Her Family
The Malfoys Will See More Mercy From The Ministry & Order After Helping Harry
Narcissa wants to get back to Draco as quickly as possible, but her choice to lie to Voldemort also comes with a more long-term benefit. As Narcissa is considering her options, it’s likely she realizes siding with Harry is the best decision for the Malfoy family in the long run. The Malfoys aren’t in Voldemort’s good graces throughout The Deathly Hallows, and Narcissa is all too aware of this fact. There’s almost certainly a part of her that wants to be free of the Dark Lord’s influence, especially if it means Draco will no longer be in danger from him.
With Harry surviving Voldemort’s onslaught yet again, almost any outsider would conclude that Harry has a good sH๏τ of winning this fight.
Even if the Malfoys are punished by the Ministry of Magic and the Order, Narcissa likely realizes that they’ll show more mercy towards her son than Voldemort ever will. This is especially true if she can be credited with helping Harry, who would probably tell them her part in Voldemort’s defeat. And Narcissa may see the writing on the wall for the Dark Lord, making it all the more necessary she gets on the Order’s and Ministry’s good side. With Harry surviving Voldemort’s onslaught yet again, almost any outsider would conclude that Harry has a good sH๏τ of winning this fight.
Realizing the Malfoys are on the losing side probably sways Narcissa further, making her choice to defy Voldemort easier. It’s not the first time she goes against the Dark Lord’s wishes, either, so it’s not that much of a surprise for those watching or reading The Deathly Hallows.
Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows’ Ending Isn’t The First Time Narcissa Defies Voldemort
Going To Snape In Half-Blood Prince Was Also Risky
Narcissa’s frustrations with Voldemort stem back to Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince, so it’s not shocking that she turns on the Dark Lord in the final installment of the series. Narcissa defies Voldemort during the opening of the sixth Harry Potter book and movie, going to Snape when Voldemort gives her son the dangerous mission of killing Albus Dumbledore. As Bellatrix notes, Draco is supposed to accomplish this on his own — and Narcissa isn’t supposed to share Voldemort’s plan with anyone who doesn’t know about it.
She makes it clear during this scene that she’s willing to put Draco’s well-being above Voldemort’s orders, setting the stage for The Deathly Hallows’ ending twist.
Fortunately, Snape notes that he’s already aware of Draco’s task, but Narcissa doesn’t know this when she seeks him out. She makes it clear during this scene that she’s willing to put Draco’s well-being above Voldemort’s orders, setting the stage for The Deathly Hallows’ ending twist. Her Unbreakable Vow with Snape shows where her commitment truly lies, showing her doubt in Voldemort in the process.
Narcissa’s Choice In Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Pays Off In The End
Draco Goes On To Live A Normal Life After The Events Of Harry Potter
The Deathly Hallows‘ epilogue may be controversial, but it confirms one truth about the final Harry Potter book and movie: Narcissa’s gamble in the Forbidden Forest pays off. The last moments of The Deathly Hallows show the Golden Trio dropping their kids off at the Hogwarts Express, 19 years after the events of the main story. They see Draco Malfoy there with his own family, confirming that Draco goes on to live a fairly normal life after the Battle of Hogwarts.
While its inclusion in the Harry Potter canon is sometimes debated, The Cursed Child also drives this point home, as it gives Draco a redemption arc by having him save his son alongside the Golden Trio. The fact that Draco builds a family — and even helps to prevent Voldemort’s return in The Cursed Child — highlights how much better off he is after the Battle of Hogwarts goes in Harry’s favor. Harry Potter teases much bleaker fates for him under Voldemort’s thumb, but Narcissa ensures he goes on to live a long, seemingly happy life.
