Ginny stared at Lucius Malfoy's face, feeling dread form a knot in her stomach.
At first she thought his words were just echoing in her head, but she knew he was repeating them when she saw his lips move again. "Draco died."
The words were plain, simple, and very direct. Draco, her Draco, had died.
She clutched her stomach as sobs rocked her body making her double over. The words, she knew, were now echoing in her head. They weren't shut up. They clung to her, sucking all the life out of her life, and all the love out of her heart. She didn't know how long she cried, she just knew he didn't say another word. He didn't leave, but he remained completely quiet and still. As if he was waiting for her to explode.
She knew she was falling to pieces, but very slowly. Every memory flooded her brain and heart, every time they made love made her skin tingle as she remembered, and every declaration of love he had made make her ears ring. Her heart was broken; she had never felt so broken inside.
Finally, gaining something that resembled control, she looked up and saw Lucius was still there, merely staring at her in silence with a look of disgust on his face. Suddenly, Ginny felt an anger she had never know. He didn't morn his son; he didn't grieve.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" she screamed at him in a voice raspy with tears, but still loud.
He glared at her, not even bothering to answer.
"He was your son!" she screamed, straining her voice.
"He disgusts me."
The words tore at her. She couldn't bare to look at him any longer, and turned away. "I hate you," she muttered, even though she knew he didn't care. He'd never care.
"I've always hated you. And when my son brought you home, he ceased to be my son." His voice was so even, so calm, it angered her more. She'd never understand the Malfoys. She could barely understand Draco's loyalty to his family, but she would never forgive him for it. His loyalty had killed him.
"You killed your own son, didn't you?" she asked in what she hoped was an even and calm voice to match his. She felt sick to her stomach and watching him stare at her, as if thinking of a response, she felt more angry.
Finally he spoke, "I did what I was told. He betrayed us."
"How?" she demanded.
"He wanted out. He wanted to be with you."
With those final words, Lucius turned away from his daughter-in-law and headed for the door of the chamber.
"I hate you," she whispered again. She wasn't trying for a response, but got one when he turned back to her.
"You silly girl! You faithless, dirty, little girl!" he screamed at her, "You killed him. With your lies. Your promises. Your fucking love!"
As she stared in awe, he turned and left.
She was left alone in the room. And even more alone in the world.