Ginny Weasley hurried through the corridors, desperate to reach the Common Room undetected. She glanced down, humiliated, at the stains on the inner legs of her cream-colored stockings. Why couldn't this happen in the comfort of her own dorm?
Peeking her head around the corner to check for any potential witnesses to her embarrassment, she bit her lower lip and made a dash for it, running on the balls of her feet so as not to make noise and attract attention. The final flight of stairs came into view, and Ginny cheered triumphantly in her head. Yes! I'm going to make it!
"Oi! Ginny! Wait up!"
Oh no, she thought dismally, I was so close! Of all the people she could run into at the moment, it just had to be Fred and George. Panting, the twins reached their sister and gave her identical grins.
"I believe that ickle Gin-Gin here is supposed to be in Charms right now, dear brother George."
"Is that so, dear brother Fred?"
The twins grinned at each other before wiping fake tears of delight from their faces and wrapping the mortified girl into a giant bear hug.
"We're so proud! Skipping lessons!"
"Let me go you two!" Ginny's voice cracked as a few telltale tears trailed down her cheeks. Her brothers' faces contorted in alarm as they took in the tear tracks on her face and the blood on her skirt and stockings.
"Ginny! What's happened, are you alright?"
She gave a feeble nod and a strangled whimper, as she struggled to break away from their grasp. George knelt in front of her, transferring his grip to her forearms and looking into her distressed brown eyes.
"Gin, you need to tell us what's wrong."
Ginny jerked her arms away, immediately wrapping them around her stomach.
"I've got my bloody period okay?!"
Turning and bolting, she spat the password at the Fat Lady, who gave her bright red face a sympathetic smile.
Fred and George stood there looking stricken.
"ANGELINA!"