I own nothing! All characters belong to JK Rowling, except Alexis…she's mine.

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Prologue

"Lily go!" James yelled. "Take Harry and go!"

"I can't leave Alexis," Lily told him through her tears.

"He wants to kill Harry," James said hugging her. "She's safe, for now."

Lily nodded and ran to the room holding her children. "Come on Harry," she murmured scooping him up.

"Goin' mummy?" Harry asked quietly nuzzling into her shoulder.

"Yes dear," Lily told him scooping Alexis up. "I love you, honey."

"Love you mummy," Alexis said hugging her mother tightly. "You goin' away?"

"Yes dear," she replied quietly putting Alexis down. "Hurry, in the closet, I will come back for you."

Alexis cried, not clearly understanding what was going on and held on to her mother. Lily felt tears stream down her cheeks. "This is all for the best baby." She brought her daughter to the closet. "Please be good and stay here."

Alexis cried loudly but stayed put. She didn't know quite what to do.

"Lexie!" Harry cried, clutching his mother. Lily tried her best to sooth him when James started screaming.

"Lily, take Harry and go! It's him! Go! I'll hold him off-"

Lily's eyes widened and she visibly shuttered, as Lord Voldemort walked into the room laughing. She put Harry down and drew her wand quickly.

She begged Voldemort to spare Harry and to kill her instead, but he refused. When Voldemort grew tired of her begging, he called, "Avada Kedavra!"

A flash of green forced Harry to cower into the corner as he watched his mother fall to the ground. Then Voldemort turned on Harry.

Just as he raised his wand Alexis cried out, "No!" She ran, stumbling to stand in front of Harry looking defiantly up at Voldemort through her bright emerald eyes.

"No 'urt 'Arry," Alexis told him. "Won' let you."

"For a baby, you're very stubborn," Voldemort laughed loudly studying the young girls face. Her eyes were swollen and red. He smirked and reached out to grab Alexis. She screamed and jumped back into Harry. "You're mine now." He said in a shuttering voice and ran his finger along her jaw. She bit him. "You little bitch," Voldemort growled, raising his wand.

"Can't 'urt 'Arry!"

"Move you silly girl!" He bellowed.

Harry tried to move in front of his twin sister, but she remained rooted to the spot, determined to protect her brother. "No."

Harry's eyes widened as he heard those two words spoken again and saw his sister fall to the ground.

Harry let his tears fall freely. He didn't truly understand what was happening, but his family was hurt and it was his fault, that he knew. Harry didn't even hear Voldemort laugh and yell the curse again. He collapsed to the ground, lying next to his sister. With the green flash, Voldemort disappeared and Harry reached for his sister's hand.

She turned to face him and smiled weakly. "Love you, Raven."

He smiled back and squeezed her hand before falling asleep.

Alexis heard footsteps coming and hoped that someone was going to help Harry. She looked up at the person lifting her up and noticed the black hooded cloak that they were wearing and felt a cold shiver run through her body.

She swallowed watching the man carefully as he chuckled at her fear. "Come," he told her sounding hoarse.

Alexis struggled to get out of the man's grip and ran out of the room. Her eyes widened when she saw her father lying on the ground and gasped when she was thrown forcibly against the wall and moaned in pain, sliding to the ground. Alexis was snatched up from the ground by the front of her shirt and slapped across her face.

"Don't ever do that again, do you understand me?" the man demanded of her.

Alexis swallowed, tasting blood and nodded. What choice did she have?

He lifted her up and Apparated out of Godric's Hollow.

Appearing elsewhere, the man handed her over to another.

"The Dark Lord will be pleased that we were able to recover her before Dumbledore was able to," said the man now holding Alexis. He caressed her cheek and she unwillingly whimpered. The man laughed. "Marcus, you have to take her."

"Why do I have to take her?" Marcus groaned. "I don't want a filthy half-blood in my home."

"You have to take her because the Ministry will, undoubtedly, search the manor soon," the man took a breath. "If they see her in my home, they will most certainly see that I took some part in her family's death and her kidnapping. In America, you can keep her hidden from the Ministry." He handed Alexis back to Marcus.

"Lucius," Marcus began.

Lucius held up his hand to silence Marcus. "Now, Cadogan, you and your wife will raise the girl and when the Dark Lord needs her, she will be ready. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir," Marcus muttered as Lucius disappeared. "Not a word from you girl, we'll talk in the morning."

With that, the two of them disappeared from sight. Soon the two arrived at the Cadogan Mansion in Salem. Alexis was fast asleep in the man's arms. As he looked at her, he almost forgot his job. He shook his head fiercely and instructed the house elves to bring the girl to the guest room. He went to inform his wife and owl his children about the task that was put in front of them.

************

"Marcus, we can't have her in the house," Cestelina told him.

"We don't have a choice," Marcus muttered. "We have to do this."

Cestelina waited for him to say more. In truth, she was worried about the young girl's safety, especially once her boys came home.

