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Soft As It Began
The day after his infamous victory at the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry Potter disappears without a trace.
When the rest of the world gives up their search, Hermione Granger, an up-and-coming investigative journalist, is determined to do what they couldn’t: find him.
After years of searching, she finally stumbles upon a clue that might just lead her to her best friend. She is determined to journey across Europe to solve the mystery and, naturally, write about it along the way. But when her intolerable co-worker Draco Malfoy is also assigned to the case, she must learn to set aside old grudges and accept their dysfunctional partnership in order to bring Harry home again.
A slow-burn enemies to lovers fic with mystery, adventure, and our two favorite idiots in love.
When the rest of the world gives up their search, Hermione Granger, an up-and-coming investigative journalist, is determined to do what they couldn’t: find him.
After years of searching, she finally stumbles upon a clue that might just lead her to her best friend. She is determined to journey across Europe to solve the mystery and, naturally, write about it along the way. But when her intolerable co-worker Draco Malfoy is also assigned to the case, she must learn to set aside old grudges and accept their dysfunctional partnership in order to bring Harry home again.
A slow-burn enemies to lovers fic with mystery, adventure, and our two favorite idiots in love.
375 pages, ebook
Published March 1, 2022
41 people are currently reading
1703 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
April 7, 2023
3.5* “dear mother, here, with her, everyday is strawberry jam day. all my love, draco” saved lives
November 2, 2023
“i’d give up a lot for a shot at having you. anything, maybe. because i know it will be the best decision i've ever made. because you are fireflies in a jar, granger. you’re the closest thing i’ve found to magic."
wow, i loved this fic so much. it reminded me a bit of draco malfoy and the mortifying ordeal of being in love (which is one of my absolute favorite fics). the plot and magic in this one was so impressive, i never wanted to put it down. i also love the enemies to friends to lovers plotline, like it will do it for me EVERY time. and the banter in this one was sooo good too? i nearly cried at a scene towards the end. okay i’m done blabbering. highlyyyyyy recommend!
wow, i loved this fic so much. it reminded me a bit of draco malfoy and the mortifying ordeal of being in love (which is one of my absolute favorite fics). the plot and magic in this one was so impressive, i never wanted to put it down. i also love the enemies to friends to lovers plotline, like it will do it for me EVERY time. and the banter in this one was sooo good too? i nearly cried at a scene towards the end. okay i’m done blabbering. highlyyyyyy recommend!
January 26, 2023
Rating: 2.5/5
Downside:
- it's not a "slow burn" it's more like a "nothing happened for 70% of the story and then all of the sudden the characters are having sex". Which was, for me, incredibly frustrating.
- Dramione? Where?? This was more like a quest than romance
- Harry James Potter! How dare you vanish, for FOUR YEARS! And then, when we finally find you, we get like two chapter with you in it.
- Both Hermione and Draco where getting on my nerves. I hated these versions of them so much. She was bossy and annoying, as accused by Draco. He was snarky and rude, as accused by Hermione. Pointlessly so, at that.
Upside:
- Cottage core vibe
- Interesting quest, at least there's that
- Nice description, if not too lengthy
** In my humble opinion, this one was oversold.
Downside:
- it's not a "slow burn" it's more like a "nothing happened for 70% of the story and then all of the sudden the characters are having sex". Which was, for me, incredibly frustrating.
- Dramione? Where?? This was more like a quest than romance
- Harry James Potter! How dare you vanish, for FOUR YEARS! And then, when we finally find you, we get like two chapter with you in it.
- Both Hermione and Draco where getting on my nerves. I hated these versions of them so much. She was bossy and annoying, as accused by Draco. He was snarky and rude, as accused by Hermione. Pointlessly so, at that.
Upside:
