There was a pause. Healer Stroud seemed to be awaiting a defense.
"Perhaps the High Reeve has issues too," Hermione finally said.
"He does not. I examined him myself, several times now. He is perfectly virile and fertile. Exceptional even."
Hermione fought against letting her mouth twitch with amusement at the thought of Malfoy being examined by Stroud. He must love that, she thought to herself.
Outwardly Hermione was silent. Healer Stroud sighed sharply.
"How does he take you? Do you stay reclined after as instructed? Are you washing afterwards?"
The questions were suspicious.
Hermione felt her cheeks flush as she was compelled to answer the questions.
"There's a clock there on the wall. I always wait for the allotted time before moving. I follow all the washing instructions. The portrait can verify it."
Healer Stroud's eyes were narrowed.
"And how does he take you?"
Hermione stared intently at the blurry clock until her head began to throb.
"On a table."
"What?" Healer Stroud said sharply.
"He — he conjures a table, in the middle of the room. And has me lean over it."
"He takes you from behind?"
Hermione felt her cheeks and ears growing hot. "Yes. He's very — clinical about it."
"How many times a day?"
"Once a day. For five days."
There was a long silence.
"Well—" Healer Stroud finally said. Then she leaned over and tapped her wand twice on one of the manacles on Hermione's wrists. There was an immediate flush of heat.
A minute later, there was a sharp rap on the door and Malfoy walked in, looking as cold as Hermione had ever seen him. She could just barely make out his face as he walked toward Healer Stroud. She closed her left eye in order to try to see more clearly.
"You called," he said.
"She's still not pregnant," Healer Stroud announced.
Malfoy looked neither surprised nor disappointed by the announcement.
"How unfortunate," he said coolly.
"Indeed. It's beginning to become anomalous. There is nothing I can find to account for it."
Healer Stroud's eyes were narrowed as she stared at Malfoy.
Hermione's curiosity was suddenly piqued. Did Healer Stroud suspect Malfoy was trying to avoid impregnating Hermione? Was he? Why would he? He should have been desperate to get her pregnant. If not for an heir, at least in the hopes that the compatible magic would finally corrode and break through the magic protecting Hermione's memories.
"The Dark Lord may have reason for concern if she continues to be unfruitful. As you know, his desire for it is dual in nature."
"Indeed. I am aware." Malfoy said, a dangerous edge entering his voice.
"Then you should have no objections if I make some recommendations as to how to increase your odds of success."
Malfoy inclined his head. "Anything in the service of the Dark Lord."
"No more tables then," said Stroud in a pointed tone.
There was a flicker of something, possibly irritation in Malfoy's eyes.
"Fine.
"And have her in a reclined position," Stroud said, raising her chin, "with less detachment."
A sneer curled onto Malfoy's lips, but before he said anything Stroud added, "Magical pregnancy is more complex than merely the biological process of fertilisation. It can require a connection. Otherwise, we could be utilising muggle methods for this repopulation effort with far greater convenience for everyone."
"Really? Do all the other pregnant breeders you have attribute their conditions to the connection they have with the sires?" Malfoy drawled.
"She is exceptional in her magic, as are you," Stroud said, her expression stiff. "According to some theories, such power causes the spark of life to require more — persuasion. Unless there's some other explanation you can offer."
She gave Malfoy a long look which he returned without blinking.
Hermione was certain, Stroud did suspect Malfoy of doing something to interfere.
"Fine."
"Excellent," Stroud said, her mouth widening into a thin smile. "After all, the Dark Lord is quite eager for access to be gained to those memories. If the conception efforts continue to fail, we may find ourselves obliged to consider other 'sires.'"
"I was under the impression that using magical pregnancy to unlock the memories necessitated that the father be the legilimens or it may result in a miscarriage," Malfoy said in a lightly cutting tone.
"That's true. The magi-genetic familiarity is important. However, it wouldn't necessarily need to be a paternal familiarity. Half-siblings, for example, could be another option. I have heard rumours that your father may be recalled to Britain."
Hermione felt herself wobble and her throat contracted as though she were going to be sick. Malfoy's expression didn't flicker but he paled, visibly, even in Hermione's blurred vision.