Draco Malfoy did not go to Azkaban after Voldemort's final defeat because he and his family defected from the Death Eaters they were pardoned for their crimes and did not serve a stint in Azkaban.
The Reason for Pardon
Following the climactic Battle of Hogwarts and the ultimate defeat of Lord Voldemort, the wizarding world faced the task of bringing his followers, the Death Eaters, to justice. While many Death Eaters were imprisoned in Azkaban, Draco Malfoy, along with his parents, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, avoided this fate.
The primary reason for their pardon, as indicated by the provided information, stems from their actions towards the end of the war:
- Defection: The Malfoy family, particularly Narcissa and Draco, showed a clear shift in allegiance or at least a desire to escape Voldemort's control towards the war's conclusion. Narcissa's lie to Voldemort about Harry Potter being dead was a pivotal moment that directly aided Harry's survival. While Lucius's defection was less overt, the family as a unit essentially abandoned the Death Eater cause during the final battle.
- Pardon: Because of this defection and the complex circumstances of their involvement (often driven by fear and coercion rather than pure ideological zeal for Voldemort, although their initial support was significant), they were granted pardons for their past actions. This decision allowed them to avoid imprisonment in Azkaban.
Post-War Life
After the war and their pardon, the Malfoy family began the process of rebuilding their lives and reputation. Draco Malfoy eventually married Astoria Greengrass. The reference notes that he and Narcissa later had a grandson, Scorpius Malfoy, who is the son of Draco and Astoria. This detail further illustrates their return to a semblance of normal life in the wizarding community after the war.
Key Factors in Avoiding Azkaban:
- Timely defection from the Death Eater ranks.
- Actions, particularly Narcissa's, that indirectly aided the Order of the Phoenix's victory.
- The post-war legal and political climate, which likely considered varying degrees of culpability and opportunities for rehabilitation or pardon.
In essence, their decision to abandon Voldemort's side when it mattered most was the crucial factor that allowed the Malfoy family, including Draco, to escape imprisonment in Azkaban and begin a new chapter after the Second Wizarding War.
