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Malfoy's handsome face was contoured into a condescending smirk. "No faith in that giant brain of yours, Granger?"
She looked up at him defiantly. "Maybe I don't have faith in you!" she said, raising her voice.
Malfoy only looked at her. "You'll find I'm very surprising."

Dramione AU, Year 6 with a slow burn and a killer twist. Book I of "This World or Any Other" series. COMPLETE.

396 pages, ebook

First published January 8, 2016

83 people are currently reading
3889 people want to read

About the author

olivieblake

28 books176 followers
Fanfiction pen name for Olivie Blake

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5 stars
1,038 (35%)
4 stars
1,211 (41%)
3 stars
579 (19%)
2 stars
88 (3%)
1 star
17 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews
Profile Image for chloe.
271 reviews28.9k followers
February 8, 2025
★★★★★
july 2022 ♡ buddy read with caitlin
(both of us were sick in bed and had the literal time of our lives reading this!!!!)

★★★★★
february 2025 ♡ patreon buddy read & buddy read with caitlin
sometime this was even more amazing than i remember??? and once again had the time of my life reading this with caitlin and the bunnies on patreon ♡

my favourite dramione fic ever and i don't know if any other fic will be able to top it!!
Profile Image for NAT.orious reads ☾.
959 reviews412 followers
March 21, 2022
This book is for you if… you're aching for a bit of a softer Dramione fanfic.

Additionally..

It's no Manacled or The Auction, but still. Enjoyed it.

If you would like to not shred yourself apart for once over an extremely heart-breaking Dramione fanfic, than Clean is the one for you. Draco is still a tortured soul, Hermione is still hell-bent on seeing the good in him, and that's pretty much all I usually ask for in a fanfic. It's a nice change to be able to enjoy a regular amount of Angst ™ for a change.

I particularly appreciated Clean because it spotlights Hermione and Ron's relationship as well and explains the mismatch. It's obvious for most people with half a brain that Hermione could have done a lot better than an envious Ronald Weasly. His favourite pastime is to begrudge other people their talent and drive. I'm sorry, I just don't see that kind of person with someone as passionate and dedicated as Hermione.

(I don't despise Ron that much really but I just love to set the case for Draco and Hermione).

What’s happening.
‘"He's– he's careless, you know?" she said, eyes flashing. "He's lazy, with me– with our friendship. And you know, maybe I wasn't perfect, but he still shouldn't have– " "Stop," he said forcefully. "You– you're– " He cleared his throat awkwardly. "I'm what?" she said, eyes wide. "You're fine," he finished anticlimactically, refusing to meet her glance. "There's . . . there's nothing wrong with you." "Nothing?" she echoed, smiling. "Besides the obvious," he grumbled. "Too much hair. And poor taste in men." "Thanks, Malfoy," she whispered, touching his hand.’

spoiler alert : As you can see, plenty of Angst and Swoon guaranteed.
_____________________
4 STARS. Would stay up beyond my typical hours to finish it. I found some minor details I didn't like, agree with or lacked in some kind but overall, this was enjoyable and extraordinary.
Profile Image for r ꨄ︎.
376 reviews65 followers
August 21, 2025
"How do I feel?" he repeated, his eyes fluttering open to look at her. "I feel . . . "

He touched her cheek, an unexpected smile settling comfortably across his face. "I feel like I'm finally clean."


Okay, so for starters. Holy moly, Olive Blake. No wonder people adore your writing so much. This was beautiful. This was gorgeous.

While it didn’t quite make me a dedicated Dramione shipper, I do definitely see the potential now, and I quite liked the characterization of them in this fic.

While Draco’s redemption always comes easily to me as it’s an idea I’ve loved for a while, I was really determined to not let my pre-exposure to Fanon-Draco get me. And so I waited, and the character development came along quite nicely. I like how it wasn’t a huge shift as well. No big “Maybe I’m Not A Blood Purist” moment. It was subtle, a couple cracks in the glass before anything further. It made it feel more realistic, because a change in beliefs is a huge thing, but it doesn’t just come across your mind one day, it’s gradual.

I also loved how Hermione’s smarts weren’t really snarked at very much after a certain point. Draco worships the ground she walks on by the midway point, I’d say.

”I would die for you, Harry. I would. But I’d kill for him.”

