Two words can get any Harry Potter fan hot under the collar. The words in question? Draco and Malfoy.

Draco is in Slytherin House, as were all of Malfoys mentioned so far. He is described as a pale-faced boy with white-blond hair, pointed features, and cold grey eyes. The only child of the family, he is often spoiled.

Draco's first name may be a reference to Draco, the first lawgiver of Athens who created a harsh legal code. Draco also means "dragon" or "snake" in Latin, which is more likely the inspiration for the name. Fittingly, it is also the name of a constellation, in keeping with the tradition of the Black family for naming their children after stars and constellations. The name Malfoy is derived from the French mal foi or mal “foy”, meaning "evil" (or “bad”) and "faith" respectively.

Let's take a look at the first meaning of Draco's last name. It means "evil". This part of Draco's name is easy to understand considering the many things his family has done (example: Draco making fun of Ron Weasley for his family's poor financial situation numerous times). But let's focus on the second part of Malfoy meaning "faith". Could this mean faith as in a good way?

In Half-Blood Prince, Voldemort orders Draco to murder Professor Dumbledore, a task at which he ultimately fails. Although Harry has always seen Draco as evil, Draco is seen crying in fear and despair in the lavatory, sure that his failure to carry out Lord Voldemort's orders will result in the murder of his own family. Draco's ultimate inability to commit murder is evidence that he still retains some innocence, according to Dumbledore.

He is a popular figure in fan fiction, where he is often portrayed as a kind of tragic hero. He is often written into slash fiction opposite Harry, yet a sizeable number of his followers enjoy placing him with Hermione or Ginny. J. K. Rowling has expressed many times that she thinks fans like the "half and half" character too much.

The bottom-line to Draco's split personality is, in my opinion, that he was forced into becoming a Death Eater and really has some good in him after all.