"You're welcome." I smirked at Draco when Professor Flitwick handed back our quizzes. 

"I gave you good flying tips so we're even."

"Yeah because don't fall off is a good tip."

"I told you more than that!" He protested.

"I haven't got results from your tips yet. But you got a perfect 10/10." I said pointing at his score.

"Listen to me and you'll be the second best flyer out there."

"Who will be the best?" I asked.

"Me of course." 

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes.

"I will be!"

"We'll see."

At lunch I sat in my usual seat. 

"Crabbe, Goyle, come on." Draco ordered. They headed for the Gryffindor table. I watched them intently. They grabbed something from Neville. I hate that they're mean to him but what can I do? Ron and Harry stood up. I thought a fight was going to break out. My stomach churned. But luckily Professor McGonagall stepped in and broke it up. They came back to our table snickering.

"That was unnecessary." I told them.

"What?" Malfoy asked in disbelief.

"Starting a fight with them won't solve anything."

"You still don't understand do you? I knew you were dumb but I didn't think you were this bad. I bet you can't find your parent's because they're filthy muggles. You're a filthy mudblood." He spat. My blood boiled. I saw red. The windows shattered. The ceiling cracked. The tables flew. Knives gathered together and aimed at Malfoy's head. They flew around him, not hitting his skin but ripping his robe. His eyes were wide in fear. I smirked at the sight.

"Who's the dumb and helpless one now?" I asked him still wearing a smirk on my face.

"You're crazy! You're no witch! You're a demon!" He yelled. I looked up and saw all the teachers and Professor Dumbledore standing there in shock. They didn't know what to do. I looked around and everyone was cowering in fear. Am I a demon? I don't mean to do this. It just happens when I'm angry. I calmed down and everything stopped. The place was still trash. I ran out. I had no clue were I was going. I just knew I was going.

I ran. And I ran. Tears blurred my eyes. I finally stopped when I was far away from the castle. I was by a lake surrounded by trees. I sat down against a tree and looked at my reflection in the water. Even in my reflection I can't tell who I am. I do have really black eyes so maybe I am a demon. A breeze comes threw and the water starts to ripple. I look up at the baby blue sky. There's not a cloud there and it's sunny. I look around and notice the leaves are starting to change colors on some on the trees. Some of the trees are dying but the evergreens are still as beautiful as ever. I start to relax and get over it but then I replay his words in my head. "You can't find your parent's because they're filthy muggles. You're a filthy mudblood. You're crazy! You're no witch! You're a demon!"

I put my arms on my knees and buried my face in them. I silently sobbed. Maybe Dumbledore just made up that story to make me feel better? My Mother gave me up because of my looks and my Father didn't want me period. Maybe I just need to embrace who I am. There's a reason the hat put me in Slytherin.

"Shelby?" I heard a familar voice call. I looked up and saw Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, Hagrid, and Professor Quirrel.

"I see you brought the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor in case I go crazy again and the Potion Master to poison me if needed." I said.

"No. We brought them incase we needed to split up to find you and they know this area better than the other professors." Professor McGonagall explained.

"Well you found me and I'm fine. Can you leave?"

"We're not leaving you out here alone. Why did you try to kill Mr. Malfoy?" She asked.

"Why not?" I joked.

"I'm serious."

"I know. He just made me mad. I can't control what happens or when it happens. It just does."

"What did he do to make you mad?"

"Being himself and running his mouth." I said. It's the truth.

"What did he say?" 

"Things."

"Shelby you need to tell us exactly what caused this."

"You heard him. I'm crazy. More demon than a witch. I do have black eyes. Maybe that's why. Now can we go back?"

"Yes. We will erase the students memories of the event." Professor Dumbledore said.

"No. I want them to remember what I can do. I understand if you have to expell me." I stand up and follow them to the castle.

"That's up to the head of your house but I say no." Professor Dumbledore said. 

"No one is going to be expelled today." Professor Snape said.

Professor Snape walked me to the common room. Malfoy was sitting on the table. I glared at him. He flinched. 

"Quit scaring the boy." Snape said and walked to my dormitory.

"I was told to tell you to get ready for broom flying lessons." He said when we got there.

"Thanks. You're smart right?"

"I suppose so." He said. I went in my room and half way shut the door, leaving him in the hall.

"Then can I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead."

"Why didn't my Mother and Father want me?" He stared at me blankly for a second. I chickened out and shut the door and locked it before he could say anything.

"Maybe it's because your Father isn't a very smart person." He said from the other side and left. 

I sat down at my desk and grabbed a parchment and a quill. I dipped it in ink.

Dear Ms. Simmons,

         Yes.

             Love,                                                                                                                                                                                                        Shelby

I don't think I need anything so I just went downstairs and headed to flying practice. I noticed on the walk Draco stayed behind. Not very far back but still behind me. After we got there Gryffindor arrived. Hermione gave me a look of pity. I nodded at her and looked away.  After awhile Madam Hooch arrived. 

"Well what are you all waiting for? Everyone stand by a broomstick. Come on, hurry up." She ordered. The brooms looked like a stick with hay on it. I guess that's what it is but the sticks looked really weak. 

"Stick out your right hand over your broom and say UP!" She said. Everyone yelled up. I stuck out my hand and whispered up. The broom shot up to my hand. Draco glared at me. Madam Hooch showed us how to mount our brooms properly. 

"Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard," said Madam Hooch. "Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle — three — two —" But I guess Neville was anxious because he shot up.

"Come back down boy!" She shouted. Neville went higher and higher. You could tell he was scared to death. Finally, he fell to the ground.