So what were my few problems with this fic? There were one or two things that irked me, but they were pretty impactful, so.

First off, a lack of personal-lives. This is not canon, this is WILDLY different from canon, and so I felt like we needed to know more about these versions of the more important side-characters. Harry was a bit flat, but I understand why as he wasn’t present for very long. Ginny was essentially just book-Ginny, which was quite alright with me, but Ron was exceptionally disappointing.

Look, I know. As a Romione fan being thrown into this whole new side of the fandom, I can’t really complain. I knew what I was getting myself into. But while Olivie claimed he wouldn’t betray them or anything in an early author’s note, which I suppose technically he doesn’t…his characterization felt off. To me, at least. I’ve always loved Ron’s character, and while he does share some characteristics with this version of him in canon, I do find him to be a touch meaner in this fic. Which—again—I suppose is pretty necessary in a lot of Dramione fics, but I wish he hadn’t done something to tick Hermione and myself off. The secondary guy just not being HER guy is always a welcome trope for me. It works in Veronica Mars, and I figure it could work here.

Second, as much as I’m unsure where I stand ship-wise now, I don’t think it’s Romione, Dramione OR Harmione (NEVER HARMIONE, GOOD GOD). This fic, in fact, did not convince me fully, but I sort get y’all more now.

Next, the characterization of Snape had to be my least favourite thing in this fic. Narcissa’s portrayal was frankly excellent, and this goes for both Hermione and Draco as well, so what happened with Snape? I think that Olivie isn’t the sort of Marauders stan I am, if anything. Considering that the third installment in this series is James/Lily, clearly there are a lot of things we see differently in that era of the Wizarding World. But, essentially, Snape is overly romanticized in this fic, and treated like some sort of God when he’s actually just a greasy coward and a slightly more covert Blood Purist.

My last problem would be the pacing. It takes at least ten chapters before it becomes interesting, in my opinion. Once I pushed through those, it was good, but I didn’t like waiting so long.

And okay, I lied. One more thing. Their first kiss felt the slightest bit (Okay, a very large bit) rushed to me, but maybe I just hate insta-love/insta-sex very much.

“Maybe in his eyes, she was art.”

To end on a good note, I will say that I found myself genuinely excited to come home after a long day of work and dive straight into this. Hell, I didn’t even wait that long. I opened Ao3 as soon as I was dismissed. The writing is exquisite and I would tell anyone who doesn’t ship Dramione to read it anyway. It packs a real punch.
Profile Image for Caitlin.
98 reviews1,805 followers
February 8, 2025
just finished reading this for the third time and it only gets more perfect <3
Profile Image for Rn.
112 reviews
August 6, 2021
“You forget your name for a moment when he touches you.”

“Say something, he urged himself. Don't let her walk away. You'll never be the same. You'll never not want her.

Don't let her go.

He sat up quickly. "Granger – "

She was standing. Not headed toward the door – just standing.

"Which side of the bed do you sleep on?" she asked, clearly unaware of his torment. He looked at her quizzically. "Oh," she said, "don't worry. I'm not leaving.”

“I love you, Harry," she said, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'd die for you, I would." She paused, watching as Harry's expression swept from shock to horror.

"But I'd kill for him," she whispered hoarsely, finally looking pointedly at Malfoy”
Profile Image for m.
498 reviews1,089 followers
Want to read
September 2, 2022
who knew miss olivie is a fanfic author help
(not really sure if it's the Olivie blake tho)

anyways THIS LOOKS AMAZING SLAY
Profile Image for Ashley S..
315 reviews44 followers
December 28, 2021
***Update: I'm halfway through Marked (Part II) and it gets a lot better here!

