Draco Malfoy is the arch nemesis of Harry Potter. He's mean, snobby, and full of insults (but I still can't get enough of him)- he even assisted the Death Eaters into Hogwarts. Why, then, if he's so bad, did he not kill Dumbledore? He is not pure evil; Draco Malfoy may be redeemed.
As he stood on the Lightening-Struck Tower, wand pointed at Dumbledore, it was clear that he knew then what he didn't know before. He realized what he had gotten himself into, what Lucius had gotten him into. All Draco had wanted to do was protect himself and his family, and to show that he can handle the task set ahead of him. Dumbledore knew it as well, and offered to put Draco in what is basically a witness protection program, and judging by Draco's reaction (he began to lower the wand), it was clear that, if given more time, Malfoy would choose to follow Dumbledore.
Draco has never been given a chance to believe in anything but Lord Voldemort and the magnificence of the Dark Arts. Lucius could not be seen raising a Dumbledore-supporting son. Therefore, Draco was brought up honing the same beliefs as Lucius. With Lucius in Azkaban, Narcissa's motherly love was revealed (more on this another time) and Draco is now able to choose for himself. What his ultimate decision is will not be found out until the final book, but I suspect that Snape will have a significantly major role in shaping Draco's choice.
As you all know, Beth and I are under the impression that Snape is ultimately a good character and that his actions in "Half-Blood Prince" resulted from loyalty, not betrayal. Snape left with Draco after the murder. I'm assuming that eventually Voldemort will summon them both for different reasons: Draco to punish and Snape to reward. With Snape on a pedestal, the former Potions teacher must have some sort of influence on a few of Voldemort's decisions, one namely being Draco's punishment. Death would be the Dark Lord's prime choice, but with Snape being Voldemort's favorite Death Eater, killing Draco may easily be avoided, so Draco would live, at least for the time being.
If Draco's life is spared and Snape reveals to him that he truly is fighting for the Light, Draco would most likely realize that if he follows Snape, everything will be okay. His family would be safe and so would he, therefore the chances that he will convert to the good side are high.
