Thank you for reading and taking the time to review my story; I'm glad you enjoyed it. I have a couple of stories I'm currently working on, so there should be something new soon. :)  

Thank you so much -- I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it. Sorry about the lateness of the reply; I just found some reviews I didn't know I had, and although it's been a while, I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to say thank you for reading and reviewing my story.

Thank you! Yeah, I figured Voldemort is so evil, just death wouldn't do for him.

Thank you. I find dystopian societies fascinating, so I was a little self-indulgent in creating this AU.

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review; I'm glad you enjoyed the story. :)

Yes, this was an emotionally tough chapter to write. Poor Neville indeed! Awww, I'm glad you like Gavril -- I'm always thrilled when people comment about one of my original characters, because they are... y'know, mine. hehe Sorry about the lateness of this reply. I didn't realize there were several pages of a few reviews here I didn't know I had, and I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to say thank you for reading and reviewing my story.

Thank you, I'm glad you liked this chapter -- it's one of my favorites too. :)Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Of course it's Lupin! I love Lupin. Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Yeah, there are a lot of 'not nice' things about Snape in this story... hopefully I somehow made up for it in the end. Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Thank you so much for the lovely and thoughtful review. Sorry it took me so long to reply (I had some personal problems come up at the beginning of the year). I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter, and thanks again. Alley

I think you sumarized it very well in your next review, plus I tried to characterize Hermione as slightly emotionally immature in this story, in the sense that her normal developement was cut short by the circumstances she was forced into at a very young age -- since the age of seventeen, her life just hasn't been a normal one. Severus is very bitter in this story -- I think I would be too given the same circumstances. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing my story. And again, I apologize for the lateness of the reply.

Yes, 'the pink menace' is alive and well and wreaking havoc. I know exactly how you feel! Thank you for reading and reviewing my story.

LOL I'm glad you got into it. And I'm sure you know by now it's not Lucius! Ha, didn't see that one coming, did you? Thank you again for reading and reviewing my story.

Thank you! Yeah, Voldemort is evil, evil, evil! So I had to make up a place where he would send those who displeased him that worthy of him. I think I suceeded with the idea of The Valley of Lost Souls.

Thank you for reading and reviewing. Yes, I've noticed that some readers would prefer Snape to be a bit harsher, while others have expressed that he seems a bit 'too evil' in this story. I guess it's like you said, a matter of personal preference. Thanks again for the reviews. I'm glad you continued to read the story and ended up enjoying it. :)

You'll have to wait until the next chapter to find out what he did to her, but thank you for reading and reviewing this story! :)

You'll have to wait until the next chapter to find out what he did to her, but thank you for reading and reviewing this story! :)

I'm glad you're enjoying the story -- I can't imagine having to read a story you don't like. Thank you for taking the time to review and let me know you're enjoying it. :)

I'm glad you're enjoying the story -- I can't imagine having to read a story you don't like. Thank you for taking the time to review and let me know you're enjoying it. :)

Thank you for reading and reviewing my story. Oh, yes, Umbridge just gets more and more evil, doesn't she?

Thank you for reading and reviewing my story. Oh, yes, Umbridge just gets more and more evil, doesn't she?

I had a very long, detailed and organized response written for your review, (it had historical references and everything!) then I hit something on my keyboard and the whole thing dissapeared! This is the second time I've done this and I still can't figure out which key it is that I hit that makes that happen. So here is the quick and dirty version of my response.I'm aware of how harsh this chapter is, and I don't write stuff like this lightly or for shock value. I needed a catalyst for what is going to happen in the following chapters, and I needed it to be something shocking and devastating to Hermione because Snape's arm doesn't twist easily. (Hopefully this will make more sense to you after you've read how this event affects each of them). The part about your comment where you say that Hermione has been 'sheltered' struck me, because in this story she has been sheltered in a way that she can't even possibly imagine, and which she will not find out about until a later chapter, but not in the way that you mean. I don't find it strange that Hermione didn't know about the true nature of exile. One of the first things that totalitarian and despotic governments do when they take over is limit the amount of access that the average citizen has to truthful information, usually by manipulating the media. [This is the spot where I had explained about how Hitler got away with running concentration camps for so long because of his use of the media and people's reluctance to believe the unthinkable, and I established a parallel between Voldemort's exile and Hitler's concentration camps, but that was all deleted.] The point was that few people know the truth about what exile really is -- people know what they are told by the media, and Voldemort controls the media. Even if people suspect that something is going on, they really don't want to know because then they would either have to do something about it and probably die trying, or go insane from the horror and guilt of knowing and not doing anything. In societies like this, denial is a much more convenient (and likely) option. In this story, the hand-witches' access to information is even more limited because they are under the constant watch and control of the matrons at the center, or the residents of the households in which they live. Any information that they get comes in the form of a government sanctioned newspaper carelessly left on a coffee table (like when Hermione found out about the exile law), or through rumors at the center probably spured by something one of them got to read in a newspaper, and to which the matrons are quick to put their own spin, (like when Rufus escaped). There's also a survival mechanism that kicks in when people find themeselves in hopeless or desperate situtations. [This is where the whole explanation about the psychology of people living under slavery/despotic governments was, before my computer deleted it all!] Simply put, desperate people will believe anything, no matter how unlikely or even ridiculous the possibility may seem to someone not in that situtation, if it helps them survive. Hermione had to believe that exile offered the possibility of escape in order to survive and to stay sane -- it's not about being sheltered or not smart enough to figure it out, it's about how the human mind will instinctively cling to the most feeble hope when there is no other choice.  The hand-witch's trial is a different story. Hermione spent the first two years in a 'reformation camp' and she lived in three different homes during the course of the next five years, so her time at the center was limited. Hermione never having witnessed a hand-witch's trial would have made sense if I had made it more clear to the readers that these trials are a rare occurance. In chapter 1, Lucius and Snape talk about a time two years following Voldemort's rise to power called 'The Cleansing Time,' when public trials and gruesome executions were common occurances. But by the time this story begins, the Wall of Traitors sits at the entrance hall in the Ministry building as 'a monument and a warning to future generations,' presumably no longer used for its intended purpose, and Voldemort has become so confident of his absolute control that he refuses to acknowledge 'the flicker of dissension' that Lucius sees. What I meant to convey by this is that this is a world where acts of rebellion and treason are rare, and consequently so are their punishments -- until now.  In the same chapter, Lucius expresses his concern that if the Dark Lord ever catches on to any sign of rebellion, The Cleansing Time could happen again, and in this chapter Snape tells Hermione that things are changing --that's part of what is supposed to make this chapter so poignant. But you're right, unless I make it clear that both this type of trial and the use of the Wall of Traitors are rare occurances, and a sign that something is happening/changing, it doesnt' make sense. I don't rewrite chapters after I've already published them, (I find it unfair to the people who have already read them), but I will edit one of the future chapters to make it more clear that the reason that Hermione has never attended a hand-witch's trial is because they are rare. Thank you for your thought provoking feedback and insight. :)   

