The Quidditch rules at Hogwarts were truly horrid. Why the hell would an eleventh year not be allowed to play for the team?!

In his head Daé understood that it wouldn't be fair if an twenty-one year old would play against kids from twelve till seventeen year old. But that didn't mean his heart agreed. He wanted to play too.

Though it was probably for the best that This was the reason he wasn't allowed to play. If it had been because of his creature inheritance Daé would have been livid. Yes, it was true that in theory he had an advantage because of his wings. But that didn't mean he would use them during a, so called friendly, game.

While it had been called a friendly game, Daé didn't believe it was true for even one second. As he had just been proven right. All the brooms from his team were broken. And, as if that hadn't been bad enough already, the snitch was stolen. Or released and didn't felt like returning, something which was honestly just as believable.

The brooms he should be able to fix, as it had been quite clearly done with malicious intent, Daé would force Hogwarts to give them new ones. And as they would most likely only arrive after announcing the participants of the Triwizard Tournament. They would have to do with practice school brooms, which was better than nothing.

Though it probably shouldn't be exactly him storming towards the Headmaster's office, now that he wasn't allowed to play. He wouldn't either be allowed to do his duty as team captain. A position he had taken over six years ago when his previous captain had graduated. She had wanted to pursue her academic skills in the muggle world, because of that she had left Beauxbatons after achieving her O.W.L's.

Now Daé was the seeker of his team, the best the team ever had, at least if you believed Fleur's grandmother. At every conference she would't stop talking about it to everyone who wanted to listen, and who didn't, about the half-blood Veela wonder. It was becoming rather humiliating at twenty-one. But he loved and respected the Veela Matriarch too much to stop her. If it made her happy to boost about his abilities towards her relatives he was happy to indulge her.

Being called the best seeker in Beauxbatons history wasn't something Daé always believed was true. But he did knew he was good in what he did. That was why he had been so happy when professor McGonagall had proposed a Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Beauxbatons. He would be able to compete against another seeker who was rumored to be at a professional level.

Daé never backed down from a challenge, and defeating The-Boy-Who-Lived at Quidditch would certainly look good on his resumé.

"Ah, professor McGonagall, I was looking for you. The brooms from my team were broken in half, as some sort of morbid prank. I would greatly appreciate it, that the responsible instigators would be punished and our brooms replaced. By your school funds of course."

"And who would you be young man that you would ask that?"

McGonagall acted as though she had never been spoken to like that. Though Daé would be surprised when that would actually be true. With students that thought broken brooms and an escaped snitch was a good prank.

It wasn't.

"Daelán Hommleur, ma'am. Captain and seeker of the Beauxbatons Quidditch team. I hope you can see that it is my responsibility to ensure my team can play, even if I can't."

"I heard many good things about you Mister Hommleur, especially about your Quidditch capabilities. So forgive me for not seeing why you wouldn't play against our own seeker prodigy."

McGonagall seemed to be genuine in her assessment of his character. But that didn't mean Daé didn't saw the tell-tale signs of someone becoming enthralled by his presence.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but maybe I shouldn't discuss this with you without someone else. You seem to easily fall under my thrall. I would prefer it if someone you trust would be able to assist you while we continue our conversation."

"Oh, of course. Filius would you be so kind to join us for a cup of tea?"

"No objections Minerva, what is it you wanted to talk about?"

"Well this young man here said it would be better if a third party would be present during our discussion."

Professor Flitwick gave them an incredulous look, why would they need a third party. Luckily, Daé didn't need to explain what was going on, as Flitwick easily saw that McGonagall was under a Veela thrall.

"Ah, yes. Minerva shall I finish this conversation with the young man. You should go and get a cup of tea with Poppy."

Minerva easily excused herself and scurried away towards the hospital wing.

"I assume this was a simple accident and that you didn't try to influence a teacher."

"I would never sir, I simply wanted professor McGonagall to know that someone destroyed our brooms and we couldn't play the Quidditch match without them."

Professor Flitwick didn't seem too surprised by that declaration and mumbled something along the lines of: irresponsible Weasley brats.

"Don't worry about it mister..."

"Daé, sir. Daelán Hommleur."

"Mister Hommleur, I will handle this, you will have your broomsticks back within the hour. And I look forward to seeing you on the Pitch"

"Thank you sir, but the snitch has also disappeared. And I won't be playing tomorrow, Hogwarts regulations."

"Consider it solved mister Hommleur, but about what regulations are you talking. You also play for the Beauxbatons team and are an internationally renowned prodigy, why wouldn't you be playing."

"I'm twenty-one sir, won't be fair to let me play against seventeen year olds."

Professor Flitwick was leading them towards the Gryffindor common room.

"It may be against regulations, but what would be the fun of the match if you can't play."

The professor politely knocked on the frame of The fat lady's portrait and murmured the password.

"Misters Weasley, would you be so kind to tell me why the brooms of the Beauxbatons team are broken. And now that we're on the topic at hand please return the Snitch to madam Hooch."

Daé couldn't hear the answer as he was still standing in the hallway, but Flitwick seemed satisfied with it as he clambered through the portrait hole once more.

"They will be punished according to their crimes and won't be playing against you tomorrow."

Daé didn't mention again that he won't be playing tomorrow, till the rest of professor Flitwick words caught up to him.

"They won't be playing? Isn't that too severe?"

"Unless you want them to, no they won't."

"I don't mind, it won't be a true game unless the other party is at full strength."

"Exactly, and that my dear boy will be why you to will be playing."

That was the end of the discussion as professor Flitwick walled away and Daé returned to his dorm

•••

The match had started a few minutes ago and Daé was now up in the sky looking out for the Snitch. At least that was what he was pretending to do. He didn't think he would notice it if the Snitch would hover right in front of his face. Too transfixed on the red-haired beaters.

They weren't too interesting, but something in his blood called out to them.

Family.

His mate was family of those two. And maybe even present at this match.

That thought distracted him even more as now Daé was searching the sea of heads on the stands. Looking for other red-heads.

His attention was snatched back to the game as the Potter boy dived towards the ground and caught the Snitch, ending the game more than ninety minutes after it began.

Daé couldn't even support his team in their disappointment as he was still transfixed on any red-head he could see. There weren't many of them. But they all scrambled of the stands and towards the twins.

"You were amazing George, when you hit that bludger away from Harry!"

The youngest red-head was still full of adrenaline despite not having played a game. He opened his mouth to say more, but closed it again when he saw Daé walking towards them, brushing of his own teammates attempts to talk to him.

His best mate caught his eye and immediately understood what was going on. He wasn't a Veela himself, but had seen enough of them in mate need to recognize the signs.

"Hey, can we do something for you?"

Daé wanted to ask if they had any more family members, but the words were caught in his throat as he looked into the eyes of no one less than his mate.