"We'll just have to deal with the bitch," Marcus said. "Malfoy's right, we are the safest place for her away from the Ministry and we have to raise her so that she can give the Dark Lord what he needs."

Cestelina gasped. "Haven't you heard?"

"Heard what?"

"He's gone," Cestelina whimpered preparing for a slap.

"No, my dear," Marcus whispered harshly, running his long finger along his wife's jaw line. "He's not. He may not be alive, but he's certainly not dead."

"What do you mean?"

Marcus rolled up his left sleeve and showed her the Dark Mark on his arm. "If he was, this would be gone too." With that he walked up the stairs to his room as Cestelina shuddered and wondered how long they would have to endure this task.

******5 years later******

"Master says girl must wake," a tiny voice quivered.

"Go 'way," Alexis muttered groggily and rolled over to her side. Every morning the house elf came in to wake her, and every morning Alexis wanted to stay asleep. As far as she was concerned, staying asleep was always better then being awake.

Mindy, the elf, shook Alexis. Alexis groaned and pulled the covers over her head. The young girl heard the elf sigh and pull the covers off of her.

"Come now, Master says the girl must bathe," Mindy instructed, pointing her to the adjoining bathroom.

As always, Alexis did as she was told, dragging her sleepy body out of the bed and to the bathroom. Remembering the man that slapped her the night before, and so many nights prior to that, Alexis always made haste in her tasks. Once done with her bath, Alexis brushed her red hair so that it fell onto her shoulders. She pulled on a white t-shirt, blue jeans, and, around her neck, she tied an emerald handkerchief tied to cover her scar. As soon as she was dressed the elf took her to see the master of the home.

"Knock," instructed the elf, and then she was gone.

Alexis raised a shaking hand and knocked once. "Enter," instructed the voice inside.

Alexis slowly entered and stood before Marcus. He was sitting in a black leather chair reading some papers. She took this time to study the dark study she was in. It has changed so little in the last few years she's been at the Cadogan's. Just a few new things from the Malfoy's that Lucius needed to get rid of to protect his image. The few torches lit, gave the room an eerie glow. Alexis shivered as if cold and wrapped her arms around herself.

Alexis stood feeling increasingly nervous, and began thinking of Lucius. She was only safe from the abuse Marcus put her through when the Malfoy was around. She wrapped her arms more tightly around herself when finally Marcus glanced up at her. He cleared his throat and began talking. "Stand up straight!" Marcus barked eyes flashing in anger, as they always did when she was around. She quickly dropped her arms to her side and stood straighter. Marcus leaned back in his chair and began talking, "You are now old enough to take some responsibility around the mansion. Seeing that I am not your father, but your primary care giver, you will obey my orders and follow them fully, no matter what they are. If you have a problem with that or anything else, don't come to me, because I don't care. And when I summon you, you will come directly to me, stopping whatever it is that you're doing. Do I make myself clear?"

Alexis nodded and groaned inwardly. Now on top of walking on eggshells, she'd probably be treated like the house elves.

"We shall see," Marcus muttered. "Get me a glass of water!" He pointed to a pitcher and glass at the other side of the room.

Alexis slowly walked over to the buffet and lifted the glass pitcher to pour the water into the crystal glass. She carefully lifted the glass and brought it to Marcus. He held his hand out for the glass and she handed it to him. The glass slipped between her fingers and fell shattering to the floor. She gasped and looked up at Marcus, feeling the tears form in her eyes, but to afraid to let them fall.

As the door opened, Marcus slapped Alexis hard across the face and she fell to her knees. "You stupid, clumsy girl!" As he raised his hand again a voice spoke.

Alexis glanced quickly at the door and saw a tall blond man and a blond boy about her age. The boy looked at his father, who nodded, and ran to Alexis.

"Are you ok?" he asked her, studying her pale, bruised face.

She looked up at Marcus and he glared at her. She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. To her surprise her wound began to heal itself. She could, however, still taste the blood that had already spilt in her mouth.

"Marcus, it would do well to control your temper," Lucius said with a grin. "However, if I see you do that again, I will have to punish you."

Marcus muttered under his breath and took out his wand. Alexis gasped and the boy turned to look at her. He watched the horrified look in her eyes in confusion. Marcus flicked the wand and muttered a few words. The glass repaired itself and the water vanished.

"Draco!" Lucius yelled. "Go play with the girl!"

Draco nodded and helped Alexis to her feet.

"Wait!" Alexis froze, recognizing the voice as Marcus'. Not wanting to get hit again, she stayed rooted to the spot. "You're letting your son play with a filthy half-blood?"

Lucius laughed. "Don't question me. My son is bound to her, as she is to him. Moreover, you are aware that the man you are so loyal to is a 'filthy half-blood' as you say. It would do nicely for you to hold your tongue." He turned to Draco. "Go."

