Ginny was awake, but still lying down. Hermione was concerned her friend was in pain or worse. Ginny is two years younger than herself after all. Sex must have caused her greater damage. "Ginny? Are you alright?"

Ginny looked up at her friend. "Yes, I'm fine. A little sore is all."

Hermione smiled, "Yes, I expect so. I am too. Snape gave me a pain potion. Here's one for you too. Also, I'm… well, I'm still bleeding a bit. You should check yourself out. Snape says it's normal for the first time, nothing to worry about, but if it continues, to let him know." She hoped to spare Ginny the embarrassment she had just suffered.

Ginny grinned at her, downing the potion. "I don't think I'll have that problem. I haven't technically been a virgin for a while now."

Hermione's eyes got as wide as saucers. "Ginevra Weasley! What did you just say?! Oh my god, was it Harry?! That rat! You're only sixteen."

"Almost seventeen thank you. Relax Hermione. I just got curious after listening to my brothers whisper about some girl and what they wanted to do to her. I, well … Let's just say there are lots of uses for cucumbers you've never heard of. Snape is a bit bigger but.." Hermione covered her face with her hands and turned a deep red as Ginny giggled. "Last night was my first time with a guy though. That's a kind of virginity, I guess. Anyway, he's right. I was sore as hell the next day and it took a little time to stop bleeding, but it hasn't since."

"I don't wish to discuss vegetables in that context ever again please. I can't believe what I'm hearing." Hermione looked at the grinning woman in front of her and began to chuckle. "Cucumbers? Well at least you didn't risk getting pregnant like we are now."

Both of the women sat silently contemplating. Ginny didn't know if she should say something or not. They had all promised not to say anything. In the end she decided to trust her instincts and her friend. "That's not going to happen."

Hermione looked to Ginny as if she were mad. The professor had given them all a fertility drug. She spoke up as Ginny didn't finish her statement. "And why do you think that? Snape is a potions master, the fertility potion he gave us was very likely effective."

"Because before the final battle Professor McGonagall took all the girls into a room and cast a spell. For our protection she said."

"What sort of spell Ginny?" Hermione was intrigued.

"She said it would make us all sterile for one year. It's nearly undetectable, and would not affect our regular cycles, but we would be unable to conceive. Many of us objected, never believing such a spell would be needed, especially on the first years, but she said it was for our own good and she would brook no argument. Then she made us swear that we would tell no one. She also said she would be the only one who could remove it."

Hermione was astounded. "She was right Ginny. Thank you for telling me, but tell no one else. This will confound them, and we can play for time. I have to think of how I can use this. Snape is worried we will be given to someone else. Maybe we can worry him enough to act and bring a few of the others with him."

Ginny got out of bed and stretched, feeling better with the potion. "Whatever you say Hermione." She yawned and scratched. "I need a shower and I'm hungry. Does he have breakfast ready? I'm not sure just how much we can ask of him. For instance, I would like to wear clothes again, or do they expect us to be naked all the time?"

Hermione admired Ginny's sass and laughed. It was good that she was coping so much better than last night. "You can have your shower later. Snape wants to talk to us now."

Ginny grabbed her robe and they both came out of their room. Ginny to the loo and Hermione to the chair across from Snape. He transfigured a box into a third chair for Ginny as she came back. A light breakfast of porridge and fruit was on the table along with tea. "I'm sure you must have questions. I will answer anything you wish to know."

Ginny was bold as brass. "Are we going to have sex again?" Hermione rolled her eyes and looked at the ceiling. Apparently, the girl was missing her vegetables.

Snape was unmoved. "Yes. The Dark Lord has commanded that you both be pregnant within thirty days. We will have sex until it is confirmed. I will need more time if I am to service you both. Therefore, Hermione will come to me in the morning, and you, Ginevra will come to me at night. You will both leave afterwards and sleep in the bedroom you occupied last night. Are you both comfortable in the same bed or shall I make two?"

They looked at each other nodding silently, best to keep track of how each other is doing. Hermione spoke. "We are fine with the way it is."

"Clothes" Ginny was full of questions it seemed.

"Please be more specific in your question Ginevra." He was tired and his patience was near an end.

"May we have clothes to wear besides this robe, or do you intend to keep us naked?"

Snape grinned at the prospect of two naked, nubile women in his rooms. "Yes. The castle is much too cold and drafty a place without clothing. However, do not expect silk and finery. You are slaves. I will have the house elves prepare something simple and warm for you. Anything else?" He looked to Hermione who seemed to be contemplating something. He hoped she was not considering escape.

"Hermione? Was there something you wanted to ask?'

"Yes Master (bate). What are we to do all day?" She was looking at his library longingly. "May we borrow from your library?"

Snape realized she would go stark raving if she could not keep her mind occupied. He had hoped they would be company for each other. He had no intention of being a playmate for either one. "Yes Hermione. You may both pick from my library here or in my office. I have a chess set and backgammon, and I'm sure there is a deck of cards here somewhere. If there is another form of entertainment you prefer, I will do my best to procure it for you."

Hermione sat back in her seat and smiled. All games of strategy. She would engage him in a game as often as possible. It was a good thing Ron taught her much about chess while they squandered away their hours on the run. She needed to know how this man thinks if she was going to manipulate him. "That sounds mildly amusing. And what are you going to be doing now that there is no school to be a Headmaster of?"

Snape's eyes narrowed at the thinly veiled insult. "I will do as I have always done. Make the best of the situation. Something I believe you will be doing a lot of yourself. But specifically, I will be brewing potions, and being seen at court. There is much demand for pain and injury potions and salves, as well as fertility and amortentia. The others do not want to waste time and effort on getting the cooperation of their slaves. It's much easier.. just, keeping, them, drugged."

Hermione heard his warning loud and clear.

"Snape! Severus Snape are you there?" The floo in his office was activated and someone was calling.