The Right Thing To Do by LovesBitca8 is my first dive into the world of fan fiction. My sister begged me to read this Dramione fan fiction based on Hermione and Draco from Harry Potter, and I was skeptical. I listened to this book on the ETL Echo podcast in the Apple podcast app.
Format: Fan Fiction/E-Book
Genre: Fantasy/Romance
Page Length: 606 pages
Publisher: Archive of Our Own (April 12, 2018)
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mr. Darcy‘s Rating: “You have bewitched me, body and soul.”
A Chasing Mr. Darcy Review
This book...OMG, I am so sorry I was reluctant to read it because it is wonderful. I loved the character development and extension beyond the Hermione and Draco from the Harry Potter books, and I really really really enjoyed the slow burn relationship between Hermione and Draco.
Here’s a summary in my own words: The Right Thing To Do takes place in the Harry Potter universe following the end of the war with Voldemart. The book follows Hermione and her path after the war, her ability to deal with being recognized as a war hero, and her battle with her feelings for Draco Malfoy.
Truth be told, I had never once thought about a relationship between Hermione and Draco. I shipped Harry and Hermione throughout the original series, and I *secretly* shipped Hermione and Sirius Black. But never did I consider a Draco and Hermione, or a Dramione, if you will. It totally works though!
Hermione and Draco are so perfect together in this story, and I think the author writes a fabulous tale about the two of them. And, Ron is not in this story hardly at all, which I am more than thankful for, let me tell you. Hermione is finding her path, and at the beginning of the story, her path is working for the ministry of magic. It's not her dream job, but it's a start. She testifies at Draco's trial, and he is given freedom in exchange for basically becoming a ministry informant for six months after her testimony. The sparks fly between them from the beginning! I love the inner monologue of Hermione in this story because she is so damn clueless it's hilarious at times. She wants Draco so badly, but she can't make herself reach for what she wants. She fights that desire with half-baked attempts at flirting and then backing away from him when she gets too close to the fire. The chemistry between them is dynamite in this story, and at times, it had me wishing that LovesBitca8 had written the original series.
I absolutely flipped over this character expansion of Draco. He is fabulously written in The Right Thing To Do, and his character is just perfection. He strikes the perfect balance between charm, wit, snark, and sexiness. And, that moment when he punches Ron Weasley? You can't tell me that 99% of the world hasn't dreamed of punching Ron Weasley too...I know I have. There's two moments between Draco and Hermione that really stick out to me in this story as being so well-written, and one of them the aftermath of the Quidditch fight between Draco and Ron. Hermione chastises Draco, and he basically tells her he's been dying to punch that guy for ten years. Hermione in no uncertain terms tells Draco not to use her as an excuse to punch him; if he wants to punch him, do it, but keep her out of it (more or less). It was just such a witty, fun scene. And, I love how Harry takes in the sparks between Hermione and Draco, doesn't say much, and just waits for the explosion. The other scene that stands out to me is the moment Draco realizes Hermione went diving into the pensieve he gave the ministry, and when she whines that she wanted to know him, he says "Then ask, Hermione, don't take!" It's the first time he calls her by her first name in the story, and it's in such a moment of anguish it just broke my heart.
And holy hell, the STEAM in this book. You have to wait for it, but it is worth the wait. Draco Malfoy has skills. I listened to this book on audio, and I felt like I needed to close my office door even with an air bud in at points because it was just so damn steamy! I've never listened to an audio book with a sex scene in it before, and I felt like I needed to light a cigarette and relax or something after some of the chapters!
This book was so good. It gave me a connection to the Harry Potter characters I love so much during a time when I am unwilling to provide support to JK Rowling and her transphobic viewpoints. LovesBitca8 gave me the chance to support an aspiring author while also connecting with characters I love, and I thank her for that!
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