Tom Felton Reacts to Harry Potter Fan Fiction: Not His Style, But Totally Amazing

In a recent interview with Jake’s Takes, Tom Felton, widely recognized for his role as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter series, opened up about the ever-growing world of Harry Potter fan fiction. Although he and his co-star Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger, are aware of the fan-created stories that span countless reimaginings of the original material, they both admit that it’s not quite their thing. Still, Felton emphasized how impressed he is with the creativity and imagination behind it all.

Felton explained that he was introduced to fan fiction through fan conventions and online communities. What surprised him most were the unexpected and often humorous character pairings that fans come up with. One of the most popular pairings, referred to as “Drarry,” imagines a romantic relationship between Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter. Felton laughed while recalling that his brother once used a “Drarry” drawing as his computer screensaver just to tease him. He also mentioned the fan-favorite pairing known as “Drapple,” which hilariously links Draco to an apple. These combinations, while amusing and certainly far from canon, showcase the lengths to which fans will go to reimagine the Harry Potter universe.

Despite the fact that he and Watson don’t actively engage in fan fiction or particularly relate to it, Felton was quick to praise the dedication and creativity of fans. He described it as “amazing” that the series continues to inspire so many people to write their own stories. For Felton and Watson, fan fiction may not be their personal cup of tea, but they both recognize and respect the passion behind it.

The interview revealed a sense of gratitude on Felton’s part toward the Harry Potter fandom. He doesn’t mock or dismiss the fan fiction phenomenon; instead, he treats it as a testament to the impact the films and books have had on people’s lives. He views it as a sign that the characters and the world they inhabited struck a deep chord with audiences, powerful enough to spark the desire for more stories, no matter how unconventional.

Fan fiction, particularly in the Harry Potter world, has grown into a vast and vibrant creative universe. Platforms like FanFiction.net reportedly host nearly 850,000 Harry Potter-themed stories, while Wattpad features more than 43,000. These stories cover everything from alternate endings and character backstories to crossovers with other fictional worlds and romantic pairings that never appeared in J.K. Rowling’s books. It’s a space where fans become creators, building new arcs for beloved characters and filling in gaps that were never explored in the official narrative.

One reason fan fiction holds such an appeal is that it allows fans to imagine “what if” scenarios. What if Draco had redeemed himself earlier? What if Harry had been sorted into Slytherin? What if Hermione ended up with someone entirely different? These narratives give voice to perspectives and possibilities that were left untouched in the original books and films. For many, it’s also a way to explore themes of identity, love, redemption, and friendship in fresh, often more inclusive ways.

Though Felton and Watson don’t find themselves drawn to this type of storytelling, their recognition of it adds legitimacy to the fan fiction community. Felton’s light-hearted take, mixed with his genuine appreciation, reflects an open-minded attitude toward the diverse ways people engage with the Harry Potter universe. It’s a reminder that storytelling doesn’t end when the final book is closed or the last scene rolls in the credits—sometimes, it’s only the beginning for fans.

In a broader sense, the discussion around Harry Potter fan fiction speaks to the evolving relationship between audiences and franchises. In today’s digital age, fans no longer passively consume content—they interact with it, expand upon it, and even rewrite it in ways that reflect their own experiences, values, and imaginations. Fan fiction becomes a cultural dialogue, a creative echo of the original story that continues to grow with each new generation of readers and viewers.

Tom Felton’s perspective is refreshingly balanced. While he may not read fan fiction himself, he celebrates its existence and acknowledges the emotional and imaginative investment that fans have poured into their own Harry Potter-inspired creations. As he put it, just because something isn’t for him doesn’t mean it isn’t amazing. That attitude is a key reason why the Harry Potter fandom remains one of the most passionate and enduring fan communities in the world.