The Killing Kind ~Lucius Malfoy~

Never Look Back

Over the next week, every time Demetri tried to bring up some sort of plan to Alexis, she excused herself and left. Eventually, he dropped it, hoping she would come to him when she was ready. Meanwhile, Draco walked free around the house but was under tight supervision. He was never left alone and his bedroom locked at night. Demetri escorted him to and from work. 

Alexis walked into the kitchen on a bitter December night, and saw Draco sitting at the table, his leg bouncing nervously. An open letter sat on the table in front of him. 

"What's wrong?" Alexis asked, eyeing his moving leg. 

Draco ran his hands through his hair. "I need to leave" 

"Why?" 

"I just need to get out. I'm going crazy staying here." 

"Ask Demetri to take you on a walk." 

"I'm not a fucking dog." He squeezed his eyes shut tight. He appeared older than he was as dark circles formed under his eyes. 

"You got a letter?" Alexis nodded toward the parchment on the table. 

"My mother," he explained, his wild eyes dropping to the letter. 

"Is she worried?"

"She's always worried," Draco replied. "She wants to know if I'll be home for Christmas. Says my father has been withdrawn lately and she would like me home." 

Alexis pursed her lips. She walked to the counter and poured herself some tea, the kettle still warm from when Draco used it. 

"Can I go home for Christmas?" Draco asked, sounding like a small boy with the voice of a grown man. 

It was such an innocent question, Alexis's heart squeezed in sympathy. She thought of her own parents and how much she would like to spend one more Christmas with them. She couldn't stop herself from thinking about how Draco would never spend another Christmas with his father if she told him no. 

She was on the verge of replying when Demetri walked in.

"Absolutely not," he said, sensing Alexis's hesitancy. 

Alexis figured he must have been listening from the other room. 

Draco simply looked down at the letter. If he was disappointed, he didn't show it. 

"Lex, we're going out. Grab your coat." Demetri stood with his arms crossed, towering over Draco. He looked large standing in the doorway. 

After locking Draco in his room, Demetri and Alexis headed out. They ended up in Diagon Alley, crowded with the holiday shoppers. 

"Where are we going?" Alexis finally asked, dodging the scurrying people. 

Demetri looked at her curiously. "Do you know what today is?" he asked, eyeing her sideways. 

"December 14th," she answered. 

They stopped in front of a small tavern, the sun already setting. 

"Lex," Demetri laughed her name as he shook her head, "it's your birthday." 

"I know what day my birthday is." 

"I know you hate celebrating but please just let me buy you supper and a few drinks." He smirked and it irked Alexis. That smirk always got him his way. 

"I don't think my birthday is a good excuse to leave Draco alone." Alexis crossed her arms. 

"He'll be fine for a few hours." Demetri opened the door, waving Alexis inside.