Chapter 4 ~ The First Week
The first week was a little stressful getting re-settled, getting to meals on time and reaching classes without getting in trouble. Despite being one of the most popular girl in school there was still another secret that only Draco Malfoy and new girl also a childhood friend, Rose Dursley knew of. This Slytherin was actually a diabetic however was controlled very well, every teacher knew and any signs of a problem Draco or Rose would tend to it immediately. So maybe stressful wasn't quite the word but it was what I knew and it was ok.
Within the first week I already had loads of homework and I really felt like I couldn't be bothered. We had been issued to write a foot long essay on The Properties of Moonstone and it's uses in Potion Making for, oh wait you guessed it, yes, Potions, another foot long essay on Vampires for DADA, to write yet a foot long essay on, god my hand is going to fall off anyway, on Cross-Species Transfigurations for Transfigurations, to label a Bowtruckle for Care of Magical Creatures, to write an essay on self-fertilising shrubs for Herbology and finally to write an essay on why muggles need electricity for muggle studies. On Monday night we sat down to tackle our essay on the properties of moonstone for our next class on Thursday, we also got our Care Of Magical Creatures homework out of the way for next week. By bedtime I was more than ready to fall asleep and not think about the next day for now.
Even though we had double lessons it was what I would call an easy day, there was no homework that had to be in and thankfully the day went by quickly, we also only had an essay on self-fertilising shrubs set today which we completed easily and had the rest of the evening to ourselves which I spent curled up in bed after I assured Draco that I was ok. I had to admit I was a lot more tired lately but the first week always seemed to be the toughest for me, on top of that as well there is going to be a Quidditch Match against Gryffindor on Saturday, I play one of the Chasers so my only rest this week will be Sunday, hopefully.
Wednesday nothing really special or exciting happened, we had a DADA class with Professor Lupin who set a foot long essay on Vampires to write and be handed in on Friday so we had tonight and tomorrow to get it completed. I was feeling a little more myself tonight and just spent some time relaxing with Draco, Blaise, Rose, Millicent and Pansy, we also ended up completing the essay for DADA because we were feeling so relaxed and it got it out of the way. Before curfew that night I snuck out and down to see my Dad who was brewing Potions for the hospital wing again which I stayed and helped, brewing a few headache Potions and fever reducers. My Dad was also acting a little uncomfortable so I looked over to see what he was brewing and I understood immediately.
"Dad, do you want me to come back tomorrow and do those for you?"
He shyly looked over to me and nodded, he was currently trying to brew the First Blood potions being as there were new first years and the potion was designed for females who were on the verge of starting their first periods to make them more comfortable and a little less painful, some of the brewing was a little difficult however I didn't mind. I smile and bid goodnight to my father before returning to the common room where there was a slight argument going on.
"Well how am I ment to know what to do?"
Pansy was shouting at Draco, I saw a first year with tears in her eyes now stood in the corner.
"Your female, you should know!"
Draco bellowed which caused Dad ie Professor Snape to enter the room with anger on his face.
"What's wrong sweetie?"
I had walked over to the first year and crouched down who was cowering in the corner, she just sniffed
"Ok, how about you tell me your name?"
She wiped her tears from her face before replying in a quiet voice
"Bethany Miss"
"Ok sweetie, I'm Kayley, do you want to tell me what's wrong, I maybe able to help, I've been a First year before so I probably know how your feeling."
She sniffed again and leaned closer to whisper in my ear away from other ears
"I . . I think . . I think my period maybe starting"
She pulled away and wiped her tears once again
"Ok Bethany, have you had a period before?"
She shakes her head and new tears form in her eyes, I think oh and you couldn't of waited one more day, then I cringe remembering my First Blood, it was bad, very painful excruciating nausea and extreme tiredness, I couldn't attend classes for 10 days.
"Alright don't worry ok? Do you want to come with me and we can get you sorted out quietly, is that ok with you?"
Bethany nodded and shakily got to her feet, I noticed everyone was still having an argument so I sent my father a silent message
'Dad I'm taking Bethany to the Infirmary, this is something you can not deal with yourself'
He looks over and sees the hunched over stance and pain on her face, gives a nod and we slip out of the common room otherwise unnoticed.
