Disclaimer: Never in my life did I dream

                   To claim something I did not own

                   This is very plain to be seen

                   So please, leave me alone

AN: This is my longest chapter!!! :D

Chapter Five: Briefing on Menstruation

Period: (Noun) A mark in punctuation used at the end of a sentence. The interval between successive occurrences of an event. A portion of time characterized by certain processes. Any of the portions of time into which something is divided.

Everyone knew it's many definitions.

It is also used as a slang term for menstruation, which meant a discharge of the menses. Something women have to go through once they've hit puberty, and go through the rest of their lives with. That is, until they go through menopause, which is the point in their lives when they stop going through menstruation every month. But that's a different story.

Unfortunately, no one had informed Harry or Draco of the other meaning for the word "period".

"I'm bleeding!!!" the boy-turned-girl exclaimed as he jumped a foot into the air and out of his place, checking the buttocks area of his robes to see if he was, in fact, bleeding.

Potions Classes have been widely known, in both books and fanfics alike, to never seem to pass without any casualties, minor or major, to occur. This meeting wasn't any different.

Though everyone was used to the "exciting" events that took place during a certain greasy man's subject, they never failed to gasp in surprise upon seeing these occurrences.

Lavender took a quick intake of breath, also known as a gasp. "What's happening?"

Though many had shocked expressions on their faces, the one they least expected to be calm was, in fact...well, calm. Hermione, being the closest to Draco, was able to see what was wrong. She looked at Draco's chair then at his blood-soaked robes, and made a connection.

She smiled. "Andrea, you're not bleeding." This statement was able to calm everyone but the blonde girl down.

"What do you mean I'm not bleeding?!" Draco shrieked furiously. "There's blood all over my chair and my robes!"

Hermione looked thoughtful. "Well, not bleeding in the literal meaning of the word. More like the 'time of the month' kind of bleeding," she explained to the still ignorant Draco.

"Speak in english!" Draco snapped.

"Malfoy, calm down!" Snape ordered. "Granger, if you would please take her outside and explain? The two of you will return later during lunchtime to do your seatwork."

Hermione nodded, a bit dubious. "Alright. Andrea, let's go outside." She picked up her bag as well as Draco's and walked out the door.

Draco gave Snape an uneasy look then eventually slowly followed the Gryffindor outside.

~*~

"First of all, I'll repeat, you're not bleeding," Hermione explained carefully, making sure that Draco understood her. She handed the Slytherin his bag and led the way to the Hospital Wing. "You're going through what we call 'menstruation'. Or in lay man's terms, a 'period'," she added, going deeper into her explanation. "This is your first time, I'm guessing?"

Draco nodded absentmindedly, too distracted by the uncomfortable dirty and sticky feeling between his legs. He shifted his backpack on his shoulder uncertainly, trapping his long blonde hair underneath the strap.

"Ow." He frowned as his hair was yanked away from his head.

Hermione gave him a half-concerned and half-weirded out look as she watched him pull his hair away from his bag and put it in front of his shoulder. She sure calms down fast...

Draco looked up at her. "What?"

Hermione shrugged. "Nothing. I'm just surprised that you're not freaked out anymore," she replied then smirked. "Mood swings."

The blonde raised an indignant eyebrow. "Mood swings?"

"Yup," Hermione nodded. "Often comes with the package."

"Would I want to know what else comes with the 'privilege' of having my period?" Draco asked hesitantly.

Hermione giggled. "Probably not, but I'll tell you anyway. It's better to be aware so as to not freak out anymore later," she answered with a toothy grin, obviously holding in laughter. "Well, it doesn't happen to everyone but it does to the majority. Often, when you have, you get stomach cramps; officially called 'menstruational cramps'. This leads to many being in foul moods because of the pain or discomfort. And lastly, the mood swings. Self-explanatory."

Draco nodded and just hoped that he was one of the few who didn't get cramps. He had to say, he really felt uneasy talking about things that girls went through. Before you know it, he'd be stuck listening to them talk about which guys they found "cute". Draco involuntarily shuddered at that particular horrifying thought.

