Remember Us As War

by Anyaparadox

Following the devastation of the Battle of Hogwarts, The Wizarding Population Growth Act is put into effect. All witches and wizards will be matched with their most compatible partner. Failure to comply will not be tolerated. Survival is key.

Hermione reminds herself of this. Survival. She can fix this, if only she can survive. The war has made this a task she is equipped for. Marrying Draco Malfoy will hardly be the worst thing she's ever endured.

Genres: Fan Fiction, Fantasy, Romance

562 pages, ebook

First published June 11, 2022

Reviews

[Sassy Sarah Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

You would think that this would be an absolutely stellar fanfic. It has the makings with a forced marriage act plot line, great side characters, alternating POVs, and some great Dramione banter, but the last portion of this unraveled for me. It went from being a hit to quickly feeling forced, out of left field, and the mystery reveals were just plain old silly stuff. I did love the Theo/Luna ship in this one. Honestly, some of those chapters were better than the Dramione pair. It was so stinking CUTE!

[♡ Rosella Swan ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Word Count: 168,536
Chapters: 39
Rating: 4.75 ⭐

I'm in awe. The journey this fic took me on was incredible. Post war, marriage law, Dramione, unique relationships, plotting against the Ministry, plot twists, visions, protest, falling in love, war, trauma, healing, it was an incredible ride. This has a type of a sequel and I'm reading it immediately.

[sher · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8!

[Emelina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Falls into the bucket of — was it good? I mean, no, not really. But I was I entertained? Absolutely.

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cant even critique properly because I binged this bad boy like my life depended on it. A fascinating premise, though a few creative choices gave me pause. Mostly I wish there was more build up & conflict as my sweet babies got forced into marriage because I’m nothing if not a hoe for drama.

Draco’s growth mostly occurred prior to the start of this story & im sorry but the pure panic & dismay & denial that ensues as he dismantles his bigoted pureblood ideals whilst begrudgingly falling in love with the one and only Hermione Jean Granger is what I live for and I just feel like I was slightly robbed of that. We loved that “don’t you dare touch my wife” moment tho.

There were so many sweet moments, and hanging out in other POVs was nice too. I properly ship Theo & Luna now so there’s that.

4⭐️

[AK · Rating 4 out of 5]

God knows how many Marriage Law Dramione fan fictions I've read by now, and despite the fact that it seems ludicrous that people would be paired up by the Ministry and forced to marry each other within a short time span, I still continue to read fics of this nature.

I would like to begin by saying that I loved the writing style of this story. It is a bit formal but the sentences are put together very well. I also enjoy the various points of view we are exposed to. While the story primarily is about Draco and Hermione, and we get chapters from both their perspectives, we also get to see into what is happening with Theodore Nott or George Weasley.

Additionally, I was initially sceptical of how easy Draco and Hermione's dynamic seemed to be after the announcement of their future spouse, with how easy it was for them to correspond or smile in one another's presence, but I then began to encounter how they still had a long ways to go before understanding and trusting each other. This helped to see how they were both adults and had grown up but still had certain incidents they had to move past.

The story was a whirlwind. I came to care for a lot more than just Draco and Hermione. The ending is bittersweet and the story does bring to light the darker sides of having a Marriage Law like this passed. I'm so happy I came across this fic.


The rest of this review contains spoilers and quotes from 'Remember Us As War (but call us forgiveness)'.

“Also," Hermione hisses, deadly, "you should know that if he gets a name that is not Ginny Weasley's tomorrow, I'll burn the entire Ministry down. This isn't a threat, it's a warning for you to run. Give him Ginny, Shacklebolt, or prepare for war.”

The fact that she did this for Harry is both sweet and crazy. She had maybe one chance to pull the saviour card on Kingsley and of course she chose to use it for Harry.

“Thank you,” Hermione says softly in the night air. She’s not really sure what she’s thanking him for — perhaps for the pleasant date, or being patient, or the kisses he had bestowed upon her. Perhaps for being “kinder than she thought him capable of, or his desire to make this marriage less awful for them both.
Or perhaps for being willing to walk into a possible battle with a man he had admitted was stronger than he was, simply because she needed answers.

