Fates Collide

Draco waited patiently outside the main doors. He'd been there for nearly an hour. After thinking it over, he had decided that she must keep the horse somewhere outside. So, in order to get to that horse she would have to come outside at some point. He knew it would be a while before she came out, probably around four or five in the morning, but he couldn't take the chance that she rode at night as well. He looked at his watch, it was just past midnight. He sat back against the cold stone wall and looked up into the star spangled sky. Why catching her was so important he couldn't explain or why he was giving up the comfort of his bed for the night to sit outside on the damp ground.

His eyes drifted shut and he almost missed the soft swoosh of the door as it was opened. He blended into the shadows and watched. Light streamed through the open door and then disappeared again as it was closed. But there was no one there. He watched, trying not to miss anything. Then, suddenly, she was there, standing at the bottom of the steps. She turned away from him and began running towards the forbidden forest. He could tell exactly where she was headed. He waited a minute before getting up and speeding after her. He soon arrived at Hagrid's shack and quickly slipped into the shadows, keeping as quiet as possible. He crept around the side and could hear voices coming from the paddock.

"Hagrid, I'm really sorry. I just wanted to get all my studying done and the time just slipped away." Malfoy recognized the girl's voice and crept slightly closer.

"S'all right Thea, it wasn't no trouble, just got concerned when eight rolled by and there be no sign of yeh. Decided yer horse might want in afore the unfriendlies of the forest took an interest in'm." Hagrid paused before going on. "S'pose this means yeh won't have time for tea tonight."

Malfoy heard the girl laugh, a full laugh not a tittering laugh such as the one the Slytherin girls reserved for him. "No, I'm afraid not, but I'll tell what I can do. I will bring Bristol in early tomorrow night and give him a real good scrub and we can talk then."

"Sounds great, but yeh don't mind do yeh?"

"Of course not, well I'd better say goodnight and settle Bristol."

"Right, well see yeh tomorrow." Malfoy heard the footsteps of the beast as he walked over to his door and went inside. He waited another few minutes before stepping out of the shadows and entering the paddock. The girl, Thea, was standing with her back to him, one of the horse's hooves in her hand. Malfoy walked forward but hadn't taken two steps before he was stopped in his tracks.

"I know you're there," she said calmly, setting the hoof down. She turned around to face him and seemed satisfied when a look of surprise crossed his face. "What do you want?" She asked shortly. "I hope you weren't expecting to get me in trouble because I have permission."

A look if disappointment must have crossed his face because she went on. "I believe it's rather obvious that I have permission to do this." She stood there waiting for him to say something.

"Yeah, another example of special treatment for the headmaster's pet Gryffindors." He crossed his arms and sneered at her.

She didn't seem phased. "This isn't special treatment, I pay for this out of my own money and I'm paying a lot more than I would for any other stable, given the fact that I still have to buy everything for Bristol." She looked at him for a moment then added. "Your one to talk of special treatment, Snape is the worst for playing favorites that I've ever seen." She then turned and picked up the hind hoof and began to pick at it with a silver instrument.

Draco didn't know what to do; he stood there for a few awkward seconds before asking, "What are you doing."

"Cleaning Bristol's hooves, it makes sure he won't get stones and go lame." She put that hoof on the ground and turned back towards him. "Look, now that you know you can't get me in trouble, why don't you just go back to Hogwarts." She started leading the horse into the shed and at that moment Draco saw the huge flaw in his plan. He had no way of sneaking back into Hogwarts. Somehow he was going to have to get her to help.

*****

Thea led Bristol into the shed and unhooked him from the lead rope. She gave him a final pat then closed the door behind her. Malfoy was still standing there. She had hoped he had already slunk back to Hogwarts and she wouldn't have to deal with him anymore. "Well, are you going to go or not?" She demanded, placing her hands on her hips. A conniving smirk crossed his face. She paused, what was he up to?

"Actually, I was wondering if you could bring me back." She looked at him disbelieving.

"Why on earth would I want to do that?" she exclaimed, dropping her impatient air.

"Well, I'd rather not take the chance of having a teacher catch me and with that invisibility spell you know. I'd have no problem getting back." His smirk widened. "Besides you may have permission from Dumbledore, but my father could.."

She cut in, her anger finally getting to her. "Oh, of course, you'll go running to daddy just like you always do. Is that your answer to everything," she demanded. Malfoy's face went slightly pink with anger. She was only making things worse and she knew it. She was never going to slip by his notice ever again. She rubbed her temple, trying to banish her headache. She'd had one most of the night and this confrontation wasn't helping it any.

