FEST FIC: Mulan - Betwixt Ayre - Harry/Draco (R18)

[bottomdraco-mod.livejournal.com]

Author: les_lenne
Prompt: PROMPT #15 - Mulan
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco
Summary: It's not enough that the Dark Lord is a pain in the ass, that Pansy is fucking annoying, and that Snape has the worst idea ever. It needs Potter to make Draco's life a living hell.
Rating: R
Disclaimer: At least 99,5% of this belongs to J.K. Rowling and by having written it I do not claim otherwise, except for original characters who I guess JKR wouldn't want anyway.
Warning(s): gender-bender, het, language, dark
Word Count: approx. 31,000
Author's Notes: I hope you enjoy this story at least a bit, because I certainly enjoyed coming up with and writing it. Also, thanks to my beta reader whose name I cannot give away because it would give away mine, too!

The Betwixt Ayre

Comments

[dadomz.livejournal.com]

Mulan's a favourite of mine--I didn't think Disney would have enough balls to come out with an admirable warrior for a female protagonist. Anyway, I'm not entirely sure if this was an answer to my prompt but I've always wished for someone to derive a fragment of Mulan and translating it to Potter-verse (which is a right challenge, I know).

But then, I thought, I hope it's not going to be predictable where the author gender-fucks Draco and makes him save Harry's life in the end--just like how Hua Mulan pretended to be a boy and eventually saved Captain Li Shang.

So okay, I may (operative word) have gotten the plot (sort of) down to a pat, I will admit that--despite having guessed immediately (as is with everyone), I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I found it to be very well-written, well-thought-out, and though initially,I thought several of the factors were a bit too extreme for the characters, they had reasons behind it. I'm personally drawn to the persona of Draco and his intentions.

I loved Pansy in this one and I loved the little surprises here and there. Over-all, it was a very pleasant read. The balance between the romantic parts, the sexy parts, and the sad parts were well-panned out--so it didn't come off too cliche and predictable. A lot of things could've went wrong with this one but I'm glad it came out just right.

[les-lenne.livejournal.com]

Thank you! And just to clear things up, it was written for plotting_pen's prompt. :D

[darkestnight12.livejournal.com]

I love it~! The way you described Draco's feelings as he was "Lucy" was perfect. Severus betraying the Dark Lord in the end was RIGHT, and Harry/Draco was rather good. I would have preferred if you had given some description about the battle between Voldemort and Harry and Severus, how exactly Draco saved Harry's life during that because I don't really get that part.

Draco as Lucy was WIN. Especially how boys really liked "Lucy" but "Lucy" was rather clueless about things.

And I would have liked to know whether Luna and Draco are still friends after things get cleared up.

[les-lenne.livejournal.com]

Haha! I was a bit surprised how many readers were confused about that part, so here's the explanation: because Voldemort attacked Draco first, Snape had time to arrive and help out. The word "save" is used in a quite macabre context there.

In any case, thank you very much! ♥

[aquila-star.livejournal.com]

I really liked this a lot. I loved how Draco did what he had to, but stayed Draco...he was forced into the situation, but he didn't play any games, yk? I loved how he and Harry were awkward and Draco was difficult, but Harry liked him anyway.

I really don't like gender bender fics, but this one is in a whole other category. Well done.

[les-lenne.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[frigus-et-nox.livejournal.com]

Your Draco was really really gorgeous! He is not a hero, not a knight, he is just a scared buy, who nevertheless is determined to help his parents and survive somehow. Even through pain, fear and humiliation.
The episode in the Room of Requirement in a king-size bed is GREAT! :)))))))))))) Poor poor Potter :)

Thank you very much for the story!

[les-lenne.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much for reading!

[(Anonymous)]

Hmmm mmh. It was quite a different read from the rest of the fics i must say (despite me being confuse on some issues) i quite like it. =)

I like the words you used to describe the dank and despair of that house that the three Slyths are staying in and Draco's thoughts. GUH... brillant! The constant pain he keeps feeling makes me ponder whether they are real pains or phantom pains that manifested from his mental anguish and all that.

I love your Draco. He feels IC to me, which is a plus to me.

I don't get how Draco saved Harry and what did Harry do to hurt Draco? hahah. I might be bit slow, so i hope after the reveals you would explain more on that.

[les-lenne.livejournal.com]

To clear the "saving" part up: because Voldemort attacked Draco first, Snape had time to arrive and help out. The word "save" is used in a quite macabre context there. And it really hurts when someone who asked you for a date later doesn't react to a maniac nearly killing you with more than staring wide-eyed.

Thank you very much!

[quill-lumos.livejournal.com]

It's easy to see that a lot of hard work has gone into this story, well done, mystery author. I've always liked the Mulan story and your take on it was very interesting. It was good that Draco got his smile back at the end.

*hugs*


Lucie xx

[les-lenne.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[joyceyhlin.livejournal.com]

It was an interesting fiction. It was wonderful that the gender-bending factor had not only fitted well with the plot, but also not causing Draco to be over feminine or out of character.

I also was confused about how Draco, Snape and Pansy had saved Harry and switched sides at the every end. But, this definitely is a great story.

[les-lenne.livejournal.com]

About the "saving" part: because Voldemort attacked Draco first, Snape had time to arrive and help out. The word "save" is used in a quite macabre context there.

Thank you very much!

[serilla.livejournal.com]

Poor Draco - you could understand his desperation and despair in wanting to save his family, realising that what he imagine being a deatheater to be and then the stark reality of it where two both completely different things.
Though as with everyone else I'm a bit confused about the ending - felt for sure Pansy was a total deatheater and how did Draco and Snape save Harry? and how did Harry hurt Draco? Besides those few questions a great story. Well done. :)

[les-lenne.livejournal.com]

To clear the "saving" part up: because Voldemort attacked Draco first, Snape had time to arrive and help out. The word "save" is used in a quite macabre context there. And it really hurts when someone who asked you for a date later doesn't react to a maniac nearly killing you with more than staring wide-eyed.

Thank you very much! ♥

[(Anonymous)]

why is the link below to the fic not working??

[plotting-pen.livejournal.com]

I clicked on it and it worked fine for me. Try again?

http://bottomdracofest.webs.com/ficbetwixtayre.htm

[starkid-shades.livejournal.com]

The link is not working for me either. Is there an alternate link? Please and thank you! :)

[bottomdraco-mod.livejournal.com]

The broken has just been fixed. It should be readable now :D

[starkid-shades.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! I can finally read it. ^__^