(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Tom Felton says children "hide behind their parents' legs" when they see him.

The British actor plays Harry Potter's arch nemesis Draco Malfoy in the hugely successful fantasy film series.

The 23-year-old star admits his cunning character brings out different emotions from fans, depending on their age.

"Reactions vary. I get some extremely excited 12-year-olds, but I seem to scare the eight-and-unders," he explained in an interview with Teen Vogue. "I've seen a couple of kids... well, I'm not going to say reduced to tears, but certainly on the verge, hiding behind their parents' legs."

Tom has learned to accept the fact that he gets varied reactions from Harry Potter fans. However, the blonde-haired star says the fact that people are wary of him means he must be doing a good job as a villain in the movies.

"I've learned to take it as a compliment. I must be doing something right if they don't want to come anywhere near me," he added.

Tom says playing a bad guy helps relieve his frustrations. The actor will soon be appearing opposite James Franco in the prequel Rise of the Planet Apes, and insists that playing unsavoury characters are more interesting to play.

"It's quite therapeutic. I'm not an aggressive guy, but I get to kind of vent my day-to-day frustrations, about, you know, traffic or waking up late," he quipped. (C) Cover Media