Pretty fun read. The Dramione buildup was good and the interactions between the characters (Draco, Hermione, Snape, Theo) were written quite well. Hermione unfortunately gets pretty OOC in the last quarter of the novel but the intriguing ending makes up for it. Overall this was not the most memorable fic, but still enjoyable and definitely worth a read.
Profile Image for Lyssa.
740 reviews4 followers
October 18, 2020
Overall pretty good, but Draco was too soft in this one for me
Profile Image for Jiewei Li.
201 reviews4 followers
August 20, 2022
Evan wanted me to add my fanfic on Goodreads, and this is what I read in one sitting today in the airport and on the plane. It was a great way to keep me busy because even though I haven’t liked other Olivie Blake fanfictions (but obviously LOVE her alone with you in the ether), I actually really enjoyed this one. Morally dubious hermione and a story rife with tension that leads to emotionally satisfying payoff is exactly what I look for in dramione fanfic. Was the “I love you, Harry. I’d die for you, but I’d kill for him” a little dramatic? Yes. But I love for my toxic, codependent, obsessed with each other with terrifying amounts of devotion, loyalty, and adoration dramione. After all, manacled is one of the best works of literature I’ve ever read.
Profile Image for Ari.
28 reviews18 followers
August 25, 2017
This was sooo good!
Which is awesome since I've been struggling with finding new Dramione fanfics that I like since I've read just about all there is on ff.net lol
Profile Image for Paris V.T. (on hiatus).
313 reviews87 followers
July 31, 2022
Good plot. The timeline is halfway or the end of the 6th book. Admittedly, i don’t have a clear idea because I haven’t read the original series in a few years. But they were still studying in Hogwarts. Draco and Hermione was forced into a project together by Snape’s clever pairings.

I really like olivieblake’s take on the half blood prince and deathly hallows, but the chemistry between Draco and Hermione was a bit rushed. They were drawn to one another in a few nights of working on a project together with minimal communication after hating each other for years, and soon jumping each another’s bones. Hermione also seemed very nonchalant about how she lost her virginity, it seems rather uncharacteristic for someone like Hermione.

Draco and Theo’s friendship is really strong and properly explored with tidbits of their past mischief and they are essentially brothers, willing to do anything for one another which is further showed in the end of this book.

The other issue I have while reading this is some of the dialogues. Sometimes the conversation between the triumvirate or even Draco’s were as if they are millennial high school students rather than budding wizards and witches. This discrepancy is slightly weird. While I know Snape is a character known to speak formally while looking down his nose, and it’s difficult to emulate him or create his character’s dialogues. Sometimes it looks a bit forced and sounded unnatural.
Profile Image for Scarlett Lanai.
78 reviews
January 6, 2022
i love dramione so much. the wit, the banter, the academic rivals/enemies to lovers, just exquisite.
Profile Image for Mae.
34 reviews1 follower
Read
January 16, 2025
“I love you, Harry. I’d die for you, I would. But I’d kill for him.” !!!
Profile Image for ••• Emilee •••.
293 reviews5 followers
Read
February 22, 2024
I’m not going to rate it because it’s fanfiction, but it was supremely fun. Just a good ol’ time.

Reading the comments of this fanfiction has shown me that there’s a lot of Snape sympathizers….he’s super….attentive and nice in this fic? And I’m just confused what that’s all about. I’m not sure why everyone is obsessed with Snape. He basically sucks! Just cuz you had unrequited love doesn’t mean you can be a jerk to Harry and the crew 24/7. (*watches Phantom of the Opera and loves the Phantom even though he’s a psycho-unrequited-love-guy*)

I used to write fanfiction when I was 11-12ish and it was probably pretty bad. I mostly just inserted myself in the story doing mundane tasks like going to Charms class and hanging out with friends by the lake. I never wanted anything dramatic (unless it was relationship drama) to happen to me or my fictional friends. I just wanted to be a regular student at Hogwarts hahaha
Profile Image for Mel.
199 reviews44 followers
February 14, 2025
3.5

I laughed, I giggled and I cried.
Oh, I also lost my mind.

I knew Olivie would never disappoint but this was very different from what I'm used to reading by her and yet so pleasantly surprising.

The tension and the smut was great.
The soft moments were greater.

I wish we could have concluded the book better but 80% of the book was AMAZING!
Profile Image for vaishnave.
790 reviews21 followers
Read
February 3, 2023
i'm sorry but this:

"I love you, Harry," she said, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'd die for you, I would." She paused, watching as Harry's expression swept from shock to horror.

"But I'd kill for him," she whispered hoarsely, finally looking pointedly at Malfoy.


absolutely fucking destroyed me, cannot believe i'm like this bc of a stupid non-canon couple i loved TEN YEARS AGO
Profile Image for Isabella Taormina.
300 reviews23 followers
May 9, 2022
“I love you, Harry," she said, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'd die for you, I would."

"But I'd kill for him," she whispered hoarsely, finally looking pointedly at Malfoy.