I appreciate that you took the time to write such a detailed (and polite) response to my somewhat offhand comments. I did think the violence was a bit gratuitous, but now I am duly chastised and will wait patiently for you to reveal all the nuances of your well-written and compelling story. Thanks for dialoging with me and revealing your reasoning and pointing out the connections within the story -- these connections are apparent to you as the author but often missed by readers as we eagerly rip through the chapters.

I didn't find your comment rude at all, and it wasn't my intention to chastise you. I always pay close attention when a reader says that she is uncomfortable with something in the story, or that something didn't make sense, because if one person says it, chances are there are at least a hundred readers out there thinking the same thing and not saying anything, (few people who read a story actually take the time to leave feedback), and in this case you had a very valid point about something that I had overlooked and would not have thought about unless someone mentioned it. This is also my first story for this fandom, so it's very natural for readers not to know what to expect. As a reader, I don't even know if I would have invested the time to read a story like this, not knowing where the writer is going or what to expect at the end, unless I was familiar with the writer's work and knew for sure that she can bring it all to a satisfying conclusion that makes sense, so I'm indescribably grateful for every reader, and for every bit of feedback I get.  I just hope I don't dissapoint. :)  

I had a very long, detailed and organized response written for your review, (it had historical references and everything!) then I hit something on my keyboard and the whole thing dissapeared! This is the second time I've done this and I still can't figure out which key it is that I hit that makes that happen. So here is the quick and dirty version of my response.I'm aware of how harsh this chapter is, and I don't write stuff like this lightly or for shock value. I needed a catalyst for what is going to happen in the following chapters, and I needed it to be something shocking and devastating to Hermione because Snape's arm doesn't twist easily. (Hopefully this will make more sense to you after you've read how this event affects each of them). The part about your comment where you say that Hermione has been 'sheltered' struck me, because in this story she has been sheltered in a way that she can't even possibly imagine, and which she will not find out about until a later chapter, but not in the way that you mean. I don't find it strange that Hermione didn't know about the true nature of exile. One of the first things that totalitarian and despotic governments do when they take over is limit the amount of access that the average citizen has to truthful information, usually by manipulating the media. [This is the spot where I had explained about how Hitler got away with running concentration camps for so long because of his use of the media and people's reluctance to believe the unthinkable, and I established a parallel between Voldemort's exile and Hitler's concentration camps, but that was all deleted.] The point was that few people know the truth about what exile really is -- people know what they are told by the media, and Voldemort controls the media. Even if people suspect that something is going on, they really don't want to know because then they would either have to do something about it and probably die trying, or go insane from the horror and guilt of knowing and not doing anything. In societies like this, denial is a much more convenient (and likely) option. In this story, the hand-witches' access to information is even more limited because they are under the constant watch and control of the matrons at the center, or the residents of the households in which they live. Any information that they get comes in the form of a government sanctioned newspaper carelessly left on a coffee table (like when Hermione found out about the exile law), or through rumors at the center probably spured by something one of them got to read in a newspaper, and to which the matrons are quick to put their own spin, (like when Rufus escaped). There's also a survival mechanism that kicks in when people find themeselves in hopeless or desperate situtations. [This is where the whole explanation about the psychology of people living under slavery/despotic governments was, before my computer deleted it all!] Simply put, desperate people will believe anything, no matter how unlikely or even ridiculous the possibility may seem to someone not in that situtation, if it helps them survive. Hermione had to believe that exile offered the possibility of escape in order to survive and to stay sane -- it's not about being sheltered or not smart enough to figure it out, it's about how the human mind will instinctively cling to the most feeble hope when there is no other choice.  The hand-witch's trial is a different story. Hermione spent the first two years in a 'reformation camp' and she lived in three different homes during the course of the next five years, so her time at the center was limited. Hermione never having witnessed a hand-witch's trial would have made sense if I had made it more clear to the readers that these trials are a rare occurance. In chapter 1, Lucius and Snape talk about a time two years following Voldemort's rise to power called 'The Cleansing Time,' when public trials and gruesome executions were common occurances. But by the time this story begins, the Wall of Traitors sits at the entrance hall in the Ministry building as 'a monument and a warning to future generations,' presumably no longer used for its intended purpose, and Voldemort has become so confident of his absolute control that he refuses to acknowledge 'the flicker of dissension' that Lucius sees. What I meant to convey by this is that this is a world where acts of rebellion and treason are rare, and consequently so are their punishments -- until now.  In the same chapter, Lucius expresses his concern that if the Dark Lord ever catches on to any sign of rebellion, The Cleansing Time could happen again, and in this chapter Snape tells Hermione that things are changing --that's part of what is supposed to make this chapter so poignant. But you're right, unless I make it clear that both this type of trial and the use of the Wall of Traitors are rare occurances, and a sign that something is happening/changing, it doesnt' make sense. I don't rewrite chapters after I've already published them, (I find it unfair to the people who have already read them), but I will edit one of the future chapters to make it more clear that the reason that Hermione has never attended a hand-witch's trial is because they are rare. Thank you for your thought provoking feedback and insight. :)   

