"It was," Draco acknowledged. "Although you mustn’t underestimate the effect of your punishment. You broke me, sweetling.  I wept and roared and prayed you would return, and as time passed my hope grew slimmer and slimmer. When you gave me news on Lucio, I hoped you would tell me about yourself and how you were, but you never did. It’s been an agony, not knowing. I think of you every moment, and if I can manage to sleep I dream of you. I haven’t eaten one bite since you left—it all tastes like ash if you aren’t there. I smell you still in our bed and wake disappointed you aren’t with me. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take until you summoned me."