Breaking up is never easy, I know
But I have to go
Knowing me, knowing you
It's the best I can do
"Narcissa, we are not kicking her out. She pledged her loyalty to the Dark Lord, she has to follow through or else she will be killed. That is a fate far worse than living with your sister." Lucius argued. Narcissa just crossed her arms, shaking her head.
"Lucius you don't get it. Don't you remember? This manor becomes the hive for all the evil things that happen. She's not safe here. She's a smart girl, she can go into hiding or flee the country, or the continent even. I hear MACUSA needs profilers, a government job would keep her busy and give her security. Just please consider it. If you really cared about her, you would let her go."
And consider was what he did. He sat on his armchair, his cane in one hand and a glass of firewhiskey in the other. Katherine was sitting on the floor in front of him playing tug-of-war with Achilles. He admired her, how she was so playful and youthful and so damn beautiful. He came to the conclusion it wasn't fair. She was 24, she should be out at bars with her friends and finding someone to settle down with. Yet here she was, spending her days in the manor with him. Lucius felt he was so undeserving of her and the love and affection she gave him when he couldn't bring himself to return the feeling. But of course he couldn't let himself confess the real reason he was letting her go. He didn't want her to know that her safety was in danger, that she was about to truly see what he, Lucius Malfoy the Death Eater, was. No, he was going to lie and most definitely crush her heart in the process.
-
"I cannot do this anymore."
Ouch. The words struck Katherine in the heart like a sharp arrow hitting the chest of a beautiful doe. She didn't speak for a moment unable to form a single strand of words that would describe the ache she felt in that moment. They stood in the front drawing room, Lucius pacing back and forth as Katherine stood in front of him.
"Katherine, this is too much. Too hard for me to do. I-I need to protect my family first, above everything. My own kin and blood. Things are going to get scary, get intense, and I simply cannot focus on you any longer."
Tears threatened to spill out of the young woman's eyes, but her bite on the inside of her cheek kept them inside. "What do you mean? Lucius, I essentially my soul to the Dark Lord. Not literally-but you know what I mean. And now you're saying I need to leave? You said you'd protect me! What am I supposed to do now, huh? If you have a suggestion on how I can leave and not end up tortured or dead because of my betrayal I'd love to hear it."
"You are going to run. Run out the doors and through the garden. Do not come back. I will tell the Dark Lord you are dead. Flee the country, go to the United States, or Russia, or Japan. Just anywhere but here, please. It was a grave mistake entangling you in this mess. I'm fixing it for you. You are free, my dove." Lucius choked. This was the last thing he wanted. What he wanted was her in his life forever. But he was willing to sacrifice his own happiness to keep her safe. And he hated himself for it, letting this young woman dig a place in his heart and his life because now he had her to worry about and he would never forgive himself if anything even threatened to harm her.
"I'm not...I'm not leaving, Lucius, I refuse and you can't make me leave. I made the decision to save myself so I'm making the decision to stay. " She responded, crossing her arms as she gave a defying smirk. Lucius narrowed his eyes, walking closer to her. His own eyes threatened to spill tears but he continued to keep a collected expression.
"I will drag you out of this manor by your ear if I have to. I'm sorry but this is over. Now get out of my sight."
She wiped her wet eyes with the palm of her head, letting out a small sniffle. Lucius felt a pang of guilt, but pushed it down inside of him. "Go fuck yourself, Lucius. Because I don't get to anymore. Don't write to me, don't come find me, if you're seriously kicking me out even though I did nothing to deserve this then so be it. We're done!" Katherine yelled before storming out of the front door of the manor. Finally letting herself let a tear fall, she slammed the doors, Lucius flinching as they crashed shut behind her. Katherine was alone, and she felt herself shiver as the cold night air hit her cheek. Achilles trailed behind her, barking at her heels as he trampled on the cool grass.
The hedges at Malfoy Manor were reminiscent of the maze she saw at the Tournament. Why did Lucius have to kick her out in the dark, anyways? Normally they apparate out of the manor, and Katherine had no idea where she could go or how to even leave the front lawn. Glancing around to observe her surroundings, she tried to navigate her way through the tall hedges and garden sculptures. She wasn't scared, just lost and nervous. Shadows seemed to follow her and she could swear she was seeing shapes against the moonlight.