"Broken wrist. Come on, boy — it's all right, up you get." She turned to the rest of the class. "None of you is to move while I take this boy to the hospital wing! You leave those brooms where they are or you'll be out of Hogwarts before you can say 'Quidditch.' Come on, dear." Neville left with Madam Hooch. His face was stained with tears and he was clutching his wrist.

When Madam Hooch couldn't hear us Draco started laughing. 

"Did you see his face, the great lump?" He laughed. The other Slytherins joined in, except me.

 "Shut up, Malfoy," snapped Parvati Patil. 

"Ooh, sticking up for Longbottom?" said Pansy Parkinson, a hard-faced Slytherin girl, who I don't particularly care for. "Never thought you'd like fat little crybabies, Parvati."

"Look! It's that stupid thing Longbottom's Gran sent him!" Draco picked up a shiny ball. 

"Give that here Malfoy." Harry said quietly. I was somewhat surprised by his courage but then again I knew he had it in him. 

"Give it here!" Harry yelled, but Malfoy had leapt onto his broomstick and taken off. He hadn't been lying, he could fly well. Hovering level with the topmost branches of an oak he called, "Come and get it, Potter!" Harry grabbed his broom.

 "No!" shouted Hermione Granger. "Madam Hooch told us not to move — you'll get us all into trouble." Harry ignored her and jumped on his broom and chased after Draco. He could fly as well. People were screaming and Ron was cheering. 

"Hey Dumbledore! Catch!" Draco threw the ball at me. I grabbed my broom and hit it. It went flying. Harry zoomed after it. He dived and caught it. 

Draco was already down when Harry reached the ground. 

"HARRY POTTER!! Never in all my time at Hogwarts--how dare you--might have broken your neck--"

"It wasn't his fault, Professor —" 

"Be quiet, Miss Patil —"

 "But Malfoy —"

 "That's enough, Mr. Weasley. Potter, follow me, now." 

"You better come as well Ms. Dumbledore." I looked behind and saw Snape standing there.

"But I didn't do anything." I defended myself. This is ridiculous! My feet stayed on the ground!

"This isn't an argument. Follow me." 

I followed him through the halls and up a tower. He knocked on a door on the roof. It opened.

"Professor Trelawny, I need Flint Marcus." 

"I know. I saw it." She said and motioned Flint down.

"Professor Snape?" He asked.

"Flint, I found you a Beater."

"Her?"

"Yes. I saw her hit a Rememberball with the old school broomstick. Almost went over the forest."

"But she's a first year."

"I was talking to Professor McGonagall when I saw her and mentioned she'd make a decent Beater. She got the idea then to make one of her first years a Seeker. If Gryffindor can do it so can we. Train her. If she's no good kick her off." 

"Yes sir." He said and went back to class.

"Beater?" I asked Snape.

"You'll see. Go back to the Common Room. Flying lessons are over. And a helpful tip to being a good Beater is to not play nice." He said and walked off.

"You!? But I'm better than you!" Malfoy exclaimed at dinner when I told him about it. 

"Obviously not. I think Harry was the better flyer and Professor Snape thought I was good enough to be a beater so I'm second. That must make you...third. Thanks for the tips." 

"This isn't fair. I'm talking to Snape about this."

"You will not. We need a Beater and Snape said she's good. Don't ruin this." Flint growled. Draco glared at the table. He finally just stood up and left with Crabbe and Goyle behind him. 

After I ate I went to the library to meet Hermione. Ron and Harry were with her.

"Heard you're a Beater?" Ron said.

"Yeah. I've never even heard of  it before."

"Me neither and I'm a Seeker." Harry said.

"When Malfoy threw the ball I hit it and you caught it. I guess teamwork got us on the team." I said.

"Yeah. I guess so." He smiled

"You should've seen Malfoy's face when I told him." I chuckled.

"I'd pay to see that." Ron said.

"Um I'm sorry if I scared you guys earlier. I-I didn't mean to. And you know I'd never hurt you guys. Draco just made me really mad." I sighed.

"It's okay. We understand. Did he say something about your parent's again?" Hermione asked. I nodded.

" I understand what it's like to not be able to control your powers. One time my cousin made me mad and I released a Boa on him." He said.I laughed.

"I'm glad I'm not the only one." I smiled.

"What is this? Is Harry Potter blushing over Shelby Dumbledore?" One of the Weasley twins said from behind me.

"Knock it off Fred." Harry muttered.

"We're too young to court." Hermione spoke up.

"Who said anything about courting? They can just hold hands under the table and be awkward together." George laughed. 

"Leave me alone." Harry looked at the table and blushed.

"I hear Malfoy! Quick go!" Hermione told me in a hushed voice. I quicky hid behind a bookcase. And just in time to. 

"Don't forget our little duel tonight Potter." Draco said.

"I won't." Harry said through gritted teeth. 

"I was told to tell you to leave Shelby alone. She's a Slytherin and our Beater. We don't need you cheating and distracting her."

"I-" Harry started.

"Draco Malfoy is jealous!" Fred said to George before Harry could finish. 

"I am not!" 

"Well to have a chance don't make her so mad she tries to kill you. Right now Harry is winning." George said. Draco stormed out and of course Crabbe and Goyle were behind him. When they were gone I came back out.

"What's a duel?" I asked.

"It's a stupid thing! Two wizards stand across from each other and cast spells on each other!" Hermione exclaimed in an annoyed voice while looking at Harry.

"And you're dueling him?" I asked Harry.

"Yes." He said.

"You better win."