Draco steered Alexis out of the room and shut the door. Alexis fell to her hands and knees and coughed up blood. Draco ran up to her and helped her up. "You're not ok, are you?"

She smiled weakly at him.

"Why does your father hit you?"

"My father doesn't hit me," Alexis told him, eyes narrowing. "He's not my father."

"Where is your father?"

"I don't know," Alexis said sadly and shrugged. "I don't know where anyone is."

"Oh," Draco looked at her and shifted awkwardly. After a brief pause, the boy spoke again, "Come on, let's play!"

"Ok."

Draco ran outside with Alexis closely behind.

"Um, I'm Alexis," she said watching Draco carefully as he attempted to climb a tree.

"I'm Draco," he smiled. "Come on." Draco motioned for her to follow him.

"I can't climb trees," Alexis told him.

"How come?" the boy jumped down from the tree and stood in front of Alexis. "It's easy."

"I've never climbed a tree before," Alexis scowled at him. "Besides, I'm not allowed to."

"Why not?"

"Ask Marcus."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Is he always like that?"

"Like what?"

"I mean, does he always hit you?"

Alexis shrugged and sat down in the grass. "I don't see why you care."

"Come on, tell me!"

"Why should I?"

"Because, I said so," Draco smirked. "And you're going to tell me."

"Oh really?" Alexis picked at the grass avoiding Draco's gaze. "And what if I don't?"

"I'll tell Father."

Alexis' head snapped up, her eyes narrowed. Even though the elder Malfoy was her protector there was no telling what he would do to her if she'd disobey his son. "Fine."

Draco sat down next to her and waited patiently. Well, as patiently as he could bouncing around on the ground next to her.

Alexis looked at him. "Yes, he always hits me."

"When was the last time he did?" Draco's voice was barely a whisper.

"You saw him hit me."

Draco's eyes narrowed and he tried to keep calm. "Alright, before then."

"Last night he used his wand on me." Draco watched Alexis as she said this. Her eyes glazed over and she looked as if it were a painful memory.

Draco shifted uncomfortably. "Why do you look fine?"

"Don't know," she shrugged. "I heal quickly, I guess."

The boy looked at her sadly. He's never seen a more beautiful person before, let alone a person as sad as Alexis looked. Draco scowled to himself wondering where these feelings were coming from and why he was having them. He glanced back at Alexis, who was staring at a rabbit. He lightly pat her back.

"Why are you being nice to me?"

"I don't know," Draco shrugged. "I like you, Lexis. Do you like me?"

Alexis nodded and hugged Draco. Draco laughed and tickled Alexis until she begged him to stop. He grinned at her and laid down on the grass next to her.

Alexis was confused. She spent the last five years being despised, hated. She knew that Marcus hated her and didn't want her around. She couldn't understand why everyone she loved was gone, why they weren't looking for her. And yet, here was Draco being friendly and treating her like she was, well, cared for. Alexis knew that there was no one left that loved her, and she began to cry.

"What's wrong?" Draco asked brow furrowed.

Alexis rolled over and refused to look at him. Draco got upset. He rolled the girl back onto her back and sat on her stomach. "What's wrong?"

Alexis shut her eyes and refused to look at Draco. She heard Draco groan in frustration and opened an eye. She saw a concerned look on the young Malfoy's face that quickly turned to anger. "Tell me, or I'm telling Father."

Alexis winced as her eyes shot open. "Please, no!"

"Then tell me."

Alexis sighed and looked into Draco's gray eyes. "Why do you like me?"

Draco shrugged. "Don'no. Why shouldn't I?"

"'Cuz everyone who did is gone," Alexis said sadly. "And I don't know why."

"I like you!" Draco said triumphantly. "And I'm never going to leave you!"

"You only played with me, 'cuz your dad told you to!" Alexis told him feeling the anger rise in her chest.

"Nu-uh!" Draco glared at her. "I wanted to. And Father lets me do anything I want to!"

Alexis searched the boy's eyes, not quite knowing what she was looking for. He was sitting on her stomach smirking at her confusion.

"You're my friend," Draco announced.

"And what if I don't want to be your friend?"

Draco pouted as if he was insulted. "You don't like me?"

"I like you," Alexis replied quietly. "You'll get hurt if we're friends." Just like everyone else, she added silently.

"I won't get hurt," Draco smirked again. "I'll protect you from everything."

"Really?"

Draco nodded, and Alexis felt warm. She smiled at him. "I'll protect you, too!"

Draco stood up and extended a hand. Alexis took it as he helped pull her up. They stood staring at each other for a while when suddenly. "Mwah!" Alexis got kissed on the cheek by the young Malfoy.

She scrunched up her nose. "What was that for?"

"To show you I like you!"

"Oh," Alexis shifted and threw her arms around the slightly taller boy and hugged him. He grinned and hugged the girl back. For the first time since she arrived at the Mansion, Alexis felt safe.

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Please review. I'm new at this and would love you to tell me what you think and how I can make this better.