"What do we have here?"
Katherine stopped, her head spinning around as she surveyed the garden around her. The woman's voice came from no where, and she couldn't see anyone around her. Assuming it was her imagination, she shook off her worry and continuing heading out of the garden.
"Come here, pretty. Let's play a little game..."
She stopped again, this time seeing a flash of light pass her. Achilles howled and took off towards the manor, barking at any shadows he saw. "Achilles come back!" she cursed to herself as her dog disappeared into the hedges. Looking behind her, she saw a figure of a woman standing in the shadows. She could see the woman was holding what appeared to be a crooked wand in her hand, a nest of black curly hair waving in the moonlight. Even though her face was obscured, Katherine had seen that silhouette in the newspaper days before. Taking a step back, Katherine placed her hand on her wand. "I know who you are...you're Narcissa's sister Bellatrix Lestrange."
"Aw, how sweet. You know who I am. I've heard a lot about you, you know. What, are you trying to escape your promise to the Dark Lord?" Bellatrix laughed, walking slowly towards the other woman. Katherine drew her wand pointing it in front of her.
"No, he didn't. I'm just taking a walk in the garden, that's all. I think Narcissa is expecting you-"
Another flash of light spewed from the crooked wood of Bellatrix's wand, Katherine ducking to avoid her spell. It hit her own wand, knocking it out of her hand and onto the ground.
"Don't lie, dearie-I know mean old Luci kicked you out. He probably thinks you're long gone by now so why don't we play a little game of cat-and-mouse?" Katherine stopped, shaking her head. "That's not necessary, really. It was a pleasure meeting you Ms Lestrange." Bellatrix kept following her, waving her wand around.
"Run."
Katherine immediately took off, winding through the bushes. Every corner Bellatrix seemed to be there, and she would have to turn around and run. Her feet ached, and she just wanted to find the exit and leave this stupid garden and the stupid grounds of the stupid manor she was kicked out of. Every time she stopped to take a breath, she would hear that maniacal laughter and have to bolt again. She just kept running. But the garden was vast and the moonlight was the only light allowing her to see not even three feet ahead of her. The witch was firing spells left and right, Katherine dodging all of them.
Except one.
After what seemed like hours of running, she was struck in the foot, causing her to topple over. Her face slammed into the rough grass, the stinging of scratches causing her to let out a loud yelp. She could tell her ankle was throbbing painfully, and she clenched her teeth as she tried to scramble to her feet. With her injury she could only manage to crawl, the sharp blades of grass scraping at her arms. As she did, she felt the sharp poke of Bellatrix's wand on her cheek. "I win, little mouse." She purred. Katherine was about to give up, stop running. Maybe her death would make Lucius feel guilty for making her leave.
"STUPEFY!"
Her head perked up as Bellatrix was thrown off of her and into the bushes. A loud barking and the trampling of heavy footsteps filled her ears as she saw Lucius and Achilles rush to her side. The white doberman whimpered as he pawed at her, Lucius kneeling on the grass in front of her. Wincing, Katherine sat up and he placed his hands on her back to help her.
"Katherine, darling, I am so terribly sorry. Achilles found me and he was barking and howling and nipping at my ankles. I knew something had to have happened." He murmured, pressing his palms against her cheeks. "Oh, Merlin, you are bleeding. Come on, let's get you all nice and fixed up, alright? Narcissa will be out shortly to retrieve her sister. Do not worry, I just stunned her."
She nodded, letting her head fall against his shoulder. Lucius took a deep breath before picking her up in his arms, Katherine wrapping her arms around his neck. Her green eyes met his silver ones for a second, and in that moment she could tell he was on the verge of tears. Trying to be at least a little consoling, she pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth. "My knight in shining armor. Oh, what would this damsel do without you." She hummed. His face didn't move as he solemnly carried her out of the garden back to the manor.
