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
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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
What did I say in my last review? The creeps - all over.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
I hope my story is creeping you out in a good way -- I can only assume that it is since your keep reading it! heheThank you so much for reviewing. :)
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
I hope my story is creeping you out in a good way -- I can only assume that it is since your keep reading it! heheThank you so much for reviewing. :)
Anonymous
I must confess that I generally don't care for FFs with Voldemort as the vanquisher and a wizarding society ruled by Deatheaters. Few authors manage to write this in a balance that appeals to me. Yours is an interesting beginning, though, and I'm curious about how you're going to proceed.
Author's Response: Maybe I will strike that balance that you like, or maybe I won't -- we will see! :) I do hope you enjoy the story, and thank you for reviewing.
Seems like a very promising start. There are few things better than a snarky Severus-Lucius dialogue. Good job on it.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you! I do like my men snarky. heheThank you for reviewing, and I hope you continue to enjoy the story.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you! I do like my men snarky. heheThank you for reviewing, and I hope you continue to enjoy the story.
Hmm, wonder who the woman witch will be? ;)
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Oh, I know! I hope you can take the suspense! LOL Thank you for reviewing :)
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Oh, I know! I hope you can take the suspense! LOL Thank you for reviewing :)
I love depcictions of a dystopian society, I cannot wait to read more of this Wizarding world's Handmaiden's tale. Very good start, very promising premise!
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you so much for the lovely review. I'm glad you like the premise; hopefully you'll continue to enjoy the story. :)
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you so much for the lovely review. I'm glad you like the premise; hopefully you'll continue to enjoy the story. :)
This was so good I had to go over to your LJ and stalk...er read the other chapters. You've managed to give a fresh rendition of a oft-used premise. Looking forward to moar. :)
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
LOL You can stalk me all you want -- it makes me feel so flattered. There will be more coming very soon, I promise. ;)
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
LOL You can stalk me all you want -- it makes me feel so flattered. There will be more coming very soon, I promise. ;)
Very interesting concept. I haven't read Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale in years, but I might have to check it out of the library in honor of the upcoming Banned Books week.I am interested in seeing how you characterize the female in the upcoming chapters.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
I love the Handmaid's Tale; I do plan to re-read it, but not until after I'm finished writing this story. The next chapter is the queue; so you shouldn't have to wait too long. :)Thank you for the feedback.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
I love the Handmaid's Tale; I do plan to re-read it, but not until after I'm finished writing this story. The next chapter is the queue; so you shouldn't have to wait too long. :)Thank you for the feedback.
I didn't know which to be more appalled by, Hermione has been placed (raped) in three different homes, or she was separated from her child. I cannot say which is worse for her. This story maight well be beyond my squick level, but you write the characters well
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
I'm sorry I squicked you dear; yes, this is not a happy, fluffy story, although I am shooting for that happy ending at the end of the rainbow. It's ok if you feel you can't continue to read it -- I understand this type of story is not for everyone. Thank you so much for your positive comment about my characterization.
Response from pookah (Reviewer)
Re-reading my review, I realize how negative it sounded. I didn't mean that. It is a personal thing, being a mother, the idea of loosing a child is just horrible. And earler this year a dear freind of mine was raped, so I have had enough of drama and trauma. I didn't mean to dis you, and your characterization was excellent. It is just that even 'offstage' trauma like that is not what I am looking for in fan fiction, at this dramatic stage of my life.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
I'm sorry I squicked you dear; yes, this is not a happy, fluffy story, although I am shooting for that happy ending at the end of the rainbow. It's ok if you feel you can't continue to read it -- I understand this type of story is not for everyone. Thank you so much for your positive comment about my characterization.
Response from pookah (Reviewer)
Re-reading my review, I realize how negative it sounded. I didn't mean that. It is a personal thing, being a mother, the idea of loosing a child is just horrible. And earler this year a dear freind of mine was raped, so I have had enough of drama and trauma. I didn't mean to dis you, and your characterization was excellent. It is just that even 'offstage' trauma like that is not what I am looking for in fan fiction, at this dramatic stage of my life.
I take it that the bonafide troublemaker will be Hermione? Snape is in for an unpleasant surprise, if that's the case.As for Hermione, it seems that she's already been through a great deal of trauma (three households= three former DEs raping her). I wonder how damaged emotionally and physically she is by this point...
