The best chaser that had ever been in Gryffindor, in Hogwarts really, stood hidden in the stands of the Quidditch pitch to spy on the new line up of the Slytherin team. Ever since Hux had been injured in that freak Hex battle on the stairs to potions that Poe was one hundred per cent absolutely not involved in, the Slytherins had struggled to get a new chaser and a new team captain. Rumours had been going around that the new line up was crap, but in truth, they were a little bit terrifying. Ben Solo, the angry boy from sixth year, with the long hair who was basically the new wizard Hitler was their new seeker, and the new Captain. And the way he shouted and threw the other players' brooms around when they messed something up… Maybe another freak hex battle would have to take place. Poe flinched a little as Solo yelled into the face of the new beater. All he could tell about the boy by looking at him from behind, was that he was a reasonably tall black boy, and he had an exceptional arse.

The practice was basically over anyways, so it was time enough to be sneaking back into the castle. The head of his house, Professor Organa, the mother of that little Slytherin Hitler, had given him detention for that freak hex battle that he was definitely not involved in, and he was almost late. Having run up the goddamned moving staircases, he made it just in the nick of time, and raised a hand to the door of her office to knock.

"Come in Dameron." called the voice of the head of his house. He held his breath for a second before opening the door.

"Professor. Sorry I'm late I-"

"You're exactly on time, and you know it Dameron." There was a wry smile in the tone of her voice. "How is the Slytherin team shaping up?"

"How..?" He shook his head and abandoned his question. She always knew. Somehow she always knew. "Scary. Lots of shouting, professor. But uh… Good. Yeah. Very formidable." He had to remind himself that Ben was her son, so he couldn't insult her. She sighed, then rose from her high-backed chair, turning away from the crackling fire.

"Come along, Dameron. I have something useful for you to do for this detention. And maybe it'll teach you not to hex Slytherins." Poe frowned and groaned. This didn't sound good. Couldn't he just write out some lines? He had beautiful handwriting. Organa knew that. What was she playing at at all?

She led him down into the Defence against the Dark Arts Classroom, the place where she taught students day in and day out. A small brown haired, brown eyed girl sat at one of the desks. She was a couple of years younger than him, but she looked like a pretty girl, bright as a button. Ravenclaw, judging by the crest on her uniform.

"Busy night for detention, professor?" He gave the girl a cheeky smile. He was gorgeous and popular, and the best chaser in the history of ever. All the girls loved him. The girl just stared at him in confusion.

"Not at all. Rey here wishes to perfect some of her charms and curses. She's come to me for some extra tutelage, and it would be more appropriate for her to practice with another student." Poe stared at Professor Organa in disbelief.

"You're… You're going to make me learn?" he took a deep breath. This truly was a punishment. "Okay, professor." Organa proceeded to space the pair of them out facing across from one another. Poe was a short enough guy, but this girl was even shorter than him. She had a vulnerable nervous look about her. He really didn't want to hurt her in any way. He swallowed hard, and decided he would hold back. She was younger than him, and he probably knew more magic.

After some brief instruction, Professor Organa set them to disarming each other. Poe took a breath to concentrate. He took out his wand, and was about to wish her luck, when the girl, Rey, pulled her wand out and silently disarmed him. Didn't even say expelliarmus or anything. He stared at her in shock for a second, but she looked really truly pleased with herself. Professor Organa smirked at the stunned look on Poe's face. Fine, he thought to himself, No holding back now, missy! Throughout the detention, despite Poe being older, more experienced, and good at magic, Rey disarmed him, stunned him and put a full body bind curse on him. He felt a little bit stiff and sore, but overall he wasn't the worse for wear.

"Well you sure know your spells." Poe said, offering a humbled smile.

"Thanks." she smiled back at him, for the first time, and seemed pleased enough with herself.

"That was very good, Rey. Dameron, I assume you've learned your lesson about starting fights in the corridors." Poe scuffed his shoe, and muttered something about not even being there when that happened. "You both may leave." Rey smiled and said goodbye to the professor, and Poe picked up his bag and waved her goodbye. Rey was already a good bit ahead.

"Hey! Hold up!" The girl, Rey turned in surprise. "You were really good! I seriously think that that is the most enjoyment I've ever gotten out of being stunned. Truly. You're an artist." He was only being mildly sarcastic.

"Thanks, I'm surprised I was able to get a single curse past that massive ego of yours." she said, with a smile plastered on her face.

"Oh you are a smart one. I'm Poe. Poe Dameron. It was lovely to meet you Rey." he offered a hand. She gave a short chuckle and took it.

