Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard

Felton notices that Daniel Radcliffe experiences significant pressure and stress in his role as Harry Potter; he must always be aware of his public demeanor because people are constantly photographing, filming, and observing him. Felton also admires Radcliffe’s determination and ambition to improve as an actor, and he draws on Radcliffe’s expertise when he must act with more complexity in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Felton reflects that Draco Malfoy is a product of an abusive family, but that, in the end, he chooses the side of good over evil.

Sometimes, squabbling and fighting take place among the child actors. On one occasion, Devon Murray (the actor who plays Seamus Finnigan) punches Felton in the face, and Felton and Jamie Waylett (the actor who plays Vincent Crabbe) often fight with one another. Unfortunately, Waylett eventually gets in trouble with the law and is not invited back for the final films. However, Felton also has great memories of messing around on set with Robbie Coltrane (the actor who plays the part giant Hogwarts groundskeeper, Rubeus Hagrid). In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Coltrane must carry Felton, whose character has been injured following an encounter with a magical creature. In order to maintain the illusion that Hagrid is a part giant, a miniature rubber version of Felton is made for Coltrane to carry during the scene, much to Felton’s enjoyment.

In other examples of the real-world “magic” and illusions of filmmaking, Felton relates how the filmmakers used clever makeup and costuming to make certain actors look less handsome in the later films using tactics such as a “fat” suit and fake teeth. He also reflects on the opportunities he has had to work with many film legends, such as John Hurt, who plays Olivander; David Bradley, who plays Filch; Warwick Davis, who plays Professor Flitwick; and Gray Oldman, who plays Sirius Black. It is also telling that Oldman makes it a point to mentor Radcliffe, a dynamic that mirrors that of the characters they play.

Sir Richard Harris, the original Dumbledore actor (who passes away after the second film) tells Felton that the young actor is “good” (184) at what he does. Felton is flattered by this but is also chagrined by the time when he holds up the filming of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets because he doesn’t know his lines, which need to be printed off for him and stuck to the inside of a newspaper.

He also struggles with his lines during a later scene with Sir Michael Gambon in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Gambon plays Dumbledore, and as Felton struggles to complete his part in the scene, the actor good-naturedly tells Felton that the longer he keeps “fucking it up” (189), the more money he gets, since he is paid by the day. This banter lightens Felton’s mood and allows him to properly execute the scene. After the completion of the film, Felton is gratified to receive a letter from J. K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, congratulating him on his performance in this film.

Felton recalls Alan Rickman’s very serious insistence that his fellow actors not step on his cloak when they walk out of the Great Hall in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Felton accidentally does so in the first take, and another actor does so in the second take.

Later, Felton and Rickman are blocking a scene together on a cold night, and Felton asks Rickman how he is. After an excruciatingly long pause, Rickman replies, “I’ve…peaked” (199). After this exchange, Felton learns to appreciate Rickman’s dry humor and is not as intimidated by him. On another occasion, a group of actors are sitting in their chairs and chatting; Rickman insists that Felton, who has a smaller chair because he was a child when filming began, must be brought a chair that is the same height as the other actors’ chairs. Felton appreciates this gesture. The narrative continues with additional reflections on the actors with whom Felton works during this lengthy project.

During the filming of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Felton’s brother Chris becomes his chaperone. After filming ends for the day, the brothers often smoke joints and fish all night. Although Chris is not the most conscientious chaperone, he treats Felton like an adult and allows him to manage his entire allowance rather than deciding what Felton can or cannot buy. One day, Chris is delighted when Tom buys him a BMW, which they speed around in delightedly.

One day, Felton is smoking marijuana with friends when their group is approached by the police. Felton shoves all of the drugs and paraphernalia into a bush, even though the police are almost upon them. Initially, he denies that the marijuana is his but quickly crumbles and admits to the truth. Felton is ashamed by his mother’s disappointment when she picks him up from the police station.

Jason Isaacs, who plays Fenton’s on-screen father, Lucius Malfoy, is extremely kind and charming: A demeanor that is completely at odds with the character he plays. Felton finds Isaacs’s ability to immediately switch into character to be both incredible and disconcerting. Isaacs supports and encourages Felton in his growing career, and they remain friends even after filming is concluded.

Felton finds Ralph Fiennes, who plays Lord Voldemort, to be formidable and slightly intimidating. Together, they do countless takes of the scene in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows II, in which Felton, as Draco Malfoy, walks over to join Voldemort and his followers, the Death Eaters. During filming, Fiennes unpredictably does different things in each take, even giving Felton an unscripted and cold hug, which makes the final cut. The British audience finds this action to be sinister, as it is intended to be, but American audiences typically laugh at the gesture. Felton also draws inspiration from Helen McCrory, the actor who plays his on-screen mother, Narcissa. McCrory projects a subtle but real warmth in her performance that draws attention to the empathy and humanity that the character of Draco Malfoy develops through the films.

Just as he did at the end of filming The Borrowers, Felton cries when the filming of the two final Harry Potter films is finally at an end, marking the end of an era. During the filming of the fifth and sixth films, Felton is involved in a film project called The Disappeared, which serves as a learning curve given that the script is more adaptable, the sets less elaborate, and the blocking more improvisational than with the Harry Potter films. Felton is grateful for his relative anonymity during the filming of the Harry Potter movies, as their popularity and Felton’s celebrity status, rapidly increase after filming is concluded.

When Felton is 17, he develops a crush on a stunt assistant called Jade. They smoke together outside the set, and later go on a date to London Zoo. They go on holidays to Italy. Felton is also offered a part in Rise of the Planet of the Apes and goes to Vancouver to film it.