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you very much for your comment. I don't want to give any of the story away, but I don't think the story is as dark as people seem to think it's going to be, (althoug it's not fluffy by any stretch of the imagination). I'll just say that "three households" doesn't necessarily mean DE's households -- just the homes of three pure-bloods. (I don't believe all pure-bloods are evil). Thanks again for reading and commenting. :)
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you very much for your comment. I don't want to give any of the story away, but I don't think the story is as dark as people seem to think it's going to be, (althoug it's not fluffy by any stretch of the imagination). I'll just say that "three households" doesn't necessarily mean DE's households -- just the homes of three pure-bloods. (I don't believe all pure-bloods are evil). Thanks again for reading and commenting. :)
look alright but hurry up and put hermione in to it.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
She'll make her appearance soon, I promise. :)Thank you for reviewing.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
She'll make her appearance soon, I promise. :)Thank you for reviewing.
I guess I know who the muggle-born witch will be... Have you ever seen the movie "the Handmaid's tale" by Volker Schlöndorff (1990)? It tells a very similar story - can be found on the IMDB (internet movie database).
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
I think we all know ;) I didn't see the movie, but the premise of this story was inspired by the novel The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, which I think the movie was based on. I plan to add this information to the author's notes, as soon as I figure out how to add a.n.'s to the story! hehe (This is my first time posting to TPP, so I'm still trying to figure out the submission form).
Response from Muggline (Reviewer)
Yes, the movie was based on that one. I saw it at the age of 20 and it gave me the creeps...When I add an A/N, I simply type it on top of the Chapter title in the .txt file.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
I think we all know ;) I didn't see the movie, but the premise of this story was inspired by the novel The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, which I think the movie was based on. I plan to add this information to the author's notes, as soon as I figure out how to add a.n.'s to the story! hehe (This is my first time posting to TPP, so I'm still trying to figure out the submission form).
Response from Muggline (Reviewer)
Yes, the movie was based on that one. I saw it at the age of 20 and it gave me the creeps...When I add an A/N, I simply type it on top of the Chapter title in the .txt file.
I am very intrigued by the plot you've laid out here. I'm looking forward to more!
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you for your comment! I hope you continue to enjoy the story. :)
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you for your comment! I hope you continue to enjoy the story. :)
renting out Muggle-born witches as breeding stock to pure-blood wizards ... now that was a new idea. Eager to see where you are taking this. /M
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you for commenting. Ah, there's no telling what Voldy is going to think up next! ;) But seriously, the idea is hardly original, (it was inspired by Margaret Atwood's novel 'The Handmaid's Tale'), but I agree that there isn't a lot of dystopian fiction featuring this pairing. Thanks again for reading and reviewing. :)
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you for commenting. Ah, there's no telling what Voldy is going to think up next! ;) But seriously, the idea is hardly original, (it was inspired by Margaret Atwood's novel 'The Handmaid's Tale'), but I agree that there isn't a lot of dystopian fiction featuring this pairing. Thanks again for reading and reviewing. :)
The premise of this story is fascinating. Eager to see you continue.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you for your review; I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Chapter 2 is already in the queue. :)
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you for your review; I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Chapter 2 is already in the queue. :)
This is a great story, original and well written. I hope you will continue to write, I look forward to reading anything else you are willing to share. Thank you for sharing your story!
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you for reading and reviewing my story. I apologize for the lateness of the reply (I must have shut off my notifications for a while and didn't realize I had unanswered reviews). Even though it's been a while, I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to thank you.
Oh wow. Okay, so I started reading this story for the first time yesterday afternoon while on my lunch break. I totally fell in love with it. I couldn't read anything else until I finished it this morning. Everyonce in a while I get in the mood for a "What if Voldie Won" fic. Some do it well and others not so much. This rocked my sox. I loved how Hermione retained her sense of self, but still conformed enough to get by. I loved how you tried to keep Severus as ambiguous as possible until way later in the story. It was great how you totally kept him in character, he acted and sounded like the Severus I knew for 6 books. It was just amazing, well paced and had a great ending. Thanks for the great fic. Much Love ~
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
WOW! I don't know how I missed your review earlier, but even though it's been a while, I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to say thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it! 