He opened his mouth to retort but she cut in again. "Fine, I'll take you back. I don't want to bother with this." At that she turned and began walking back towards the school. Malfoy caught up and walked silently beside her.

As they reached Hogwarts, Thea finally decided how she was going to do this. She pulled out her wand from her robes. She never needed it for this spell but Malfoy wouldn't understand that. Eventually, she was supposed to learn to do any spell without a wand but for now all she could manage were spells that only affected her. Attacks, curses, cures and all the rest still required a wand.

She turned to Malfoy. "OK, grab onto my shoulder and don't let go or they will see you." Malfoy obeyed as she turned back towards the school, ignoring the urge the shrug his hand off. She immediately began calling up the spell. She muttered nonsense words under her breath, to fool Malfoy, and then they both disappeared. Tobin trotted next to them as they entered the castle. She began heading towards the dungeons when Malfoy pulled on her shoulder.

"You don't know the way," he hissed into her ear. "I should lead." Thea nearly retorted at that, but caught herself. She wouldn't know the way if she were a regular Gryffindor. Of course, she knew where all four houses were, but Malfoy couldn't know that. She stepped back to stand beside him.

He immediately started going again. They walked in silence until finally they arrived at his common room. As soon as they stopped Thea pulled out of his grip. She still held the invisibility spell. Malfoy made no move towards the door. She turned and began to walk back the way they had come. Behind her she heard a muttered word and a creak. She broke into a run, Tobin still next to her. She could feel a slight strain from delaying her change. Her headache was going to be worse by tomorrow. She raced through the halls, eager to Shift and soar on the winds.

*****

Thea stood patiently in line for the gateway. Her exams had gone well enough. She might have done better if not for another attack on Harry. A group of Death Eaters in Hogsmeade had nearly gotten to him. Fortunately, Sirius had been there. She had been keeping tabs on Harry but once again had been of no use. She thought they might as well pull her out. The only information she could pass on was who talked to whom. Her hearing, at least, was giving her some advantage. She had written to her parents saying as much, but they still refused to hear it. The line moved on but she paid no attention.

Suddenly someone shoved her from behind and she stumbled forward. "Get out of the way if you won't move." Malfoy sneered. Thea spun around, but Tobin stood between them, silently baring his teeth. Thea quickly turned back around and pushed her cart forward. Tobin followed, but he still faced Malfoy. As soon as she could she ran through the barrier and disappeared through the crowds.

"He has been getting worse ever since that night," Tobin commented as they made their way towards the lot. Thea knew that already. Every chance that Malfoy got he would insult her, tease her, anything to get a response. He seemed to be dividing his time between annoying Harry and going at her. There was only one difference, with her he never made it a spectacle, he simply went to Hagrid's hut every morning he had Herbology. He seemed to be trying to spy on her. It was getting really irritating to have her guard up constantly.

During exams she hadn't had to worry about him because she had already sent Bristol home. A neighbor had agreed to look after him until she arrived. Thea was so glad to be going home. She began scanning the crowd for any sign of Gabriel, a friend who was supposed to pick her up. She guessed he decided to wait in the parking lot.

As she exited the doors she spotted Gabriel. He was tall and built, since he was a rugby player. He was a friend from this side of the pond. He lived near her house, about two and a half hours away. He was quite cute in her opinion but friendship was a far as they had or ever would go. While she never considered herself ugly, she knew she wasn't a stunning beauty. She was normal, even without all that disguise stuff, there simply wasn't anything that remarkable about her. Her eyes were the only feature she was truly pleased with.

"I don't know why you're so interested in that boy," Tobin remarked interrupting her thoughts. "You know perfectly well that he isn't your Soulbond, so why would you want to date him."

"Eavesdropper," she muttered. "Anyway, how can I know if he is or not, don't you have to date them to know?"

"Spending time with them is the same thing and you have known him for five years. You would know and besides, you are being too impatient. You have eternity, worry about school for now."

Thea silently agreed and waved to Gabriel, who trotted over and gave her a hug. As they made their way towards Thea's car, which Gabriel had driven up, an idea of who Gabriel might like came to her. She smiled inwardly at that. Her friend from the states, Alyn, was staying with her for the summer. She wanted to see England, so Thea agreed not to return home and give her a tour. This could be very fun.

"Playing matchmaker is playing with fire," Tobin warned, but she simply ignored him. After all who knew better how to play with fire.

*****

Draco watched as Thea quickly disappeared from sight. He then turned and began looking for his parents. He spotted his father and pushed his cart towards him. Another Muggle driver was waiting for his trunks. He shoved the cart towards the driver then faced his father. Lucius Malfoy nodded once then began walking towards the exit.