- Cottage core vibe
- Interesting quest, at least there's that
- Nice description, if not too lengthy
** In my humble opinion, this one was oversold.
April 10, 2023
My Dramoine recommendations
in no particular order
Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love (DMATMOOBIL) by isthisselfcare
Secrets and Masks by Emerald_Slytherin
Remain Nameless by HeyJude19
The Fallout by everythursday
Timeless by alexandra_emerson
Measure of a Man by inadaze22
Room Serviced by pir8fancier
Love in a Time of the Zombie Apocalypse (LIATOTZA) by rizzle
The Auction by LovesBitca8
Breath Mints / Battle Scars by onyx_and_elm
Manacled by SenLinYu
Until The Ink Runs Dry by AccioMjolnir
The Right Thing To Do by LovesBitca8
Graveyard Valentine by Bex-chan
Wait and Hope by mightbewriting
Revert by suprntral lvr
Seek and Find by serpent_and_sage
From Wiltshire, With Love by Mistresslynn
The Politician’s Wife by pir8fancier
The Disappearances of Draco Malfoy by Speechwriter
in no particular order
Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love (DMATMOOBIL) by isthisselfcare
Secrets and Masks by Emerald_Slytherin
Remain Nameless by HeyJude19
The Fallout by everythursday
Timeless by alexandra_emerson
Measure of a Man by inadaze22
Room Serviced by pir8fancier
Love in a Time of the Zombie Apocalypse (LIATOTZA) by rizzle
The Auction by LovesBitca8
Breath Mints / Battle Scars by onyx_and_elm
Manacled by SenLinYu
Until The Ink Runs Dry by AccioMjolnir
The Right Thing To Do by LovesBitca8
Graveyard Valentine by Bex-chan
Wait and Hope by mightbewriting
Revert by suprntral lvr
Seek and Find by serpent_and_sage
From Wiltshire, With Love by Mistresslynn
The Politician’s Wife by pir8fancier
The Disappearances of Draco Malfoy by Speechwriter
May 1, 2024
The absolutely audacity for THIS fic to be THIS good I am honestly speechless. Without a doubt a 5⭐️ read what can I say?
Hermione taking the jigsaw piece with her? Draco’s letter about strawberry jam day? Shut up please I can’t take anymore it’s a Wednesday evening I wasn’t prepared to feel this way 🫠
Hermione taking the jigsaw piece with her? Draco’s letter about strawberry jam day? Shut up please I can’t take anymore it’s a Wednesday evening I wasn’t prepared to feel this way 🫠
January 2, 2024
the personalities of draco + hermione in this were SPOT ON, and i LIVE for a coworkers fic. plus the plot was actually so interesting and really well developed. perfect mix of everything. i loved the way their romance developed, it wasn’t too sex driven or too friendship driven, + had lots of great tension and emotion - a perfect inbetween. only not 5 stars because it didn’t quite hit as amazing as others but damn it was rlly close!
September 12, 2023
This was definitely a quest fic, which I did enjoy but I felt like the act of finding Harry and finishing the job of destroying the Hallows happened too fast?
Points for cottage core vibes and strawberry jam everyday.
Points for cottage core vibes and strawberry jam everyday.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2024
4⭐️ ahhh loved it! Such a unique ‘potentially’ AU story, argue amongst yourselves. Well paced, exciting, with great banter and smut.
“Because you are fireflies in a jar, Granger. You’re the closest thing I’ve found to magic.” 🥹
“Because you are fireflies in a jar, Granger. You’re the closest thing I’ve found to magic.” 🥹
March 13, 2024
This fic was like a warm hug!! It was so so cute I loved every minute of it. A perfect breather from all of the dark fic I’ve been reading lately
December 29, 2024
Cute, slow burn, interesting plot. Not much romance
July 5, 2025
A sweet lil story, about writing a story, about finding a friend
V wholesome
V wholesome
January 27, 2025
She’d gotten so caught up, become so passionate about her work, that she had barely even noticed that the ache had started to return — soft as it began, and then, painful all at once.
Yes, to be desired was nice. Sometimes, necessary.
But to be loved is to fill a different emptiness entirely.
“The best articles we have at *The Howler* are the ones you do together.”
“He’s emerging into the clearing, wand at his side, eyes deep in thought. He got like this a lot, she noticed. Thoughtful, pensive, his eyes far away, mouth pressed into a thin line as his brows drew together slightly—those subtle inflections of Malfoy’s facial expressions that gave away his mood if you looked closely enough; if you were familiar enough with him.”
“She understands now what it’s like to be equally matched, and, though she had once thought that she might hate it—had dreaded the thought of having to compete with someone, of having to challenge their wits and outsmart them—she is astonished instead at how much she *likes* it.
How easy it seems to breathe.”
“She doesn’t worry about what he thinks — just wonders what he has noticed.”
She doesn’t realize that she’s been wandering until Draco’s low whisper by her ear startles her back into reality.
“It's like you’ve never seen a bunch of dusty old books before, Granger,” he teases, his shoulder brushing hers.
“How is this not the most gorgeous thing you’ve ever seen?” she chastises, spinning in place as her eyes trail over the spines of ancient-looking tomes placed high on the packed shelves.
“I’ve seen prettier.”
She turns to him to find his eyes already on her, his expression as serious as the tone of his voice. Their gazes meet for a moment, the grey of his eyes particularly light — almost blue.
“I mean, I think you sometimes forget that your resilience is to be a force to be contended with. You’re so focused on finding Harry. You keep trying to measure your success based on how close you are to reaching him. But you don’t know well enough to stop and realize how far you’ve gotten already. Everyone else gave up on him, Hermione. You didn’t. You think only in terms of what you’ll accomplish when you reach the end, that you forget how special you are to have made it so far into the middle.”
“Did someone do this to you?”
His voice is low, dangerous.
“I have a lot to tell you,” she breathes in response, barely a whisper. His eyes flick quickly over her face as if he's searching for further damage. His worry is palpable, and it makes her stomach roll and twist, her heart stutter in her ribcage.
