Drop Dead Gorgeous

The Way We Get By #2

by Maya Mistful

Fanfiction - Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy

Draco Malfoy is Harry's Auror partner and one of the few people immune to Harry's super Veela charms.

Drop Dead Gorgeous is a popular Harry/Draco slash novel by Maya that was posted in installments on her LiveJournal over the course of two years. The Way We Get By, a four-chapter pre-slash companion piece from Draco's point of view, was also posted during that time. Both works are consistent with book 6 canon, but were jossed by book 7. Together, these are an example of veelafic, aurorfic, futurefic, and stealth crackfic.

Genres: Fan Fiction, LGBT, Fantasy, Romance, M M Romance, Fiction, Audiobook

412 pages, ebook

First published November 29, 2006

About the author

Retired fanfic author aka Maya or Mistful
Maya was an influential fan in the Harry Potter fandom who was active circa 2001-2008. She is the author of at least two dozen fanfics, most of which center on the characters of Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy (but not exclusively as a romantic pairing). All of her fanfiction was taken off the Internet on November 6, 2008.

Underwater Light was her seminal work, posted over the course of three years at the height of Harry Potter fandom activity and concurrently with parts of Cassandra Claire's epic, The Draco Trilogy. Along with Cassie Claire's LeatherPants!Draco, Maya's interpretation of Draco in Underwater Light and her other early works has had a huge influence on his characterization in HP fanfic at large.
Image link: http://www.deviantart.com/art/Underwa...

Reviews

[mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

this has actually killed me i started crying from stress multiple times and then i almost threw my computer at a microwave like oh my god would it kill them to have some communication skills oh mug od oh my o GO D ok

u should definitely read this though like please read it oh my god this is one of those things that u can't NOT read just do it please

[Day-thief · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,8
For some reason, it is discovered that Harry is 1/8 Veela. Since Harry has no love life to speak of, his abstinence causes his Veela charms to go into overdrive and 'mini mobs' of aroused muggles and wizards alike start to pester him. Unless Harry wants to quit his job as Auror, he needs to find someone to get off. But Harry has set his eyes on Draco for years now. Only nobody knows, least of all Draco, who is about to propose to his girlfriend.

This is a long, long story that follows Harry through years of mooning over Draco. At several points I was hoping that something would happen only to see the story taking another uneventful turn. That made for a highly frustrating read. Even more so, since it is one of these stories where the MCs enter some sort of relationship only at the VERY END of the book. Again, very frustrating - and not in a good way.

So, I'm really not a fan of this Drarry fic. Especially since it doesn't reach any emotional depth worth mentioning imo (contrary to the excellent Bond).

[Thảo Giang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sau nhiều năm mình mới đọc hết fanfic này, và vì bản dịch chưa hoàn thiện nên mình đọc nửa sau bằng nguyên tác. Thật dễ chịu khi thấy những nhân vật mình sống tiếp. Kì này, mình bắt đầu nghĩ về fanfiction. Mình không thể là chính mình nếu không có fanfic - những tác phẩm mình đọc nhiều nhất trong suốt những năm tháng lớn lên: nó, cùng với vô vàn những thể loại mì ăn liền đã đọc và quên, nó giúp mình giải trí, cân bằng, và cả đồng cảm.
Drop Dead Gorgeous kể về Harry vụng về, đầy nứt vỡ sau chiến tranh, vẫn tử tế; Draco vừa cáu kỉnh, hài hước nhưng lại có EQ cực kì cao, và mức độ thấu cảm với con người gây bất ngờ. Tuổi 20s của họ được viết hài hước, chân thực và thú vị. Sống động. Hi vọng những nhân vật mình yêu vẫn tiếp tục sống, trong một vũ trụ nào đó.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super slow burn.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant agony.
Old fic, old story: pining,
lusting, living, love.

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

A CLASSIC FAWK THE GOSSIP

[Laianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Drarry fanfic that will delight fans of Sarah Rees Brennan’s In Other Lands. The attention to detail and twists on the original story are beautiful and amusing. Would highly recommend.

[karlakolumna · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, because this fic right there? Totally deserves to have a rounded up rating...

Link: http://fuckyeah-drarry.tumblr.com/pos...

or: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/603705/T...

[LenaLena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good, but at least a third too long.

[Cam R. watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Drarry fanfics ever. Well developed characters and relationships.

[Vi Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slowburn crackfic. I feel pretty intrigued following their Auror journey, involving investigation and things like that. The bickering between them is golden, and extremely entertaining, which seems pretty much in character. I like the Malfoy here, he has such a premium sense of humor, and Harry just can't help but go along with it. Every small detail demonstrates how protective they are toward each other. I must say the author is really detail-oriented as she connected the dots pretty well, except for the fact that sometimes it's too far away and you couldn't remember where that detail is from and have to read some parts again. But it makes a lot of sense and totally deserves it.

To be fair, Malfoy's affection toward Harry is quite complicated. He gets on our nerves sometimes but all in all that was what he does, the usual thing=)) so I don't blame him for being annoying here. Actually, it's quite a pleasant and lovely annoyance, so yeah, acceptable.

[meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drop Dead Gorgeous: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Maya Mistful

Tropes:
— Auror Partners
— Friends to lovers
— Veela Harry
— Comedy

When Harry discovers that he has part-Veela traits, every single person around him seems to be violently attracted to him. Save for Malfoy, who is apparently immune and also determined to help him get through this. As the pair wade through peppermints and murderous lunatics, Harry can't help but feel drawn to his partner.

Genuinely the funniest fic I have ever read. Light-hearted and humorous, but also filled with pining and emotion and so much love. Their partnership is unlike any other, they are truly there for one another—especially Draco, who would truly do anything for Harry.

