Walburga's Loss
Written For:
- Speed Drabble, prompts: (dialogue) "My deepest apologies", (word) devastated, (dialogue) "How is a woman supposed to cope?"
Word Count: 198
"My deepest apologies," murmured the low voice of Abraxas Malfoy, as he bowed deeply in front of Walburga. She observed him from beneath her dark veil, momentarily thankful that he couldn't see her scowl. He wasn't at all apologetic for her loss - in fact, Walburga knew that Abraxas had detached himself from his wife the moment he heard of Orion's passing. He had longed to marry into the Black fortune long ago, but Walburga would never give up her proud name. She rose her chin, gesturing for him to move on.
She was devastated. Surely enough, she had been the strong, matriarchal figure of the House of Black, and had ruled her kingdom with an iron fist. But Orion had always been in the background, no matter how deeply he was buried. He had always been there to catch her when she fell, and despite her stony exterior, she had loved him with all of her heart.
"How is a woman supposed to cope?" she murmured, watching as the guests of the wake milled around her drawing room. She was sure that nothing would ever fill the hole in her heart, not now that Orion had abandoned it.