Cuties, the both of them. The story is just flying by me so quickly. Theo and Luna are adorable as hell. Seeing them as well as Ginny and Harry be so happy for their wedding makes me also happy. But while the WPG did allow for Theo and Luna, and helped in matching Parvati and George, it is still something that should be taken down, for the sole reason that the reasoning behind these matches is very suspicious and because Blaise shouldn't have to be forced into a marriage with Padma if he doesn't want to. None of them should be. I hope the WPG Act is repealed soon.

Why are George and Parvati also so cute? I can't wait to find out more about the visions Parvati keeps seeing. Draco drinking champagne and that scene somehow leads to his death? Two stars and green eyes. George wearing blue and having his hands stained with blood. They are all so foreboding. I love it.

“So you like him, then.”
Hermione meets his gaze and doesn't deny it. To her surprise, Ron’s stare doesn’t become disgusted — instead, he rolls his eyes.
“Figures you’d go for a complicated one,” He huffs.

I love it when Ron isn't painted as the villain. He may be hot-headed at times but he's got a kind heart and in the end, his friendships and his family always matter more than any scenario where he could lose them. I swear Draco and Hermione together make a super smart-powerful duo. I think one of Parvati's visions indicates to Harry and Ginny having twins or something like that. Wow. It wasn't Harry but it was Theo. Damn. But with the way Harry is acting, I have a feeling Ginny could also be pregnant.

And I love how Neville and Pansy have slowly crept up on me. There's might not be the obvious love that Theo and Luna have or Harry and Ginny, but they're definitely on their way to it. I can't believe Pansy has told Neville things she has never shared with Draco or Theo. That implies a bond very special.

“Harry James Potter, you don’t know anything! I never agreed to pretend… I never agreed to anything except marrying him. And guess what — I like being married to him. He’s — he’s mine.”

Well, it is true that she never agreed to it. How she'll explain this to Draco without seeming guilty or like a liar will be interesting.

You want to change the world, Granger — it’s what you’ve wanted to do since we were both eleven years old. While I was cutting you down, you were thinking of ways to make this world better. If anyone can take down the WPG, it’s you. And when you do, you’ll never have to pretend for me again.
Malfoy

Oh no. Miscommunication at its peak. First of all, what a thoughtful, sweet present. He has not only been listening but made this grand gesture. And he seriously wrote what he wrote even after he heard Harry and Hermione talk. The part that's killing me is the last sentence. UGH.

Surprisingly, Ron’s on my side (I know, you’re shocked, too. But he told Harry to stop being a ‘self-flagellating idiot and pull his head out of his arse’ … self- flagellating — I didn’t even know Ron knew that word!).

Why am I loving Ron more than usual in this story?

Yay. Draco has come to the self-realisation that she wasn't pretending.

After having read a fair share of the fic, I must say, that for a story related to the Marriage Law, there was a lot of death. The story even focuses on consequences of the WPG and how not all matches are ideal, how in the case of Cho and many other witches, there has even been a rise in domestic violence. I'm glad that the fic didn't focus just on the happy stories.

Also, even though Draco and Hermione confess to their love a little over the middle of the story, the fic continues because there is still something to be told of other characters and still a proper end for the WPG.

I can't believe Astoria is dying from a blood curse. I know its canonical, but the way she took on her sister's curse upon herself to be able to save her is the purest form of love. We didn't see her for many scenes but I can still feel myself being affected by her eventual loss.

The worst twist was how Parvati and her crazy Seer abilities led her to sacrifice herself for her sister. The sibling dynamics in this fic are crazy: with the Greengrass and Patil sisters. I'm glad though that one way or another, George will eventually find himself happy with Padma.

And then, things took such a crazy, unexpected turn. The slow progression of Rosmerta's involvement in giving information to the Ministry evolved into a potentially corrupt Chief Warlock. And now Robards literally revealed how the actual Kingsley Shacklebolt has been dead for weeks. However, this wouldn't explain anyone using Polyjuice to look like him because the person has to be alive for the potion to work, but I can overlook that minor discrepancy.

But seriously...the Carrows are out? And Dolohov and Macnair and Rookwood? This was a segment of the rise of the Death Eaters that I hadn't been prepared for. And it was certainly sad that Cho and Dawlish also passed away, but the aftermath is just so beautiful. Arthur Weasley as the Minister of Magic is what I now need canonically because he's level-headed, kind but also decisive. All in all, a good finish to the story.