Can't wait to read The Way We Get By, the prequel from Draco's POV.

[Lorem Colly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t care if this fic technically counts as a crackfic.. I laughed my entire ass off and enjoyed every unhinged second of it. Everything was chef’s kiss perfection. The slow burn? Absolutely Michelin-starred. Two idiots in love, sizzling in emotional tension like bacon on a Sunday morning. It made me feel the feels, laugh the laughs, and savor that delicious, slow-burn angst like a fine wine paired with emotional damage.
If any fellow Drarry enjoyers are having a rough day, I prescribe this fic immediately. Side effects may include cackling, swooning, and yelling “JUST KISS ALREADY OH MY GOOOOD!! ”

[Yasemin · Rating 5 out of 5]

When people ask me who my favourite author is I don't have an immediate answer and have to think about it. But when I reread one of Maya's stories I remember that she'll always be my #1. I love the way she combines comedy and heartbreak and how I'm crying while I have to laugh out loud.

I love this story so very much and whenever I read it it's like coming home. It's beautiful, funny, heartbreaking, and so much fun.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It starts off a bit crack-y, so I honestly thought I would get bored and not finish it, but eventually the characters really drew me in. The first chapter is a little rough. It switches between past and present scenes too rapidly, but then it slows down until the past is all caught up. The story made me laugh quite a bit, but was still emotional. Surprisingly, I thought the plot was interesting too.

[Kythwena · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd best fic of Maya, after Your Every Wish - still my favorite. Slow burn to extreme, especially if you count Way We Get By. Good dynamics, nicely explored Veela idea, even if I see Draco as Veela more naturally. At the beginning thought it would be another crack fic but turned differently. Loved Wood in it. Predatory Potter is a sign - usually I don't like him much but here he was remarkable.

[Calabasas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fic is SO funny and SO hot. I never wanted it to end! I wish wish wish there were more. The fucking/fighting dynamic is amazing, Maya is hilarious as always, and the attraction/build up/UST is insanely perfect. If you know of anything similar, please PM me and let me know where to find it! This fic is WONDERFUL.

[Dimplz · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.

I picked this up because of the many glowing reviews this story has received over the years. I was not aware when I started reading this that this story was a crack fic. Crack is my absolute least favorite trope so unfortunately, this story was very much not my style.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be 4 stars but the 5th wormed its way out of my cold, unfeeling heart and gave me life for the past 8 years before hopping onto here. never again will something make me feel the way "'I’m laughing so hard I think I’m dribbling a little,' Malfoy said from under the table" does

[hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possibly the funniest piece of fiction I’ve ever read ever with completely amazing laugh-out-loud-for-hours-your-neighbors-begin-to-wonder dialogue. Best slow burn ever ever (like seriously I had to go check around halfway to make sure it was indeed slash because I was starting be concerned for my heart). AND it’s far too entertaining and believable for it’s ludicrous concept. This fic is a SIN. It’s also pretty PG-13, we love to see it! And so rich with 1000 emotions it’s ridiculous. Go indulge yourself now.

[Evalangui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe my fifth re-read and god, worth every quip!

[bubblegumpopper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and funny.

[GrEatE · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.9 didn’t mind the slow burn, funny Draco, minimal smut, overall sweet

[Elizabeth Rosales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muuucho mejor que Underwater Light.
Todavía un poco OCC pero pasable.
Aunque no me gusta que en ambos fics, la revelación sucede hasta casi el final, y nunca suena muy seguro del lado de Draco.

[tired lesbian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been meaning to read this fic for years, and since I've finally finished it, I have to say-- yeah. Yeah, it's worth reading this. The plot was actually good and I did not expect the villain, which is good. I like when the author actually puts some thought into the bits of the plot that aren't the shippy parts lmao. Humour was incredible, 10/10. Miscommunication trope to the extreme, but honestly with the way Harry and Draco are in canon, it's easy for me to believe that would actually be one of their biggest issues to overcome so. The way certain characters were written was beautiful. VEELA BLAISE ZABINI, please be in every single HP fanfic from here on out.

[♥Xeni♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This year I took a dive into the HP fanfic community to read some of the more popular fics that completely passed me by back when they were published. Maya Mistful's are one of them. This one was published before the 7th book came out, which is honestly my favorite time period that fic was published in (that 7th book sucked).

This is a veelafic in which Harry is the veela. For the hilarious purposes of this story, Harry's veela powers of attraction increase exponentially the longer he goes without sex. This ends up attracting everyone to him aside from Draco, whom he is secretly in love with. Draco and Harry are auror partners and still need to continue their investigations while this entire fiasco is going on.

This is a very fun comedic way to get Harry and Draco paired off. I loved their auror work (actually work for once!) and how Harry is forced ever more into confinement until they *finally* work out their hangups. It's got great slow-burn elements without ever feeling like too much.

If anything it felt a bit short and a bit too simple at times. For such a long story it could have been a bit tighter, a bit better woven together. But hey, that's fic for you.

[Mansi · Rating 4 out of 5]

27.7.25 - Read it again. Which clearly means I had been too harsh with my rating last time. I realised that I had missed some of the nuance of the Veela stuff last time... and it wasn't as bad as I remembered. This was pretty good this time round.

2/5 - The first part was pretty good. Then it got really stretched and towards the end some really questionable stuff occurs. I'm not really sure how I feel about romance under the influence of veela wiles. Feels too close to someone getting roofied..

[Emily Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Draco/Harry. Humor. Adventure. Romance. Angst.

[Minh · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cracktastic, I still love it.

The reveal! The lol's. Amazing.