We all know that Lucius Malfoy could have simply been a Death Eater through fear, no matter how much he tried to hide it, but if given the chance to be a leader of men himself, would he stand for the light or dark?

Honestly, I think Lucius would always be a baddie. Even if he joined up with Voldemort out of fear, I don't believe that someone could be on his side without having at least a little evil within them. I think he was already very prejudiced against Muggles and half-bloods before he was in league with Voldie, so even if he didn't become a Death Eater, I think he would still be working against them. In fact, I'm sure after the defeat of Voldemort that Lucius still held on to his prejudices even if he tried to hide them and live a normal life.

I have to agree with MJ.
Lucius seems like the sort of person who would have the views he has..whether Voldemort had been around or not.
His disgust of all things muggle and non-wizardy comes across to me as being an inbred thing,so to speak.Something his family drilled into him.
As much as he tries to pass himself off as a model citizen,now,I don't think he could ever be nice..and actually mean it.

Well, sure, Lucius never liked Muggles and half-bloods but I don't think that he would have actively done something against them if it hadn't been for Voldemort.

No he might not have done anything against them,but I still think he would have disliked them just as much.He may not have had the guts or the magical ability to do what he wanted anyway.
Voldemort being around gave him the chance to do something,though.
Not everyone joined LV and agreed with his views,so Lucius could have kept out of it if he tried hard enough.
I guess I'm not convinced fear came into it.He made the choice himself based on what he already thought.
Maybe...
I don't know,I mean this is all just my opinion.

^ I agree. Lucius didn't want to do some of the things he was asked to, but there were countless others he enjoyed. Like brutalising Muggles and Voldemort was dead to them when they did that. I don't think he could ever stand up against evil.

If it was to torture muggles then yes, if it was a mission to find something then probably no.

He hates muggles so he would do anything to get rid of them.

I don't think Lucius ever had the personality (or whatever you call it) to be a killer. I think he has always had the classic bully type persona, and defnitely considers muggles far inferior to him. He enjoys tormenting them and acting superior, but I don't think he is as cruel or vicious as Bellatrix or Voldemort, along with many of the other Death Eaters who did truly enjoy killing. Now, as far as Lucius being a leader, I think he could be a leader, he is very charismatic, after all, but I think he would always be a bit on the shady side. That's just the nature of Lucius. I'm sure he would still make his contempt quite known, just one of the things we know (and love - haha!) about him.

i think Lucius was always going to hate muggles, but LV made him hate muggleborns and half-bloods aswell, i think if Lucius didn't join LV he would have still been safe from being killed for not joining. I also think he would still have paid the minstry to get what he wants.

Lucius seems like the type of person that was born into being bad. I don't think he knows any other way. It is a little difficult to think of him leading a group of men. Though it is thought that he was trying to take down Voldemort and rise to his 'throne' it is unlikely in my mind that it would have lasted. Malfoys have a tendency to...make enemies easily. Sometimes their intimidation doesn't always work out for their benefit.

Linda - Finally someone who argues for Lucius being "good" or "light"!

Just because Lucius is prejudiced towards muggles or muggle-born witches/wizards, does not in any way make Lucius to be 'born bad'. It my own thoughts, someone is born neutral but perhaps based on their familial link or genetics - if you will - they have tendencies towards favoring a certain group. Their personality is shaped by the individual, their environment, and tasks they perform. If Lucius grew up in a muggle neighborhood, becoming best friends with all the muggle kids, then his prejudices more likely would have abolished. Though he didn't grow up in that lifestyle. Quite the opposite upbringing, actually.

So really what I'm trying to say is that Lucius had the potential to go either way... just as anyone does. Even Voldemort had the potential to go good or bad; it is our choices that make us who we are....

^ I totally agree with you, it was just the way he was brought up. He chose to hate muggles and muggleborns, and he believed in purifying the wizarding race, that's what brought him to Voldemort.

I don't think that Lucius would openly discriminate against muggles and muggleborns. Remember, he was on the board of Governors at Hogwarts, and he was in league with the Ministry (he wouldn't have been in that position if his hatred for muggles was known), that proves that although he hated them and wanted to get rid of them, he has to show a good face to the society. His reputation is more important to him. He would have discriminated on the side, but not as a public figure. A leader would be a public figure, he could never do that.

Well I for one think yes Lucuis is a bully and a stuck up snob. I do think he had the charisma to be a leader. But I don't think he is evil and I don't think he ever killed anyone. Hurt them yes, I mean the disarming charm can hurt someone if said with enough force.

The only thing he grew up with was a pureblood mania and muggleborns and muggles were beneath the level of wizards. Some people can rise above that sort of thing and transcend, but some people don't and he didn't. He bought into lock, stock and smoking barrel. He passed it on to his son, but I think Draco maybe have seen the light in the last book I think.

I still think he would have been a bully, but I highly doubt he would have taken it as far as Voldemort or even as the other death eaters.

I still can't think what to see here I think he would be an okayish leader, he wouldn' be as rureless as voldermort

He would never openly lead people, maybe on the side. I think he values his reputation too much.