“Who did this to you, Granger?”
She breathes in, wiping a droplet of water from her collarbone.
“Don’t be daft. She was pretty.”
“I didn’t notice the bridesmaid, Granger.”
“Why not?”
“Don’t be daft. I didn’t notice her because I was trying to get back to you.”
Truthfully, she is the opposite of panicked. She’s never felt calmer in her life.
Draco has seen all of her now, and she him. She isn’t afraid that he knows she is fallible, but rather feels safe in the knowledge that he does, and that he has chosen her anyway.
Why am I crying over strawberry jam?
Yes, to be desired was nice. Sometimes, necessary.
But to be loved is to fill a different emptiness entirely.
“The best articles we have at *The Howler* are the ones you do together.”
“He’s emerging into the clearing, wand at his side, eyes deep in thought. He got like this a lot, she noticed. Thoughtful, pensive, his eyes far away, mouth pressed into a thin line as his brows drew together slightly—those subtle inflections of Malfoy’s facial expressions that gave away his mood if you looked closely enough; if you were familiar enough with him.”
“She understands now what it’s like to be equally matched, and, though she had once thought that she might hate it—had dreaded the thought of having to compete with someone, of having to challenge their wits and outsmart them—she is astonished instead at how much she *likes* it.
How easy it seems to breathe.”
“She doesn’t worry about what he thinks — just wonders what he has noticed.”
She doesn’t realize that she’s been wandering until Draco’s low whisper by her ear startles her back into reality.
“It's like you’ve never seen a bunch of dusty old books before, Granger,” he teases, his shoulder brushing hers.
“How is this not the most gorgeous thing you’ve ever seen?” she chastises, spinning in place as her eyes trail over the spines of ancient-looking tomes placed high on the packed shelves.
“I’ve seen prettier.”
She turns to him to find his eyes already on her, his expression as serious as the tone of his voice. Their gazes meet for a moment, the grey of his eyes particularly light — almost blue.
“I mean, I think you sometimes forget that your resilience is to be a force to be contended with. You’re so focused on finding Harry. You keep trying to measure your success based on how close you are to reaching him. But you don’t know well enough to stop and realize how far you’ve gotten already. Everyone else gave up on him, Hermione. You didn’t. You think only in terms of what you’ll accomplish when you reach the end, that you forget how special you are to have made it so far into the middle.”
“Did someone do this to you?”
His voice is low, dangerous.
“I have a lot to tell you,” she breathes in response, barely a whisper. His eyes flick quickly over her face as if he's searching for further damage. His worry is palpable, and it makes her stomach roll and twist, her heart stutter in her ribcage.
“Who did this to you, Granger?”
She breathes in, wiping a droplet of water from her collarbone.
“Don’t be daft. She was pretty.”
“I didn’t notice the bridesmaid, Granger.”
“Why not?”
“Don’t be daft. I didn’t notice her because I was trying to get back to you.”
Truthfully, she is the opposite of panicked. She’s never felt calmer in her life.
Draco has seen all of her now, and she him. She isn’t afraid that he knows she is fallible, but rather feels safe in the knowledge that he does, and that he has chosen her anyway.
Why am I crying over strawberry jam?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2023
There were definitely cute moments and I did like the forced-to-live-in-a-cottage vibes.
However, the writing style was distracting. Semi-colon misuse over and over again really tore me out of the story because I'm petty. But also a simple Grammarly check would have pointed out those issues so it's not really a high bar. Not only that, but some of the dialogue and character interactions felt really off from the source material. Since when did Hermione call Harry "Harry Potter" in nearly every interaction? When did Ron casually give Hermione dry pecks during normal conversation?
The ending I didn't love. The random inclusion of Merlin stories felt like a bolt from the blue. Not only that but the whole point of this story is that Draco and Hermione are supposed to be Very Clever Investigators, but their big breakthrough comes from chance from Blaise.
I think the main reason why I love Dramione and didn't love this one is that there is so much angst, history, a divide between them. Draco was a death eater, so were all his friends and family, like there's a huge bridge to cross. But this story almost bats that away with minimal angst, reflection or character development. It could have been any two co-worker that hate each other, but not like... My entire family thought that you shouldn't even exist and I joined the Death Eaters.
In summary, read DMATMOBIL instead. This was cute at times but only okay.
However, the writing style was distracting. Semi-colon misuse over and over again really tore me out of the story because I'm petty. But also a simple Grammarly check would have pointed out those issues so it's not really a high bar. Not only that, but some of the dialogue and character interactions felt really off from the source material. Since when did Hermione call Harry "Harry Potter" in nearly every interaction? When did Ron casually give Hermione dry pecks during normal conversation?
