The Long Way Down
Alley_B467 Reviews | 467 Ratings, 0 Likes, 450 Favorites )
In a dystopian AU where the Dark Lord triumphs and Severus Snape can claim any reward he wishes as one of the chosen 'Faithful,' all Severus longs for is a life of peaceful seclusion – and an heir. But it seems that he might have to sacrifice one for the other when he petitions the Ministry for a hand-witch to produce a child and is presented with one of his former students.
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About Alley_B
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Alley_B
Member Since 2008 | 4 Stories | Favorited by 73 | 6 Reviews Written | 622 Review Responses
Reviews for The Long Way Down
Hi there. Just read this story all the way through to here and it's bloody magic. Highly engrossing, beautifully written and the handmaiden premise being used brilliantly.Don't let them capture Severus though, I couldn't bear it. I mean hasn't the poor sod been through enough?Wonderful stuff. Best wishes, Love Ali xxxxx.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you so much for your kind praise. I'm so happy you like this story. Sadly, Snape was already captured, but I think you'll be surprised by the circumstances sorrounding it. The story is almost finished, (the two final chapters are in the queue), so Snape won't have to suffer much longer. ;)Thank you again for taking the time to read my story and for you kind words. Luv,Alley
Snape- captured? No!!!! Believable and emotional argument, very well written. Now come on, update, please! You have me on tenterhooks :)
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Sorry for the delay; I was waiting to get the next (and final) two chapters back from my beta. I just got them back today and will be uploading them to the queue as soon as I go over her suggestions, so you shouldn't have to wait too much longer to read them. Thank you so much for your praise, and for reading my story. :)
I don't need you wandering around my home when I'm not present.Why am I under the impression that she won't obey this command for very long. It would be just like her to do exactly the opposite as she'd be told. I'm becomming to be very addicted to this. I profundly regret not having read it before, but what's good is that I don't have too wait to rest the next chapters.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
You know Hermione well! I've heard from others that this story is adictive -- maybe I should have included that in the warnings! heheI think you found this story at the perfect time, since even if you read all the posted chapters in one sitting, the final two are already written and with my beta, so in any case, you won't have to wait too long for the resolution. :)Thank you so much for reading, reviewing and rating my story! I'm glad you found it and are enjoying it.
So, it's going to be Hermione that will give him his Heir. With a bit of help I'm sure something else can come from their arrangement.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
And I'm always happy to help things along! 
Thank you for reading and reviewing my story.
I've just noticed this and the summary picked my curiosity. I'm absolutely not disapointed as this first chapter is very exciting.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you! I hope you continue to like it. :)
Oh wow, this is tough... to learn that they knew where she was all the time and still did nothing to rescue her for "the greater good"! And an evil cliff on top of it - evil author!
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
LOL Sorry about the cliffie -- I was hoping to have the final two chapters back from my beta and ready to go before this chapter posted, but the ladies from the TPP staff are too quick for me! :)Thank you for reviewing my story.
Wow, I like this more at every new chapter. Guess Hermione was right when she felt something bad would happen. Well, I'm certainly looking forward the next chapter.C-ya!
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying this story. It shouldn't be too long before the next chapter is posted. Thank you for taking the time to review my story. :)
Its nice that Severus has someone like Remus who can understand and share his perspective. What Remus told Hermione about how love stories begin was very poignant and I am sure will help her sort out her feelings for Severus.Severus isn't keeping his feelings hidden very well and I like that. The man said "I'm sorry" for goodness sake!
The town sounds wonderful I can see it replacing Diagon Ally as the new center for the wizarding world where muggle and magical alike can live together. Or maybe an extension to the magical world, I can see Severus and Hermione staying a become town founders. I think you let loose another plot bunny!
The OFC you have developed like Veera and Ivan are exceptional making the backstory so rich that it enhances the plot perfectly.
