Summary
- Dramione (Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger) is the most popular non-canonical ship in the Harry Potter fandom, with numerous fanfictions written about them.
- The best Dramione fanfics pay close attention to the characters’ similarities to the original books, feature the enemies-to-lovers trope, and show character development through their interactions.
- There are several highly popular Dramione fanfics, such as “Manacled” by senlinyu and “The Right Thing To Do” by LovesBitca8, which have garnered millions of hits on Archive of Our Own (AO3).
The following article contains discussions of fanfics that depict topics such as violence, sexual violence, and suicide. Please ensure that fanfic-specific warnings on AO3 are noted before reading.
The Harry Potter fandom has identified several different non-canonical relationships that are considered beloved, but the wide variety of the best Dramione fanfiction has proven that Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger are the internet’s favorite fictional couple to write about. In J.K. Rowling’s book series, Hermione and Ron Weasley end up together after seven novels full of will-they-or-won’t-they moments. However, many have interpreted Draco’s constant bullying of the Muggle-born witch throughout the series as a cover for an unrequited crush. This could partially be fueled by Harry Potter movie actors Tom Felton (Draco) and Emma Watson (Hermione), who have fostered a close relationship from their time filming the movies and beyond.
No other fandom pumps out fanfiction quite like Harry Potter, and the celebrated website Archive of Our Own (AO3) has hundreds of thousands of Harry Potter fanfics to choose from. While there are many non-canon pairings that readers enjoy, Dramione (a shorthand for the Draco/Hermione ship) is definitively one of the most popular. What makes the best Dramione fic is close attention paid to both characters’ likeness to the original books, a healthy dose of the enemies-to-lovers trope, and arcs that see both characters changing for the better because of their interactions with one another (like many of the best Harry Potter fics on AO3).
Isolation By Bexchan
Isolation by bexchan is one of the best Dramione fanfics, clocking in at an impressive 772,781 hits. The story is set during the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, though it changes the original story. Rather, Harry and Ron go off Horcrux hunting and Hermione is left at Hogwarts to keep the other students safe during Voldemort’s tyrannical reign. Snape also keeps Draco at Hogwarts, but under one condition — he has to stay locked inside Hermione’s room. Told from the perspectives of both characters, author bexchan provides an intriguing look into Draco’s psychology in particular, as he experiences increasing isolation and finds the only one he can turn to is the dreaded “Granger.”
Breath Mints / Battle Scars By Onyx_and_Elm
The war brought on by Voldemort undoubtedly left lasting impacts on all who suffered through it, especially the central characters of Draco and Hermione. This theme is often explored in the best Dramione fanfiction, but Breath Mints / Battle Scars by Onyx_and_Elm shows just how strong and overwhelming that trauma is for both of them. There are many things that make this fic great, such as the pacing, the earnest depiction of grief and healing, and the usage of diary entries that flow effortlessly with the narrative. However, what really wins readers over is the emotions presented throughout, rendering readers to tears and warming hearts with its messages of hope that have earned it 1,059,804 hits.
The Right Thing To Do By LovesBitca8
The first part of the Right and Wrong series, The Right Thing To Do by LovesBitca8 begins with a young Draco on trial after the war and a determined and empowered Hermione defending him fervently against all accusations, and it’s arguably one of the best Dramione fanfics. For Dramione shippers, the many chapters of the plot are a deserving read. From enemies-to-lovers to Draco’s guilt and angst, Hermione’s brilliance, and the extensively-built world bent upon keeping them apart – this fic is the epitome of all the tropes that make Dramione fics popular, and it exceeds all fan expectations through its execution of them. Plus, the happy ending alone proves the 1,068,271 hits right.
Remain Nameless By HeyJude19
Part 1 of the Spectrum duology, Remain Nameless by HeyJude19 is an incredible Draco and Hermione fanfiction that grabs readers right from its premise and intro art, with 1,210,073 hits, proving Dramione to once again be one of the most popular Harry Potter ships. What makes the fic so great is that it also includes Harry and Ron, along with their partners, into the narrative, making it seem much more organic and canonical than most works. The story also depicts a very broken side of Draco but also Hermione and how they help one another heal in a beautiful and heartwrenching way that is sure to impress Dramione lovers.
All You Want By Senlinyu
Renowned Dramione fic writer, senlinyu, offers another one of the best Dramione fanfics by taking the pair and placing them in an Alpha/Beta/Omega-based world that will be familiar to many avid fic readers. Yet All You Want of course adds a more magical touch to the traditional trope elements, with the fanfic’s excellent integration of common Wizarding World concepts seamlessly interweaving with the added histories and well-developed new ideas. Even with its many other characters, the development of Draco and Hermione as they grapple with a newly defined relationship is especially worthwhile, earning the fic 1,384,131 hits.
