Power and Influence

On pg. 108, Rowling writes, “ ‘You’ll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter.  You don’t want to go making friends with the wrong sort.  I can help you there.’ He held out his hand to shake Harry’s, but Harry didn’t take it. ‘I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks,’ he said coolly.”

• Draco comes from a very powerful wizarding family.  Harry is famous, but doesn’t hold as much power within the wizarding community as Lucius Malfoy does.  Everyone pretty much knows that Lucius was a Death Eater and Harry Potter was the one to defeat Voldemort.  
  
• What does this say about the wizarding community?
  
• We later find out that Lucius is quite influential politically because of the money he has.  How is Lucius Malfoy similar to rich people in politics in America (Think the Koch Brothers)?  How is he different?
  

What are some clues we get throughout the story as to the power and status of individual's or families?