As they neared the exit Draco once again saw Thea. He didn't know why he bothered so much. He had to get up early on those Herbology mornings just to go and irritate her. To his rational mind it made no sense, except for the fact that he enjoyed those mornings. Maybe it was just the fact that he now had something to hold over someone. He'd decided not to analyze it anymore.

He watched as a boy ran up to Thea and hugged her. For an instance anger shot through him. What was that Muggle doing? Then the boy set her down and they began to talk. This was seemingly another one of the girl's Muggle friends. He sneered at the scene. "Muggle lover," he growled as he walked out into the lot.

Lucius turned towards him. "What was that?" he asked sharply.

Malfoy jerked his head in Thea's direction. "Another Muggle-lover from school," Draco replied. His father looked in the direction he had indicated, his lip curling into a sneer.

"Which one?" he snarled

"The girl, her name is Thea," Draco answered

Lucius paused for a moment then asked, "What was that name?"

"Thea, she's a year below me. I don't know her last name." Draco looked at his father. He seemed concentrating on something.

"She isn't in the Hogwarts registration," his father said. Draco didn't know what that meant. He knew she had to be unless, like Potter, her information wasn't given out. That meant only Dumbledore knew her address. Why would she be important enough to keep that information hidden? His father seemed to be thinking fast. He turned to the driver and told him to get the car ready. As soon as the driver went, he turned back to Draco. "I want you to follow her," he said quietly. "Take your Nimbus and my invisibility cloak and trail her for today. Tonight, come home and report what you saw. Wait here," he ordered. Lucius Disapparated. Draco went to the car and ordered the driver to open the back. He did so then returned to his seat. Draco opened his trunk and got out his Nimbus, all the while keeping an eye on Thea as she began loading up her car.

Lucius Apparated, holding out his cloak. Draco took it, thrilled that he could finally use it. His father was rather possessive. Draco looked around then quickly put on the cloak. He jumped onto his broomstick and kicked off from the ground. He turned and began hovering over Thea's car. He saw his father get into his own and drive away. He waited as Thea finished loading her car, then she and the boy got in and began to drive.

*****

Two and a half hours later Thea pulled up into the driveway of her home. Gabriel had been excited to hear that Alyn was coming for a visit. Thea had already told him much about her. Thea laughed as Gabriel brought her up to speed with his family. Gabriel's little sister had apparently not changed that much. Thea got out of the car and looked over at the house. There, sitting on the front step, were two cats. One was completely black except for its front paws and the other was a velvety blue.

Thea stopped dead and looked around. There was nobody in the yard.

Gabriel spoke up. "Hey aren't those your folks' cats?" he asked as he looked over at her. She nodded slowly as a smile crept across her face. Her parents had said that they wouldn't be able to make it until next week. Obviously they had wanted to surprise her. She whooped and dashed for the door, Gabriel following behind her. She reached the stoop and yanked the door open. Her mother caught her up in a fierce hug as she entered the house. She let go of her mom and hugged her dad. "When did you get here?" she asked, delighted at the sight of her parents. They all made their way into the family room and began talking. Her parents told her about all that was happening back in her old neighborhood. The hours flew by, before Thea realized the time.

"Maybe its time to call it a night. Gabriel should probably be getting home." Gabriel laughed and got up.

"Yeah, well I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Thea and Gabriel walked out into the yard, said a quick goodbye, and then Gabriel trotted off towards his home. Thea turned and headed into the barn. She handed Bristol the baby carrots she had snatched and checked him over. He was in perfect shape and, for nothing better to do, she began to clean out his stall.

She looked up as her mother walked into the stable. She waved a greeting and went back to her task. Her mother stood in the stall entrance, her slender figure and long black hair illuminated by the stable lights. Thea continued working feeling her mother's hazel eyes upon her. She simply watched before asking, "Why so eager to leave Hogwarts?" Thea winced, her mother was rarely subtle.

"I simply don't see the point of my staying at Hogwarts mom," she explained patiently. "Let's face it, I haven't gathered any ground shattering info or helped in keeping Harry Potter safe. What's the point?" she demanded.

Her mother sighed, "We don't expect you to gather 'earth shattering info' as you put it, we just would like any and all sources of information that we can get." She walked over and hugged Thea around the shoulders. "Besides Hogwarts provides one of the best magical educations in the world. We're also giving you an opportunity." She let go of Thea's shoulders and faced her. "Now, I know that something else is bothering you, so why don't you tell me about that."