Let The Dark In By Senlinyu
In one of the best Dramione fanfiction entries, Let The Dark In by senlinyu imagines the Harry Potter universe without a Voldemort – but this does not mean there aren’t other societal prejudices that make life difficult for some, like Muggle-born Hermione. She meets an even more reserved and bigoted Draco Malfoy as he attends the Triwizard Tournament in Hermione’s sixth year at Hogwarts. Not only is the tale an exciting new premise, but it also emphasizes a lot of what makes Draco and Hermione’s shipping popular. The fic’s reimagining of canon and reworking of new situations with old characters make it an intriguing and enrapturing read, easily justifying its 1,446,892 hits.
Draco Malfoy And The Mortifying Ordeal Of Being In Love By Isthisselfcare
Some of the best Draco and Hermione fanfiction takes place after the Second Wizarding War, and Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love by isthisselfcare tosses J.K. Rowling’s original epilogue to the wind — and with great success. The story sees Hermione as a medical researcher and Healer on the brink of a life-changing discovery. Draco, in the meantime, is an Auror who is tasked with her protection. Neither is obviously happy with the situation, but isthisselfcare provides readers with an intriguing slow-burn scenario as their relationship progresses in an astonishingly realistic way. Changes made to canon are a surprising improvement, and the fic currently sits at 1,507,776 hits.
Don’t Look Back By Onyx_and_Elm
Despite some unpopular opinions, Draco Malfoy’s fanbase is immense, often resulting in some of the best Dramione fanfics. His appeal as the intelligent and ambitious yet tortured and conflicted Slytherin bad boy is amplified tenfold in Don’t Look Back with Onyx_and_Elm adding to his appeal the charming angst of also being a werewolf. Fans of the Draco and Hermione ship will especially enjoy the slow-burn romance between the two with the addition of new magic that binds Dramione in a previously unseen way. The fic is especially great for die-hard Potterheads, as readers can relish in the elaborate world-expanding and magic-exploring, proving its worth with 1,511,896 hits.
Bring Him To His Knees By Musyc
For fans of the fake-to-real lovers trope, Bring Him to His Knees by Musyc is the best Dramione fanfic. While investigating a suspect, Draco enlists Hermione to be his partner to get into an explicit club; what ensues is a lot of Dramione banter, sleuthing, and many new adventures, along with its 1,580,183 hits. The fanfic exceeds expectations by capitalizing on other popular Harry Potter relationships, particularly a friendship between Harry and Draco (another favorite non-canon Harry Potter ship) that supports the main plot. Not to mention the sizzling chemistry between the two well-characterized protagonists, who keep their essence from the books but transcend into more fleshed-out and complex characters.
The Auction By LovesBitca8
The third part of the Rights and Wrongs series, The Auction by LovesBitca8 is the most popular installment of the series and one of the best Dramione fanfics. Currently sitting at 1,798,608 hits, fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope will especially enjoy this fic, thanks to all the slow-burn and emotion-charged raw moments between Draco and Hermione in a world of Voldemort’s tyranny. The Auction gives Dramione a very genuine and fitting development, with their intimacy going beyond passionate moments into actually navigating hardships and their lives together. LovesBitca8’s passion for the series is epitomized in the third part, with many fans coming in for umpteenth re-reads.
Measure Of A Man By Inadaze22
Set after the events of The Deathly Hallows, Measure Of A Man by inadaze22 is one of the best Dramione fanfiction stories and sees Hermione, still one of the best Harry Potter wizards, slowly falling for a now father-to-a-son Draco Malfoy as she learns to reconcile her past interactions and perceptions of who he was then with whom he has become now. The fic succeeds not only via its mature Dramione relationship and well-paced love story, but also how it addresses the war’s aftermath and intertwines the stories of various secondary characters that add to the central narrative and provide worthy subplots. It’s clear why it has 1,879,357 hits today.
Manacled By Senlinyu
Like many Dramione fics, Manacled by senlinyu also takes place post-Battle of Hogwarts, but with a much different outcome than the canon Harry Potter universe. Instead, Harry was defeated and Hermione becomes a victim of terrible circumstances. Yet, she and Draco still find love together amidst all their pain, trauma, and healing. Despite the fic’s much darker themes (readers are encouraged to heed the story’s content warnings), senlinyu creates a heartwarming and inspiring narrative. The pacing, character development, and dialogue all deserve praise, not to mention the inclusion of translations and illustrations that further justify its quality and popularity as the best Dramione fanfic with 4,197,826 current hits.