The Long Way Down
Alley_B467 Reviews | 6.28/10 (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
Author
Alley_B
Member Since 2008 | 4 Stories | Favorited by 73 | 6 Reviews Written | 622 Review Responses
Reviews for The Long Way Down
OH dear, one step forward, two back!
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
There are a lot of those in this story (one step forward and two steps back!). Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Wonder what he is considering?
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
There's never any telling what Snape is considering as far as I'm concerned, but I guess you already found out. :)Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Uh oh!
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Uh oh! is right. Thank you for reading and reviewing, and sorry about the late reply -- I really appreciate your feedback. :)
Saved by Snape. He's not so bad, after all.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
I wouldn't think it too bad, although, I'm not sure how Hermione feels about it at this point. 
Thank you for reading and reviewing.
What an amazing house. Good for security.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
I'm glad you liked the house. Thank you for reading and reviewing, and so sorry about the lateness of the reply. RL issues prevented me from answering all the reviews for this story at the time it was published, but I want everyone to know that their reviews were well-received and appreciated.
I wasn't sure how this would end, so -- being a happy ending junkie who is horrible at suspense -- I didn't read past the first chapter until the entire story was posted. Then I peeked at the end and decided it was safe. I have been horribly disappointed by two stories (with one, I felt absolutely betrayed), so I figured I'd wait until I could be sure the author wouldn't change her mind or write something horrid. Now, of course, I wish I'd read each chapter as it came out! I'm more likely than not to do that with the next story I see of yours. I know -- your mission in life isn't to heal traumatized readers. Still, I did like the story very much and look forward to more. Thanks for your work!
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you for reading and reviewing my story, and I'm so sorry about the ridiculous lateness of this reply. I had some RL issues about a year ago, and a lot of reviews went without reply, but I wanted to let you know that I did read and appreciated your review. I can perfectly understand being dissapointed by the ending of a story and not wanting to take a chance on it happening again. This is a very angsty and dark story, with a lot of twists, turns and warnings, and I can see at some points how it could have possibly gone either way and ended badly depending on the whim of the author -- better safe than sorry, right? I'm glad you decided to read it and that you enjoyed it. Again, thank you so much. :)
So very sweet and full of adventure. Thank you for sharing your talent and creativity.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you for reading my story, and for taking the time to let me know how much you enjoyed it. I'm glad you liked it. :)
Beautiful, wonderful, amazing. Thank you.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you so much! You're too kind, but I'm glad you enjoyed the story. :)
Excellent story. A Gem of a find. Very well written and entertaining. The house was a work of genius. The place of captured souls terrifying.
Excellent find.
Well I read this in one go and loved it so far. Anticipating the next chapter with baited breath!It's so dark, you would definitely have to be in a certain mood to read this. XD
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you! I guess I had to be in a 'certain mood' to write it as well. :)
Having read The Handmaid's Tale I kind of new what was coming and winced through out this .... eeps
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Yes, those who are familiar with dystopian fiction (and the Handmaid's Tale in particular) could see this chapter coming -- but for those who aren't, I think it was a bit of a shocker. Thank you again so much for reading, reviewing and rating my story. I'm glad you like it! :)
In a way I understand what he was trying to do, and yet I see the cruelity within the gesture. Showing her a picture of a child that she was forbidden to keep, and then weaving the picture away from her grasps in a way very symbolic gesture of her predictament.So sad. clicking on
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Ah, so you're still reading! I'm still answering reviews, because tomorrow I'll be uploading the next chapter to the queue. (Make that later today, since it's 3:00 a.m. here.)Oh, yes, there's definite cruelty in his actions -- how much of it is deliberate and how much unintentional, I have left up to the reader.Thank you so much for reading and reviewing my story -- sorry I'm keeping you up so late!
Oooh, I didn't think exile was as good as she thought it was, and this just seems horrific. Although I wondered why they didn't tell them what exile actually entails? It would seem like more of a way to get people to obey - making them fear what would happen to them if they disobey.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
My reasoning was that there are some things so dark and contemptous, that even someone like Voldemort would be inclined to keep them hidden from the public, or risk a general outcry -- any magic having to do with the soul/undead seems to be taboo in the wizarding world. The purpose of exile is not to coerce people into compliance, (public displays like the Wall of Traitors serve that purpose), but a convenient way for Voldemort to rid himself of anyone he perceives as a threat; the way he chooses to do it is just a testament to his cruelty, and because no one besides those closest to him knows the true nature of exile, no one is likely to question it. I hope that makes sense. :)Thank you so much for the feedback and for reading my story.
Hmmm... I wonder what banishment actually entails? So Hermione is still not cowered after all that she experience (even after having a child taken from her). Good girl - stay strong XD. Seems that Snape is seeing a challenge? Or is there something else? Clicking on.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you for reviewing. I'm glad you're liking this story :)
OMG! I just saw your pimping at lovedraughts and decided to take a look. I normally don't read WIP but your summary had me immediately clicking within. AU, the dark lord wins, and The Hand Maid's Tale premise was something that I couldn't refuse to not look into before it was completed! ... and right now (after reading the first chapter) I'm so intrigued that I have to continue on, despite the lateness of the night! XD
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
*evil grin* Yes, I like to lure unsuspecting readers in with my summaries, and then force them to keep reading by ... uh ... I mean, glad you found my story! 
Thank you for reading and reviewing my story. :)
i absolutely loved this chapter for the sincerity of emotion, beautiful. I cant wait till the next one is up. With fanfiction you get an email saying when a fic is updated, is it the same on here. How does it work. Sorry to bother you, thanks xx
Response from lotus_elise (Reviewer)
lotus elise again, i know now that an email is sent lol, no matter. Ive just looked through your reviews and one that i had sent before wasnt there for some reason.Your fic is very dark, but amazing. Loved it. What the women were expected to do and the penalty they took for abortion. Poor Neville and Ron? Was it Ron to that was executed, we dont know yet, but im really excited to find out. The relationship between H and S is fantastic as we sometime see S vunerability, but he mainly in character . Great workHappy New Year
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Sorry I didn't catch your post in time to answer your question; I was just swamped with the holidays and other projects. Yes, if you add the story to your favorites, TPP will notify you when a new chapter is posted, and if you add my name to your 'favorite authors' list, you'll be notified when I post a new story! So far, this is my only SS/HG story, but I'm already working on the next one, since this one is almost finished. :)I'm glad you're enjoying it, and thank you for reviewing.
i have been really upset as ive read the story thus far, the things 'mudblood' women were expecteds to endure and the way they were treated when tarnished a traitor was vivid and horrifically brilliant. The desperation and pain was so clear. hermione herslef seemed on the way to being broken when she moved in with Snape. It takes some reading to hear how the heros ron and neville were murdered, but within this dark tale is hope and love. The relationship at this stage between Hermione and Severus is hungry, fearful but beautiful. I knew how much love Snape had for Hermione, like with the holding of the belly, but for some reason i was unsure of Hermiones untill she willingly kissed him.Cant wait for the updates, but i do hope nothing happens to poor Severus, he derserves Hermiones love and the childHappy New Year
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
This is a story that aims to get under people's skin -- it's not an easy, relaxing read. I'm glad you like it in spite, (or because?) of it. ;)Thank you for your lovely reviews.