The casual humiliation of the Malfoys is a final feature
of the first chapter. This family (Draco’s parents) has always seemed
rich, powerful, protected, sinister, and not particularly secretive
about their longing for Voldemort’s return to power. But in the
first of many reversals of this book in relation to the other books,
the Malfoys, having gotten what they wanted, have had their house
taken over and are themselves humiliated and disrespected, taunted
about their discomfort and about their relative’s marriage to Lupin.
Apparently, being a Death Eater does not pay. Voldemort himself
is obeyed only out of fear, but he seems almost insecure about this
fact, berating his followers for their lack of true loyalty and
accusing them of disliking him or being uncomfortable in his presence.
We know from previous books that the major thing distinguishing
Voldemort from Harry is that Harry has love—he loves others and
is loved back. Voldemort cannot love, and no one loves him, and
he does not seem particularly comfortable with this arrangement.