I appreciate that you took the time to write such a detailed (and polite) response to my somewhat offhand comments. I did think the violence was a bit gratuitous, but now I am duly chastised and will wait patiently for you to reveal all the nuances of your well-written and compelling story. Thanks for dialoging with me and revealing your reasoning and pointing out the connections within the story -- these connections are apparent to you as the author but often missed by readers as we eagerly rip through the chapters.

I didn't find your comment rude at all, and it wasn't my intention to chastise you. I always pay close attention when a reader says that she is uncomfortable with something in the story, or that something didn't make sense, because if one person says it, chances are there are at least a hundred readers out there thinking the same thing and not saying anything, (few people who read a story actually take the time to leave feedback), and in this case you had a very valid point about something that I had overlooked and would not have thought about unless someone mentioned it. This is also my first story for this fandom, so it's very natural for readers not to know what to expect. As a reader, I don't even know if I would have invested the time to read a story like this, not knowing where the writer is going or what to expect at the end, unless I was familiar with the writer's work and knew for sure that she can bring it all to a satisfying conclusion that makes sense, so I'm indescribably grateful for every reader, and for every bit of feedback I get.  I just hope I don't dissapoint. :)  

Thank you so much! I'm a little behind in replying to reviews here too; can you tell? hehe Well, at least you have some of your answers now ;)

Thank you so much! I'm a little behind in replying to reviews here too; can you tell? hehe Well, at least you have some of your answers now ;)

The answers start with the next chapter, which I'm still waiting to get back from my beta but will upload as soon as I do. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing my story -- I'm glad you're enjoying it. :)Luv,Alley

The answers start with the next chapter, which I'm still waiting to get back from my beta but will upload as soon as I do. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing my story -- I'm glad you're enjoying it. :)Luv,Alley

It is frightening the things people will do in groups that they would never think of doing individually -- specially when they've been brain-washed. I think what makes it more frightening is that it is the way people can really act, not just in fiction.  Thank you for reading and reviewing my story.

It is frightening the things people will do in groups that they would never think of doing individually -- specially when they've been brain-washed. I think what makes it more frightening is that it is the way people can really act, not just in fiction.  Thank you for reading and reviewing my story.

Or at least a lot of explaining, and fast! heheThank you for reading and reviewing -- I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Or at least a lot of explaining, and fast! heheThank you for reading and reviewing -- I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Thank you. You're right, there was no Imperius here, just human nature and raw survival instinct. Umbridge is very creepy in this story -- I meant to portray her as evil from the start, but I think she turned out a little creepier than even I intended. hehe Thank you so much for reading and reviewing this story -- I'm glad you're enjoying it. The next chapter should be up very soon; I'm just waiting to get it back from my beta but will upload it as soon as I do (I actually should be getting two chapters at once back from her, and will upload both at the same time if I do).

Thank you. You're right, there was no Imperius here, just human nature and raw survival instinct. Umbridge is very creepy in this story -- I meant to portray her as evil from the start, but I think she turned out a little creepier than even I intended. hehe Thank you so much for reading and reviewing this story -- I'm glad you're enjoying it. The next chapter should be up very soon; I'm just waiting to get it back from my beta but will upload it as soon as I do (I actually should be getting two chapters at once back from her, and will upload both at the same time if I do).