Snape rose to go downstairs, protective of his property. "Stay here and be silent."

He shut the door behind him and immediately Hermione rushed to put her ear to the door to listen. It will be of great value to know who comes and goes and what they want with him. To her disappointment she could hear nothing. He obviously had the apartment warded for sound, but most magical folk forgot the muggle way of doing things. She merely opened the door a crack, knowing it was hidden from sight below, and could hear everything. It was Madam Pomfrey! She was alive.

"Snape, I have been charged by the Dark Lord to check on the condition of all the girls. He has spared my life to perform this task. He believes because they know me, they will answer my questions truthfully and confide in me. I am to be unhindered in this task and will come at random times. You are not to be present when I speak with them and if I find that any amount of coercion has been put upon them, I am to report it. I will be here once or twice a week to monitor them and any pregnancy that occurs. He has given me the authority to remove anyone who is being misused, which would also follow with your most painful death." Her voice lowered an octave as she stood within inches of him. "In other words, just give me a reason, just one, you filthy, lecherous, traitor and I'll laugh while you roast."

Snape's face was a mask of indifference, though the strength of her venom shocked him. Of all the people he knew, Poppy was most like a mother to him. Since he was a teenager it was she who helped him with whatever the Marauders had done. She, when he returned from being summoned. Bloody and broken, would patch him up and care for him. Never asking why or how and always with compassion. Did she really think he would abuse the girls? Did she think he was really so monstrous?

"Madam Pomfrey, you may examine them whenever you like. You will find them well cared for within the boundaries of circumstance. You know as well as I do that a certain amount of damage will be done to them to prove my loyalty to the Dark Lord. It will not be excessive, and you may speak with them now. I must leave to perform certain duties at any rate."

Snape's robes snaped when he turned quickly and left her alone. Poppy climbed the stairs to the apartment above and found the girls eating breakfast. When the door closed behind her, they both ran to her open arms. It felt so good for her to know they were safe.

Hermione didn't realize how much tension had filled the room before. Now that it was gone, she felt she could breathe easier and tears began to fall from them both, so happy Poppy was alive.

"There, there, now girls." She held them both tight to her. "I don't have long. I must try to check on everyone today." Poppy stood back from them. No black eyes, split lips, no bruises on the face or wrists. "I'm sorry girls, but I need you to drop your robes. I must be certain that you are unharmed."

The girls blushed a little and did as she asked. Poppy used her wand to diagnose and catalog any injuries. They were both in relatively good health, though Hermione was much too thin. No sign of immediate trauma except for Hermione's loss of virginity. Poppy looked at Ginny with a raised eyebrow. A bit of shame lit Ginny's face, but nothing was said. "Thank heaven you both seem whole. I take it he was… not too rough with you both." The color on their faces doubled. "I'm sorry to have to ask such things of you, but it's my job for now. He didn't hurt you?"

Hermione was quick to defend him. "No Madam Pomfrey. Snape has been very gentle and even kind to us." She bent to retrieve her robe and they all sat next to the fire. "This is certainly not the ideal situation, but we both know it could be much worse."

Poppy nodded and squeezed her eyes shut, unable to get the vision of some of the other girls out of her mind. Some had been tortured before being raped, some were chained and beaten, others… even worse. Poppy would report it all and be happy to watch the beasts get what they deserved. It was an irony that Voldemort would save the lives of these girls and kill his own Death Eaters. It was the only reason she had agreed to do it.

Poppy took out a quill and parchment. "I need to know a few things to keep track of your cycles and predict due dates. Ginny when was your last period?"

"About two weeks ago", she said shyly.

"Hermione?"

"I… Well, I haven't had one in about three months."

Poppy was not surprised after seeing how thin she was and took several lines of notes. "We need to get you back to normal weight before it will come back. That makes you vulnerable, and I will try to convince Him that it will not cause a long delay. He is quite determined that all of you get pregnant as soon as possible. I will speak with Snape. He can give you some nutritional potions that will help you get back to normal weight sooner." She looked up from her notes to Hermione's face which was now near panic. Poppy reached out to touch her knee. "Don't worry my dear. I will convince Him that you are much too valuable to discard. Your abilities are well known, even to Him."

Hermione knew Poppy was their only contact to the outside world and needed to take advantage of it. "Madam Pomfrey. Please tell us what's happening."

Poppy sighed and looked at the floor. "Truth be known, I'm not all that sure. The Dark Lord has cut all communications. He suspended The Daily Prophet and The Quibbler from being published. Owls are killed on sight, except those on His business. No one is allowed to leave the country. It's as if the whole wizarding world is holding it's breath.

They are still having celebration feasts downstairs. As long as they are all half drunk and using the house elves for amusement, I don't think much will get done around here. I keep my ears open and have heard rumors of mass arrests at the Ministry. Anyone even suspected of being able to put up a fight has been sent to Azkaban, or just disappear. Most of the professors here have been… Well, He seems to have taken out his initial fury on the male staff and the female staff are in worse condition than most." Poppy seemed to lose her grip on her emotions momentarily and wept, "And poor Minerva… He threw her body into the ravine along with all the other dead from the battle. Students, staff, Death Eaters, magical creatures, everyone. The smell is sickening." Poppy was about to say more when she heard Snape return downstairs. She put her hands to their cheeks and gave them both a kiss on the forehead. "I must go now. Have courage girls. Keep yourselves alive. I'll let you know more when I can. You never know what tomorrow may bring." She stood quickly and her shoes made clicks on the stairs as she went below.

"Headmaster Snape. The girls have passed a general inspection and they tell me they are not being mistreated. Hermione is much too thin. Her reproductive health is very poor. She is incapable at this time of becoming pregnant. If you want to save her life you will brew some replenishing potions and feed her. She also needs a reduction in stress, so hands off for now. Hopefully I can certify her as fit again in a week or so, before He can change his mind about her. I must report it to the Dark Lord and hope he sees reason." Her face suddenly became soft and she whispered. "Please Severus, take care of them."

Snape looked at her distraught features. "I promise you I will Poppy. Any way I can."

Poppy seemed to accept what he said and patted his arm as she turned to the floo and vanished.