After spending half the night in the infirmary with a terrified First year I was exhausted, I thought about asking permission to skip morning classes but it was the first Transfigurations class of the year and I really didn't want to miss anything that could be important. Due to the late night I had no time for breakfast and just barely made it to class on time. At the time I never thought of the consequences. Not even half way through the 1st part of the double class I was feeling the effects, thirsty and sick and most of all needing the bathroom. Once the introductions and rules was over, everyone was getting on with the assigned work, I was being watched carefully by Draco but I didn't care, I shot up from my chair to the Professors desk, it was polite to ask for leave.
"Professor Black?"
I'm speaking quietly so no-one will over hear.
"Yes miss . ."
"James Sir, could I please be excused from class for a while?"
He gives me a weary look and asks
"May I ask what for Miss James?"
I'm starting to get very agitated
"I need to use the bathroom sir and uh . . I missed breakfast, I think my sugars may be low, I'm showing symptoms"
I almost whisper in reply
"Oh your Miss James, I'm sorry of course you may leave"
I nod before saying
"Thank you sir"
He nods back and gives a small smile.
I left the class quickly and headed strait to the nearest bathroom, then towards the kitchen but I suddenly had a feeling it was too late, my arms and legs started to tingle, without even a second thought I blinked to the infirmary right in front of Madam Pomfrey. The last thing I remember from there is hitting the floor with a hard thud as I started to seizure.
I woke up around 20 minuets later feeling kind of groggy took my medication and was made to eat something. It was now around 20 minuets until the end of Transfigurations, I had missed nearly the whole class, I revisited the bathroom as almost everything goes to hell after a seizure and nothing really responds how I want it to. I return to class trying not to draw too much attention to myself and as it was much the same as when I left, I again approach the Professors desk to explain.
"Professor Black?"
He looks up once again this time with an annoyed eye replying
"Miss James, nice of you to return, when I gave permission for you to use the bathroom I wasn't aware it took nearly the whole class time to do so, detention with me tonight after dinner"
I stand a moment sort of in shock before saying
"I am sorry Professor Black and no it does not take nearly all of class time to use the bathroom however I am sure as you should have been told that other issues can occur which incidentally I had to make a fast an unexpected trip to the infirmary before I seizured in the corridor on my own, I will still attend your detention if you so wish but as for now Madam Pomfrey has advised I return to my dormitory and rest for an hour or so I just wanted to explain, I am sorry sir."
I walk, pick up stuff smiling at Draco to let him know I was ok before heading for the door.
"Miss James, detention will not be necessary, I hope you feel better soon"
With that said I just walk out of class and head to my bed, waking up in time for lunch and afternoon classes. I now felt much better and received my homework for Transfigurations from Draco which was a foot long essay on Cross-Species Transfigurations. I attended Potions and handed in my homework, my father asking me to stay after class. Later that evening I brewed the First Blood potions for the hospital wing and fell onto my bed in my father's quarters into a solid sleep.
Friday was finally here and I just seemed to trail through the day not really paying attention to anything. During DADA I felt so tired
"Kayley are you ok? You look kind of green"
Draco whispered from my side, I never replied just got up and headed to the Professor's desk.
"Professor Lupin?"
He replies with a
"Miss James?"
I could feel myself draining of energy
"I'm sorry sir but could I please be excused from class, I am really not feeling very well right now?"
"May I ask, have you taken everything you should have today?"
I nod and look towards the door feeling ready to fall over
"You may leave for today but I shall be informing your head of house that you may be experiencing some problems, is that ok with you?"
I just shake my head and pick up my bag before high tailing it out of there, only to be stopped in the corridor by Professor Lupin following me.
"Why may I ask is that not ok with you?"
I just reply by saying aloud
"It's personal and complicated"
But silently
'He's my father'
I then walk away before he can reply and fall into my bed in my dormitory, not really remembering anything else until dinner that evening, missing lunch where I was so exhausted.