QL, Round 8, Magpies, Seeker (Reserve)

Next-Gen

Write about an important milestone in someone's life.

Word Count: 1046

Beta(s): MoonlightForgotten

Warning: Periods. Lack of personal space.

No, no, no. This couldn't be happening. Not today. Not when she had Quidditch Tryouts. She should be dumping her bag off in her dorm, changing and running to the Quidditch Pitch, not dealing with these stomach cramps nor needing the toilet.

Lily Luna Potter grabbed her stomach as a crank exploded. That wasn't right. She grabbed hold of the banister as she paused on the stairs.

The twelve-year-old looked around for somebody to help her but she was alone. Though she had a sneaking suspicion of what was going on, her mother had forewarned her several times. But now was not a good time, not today!

With a sensation similar to her wetting herself, she knew she couldn't wait and quickly made her way to the closest bathroom; it was one she had been avoiding since she started Hogwarts. That didn't matter now, all that mattered was getting to the toilet.

Without a second thought, she entered the large, mostly unused, bathroom, and ran to one of the cubicles, and sat down. She held back the tears as her emotions began to go haywire. She was upset that this might interfere with her plans for the day, that she wouldn't be able to get to Quidditch tryouts early. Scared that she had to deal with this alone, that her mother wasn't around to comfort her or tell her what to do. Excited that she was finally a 'young lady' and was growing up. But the main overwhelming feeling was confusion about what to do.

Lily could say that she was definitely not prepared for what was happening. Not at all. She closed her eyes and attempted to make it all go away; all of the blood, pain, and grossness. It was all so icky.

With a deep sigh, she held back the tears as she thought about everything she should have done before today which she hadn't. Thought about how unfair it was that this was happening to her today of all days. Why wasn't there a charm to stop this? Or was there?

"What's going on here?" Moaning Myrtle interrupted, entering the toilet cubicle without permission.

Lily gasped, opened her eyes suddenly, and quickly covered her legs with her robes. She knew there was a risk with Myrtle Bathroom, but she simply couldn't wait any longer; it was a matter of emergency. "Go away, Myrtle."

She had hoped for a stronger voice but the tear-filled high-pitched voice would have to do.

To her surprise, Myrtle floated through the door away from her. But her head was almost poking over the top. "Usually girls come in here to cry or mix potions."

Lily sniffled and felt the tears leak from her eyes. "I am crying."

"Do you want some help?"

The offer from the annoying, overbearing, and moaning girl was a big surprise. Regardless of the fact that even Lily would actively avoid this bathroom in the past, it was comforting that there was somebody here willing to help. "How?"

"May I return?"

Lily nodded before verbalising her agreement.

Myrtle returned to share the cubicle and looked rather awkward. "I haven't experienced that before but I've heard about it," she told her.

"You've not started your period?" Lily asked, her eyes wide and her mouth dropped open.

Myrtle looked like she was about to scream, however, a long few moments passed before she loudly exclaimed; "I was only fourteen! It's very normal for girls to not start until they are fifteen."

Lily held her hands up in defense. "Sorry. I… I didn't realise." The twelve-year-old bit her lip. "So… what do I do?"

"Do you have any supplies?" Myrtle asked, looking around.

Lily looked over to her bag and heard her mother's words in her head. Make sure you carry this small bag around with you. You could start any day now. In Lily's defense, she had carried it around for all of her first year at Hogwarts. But now she was a second year, she simply had too many books to carry around. "No."

"You need them."

"I know… I know!" Lily expressed. Her voice was stressed and raspy as the tears began to reappear in frustration. Why didn't she listen to her mum? If she had, she could just sort things out. "Don't you think I know how stupid I am for not carrying anything with me? How was I supposed to know I was going to start today?"

Myrtle spun around on the spot. "Then a different approach, yeah?" she snapped.

That girl really did have a bad temper.

"Like what?"

"Roll up tissue, place it to stop anything leaking, and go straight to your dorm. Grab what you need, shower, and get on clean clothes with what you need to do."

Lily nodded along with the instructions. It all made sense. She couldn't just sit here and wait for somebody to rescue her. Just like her father - but not in a saving the world kind of way - she had to take things into her own hands.

With a big huff, she sorted herself out as best as she could and stood up. "Thanks, Moan—Myrtle. Thanks, Myrtle."

"I'll go back to my toilet, waiting for the next lost soul," she groaned before floating off and dramatically jumping into the adjacent toilet.

With a shudder, Lily quickly walked off, worried that every step might cause further problems. She didn't even look back as she scurried up the stairs to her dorm.

Once Lily had grabbed the prepared bag that her mother made her, it was easy to work out what to do. She took a shower, cleaned up, and got ready for her Quidditch tryouts. Though, even that was more nerve-wracking. She knew she could do Quidditch while on her period, but she had never actually thought about the specifics.

Shaking her head violently, she shook those thoughts out. There was no point in freaking herself out now.

One thing that she couldn't shake from her head was Myrtle. All alone in a bathroom that nobody used anymore. She made a vow to visit her weekly while she was here to give the lonely girl some company. And it was a vow that she almost kept.