"Oh, and before I forget," Hermione started, digging into her bag, her hand reemerging with a pink rectangular object. She handed it to Draco, who looked at it suspiciously, making her giggle. "It's nothing dangerous! It's a 'napkin'. You're going to need these while you have your period."

Draco reluctantly took it, putting it in one of his robe pockets.

"And, congratulations! You've officially hit puberty!" Hermione exclaimed, followed by a burst of giggles.

Draco sighed. It's not usual for someone to hit puberty twice in one lifetime. "What's your next class?" he suddenly asked.

"Care of Magical Creatures," Hermione replied. "Why do you ask?"

"Um...Does Draco go to that class as well?" Draco asked, finding it hard to speak of himself in the third person.

"Yeah. 6th years of both Slytherin and Gryffindor," Hermione added. "The same people in Potions."

Her answer made Draco remember about how he made fun of the three Gryffindors. Even after doing that to them, she did everything but volunteer to help him...er...her. Normally, he wouldn't feel guilty, but -

It's not guilt!, Draco reminded himself.

Well, whatever he was feeling at the moment, he didn't usually feel it. And, once again, his Malfoy pride, which had planted him on his own very high mountain, had prevented him from climbing down and apologizing.

"We're here," Hermione said, attracting his attention.

Draco nodded and the two entered the Hospital Wing, only to be greeted by Madame Pomfrey. The clinic was surprisingly empty. They dropped their bags on the floor just as Poppy started speaking.

"Hermione Granger?" Madame Pomfrey said incredulously. "I'm surprised to see you here without Weasley and Potter in tow."

Draco snickered while Hermione smiled politely. "Hopefully they won't have to any time soon?" she replied with a soft laugh as she took a seat on the nearest bed. Draco chose to remain standing, seeing that he still has blood on his robes.

"I highly doubt that. Those two always manage to get hurt," Poppy said as she shook her head in disapprovement, earning another set of snickers from Malfoy. "They don't seem to tire of getting into fights with Malfoy. Come to think of it, that boy's had several visits here as well..." she added as an after thought.

This made Draco stop his incessant sniggers and made him frown instead.

"Really now," Hermione said in mock-surprise though her expression betrayed her.

"It's no surprise though," Poppy said, oblivious to the sarcasm. "By the way, who's your friend?" she asked, gesturing to the blonde.

"Andrea Malfoy," Draco said with a nod.

"Sibling or cousin of Mr. Malfoy, I presume?"

"Cousin, actually," Draco replied.

"So, what did you come here for? I doubt you went here simply to miss classes."

"Miss Potions? Now why would we want to do that?" Hermione said sarcastically. "Though I would love for that to be the reason, it's not. Andrea here is having her first period," she finished.

Draco blushed but added. "It would also help if you can teach me the spell to remove stains."

Madame Pomfrey then taught them the spell, before going through her drawers and taking out another so-called napkin. Which Draco still has no idea how to use, might I add.

"I suppose Granger has explained to you the basic things to know?" Poppy asked.

"Everything except how to use a napkin."

The door suddenly burst open and a 5th year boy from Slytherin year ran in, shoving his extremely red arm under Madame Pomfrey's nose.

Draco stared wide-eyed at the damaged limb. Parts of raw, exposed flesh were reddish pink, with bits of skin hanging here and there. He winced, That must hurt like hell! But, judging from the look on the boy's face, he seemed more afraid of the nurse than he was of the burned wound.

"John!" Poppy scolded. "What did I tell you about burning things?!" she shouted, leading him to the bed beside the one that Hermione was sitting on.

She frantically cast a spell on her wand to numb the pain before shouting over her shoulder, "That's all I can do to help! Granger, you wouldn't mind showing her how, would you?"

It seemed like Hermione had no choice. She shrugged then said, "Let's go to the bathroom." She picked up her bag and led the way.

=-=-=-=-=

Haha! I inserted Pyro (my fave character) from X-Men! Whoo!!! ^_^

REVIEW PLEASE!!!