“I’m new to Dramione” or “I’m introducing Dramione to a friend” is something I see quite often in the forums I frequent so I took the academic route and made this swotty little ‘curriculum’ on where to start! I have two reading lists here:
- Beginner Level: For readers familiar with canon but new to fanfiction
- Intermediate Level: For readers familiar with canon and fanfiction, but new to Dramione
DISCLAIMER: Nobody died and made me the Dramione authority 🤣 I am just your average swotty reader, that likes to share stuff I love. I’ve read a LOT more that are truly chef’s kiss, but don’t think would make for good ‘starter fics’ but this is just my opinion. ;) You can always DM me on Reddit or Insta.
Beginner Level: for readers familiar with canon (books/movies) but are new to fanfiction
These fics are as close to canon in characterization and/or writing style or overall vibes. They’re typically canon rewrites, fix-its or set during and/or shortly after Hogwarts Years.
- On the Matter of Clarity: a one-shot set in Ron’s POV, starting from the 3rd year slap which excellently mirrors how an “outsider” might view the development of Draco and Hermione’s relationship. Ron’s POV is actually pretty perfect if you’re new to fanfiction, because the dislike for Draco will be familiar.
- The Disappearances of Draco Malfoy: Overall writing style and vibes so close to canon that I just mentally replaced Book 7 events with this. It starts with Draco making a different choice at the Astronomy Tower.
- A Season for Setting Fires: Like Disappearances, it starts to diverge when Draco makes a different choice at a major canon moment: the torture scene. Starts off with relatively canon-compliant characterizations that develop as the story progresses. Nice intro to soul bonds which isn’t overly reliant on loss of mind/body agency. This fic is tonally darker, and features some graphic scenes - mind the tags.
- Choice and Chance: great intro to multiverse tropes with a version of ‘canon compliant Dramione’ meeting an 'alternate universe' version of themselves
- From Wiltshire, With Love: good intro to Wartime AUs and Death Eater Draco, where they both have a believable level of competency, given their age and field experience (i.e. they are neither overpowered nor nerfed). Similar to Setting Fires, in that it starts with canon-compliant characterization and evolves from there.
Intermediate Level: for readers familiar with canon and fanfiction in general, but new to Dramione specifically
This list is comprised of mostly post-War fics where Draco and Hermione retain some core canon traits, with some deviation attributed to time, personal growth or extenuating circumstances. These are “What they might have become given specific triggering events/circumstances” type of stories. Some of these also explore new lore or underexplored magic systems from canon.
- DMATMOOBIL: it’s been rec’d a million times, but for good reason! It’s the first I read upon returning and had zero issues believing that this is how they grew up while I wasn't looking. He’s an auror, she’s a healer/researcher, and they have lingering dislike for each other until they start going on fun little quests together. As an alternative, I can swap this with Depth over distance which has similar tropes and vibes, but with a less caricature-like writing style. Both fics have a vain, snarky, rich prat that I found reminiscent of the fanon!Dracos I read before I took a hiatus from the fandom over a decade ago.
- Bone Deep: only 4 chapters but beautifully eases readers from Hogwarts years, into them reconciling and forming a friendship during 8th year and then carries over to their post-war years.
- Past/Present/Future: The first half of the story has a ‘who dunnit’ vibe that does a good job re-introducing the reader to these characters as grown-ups, while calling back to canon origins or off-page events that influenced their current selves. He is prickly, secretive and snide; she is determined, very curious sometimes to a fault and has a tendency to overexert herself. The second half has more of a fun romcom vibe.
- House Proud: Another great example of reintroducing them as adults, set several years post-War. They’ve both gone to great lengths to rebuild and grow on their own separate paths. She’s wildly intelligent, a no-nonsense go-getter with insecurities she tries to bury. He’s humbled by the war and a bit standoffish, but found a way to use parts of his Pureblood upbringing into creating something useful and dare I say healing? BONUS: Excellent ancestral land lore.
- Remain Nameless: a slice-of-life, healing journey kind of story. I like that instead of a slick, alpha male type, Draco is more of a himbo in this one. He’s still healing, still a bit of a coward but he's learning and trying. Hermione is still intelligent, principled and driven, but likewise still broken underneath, a bit soft but not a doormat.
Advanced Level: You’re now familiar with Dramione and with fanon rules (which is…there are no rules lol)
My recs in the Advanced Reader track can veer into obscure territory, some of it dark, some of it crack. But I daresay it will never be boring. This is also the longest list - as you have a wider pool to choose from! I also recommend these fics to people coming from tradpub who aren’t necessarily ‘invested’ in Dramione as a ship, but just on the lookout for interesting premises + excellent writing.