Ginny returned to the room she would be sharing with Hermione. It was dark and she was asleep. Ginny didn't want to wake her and sat in bed thinking about what had happened. Snape wasn't so bad. It was even kind of fun. She had imagined much worse from the cold, taciturn professor. It was a bit awkward, but his gentle touch had made her forget about all that. Perhaps because she had known and trusted him for so long already. He had made her forget a lot of things. Like how she should be ashamed of wanting to touch a man who was taking her by force. But he wasn't really. She had climbed onto the bed and touched him of her own free will. Her curiosity getting the better of her. And he had not hurt her, only given her pleasure. Was there something wrong with her that she was not angry or even sad about sleeping with him?

She began to feel guilty that she was okay when her entire family had just been wiped out. The tears came unbidden, and she didn't know what to do.

Hermione awakened with Ginny's restlessness. "Ginny? Your back. Are you okay? You're crying. Did he hurt you?"

Ginny looked up at Hermione's concerned eyes. "No. He didn't hurt me, but… Oh Hermione I'm so confused. You were right. It did feel good. But shouldn't I be hating him now? Shouldn't I be ashamed of myself for responding to his touch? My whole family is dead! We are slaves to his every whim. I shouldn't be relieved right now. I don't feel anything I should be. What's wrong with me?"

Hermione pulled her into a hug. "It's just a bit of shock. When bad things happen to us, our minds want to forget. It wants to run and hide from what's happening until it can make sense of it all. It was only a few hours ago we were dragged naked before Voldemort himself and given away like property. Given to a man we didn't choose, to do as he pleases with us. We expect pain and fear, and when it doesn't come, we're confused. I feel the same way. Everyone I loved, except you, is dead. I've just been forced to have sex with Severus Snape, and I expected him to be cold and uncaring. But he wasn't. The time I spent with him, the fear went away and I forgot my anger. It feels like a betrayal of the dead. But Ginny we are alive, and we have tough choices to make. To die with them, or try to make the best of our lives now. I don't think they would want us to give up. To choose torment for their namesake and be miserable. They would be happy that we are being taken care of. They would want us to go on and do our best to stay alive. Besides, there will be someone else for us to consider soon. We shouldn't take chances with a baby on the way. I want to give her all the advantages I can. Snape will take care of us, I know he will. He will protect us, even from Voldemort if he can."

Ginny wanted to tell Hermione about the spell Professor McGonagall had put on all the girls before the battle, but she supposed it would wait until morning. She was tired and sore. She downed the pain potion and went to sleep.

oopOqoo

It was morning. Hermione heard Snape in the central chamber of his living quarters. There was a rug, two chairs, and a small table just big enough for a teapot and cups in front of the fireplace. A large window that looked out over the lake and a bench in front of it. The walls were lined with bookcases and filled to the brim.

She made to sit up and go to the loo, but every movement hurt. She moaned and tried again. This time she got on her feet. After a good pee she wiped to find red blood still visible. It concerned her. There was no one to ask except Snape. Ginny should check on herself too.

She didn't know what she wanted more, a cup of tea or a shower. Giddily, she realized she could have both. Hermione laughed at herself being so possessive about hot water, but when you haven't had a good cuppa or wash in almost six months it was a precious commodity.

When she exited the loo Snape was there waiting. "Good morning Hermione." He picked up a vial on the table and gave it to her. She opened it, and smelling the pain potion, downing it quickly, sighing in relief.

"Good morning Snape." She hugged the robe tight to herself. Just because he was pleasant last night didn't mean she shouldn't be on her guard.

"About that." He handed her a hot cup of tea. "As I explained to Ginevra last night, you will not address me by my name again. You will call me Master, as befits a slave. To do otherwise will put us both in jeopardy." He sat in one of the chairs and picked up his cup.

Hermione knew it was the truth, but it rankled. Her character would never allow her to call anyone Master, but if she wanted to survive in this horrid world, she must obey him. She decided when she had to call anyone that, she would also say, 'bate' in her mind. The private joke was the only way to keep the anger at bay. "Yes Master" (bate). "There is something I need to ask ... you, as Madam Pomfrey is probably dead. I'm… I'm still bleeding. Not much, but I'm very sore as well. Is it, normal?" Hermione blushed three shades of red.

Snape closed his eyes and grimaced at the pain he had caused. "I do not have a great deal of knowledge in this area, but it is my understanding that it is normal for the first 24 hours after. As long as it's not more than a bit of spotting. The soreness is from muscle fatigue and should also be gone in the same amount of time. If you are still in distress tomorrow, I will examine you further. You should take a hot bath to sooth you and there are herbs I can add to the water. But for right now, I would like to speak with you both when you are ready."

Hermione nodded about to thank him, but thought better of it. She grabbed the other vial, "I'll take this to Ginny." She didn't see the slight grin on his face as she returned to their room. He doubted Ginevra would need it.