Ginny and Harry are aggravating and I still don't trust Draco but maybe you do. Its your story after all and you are doing a spectacular job writting it. You were right in my last review about the vows. I have read so much ff I forget where canon leaves off and fanon begins.Thanks for the update I hope there is another chapter in the queue.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you so much for your sweet and thoughtful review! I hadn't give much thought to what should become of the town of New Hope after the end of this story, but your plot bunny certainly has possibilities. :)Separating canon from fanon has been a struggle for me, and there are also the movies, which not always match the facts in the books, (I don't remember witches and wizards wearing Muggle clothes under their robes, or Lucius carrying a walking-stick! hehe). I've tried to use almost strictly book canon in this story, since it is canon compliant up to the end of HBP and a little bit beyond, and many of the relevant events depicted in DH actually happened during the time period in HBP or before, but I often find myself wondering if something really happened in the books, or if I've just read it in ff so often that I'm taking for granted that it actually happened, and I have to check my facts against the books. The two remaining chapters are not in the queue yet -- I'm still waiting to get them back from my beta, but it shouldn't be much longer. Thank you again for reading and reviewing my story. :)
It seems Severus and Hermione both feel a little something for each other. I'm interested to hear Hermione's explanation to her friends of why she is still staying close to Snape. I have a feeling Harry is going to be quite outraged.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Your answers are in the following chapter, which is already posted. :) Thank you for reading and reviewing my story.
argh!! I can't guess whether Draco is dead or betrayed Severus. dangit, why didn't Severus take a Portkey for himself?!?! and why can't Lupin tell that Veera story to HARRY! sheesh, if Harry kills Severus, I will be severely ticked at him. 
thanks for the new chapter!
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
There are only two more chapters left of this story, and they are both with my beta, so you should have your answers soon! :)Thank you for reading and reviewing my story -- I'm glad you're enjoying it.
no no no! I don't want him to be captured! My poor Severus! anyways, i can't wait to read more.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
I know, Severus being captured sucks, but it's all for the sake of the plot! :)I'll upload the next two chapters to the queue as soon as I get them back from my beta. :)Thank you for continuing to read and review my story!
Response from snapefan2007 (Reviewer)
it does suck, but i've already been sucked into the story so there is no way i could stop reading if i wanted to. i'm too interested in what is going to happen to everyone.
Oh, no, how could you leave it there? I'm not surprised that there was no accident in Hermione's becoming Snape's handwitch. But I could certainly see how she would feel betrayed at least to some extent by the fact that her friends were aware of the hell she was in, even though there were perfectly good reasons for them not to rescue her. Now I wonder what this latest crisis will do to her perspective. Very exciting chapter, hope you update soon!
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
I hat to rearanged a few scenes around in this chapter and the next looking for a different chapter break. But I had to stop where I did because the chatper was already over 6,000 words long, and I couldn't find another place to break for another 4,000 words, which would have taken me over TPP's 10,000 words per chapter limit. :(The good news is that the remaining chapters are already completed and are currently with my beta, so you shouldn't have to wait too long to find out what happens next and how it all ends. :)Thank you for reading and reviewing my story.
WOW! An insurrection within the hard-core Death Eater ranks. Even with the controversy over the handwitches, I wouldn't have thought they'd go beyond grumbling. It's great to see Severus regain a position from which he can plot again, and to see Hermione's impulse to ally herself with him, even though she doesn't understand where it's coming from.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter, there's certainly a lot of intrigue going on all the way around. hehe Thank you for reading and reviewing my story! There will be more coming soon. :)
Oh, that's mean to leave us hanging like that. That was a great chapter, but you can't make us wait long to find out... please.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
I know, it was a mean cliffie. I'm not big on cliffies, and I tried to rearange the scenes so that the chapter would break at a different place -- it just didn't work out. The next two chapters are currently with my beta and I'll upload them to the queue as soon as I get them back, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. :)Thank you so much for reading and reviewing my story.
evil cliffie alert!! wonderful update. thanks so much
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you for reading and reviewing, and sorry about the evil cliffie. I'll try to make it up to you ASAP. :)
No please make Seveurs be alright! He's obviously been attracted to Hermione for sometime. Look forward to the next update.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
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Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you for the possitive review and rating! There should be an update very soon, the two remaining chapters of this story are currently with my beta, and I'll be uploading them to the queue as soon as I get them back. :)
Anonymous
Wonderful chapter! This haven you created, this secure place, is quite something, and it works interestingly. Too bad Severus had to go back to get informatin. I hope he dosen't get into trouble.