Thea groaned inwardly, she really didn't want to talk about Malfoy. But she knew her mom's persistent nature so she elaborated on her situation. "Now, not only does he know who I am but he has something to hold over me..." her mother interrupted her.

"He holds nothing over you; you have permission and are providing the school with extra funds." She smiled before adding. "He should be no stranger to such behavior; his father's whole career is based on such bribery."

"Yeah," Thea added with a laugh, "think of what trouble his family would be in if he hadn't inherited his fortune." She and her mother both laughed at that before Thea sobered. "But his father could still use his influence to get rid of Bristol. Malfoy follows his father's every word and obeys like some bleached puppy," she added in disgust.

"Well, for now, this Malfoy is simply an annoyance and I'm sure in the fall he will be sick of bothering you and move on to someone else." Her mom reassured her. "I daresay he'll want to make sure not to miss any opportunities with Harry and his friends." She gave Thea another hug and with that turned and left the stables.

Thea hoped her mom was right she had had enough of Malfoy.

*****

Draco fumed as he soared back home. That whole family deserved to pay, he thought savagely. They had no respect for their betters. After arriving at their house he had been pretty bored as he listened to their conversation outside their living room window. He now knew that their last name was Aldon. Their house was decent enough, so they weren't poor but their house also looked very strange. There were devices that he could see had no purpose, like that large black box in a glass case. He had thought that this meant that she was a mudblood, but when the boy left, her father had used magic to get a book.

Then Draco had gone and heard the conversation in the barn. That damn girl had the nerve to insult him and his father. His family was seemingly a joke to these people. He gripped his broom tighter trying to vent his rage on it. Well, he knew now that the girl was spying on him. He could feed her false information. He grinned maliciously; his father would be pleased with what he had gathered.

Draco looked up and saw Malfoy Manor spread out before him. He smiled again, those people might think that they were better than him but he knew otherwise. He soared around the house to his second floor window. He pushed open the window and glided into his room. It was an immense room that was richly furnished. His canopy bed was set between two high windows. He hopped off his broom and landed on the thick, lush carpeting. He set his broom against his bed and made his way towards his father's study.

Lucius looked up from his desk as Draco entered the room. Draco calmly walked towards the desk, a confident smirk on his face. Lucius raised one eyebrow inquisitively. "Success, I assume." Draco nodded then took the seat opposite his father. He delivered his report to his father and watched Lucius' reaction.

Lucius appeared to be barely annoyed at the news, but Draco could tell that he was suppressing a deep anger. Lucius spoke, his words matching the coldness in his eyes. "They shall have to be taught respect. The Malfoys are not to be so degraded." Lucius paused for one moment, seemingly lost in thought before he spoke again. "You will continue to spy on them." He paused then looked directly at Draco. "Or I can get someone else, you really have no plans for this summer and it needn't be every day."

Draco considered this for a moment then decided, "No, I can handle that easy enough."

Lucius nodded once then returned to his work, but as Draco rose to leave Lucius asked, "What was their name again?"

"Aldon"

"I have never heard of such a family." Draco waited for more but when Lucius continued to ignore him, Draco left.

*****

Draco sat on the ground, his chin propped up on his hand. He had been spying on the girl for nearly a week. No important information had turned up since the first night but some surprising developments had taken place. Two days after the first night back, he had seen Thea's parents pack. They had gone behind the barn with their things and had Disapparated. Thea seemed to be staying alone, but as soon as she had said good bye to her parents she had gotten into the car and driven off. She had returned to London and driven to Heathrow International Airport, according to the signs. Draco, glad that he had stayed nearly on top of the car the whole time, had waited in the lot for nearly two hours.

Planes flew in every direction and regularly landed and took off. The airport itself seemed like a maze. He wasn't sure where he was and didn't want the risk of getting lost. Thea had to come back to her car at some point. Thea had returned but with a girl in tow. The girl had no accent that he recognized, but since she was speaking English he guessed that she was from Canada or the U.S. That girl's name was Alyn. She now stayed in the house's guest room.

Draco came back from his contemplations and watched as Thea trotted around the ring. This horse was not hers. A neighbor had asked Thea to look after her horse while she went away on holiday. Thea had agreed and would be looking after this mare for another three weeks. Thea's horse, Bristol it was called, grazed in the adjoining pasture, while Thea's friend had remained inside asleep. Draco had learned that Thea was usually up and about by nine. It was a little past ten and Draco didn't think anything useful was going to be learned from today. He started to get up, deciding that he would go home for the day, but when he turned to crawl back to his broomstick he ran smack into two brown eyes.