Bravo! Well Done!
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you! Even though it's been a while, I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to let you know I really appreciate you reading and reviewing my story. :)
Very good story. I enjoyed the way left a pocket of resistance hidding, still working subversively. I was somewhat taken aback by the fact that you had the hand-witch program instituded by the Dark Lord, knowing his incesant loathing of muggle-borns. He would have rather seen himself the last wizard in the world than to mix pure-bloods with muggle-born.Over all, a very good read.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you for your thoughtful review, and sorry about the unbelieveable lateness of my reply. I had some RL issues come up earlier this year; I just returned to TPP and am trying to catch up with reviews. The whole idea of Voldemort advocating a program like the hand-witch came about from pieces of canon where Dumbledore and others insinuate that keeping the blood 'pure' actually weaknes magic over generations, and the fact that Voldemort plans to live forever so he thinks long term. My reasoning was that it was only a matter of time before Voldemort came to the same conclusion as Dumbledore and started to wonder what he would do a few generations down the road with a handful of Squibs. In my mind, Voldemort's thirst for power would override any reluctance he might have about mixing the blood of pure-bloods; after all, Voldemort himself is not a pure-blood, and while he looks down at other races (like werewolves and giants), he is not above using them to reach his goals, without actually acknowledging their equality. Anyway, I realize that it is a matter of interpretation. I just wanted to explain my reasoning behind it because perhaps it didn't come across clearly in the story. Thank you again for reading my story and for your thought-provoking review. :)
This is a really wonderful story, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm glad that you saved Severus as I thought at one stage he was going to die - well done !!
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you! I'm thrilled you enjoyed it. I obviously missed replying to some reviews some time back, but even though it's been a while, I still wanted to let you know that I appreciate you reading and reviewing my story. :)
My heart wanted to burst at the very last! You created such a wonderful story.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)
Sorry for being late, but I had to let things decant a few hours, then re-read the chapter, to be able to do it justice. At first read, I was impatient to see a bit more of the development of the rapport between our leading characters. The second time through, tough, I found it perfect.The flashback to how she had received, and irrationally clung to, and was finally saved by the small piece of parchment is all that was needed to convey the depth of their story.Hope is indeed what connects the several parts. From a name for the project meant to heal Hermione no less than the other innocents; to the reveal of what had happened at the train station; to the name of her grandchild.Thank you for making us sense the time, flowing and healing, and the hard work involved, and how the Project is still alive after so many years, and the outcome thereof. And thank you for giving closure - and, again, hope - to the deepest scars, from the valley of the trapped souls to the children who were born under such a gloomy star. Thank you for Remus and Rosalyn and Camilla and Gavril.Thank you for your take on Atwood's universe.Thank you for the closing line.And thank you for a story that makes my thoughts wander in many directions at once (all right, I won't do that in a review!) I definitely look forward HOPE :) to read more from you.Lela
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you so much, Lela, for such a thoughtful review, and for being so understanding. :) I'm sure some readers are dissapointed at the way I ended the story, because they were hoping to see more Hermione/Severus interaction at the end, but I feel that I accomplished what I set out to do with the story, which was to tell a story about how two people survived, and even managed to find love, during a dark and terrible time, with nothing more than hope to see it through. Rest assured that you will see more from me soon -- I'm already working on my next story. :)Thank you again, for reading and reviewing my story.
You wrote a very sweet ending to a unusual love story. I hate that Draco slid through the system but I trust that his beliefs will lead him into trouble again. I've enjoyed reading your story and I'm glad all ended well. I look forward to reading your next story.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing this story; I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)
Ohhh, such a sweet ending. Lemons would have been welcome, but this was perfect. :)
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you; I'm glad you liked it.I'm sure a lot of readers would have liked to see more sex scenes, unfortunately, those are not my forte, (I'm much better at writing action scenes and dialogue). I'm glad that the epilogue was enough. Thank you for reading and reviewing my story.
This was a very good story. I am so glad they got their happy ending.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
Thank you for reading and reviewing -- I'm very pleased that you liked the story.
thank you so much for this story.
Response from Alley_B (Author of The Long Way Down)
That's so sweet! Thank you for reading it, and for taking the time to leave a review.