-
Katherine's eyes fluttered open. She was in Lucius's room, she recognized the ceilings and the other surroundings. There were medicinal supplies scattered on the bedside table. Her head was pounding, and as she reached up to tap her forehead she felt a heated pack. Moving her gaze to her feet, her injured foot was propped up on a pillow. It felt better, but still was sore and painful to move. She could see her reflection in the mirror in front of her. There were a few scratches on her face and her lip was bruised, but other than that she thought she looked pretty damn good for a girl who outran Bellatrix Lestrange.
"Oh, you have awaken. Good."
She was surprised to hear that the voice belonged to Lucius. Expecting Narcissa, she turned her head and saw him sitting in his chair at her bedside. "Were you watching me sleep?" she teased, trying to prop herself up with the plush pillows.
"No, I was just waiting here to make sure you woke up." he replied, standing up to grab the bowl of rubbing alcohol and band-aids. He sat down on the bed next to her, reaching over to tuck her rustled hair behind her ear.
"You don't have to take care of me, you know. You can go. I'll be better by tomorrow and then I can finally leave for good." She mumbled. Lucius shook his head.
"My dove, I'm not letting you leave anymore. As this incident has proved to me, you are not capable of leaving my side." He insisted as he raised his eyebrow, pressing a cotton pad of alcohol to her cheek. She hissed in response, her nose scrunching at the sting. "Do not be such a baby, Katherine. It is only going to sting for a second." Removing the pad from her cheek, she felt his calloused fingertips press a small bandage on her face.
"I'm not weak, Lucius. I don't really need you to go from my sugar daddy to my sugar babysitter. I'm more than capable to look after myself."
"No, you are not." Lucius snorted back, rolling his eyes. "Bellatrix almost killed you. You are incredibly lucky I came to your aid when I did or else you would be at the morgue instead of in my bed. Now, I am deciding to let you stay because I realized that you are safer here under my protections than you are out there. Now that Bellatrix knows of this attempted escape, there is no doubt in my mind the Dark Lord knows of your betrayal as well."
"Lucius, you know me leaving was your idea right? Because you couldn't protect me anymore? I believe 'I simply cannot focus on you any longer' were the exact words you used. You're the one at fault here-"
Lucius paused for a moment before he shot back. "Katherine, I know that. However I will lose my own standing with the Dark Lord if I reveal to him that I was the one who suggested you flee. So let us get your story clear: You got scared and you decided to run. If you get questioned just beg for forgiveness and say that you acknowledge how idiotic of a mistake it was."
"So I'm taking responsibility for your shortcomings? Lucius, come on. That's ridiculous. Did you even kick me out because you couldn't bear the thought of having to protect me any longer or is there another reason?"
"Katherine that is enough. For your information the true reason I let you go was because I could not bear for you to see the person I truly am. For 14 years I was able to fake a sense of normalcy and gain all of the repor and respect I had before the war. Now that he's back, I fear I will have to become the old Lucius Malfoy, the one I pressed down so deep inside of me. The Lucius Malfoy that every witch and wizard called a monster when he was on trial. I do not deny the evil things I have done, Katherine. But I have never killed anyone with my own hands. I just fear your thought of me might begin to change and I-"
Katherine leaned as far as she could to press her lips against his. He froze for a moment but finally gave in to return her kiss when she threatened to pull away. She placed a gentle hand on his cheek as their lips moved together. It was soft and made her stomach flutter with butterflies. She just wanted him to know that she cared about him. Adored him. And that she would never ever let him believe he was the devil he thought he was. Pulling her lips away after a few seconds, she let her thumb rest on the center of his lips as if to shush him.
"Lucius I lo-"
"I am cutting you off there. Do not say you love me because you certainly do not. And I will be the one to let you know that out of all the complex emotions I feel for you love, true love, is not one of them." He said coldly, standing up from his seat on the bed. "I have to retire for the night. I shall see you in the morning. I wish you a speedy recovery." After that he was out. He just walked out of the room like nothing had happened. As if she wasn't laying in his bed feeling absolutely humiliated, tears running down her face. But he had lied to her yet again. It was as if his lies never stopped flowing freely out of his mouth. He despised himself for spewing out such bullshit but he could never tell her the truth.
He loved Katherine more than she would ever know he did.
Walking through an empty house
Tears in my eyes
Here is where the story ends
This is goodbye