"It was nice to meet you too Dameron. Best of luck with your little flying game and all that." He was going to quip back at her, but she was already making her way towards her tower on the opposite side of the castle.

The only thought he had on his slog down to the main hall was Thank God it's Saturday. He scrubbed the sleep from his eyes with the corner of the sleeve on his over-sized red knit jumper. It had been left to him by a much bigger guy who had been at the school two years ago. They'd been quite fond of each other, and Poe had been quite fond of his jumper. He slouched into the hall packed full of animated students, towards the Gryffindor table. His owl BB-8 swept down to him, carrying what was clearly a letter from his father. Bless him, he was still putting stamps on the letters he sent to his son at his magical school. He admired his father for adapting as well as he did to having a magical son. It was a right shock. Poe's mother had died when he was very young and had never gotten around to telling Kes, his father that she was a witch. They had both found out properly when Headmistress of Hogwarts, Professor McGonogall, had come to call on them when Poe turned eleven.

Dear Poe,

Hope you are well. The house and the dog are fine. Oh and I'm okay too.

I can't wait for your next broomstick sports match. Much better than footie if you ask me!

So proud of you son. You're a right little star.

Love you, and see you soon.

Dad.

He smiled at the letter, as he pulled a stack of pancakes in his direction. He broke off a bit of a nearby waffle and fed it to his tiny owl BB-8 who chirped happily. His teammates sat around him, talking at him, but his brain was working too slowly just now to really take any part of the conversation. He gazed off in the distance as he ate slowly, basking in the late Autumn sunshine that streamed through the windows. He gazed over at the Ravenclaw table, trying to see if he could spot that girl Rey from last night. She had been a nice girl. He wondered if he could hang out with her, or if she thought he was an ass. Would she think he was coming on to her? He wasn't closeted, but he didn't have a neon sign hanging over him saying "SUPER GAAAAAAY HONEY!" That would be ridiculous. But she was quiet but confident, always thrilled when she got something right. He liked her. There she was! And she was saying goodbye to a Slytherin boy who was walking away from her table. He knew that arse. The new Slytherin beater! Poe stood up immediately, nearly knocking over a pitcher of pumpkin juice.

He walked as quickly as he could without looking suspicious over to the Ravenclaw table, seating himself beside Rey.

"Hey! Great to see you! How are you? Going to Hogsmeade today? Me too. We should hang out! What do you think?" Rey looked completely taken aback, staring at him, wide-eyed along with another couple of Ravenclaws. She took a long drink of tea.

"Good morning Dameron." She set her mug down and folded her Daily Prophet neatly. "I am going to Hogsmeade, but I was going to meet my friend Finn there. You're welcome to come along if you like, but Finn will be there." So she thought he was asking her on a date? He was delighted that the boy might be there.

"Finn? Is that the boy you were just talking to? Slytherin? Lovely to see houses getting along with each other. I always thought Slytherins got a bad rap." Rey gave an odd sort of chuckle.

"You just go from zero to sixty in no time flat, don't you?"

"But you think it's charming. Look at that smile, I'm off the hook."

Rey shrugged and took another sip of her tea.

"Fine. Finn has some stuff to do with his stupid Quidditch team first, then I'll be meeting him in the Three Broomsticks. You're welcome to walk down with me if you want." Poe gave her a shy smile, finally realising that he was being weird, and coming on too strong. But that's just how he did things sometimes. Maybe it was a Gryffindor thing.

"I'll take you up on that." He just really needed to see the face of the boy with the incredible arse. And hang out with the girl who hex the pants off a troll in two seconds. "I'll see you later. Please don't hex me again. I've got bruises on my bruises." He made to get up, but she shot a hand out and took his wrist, lightly. Her eyes were wide.

"You're not actually bruised are you?" She sounded horrified.

"I promise that I don't actually have bruises. You haven't hurt me yet, biscuit." He winked at her before making his way back to the Gryffindor table.

"Didn't know Ravenclaw's were your type." a friend of his said, nudging him in the ribs.

"She's a nice girl. Really smart." His friend scoffed.

"Thought you were gay…"

"And?" His friend put his hands up, backing out of what could potentially result in yet another freak hex battle. Poe craned his neck trying to see if he could spot the boy over at the Slytherin table, instead he got a rude gesture from Ben Solo, who was conspiring with Hux. He had a sinking feeling there would be a string of vicious pranks coming his way. "Bring it on." he muttered into his pumpkin juice.