The ending I didn't love. The random inclusion of Merlin stories felt like a bolt from the blue. Not only that but the whole point of this story is that Draco and Hermione are supposed to be Very Clever Investigators, but their big breakthrough comes from chance from Blaise.
I think the main reason why I love Dramione and didn't love this one is that there is so much angst, history, a divide between them. Draco was a death eater, so were all his friends and family, like there's a huge bridge to cross. But this story almost bats that away with minimal angst, reflection or character development. It could have been any two co-worker that hate each other, but not like... My entire family thought that you shouldn't even exist and I joined the Death Eaters.
In summary, read DMATMOBIL instead. This was cute at times but only okay.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2024
“Because you’re fireflies in a jar, Granger. You’re the closest thing I’ve found to magic.”
I am in awe of the talent and eloquence of this writer, her insights into life and relationships, and the colorful descriptions her story paints. Furthermore, the banter between the characters is top notch and joyful to read.
There is such creativity behind the plot too - when it comes to items or “weapons” of mass destruction (in this case, the Deathly Hallows), where does one draw the line in usage. When is destruction better than creation?
Also, the conversations regarding personality and identity were stimulating - who would one be if they didn’t have a defining outside factor dictate their identity for them. Who would one choose to be?
Also, the way the author wrote about falling in love, and choosing to care, was hands down top notch. My heart is now sap.
I am in awe of the talent and eloquence of this writer, her insights into life and relationships, and the colorful descriptions her story paints. Furthermore, the banter between the characters is top notch and joyful to read.
There is such creativity behind the plot too - when it comes to items or “weapons” of mass destruction (in this case, the Deathly Hallows), where does one draw the line in usage. When is destruction better than creation?
Also, the conversations regarding personality and identity were stimulating - who would one be if they didn’t have a defining outside factor dictate their identity for them. Who would one choose to be?
Also, the way the author wrote about falling in love, and choosing to care, was hands down top notch. My heart is now sap.
January 15, 2025
This was beautifully written and their dynamics oh my god. i loved their bickering and character so much.
“Love, Hermione thinks, feels an awful lot like loss.It’s this sharp, unimaginable thing that you can’t quite pin down with words or understand until you’ve felt it.It’s a pulsing, a throbbing; aggressive and unignorable.Like a light turning on in the distance, glowing quietly at first and then growing brighter, louder, before your eyes. Blinding at first, all-consuming, and then soft as it began.”
“Love, Hermione thinks, feels an awful lot like loss.It’s this sharp, unimaginable thing that you can’t quite pin down with words or understand until you’ve felt it.It’s a pulsing, a throbbing; aggressive and unignorable.Like a light turning on in the distance, glowing quietly at first and then growing brighter, louder, before your eyes. Blinding at first, all-consuming, and then soft as it began.”
December 6, 2023
back in my dramione era and I love it
July 2, 2024
Did not expect this to be so cute
October 11, 2024
Very good…. Very different… I loved the story! Light fluffy. No toxic. No possessiveness. Cute 🥰
May 14, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ This Draco/Hermione fanfic took a little while to get going—the first half felt slow, but I could appreciate that it was laying the groundwork for the dynamic between the two leads. Things definitely picked up in the second half, with stronger pacing and some really well-written dialogue. I also liked how elements from the original series were woven into the plot in a way that felt natural and respectful to the source material. That said, I do think the story could have been shorter overall. I enjoyed reading it, but I probably wouldn’t revisit it.
December 30, 2022
I LOVED IT SO MUCH
October 16, 2024
“you’re the closest thing i’ve found to magic.” people died. (people being ME)
October 25, 2024
“Dear mother,
Here, with her, every day is strawberry jam day.
All my love,
Draco”
i don’t think you understand como os amo tanto
Here, with her, every day is strawberry jam day.
All my love,
Draco”
i don’t think you understand como os amo tanto
October 29, 2024
I really liked this, I love a forced proximity book. However, I felt like you could change a few details and names and this would not be Harry Potter. But overall a good average book.
December 20, 2024
legalzinho mas achei esse draco meio ranheta demais
April 3, 2025
Very cute and cozy
May 5, 2025
“Because you are fireflies in a jar, Granger. You’re the closest thing I’ve found to magic.”
🥰🥰🥰🥰
🥰🥰🥰🥰
October 21, 2025
„Here, with her, every day is strawberry jam day.“
July 28, 2024
Another adorably heart-warming Dramione fic? Spectacular. Give me 14 of them right now.
November 23, 2024
Yeah, I needed this 🏚️❤️
August 15, 2025
Ooooh, this gave me all the feels. Perfect balance of plot, bickering, smut and fluff. Some lovely writing. If I were to change anything is to add a bit more backstory to Draco’s feelings as it felt like he should have been into HG from the start to explain why he is already in love with her two weeks before they leave Poland and writing to his mother about it. Otherwise, a perfect weekend escape.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews