A review by readwatchcrochet
Breath mints / Battle scars by

dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Post war Wizarding world & trio is back at Hogwarts for their 8th year. 

“You’ll hate yourself in the morning. I hate myself every morning”

📚 enemies to lovers
📚 dark/ toxic romance
📚 Dramione

🌶️🌶️

|Thoughts|
Since I’ve started my Dramione journey, I’ve wanted to explore an 8th year fic. The had a lot of the things I love about this genre, my only real struggle was just how toxic Draco is (and he doesn’t really show too much growth). 

“I think he’s going to hurt you”

Although it was predominantly Hermione’s PoV, though the diary entries from Draco at the beginning of most chapters was a great device to get us into the mindset of the trouble character. 

However, not everything you read or see him do, really makes him a loveable character. It was probably more so because of the character development of Draco in other fanfics that I could never truly hate him or wish for anything but a HEA. 

“I want to fucking kill her almost as much as I want to kiss her”

However, he is extremely toxic, abussice (verbally and physically) and only shows some slight softening towards the end. Just as my buddy reading partner pointed out, I like my Draco to at least be gentle with Hermione, if not so to other people (Christmas markets). 

“I couldn’t just stand there…not like I did before”

The Slytherins actually become decent supporters of Hermione. And Theo & Pansy’s role and ending was the part that probably moved me the most in the story. 

“Don’t need to knock anymore”

“You saved him. You kept your promise”

Harry is truly great and supportive in this fic. As horrible as Ron is in this story, Draco also makes some terrible choices in the face of revenge. 

“You’re nothing. You’re nothing”

If you like a toxic Draco, this is the one for you. 

“We’re volatile. Toxic. Pointless”

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