Was this it then? Shivering in the cold, Ginny looked into his grey eyes and felt colder still.
He must know. Although they had prided themselves on their discretion, indulging in their forbidden romance, his father plumed himself on ferreting out (and how Draco would hate her for thinking those words) pertinent facts. So here she stood, captured on the battlefield, waiting to be interrogated by Lucius Malfoy. With one strong curse he could destroy an enemy and incidentally murder his son's inappropriate choice of a lover.
She stared up at him, wishing she hadn't left. Years of living up to Gryffindor notions of bravery had compelled her to sneak out and do her part - and now she would never see Draco again.
That hurt. What hurt the most was Draco would probably never forgive her for this - not that he was likely to learn about it. Ginny didn't think Malfoy would brag about killing her to Draco - but then who knew what twisted thoughts lurked inside Lucius Malfoy's brain. Ginny knew all about twisted thoughts since her first year.
"Ginny Weasley... how delightful it is to see you again."
Ginny repressed a shudder. There was nothing to do but wait."
"I must say I'm unimpressed." Lucius continued.
Ginny stupidly thought of her bedraggled appearance complete with bruises.
"No girl. I meant that any person with an ounce of cunning or self-preservation would be plotting an escape instead of imagining how to die with dignity."
Ginny winced. "So sorry I don't measure up to Death Eater standards." she retorted.
"I don't expect much from a Weasley. I suppose your family doesn't mind your running off to war - at the rate they breed I suppose it doesn't make much difference."
Ginny remembered the first night she and Draco made love. She had blushed asking him to cast an anti-conception charm even though she had already cast one on herself. The Weasley fertility was too legendary to joke about. But afterwards, sated in his arms, she had wondered what their child would be like.
"I don't expect you to understand about family, Mr. Malfoy. After all, Voldemort's henchman is such a precarious position and..."
"Let's cut the preliminary chit chat Miss Weasley." If it was possible Lucius' tone became even icier. "For some incomprehensible reason Draco loves you, so I really have no choice."
Ginny forced herself to stare into Lucius' grey eyes. Apparently he had tired of playing with her and now, like the predator he was ...
She gasped. With an elegant swish and flick her bonds were loosed. She stared at him dumbfounded.
"Take it girl." he snarled holding out a pen, which Ginny deduced must be a portkey.
"Why?"
"Oh don't be more of an idiot than you are. I've given Draco everything he's wanted his entire life, I'm not going to stop now. Get out of here."
He pressed the pen into her hand and suddenly she was gone.
Lucius sank down heavily into a chair. He would have to obliviate Crabbe and Goyle. That was the first step. Narcissa would kill him. Although really, she had spoilt Draco just as much - more in fact. Yes, this was all her fault. He would tell her that someday when they were watching hordes of carrot-topped Malfoys roaming the family mansion blowing up the odd antique. They would have the rest of their lives.