-

I don’t know why but I was nervous going into Clean that it wouldn’t live up to my expectations but I was so wrong. This was one of the best fics I’ve read due to the characterization of hermoine and draco. The story takes place during 6th year and is mostly canon in terms of draco fixing the vanishing cabinet with plans to kill Dumbledore. Draco and hermoine work on a potion together and quickly become enamored with each other.

The way olivie writes draco and hermoines relationship is perfect. I fucking LOVE when they fall fast and are pretty much obsessed with one another in an unhealthy way and that is exactly what happens. Hermoine realizes draco exists in a shade of grey and vows to help him. If there’s one thing better than a couple who will die for each other it’s one that will kill for the other and that’s exactly how draco and hermoine are in this fic (see above quote which is now my absolute fucking favorite dramoine quote).
Profile Image for Sha.
196 reviews94 followers
October 31, 2022
30 chapters / 118k words
Rating: 4.5⭐

Hogwarts 6th year / enemies to lovers / romance / mild smut / morally grey Hermione / softer Draco / Snape's kinda nice / multi POVs

So I really didn't know if I could do another 6thyear story. Turns out it was worth it.
The writing is really beautiful, the characters although teenagers are very mature.
Some might argue Draco is too soft but in all honesty the author managed to draw a very accurate picture of a young man, scared, and burdened with an impossible task in desperate need for someone to confide in.
Draco and Hermione realize their chemistry not only on a physical level but also on a intellectual level. There is this kind of epicness to their love story.

There is stuff that I don't understand but I hope questions will ve answered in the sequel.

This story is for you if you like canon divergent stories around Half-Blood Prince, Draco and Hermione who don't squash their feelings, you're okay with only mild smut
Profile Image for Carolina.
259 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2017
It started out very good but got really tedious reaching the end. I found it difficult to finish to be honest.
Profile Image for Shakila Azimi.
68 reviews
March 15, 2024
read this cos I saw a quote on TikTok and spent the whole book looking for it but when I finally got there it really did eat
Profile Image for Katelyn C.
230 reviews55 followers
December 6, 2024
5/5 Stars!

This Dramione fic is severely underrated, it's my favorite that I've read so far!

This is a Half Blood Prince rewrite (a lot of the plot stays canon). We get Hermione and Draco POV's, and they get tasked a potions class assignment where they have to work together for a month.

I really loved this one, it was great to get into Draco's mind during his time maneuvering the Dark Lord's task that he's been given, along with his developing relationship with Hermione.

I definitely recommend starting with this fanfic if you're new to Dramione!
Profile Image for Tousser.
166 reviews6 followers
November 17, 2022
3.5
i just eat up the enemies to lovers trope everytime
it's just a really nice fanfic, nothing more nothing less
just the perfect amount of Hermione and Draco
Profile Image for Athena.
156 reviews
Read
October 1, 2024
Wow this was a good one. I really liked so many things about this one!! Hogwarts setting, morally grey Hermione, supportive Snape and bestie Theo all 10/10. Dramione in this one also 10/10
Profile Image for Syd :).
273 reviews32 followers
January 26, 2023
So cute and so sweet literally couldn’t stop smiling tbh. And I actually laughed out loud at some of the jokes.
Cant wait to read the next

4⭐️

“I’d kill for you, but I’d die for him”
Profile Image for Arunima.
231 reviews3 followers
December 9, 2021
This was bad. I don't even know why i read it but i guess I've always read for pleasure and shamelessly and I did love Theo saying 'we are brothers'. I mean I like soft Draco, I loved Theo Nott in this. I hate how Ron becomes so horrible in these. I hate how fast the beginning was. out of nowhere, draco was obsessed with hermione. Bleh bleh. Idk what I'm doing. I did like the idea of reading a Draco-Harry ending lol. And that is kinda making me think of reading HP fanfictions all month. I can justify it in a way of fans taking control of the narrative, the story being much more than the author aspired it to be, especially with JK Rowling being a bit shite rn. Idk maybe some Draco-Harry, Sirius-Remus, Ginny-Luna or trans Fleur-Bill pairings. Apparently the fandom has so much to offer. I mean, why not?
(I'm spending so much time reading these long fanfics so I'm adding them to my reading goal. It's been a dismal year in terms of books I've read this year) {like the private journal my goodreads is becoming}
Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews

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