[Jo Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

i didn't think i was going to cry until the last good chunk when i was SOBBING. I think i cried the entire last scene. Really good portrayl of the trauma they'd have from the war, and I loved the multi-povs.

I tried explaining to my friend the concept of the marriage-law au, and it made me realize just how unhinged the law would be in real life. I thought this author had a really nice spin on how something like this could've occured in the post-war aftermath.

[Ines]

4,5⭐

I loved.

Beautifull slow burn.

All the characters are wonderful and supportive. A little angsty, but overall a feel good story.

I loved Luna and Theo

I would like to know more about Astoria & Charlie, Ron & Hanna and Neville & Pansy

[vaishnave]

“Everything inside of me that is worthy of anything,” Draco whispers, serious and determined, and so very genuine. “Began with you, Hermione.”

reading draco and hermione's wedding ceremony while listening to "as the world caves in" by sarah cothran with noise-cancelling headphones is an experience i do not recommend to anyone, because 1.) the song immerses you so quickly and 2.) the danger of tears is very, very real.

“My mother met a seer — long ago. She didn’t know her, just bumped into her in an alley one day when she was just a girl; she only realized she was a seer years later.”
“What… what did the seer say?” Hermione asks.
“You — the betrayer. You will follow love, unlike anything you’ve ever known, through hatred and emerge a lion.” Draco intones quietly. [...] “Can you imagine her fear?” Draco whispers. “When the sorting hat was put on her head? With Bellatrix and Andromeda watching from the Slytherin table, and my mother knowing that a seer had proclaimed her a lion at only eight years old?”
Hermione nods because while she thinks the housing system at Hogwarts is wholly flawed and divisive, there is nothing so terrifying as disappointing your family. [...]
“It was you, Draco. She loved you more than anything in the world. She would have followed you anywhere. She betrayed Voldemort for you.”
“I know.”
[...] Finally, she asks, “Draco, why did you tell me this?”
Draco pulls back, just enough to press his forehead against hers, even though he’s half bent over to do so. “Because. I’d follow you anywhere, Hermione. Through anything. And I thought you ought to know that.”

and for the first time ever, in the history of my 20 years on this cruel planet, i've started shipping characters that do not interact at all in the canon, and yet fanfiction has made them so real and so perfect in my mind: theo nott and luna lovegood.

“Luna,” he whispers, “you don’t have to marry me. You can stay here — you can have a home. I won’t trap you in marriage.”
She smiles up at him, her arms still around his waist, “I know I’m not what you would choose, Theo. But you’re what I would choose.”
Theo’s breath leaves him at her words. He’s never been chosen. He wonders at the absurdity of this — he’s known her three bloody days and already he thinks he’d go to war again for her. It’s not even that he loves her— 
Though he wonders—does he love her? Can he love her?— 
It’s just that she’s gentle and kind and soft, and the most beautiful thing Theo has laid eyes on maybe ever. 
“You’re wrong,” he chokes, “you’re what I would choose. If I could choose—I would choose you.”

no i'm not okay

[Ghada · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is was surprisingly good fanfic.
I loved the multiverse POV and the pairings between characters. However, nothing perfect.
I didn’t like how it was mostly instant love for almost all the characters. There is so much trauma and hate in the original Harry Potter story so I felt it was not appropriate that somehow they were ready to forgive and love.
This fanfics idea is so good but the execution was, unfortunately, rushed and it ended with cliffhanger for one very interesting character and unresolved plots for others. I don’t know of there will be a sequel or not.

[Fatima Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t what I wanted either, I thought it would be a marriage law trope and there would be angst or marriage of convenience shit but it was too bland, everything was extra jolly for my liking

[Mary Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good story! The plot was very well done. All very believable and I loved the concept. I loved the act that made witches and wizards get married and how Hermione wanted to fight it. I actually loved Ron in this one too. I think this might be the first Dramione I read where he wasn't a bad guy who was pining after H. He was a good friend. I loved Theo and Luna in this one! I wish there was a bit more after-climax resolution. More on Astoria and her illness-- I feel like they could have done something more to help her? It could have been a longer book with more friction of trying to abolish the act and working towards that. More clues about how evil Dolohov was--could have played into it a bit more to make the stakes feel higher. But I truly loved this story, very well done!

[Suzanne Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something about a fic where the carnage from the war is real that just makes me love it. I love that the population and business decline is recognized after the war, even though the fic is based on the marriage law concept because it is a part of war often forgotten; the hard won peace that begins after is memorable, but the murky in between where justice and order are on shaky foundation is not as prevalent.

I thought the pairings were odd and I liked that it would’ve been a Hermione/Harry pairing if it weren’t for Hermione. The banter was good, and I wished to see more of where the characters go.

[Karine Sardarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

- What am I going to do with you?
- Hopefully come into my illegally expanded trunk and help me to bring down a goverment's stupid law.

All the plot is poor unbelievably.
It was all just to bring Dramione together.
But I was here for Theo and Luna. That was extrimely sweet and cozy.

SPOILER
SPOILER
SPOILER

So you wanna tell me, that it was taken 6 month to bring down goverment? And somewhere there was couples who don't like each other but still choose to bang because SOMEONE TOLD THEM?! You wanna tell me, that Cho Chang, clever ravenclaw, couldn't make a signal while she was raped and assulted, but still could attend on the parties?

[Kristin Quan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this thinking it was a soft fluffy Dramione ff. Oh how wrong I was. This was so beautifully written and I loved the multiple POVs! It is similar to Manacled in the forced marriage/forced pregnancy trope but not as dark in nature. So if you didn't love Manacled maybe steer clear. Ultimately the love, loss, grief, and hope that is written into this story brought me to tears and get also had me laughing out loud. I will definitely be re-reading and recommending this to all my Dramione reading friends!!

[Sarah Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was honestly amazing. I really loved this more than I thought possible. I love Dramione but this tied in other characters so elegantly and with such depth and ease. They never felt forced, I was equally invested in everyone. Also, bless Ron, he’s was always one of my favorite characters just not with Hermione so I feel like he gets unfairly attacked and characterized in a lot of fanfiction, but this was the Ron I fell in love with when reading canon HP, but better and more layered.

[Girlwholivesforsmut · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has made me go through so many emotions right now, fear, love anger, the need to kill the entire MINISTRY OF MAGIC. I love harry, hermione and ron. But i have come to love Dramione so so so much. This book is one of the best Dramione FF i've read. I'm crying. I'm at 80% and I'm crying and i want to finish this book and i want to sit and cry again.

Just finished it. Going to sit and cry for a moment.

[Chelsea Hecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted this to be a 5 ⭐️ so badly! It was almost perfect. Except at the end it just felt rushed to be over. With so many altering POV I feel like there needed to be more of a conclusion. What happened to everyone? What progress was made? Who did they end up with? So many open ended thoughts and questions.

I loved the coupling beyond Draco and Hermione! Luna and Theo 🫶🏼🫶🏼 I always love Neville and Pansy and wish we got more of them.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4/5

This was such a good fic! I haven't read one with a forced marriage law until now and I really enjoyed reading it! The pairings were so interesting to see and I loved watching them unfold. Would definitely recommend reading if you want something lighter that still has serious moments that will hurt your heart.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

character deaths spoiled in this review: only complaint is I wish it was more detailed and expanded more on side characters I have yet to read the tidbit of ‘afterwards’ for this fic. 3/4 stars for me I don’t usually rate out of 5. wish we got more of inner monologue for how they felt. but overall really enjoyed this fic. rip Parvati and Cho and ughhhh I hope Astoria lives.

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps in a different time
I would have named us hope.

Perhaps in a different universe
we would not meet so battleworn

And I would call us forgiveness,
and not remember us as war.

hehe marriage law my fav (my ao3 dramione history is between me and god (and goodreads i guess) bc i did not know i have consumed sm of that shit 🙂‍↕️)

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good marriage law fic. Seeing the different POVs and relationships grow was fun. I went with 3 instead of 4 because the ending felt rushed. There were story lines that were incomplete and I honestly wished there were a few more chapters to close things out.

[K Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great writing, interesting concept that promised more than it delivered though. I normally don’t like side character POVs but these were the most well executed ones I’ve ever read. Charlie Weasley had me sobbing, excuse me?! Not top tier but so close.

[anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️

[Olivia Preston · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5.

[Hollie Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sobbed from start to finish - the most fantastic read

[sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

good but i rlly thought this was a dramione fic this was an EVERYONE fic 😭

[Hufflepuff126 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too bland

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Generally pretty good.

I thought it dragged a bit toward the end.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

~3.7ish