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Trouble is bound to happen, but this story is almost over, so you'll soon see where it all leads. :)
Ah, what's a good Snape/Hermione story without an out-of-control vengence seeking Harry. I really liked the way you used Lupin's story to subtly try to show Hermione that Snape isn't just using her.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
That's right -- gotta have the psycho, meddling Harry! hehe I love the character of Remus Lupin; he's so different from Snape, but they both have dark aspects to their personalities and have been involved in spy activities, which in my mind would give Lupin a unique perspective into what Snape is going through. Thank you for continuing to read and review my story. :)
Wow that was an action packed chapter. Does this mean the end is near?
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you. Yes, there are only two more chapters left of this story. They're already written and I'll post them as soon as I get them back from my beta. :)
Holy shit! I am appalled that Draco was conned by the Knights of Domitian. What the hell was he thinking? Shrug, maybe its not so surprising if you think about how he was lured in by Voldy. I wonder if Severus is considering bringing Lucius to New Hope? I worry that Draco cannot be trusted. I promise to try to keep up with this story during the exchange. Honest!Please please make sure to leave big warnings if there is any violence against children in future chapters.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Hi! I'm glad you're still following this story, and don't worry if you can't keep up with the updates during the exchange; it will still be here when you get back, probably complete since I've finished writing it (except for a few finishing touches to the last chapter/epilogue) and there're only three more chapters left. :)I can tell you that there's no violence against children in the upcoming chapters. :)Thank you so much for all your lovely feedback and support.
I love the concern that Hermione displayed for Severus. It will be really interesting to see how Hermione's private reunion (and presumably revelation of her pregnancy) will go over with Harry and Hermione.Thanks for another excellent chapter!
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you for continuing to read and review my story. Next chapter is already in the queue and should be posted in the next couple of days. :)
Woow, this an interesting turn of events. I wonder who the leader could be?And what happens, when Harry finds out that Hermione is carrying Severus's baby. Plus, I think that Severus and Hermione do care about each dearly.Look forward to more.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
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Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying this story, and there will be more soon since the next chapter is already in the queue. Thank you for reviewing. :)
OMG, Umbridge with power. Does the Dark Lord know or not? That is the question. I hope Severus can save Lucius.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you! I'm glad you liked this chapter. I think Severus will do what he can for Lucius, but Lucius is obviously not his first priority. ;)
oog these wizards sure are dense sometimes aren't they? ~pats old thomas riddle and feeds him a cookie~ they couldn't run a grocery store properly let alone a whole society
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
*sigh* Poor Voldy. *grin*Thank you for reviewing. I'm glad you're still enjoying this story. :)
So Severus is offering Draco a chance at redemtion like Albus did for him, but he forgot to make Draco take a vow, hummmm? This could end badly I still wouldn't trust Draco obviously he has no respect for his father and his authority..."my house."There is still some tension between Snape and those at the village almost like they don't fully trust him. My God, what does the man have to do? It is good to see Hermione so openly concerned for Severus hope it strikes a cord with him. I doubt it will, he will probably chock it up to her being worried about financial support for the baby or something self-depricating nonsense like that.I've missed your updates over the holidays hope your's were good. So very glad your back!
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
He didn't exactly 'forget.' He's truly offering Draco a chance at redemption, and the way I see it, there can be no redemption when the person is basically coerced into doing the right thing. ('Do as I say and take this vow, or your father will die'). I don't remember Dumbledore making Snape take an Unbreakable Vow -- did he? (Although, I wouldn't blame him if he did. Maybe he did, and I missed it?!) Plus, who would Snape use as 'bonder?' I don't think Lucius would go for Snape's plan, not when it involves risking the life of his only son. 
<--- me thinkingYou're right, Snape doesn't believe that Hermione (or anyone else, for that matter) could ever love him, partly because of all the horrible things he's been forced to do, even if they were 'for a good cause.' If Snape believed that he could gain Hermione's love, rather than having to manipulate her into being with him, this would have been a very different (and much happier) story. My holidays were hectic, as I'm sure you could tell by the lack of updates and review responses. But they are over now! Next chapter is in the queue, and I'm just waiting to get the one after that from my beta. That's all that's left of this story, plus the epilogue that I'm almost done writing. :)Thank you so much for reading and reviewing my story! :)