Although Lucius always said Malfoys did not need to lower themselves to work for a living, Malfoy wanted more out of his life. To help rehabilitate the Malfoy name. To fix what his Father broke. During his house arrest, he kept up a regular correspondence with the Golden Trio—minus the useless, redheaded appendage—first as gratitude for speaking on behalf of him and his Mother at their trials, then as atonement, next to keep his sanity and out of boredom, and finally because he struck up a careful but genuine friendship with Harry and Hermione. 