Next step

Hermione made her way to the great hall and pulled her only female best-friend from beside the raven head with circular glasses.

As Harry entered the hall, he was surprised on finding his girlfriend missing from beside him. "Ginny...?" His soft-spoken question gained attention from the brother of the abducted witch, who turned to his friend with an interrogative gaze before looking around him to search for his sister. On not finding her, they moved forward and sat down while saving two seats beside them.

Ginny was surprised when she felt herself to be pulled backwards. A hand fisted the back of her robes while another clamped her mouth shut as she was helplessly dragged towards an unknown destination which later turned out to be just a hidden corner beside the great hall.

"It's me, Hermione. Don't you lift your wand, Ginny." Hermione had to warn the red-head to save herself from getting jinxed.

Ginny turned around when the hold on her slackened enough to let her escape.

"What the bloody hell, Hermione! You scared the invisible Nargles away from me." Ginny scolded the older girl with an amused tone because this was the first time Hermione had done something like this. She added a light slap to the shoulder for extra effects. She could be the biggest drama queen when she wants to be.

"Ha, ha." Hermione laughed dryly with no emotion, "Hilarious."

"I need you to accompany me to the infirmary."

That got Ginny to be seriously worried, "What? Why? Are you hurt? Where? Does it pain a lot?" She bombarded questions one after the other.

Hermione waved her hand before her and shook her head," It hurts a lot, but I am not injured. Cramps have set in my stomach."

Ginny had a confused expression before something dawned on her, and a knowing look replaced it.

"Oh, time of the..." Hermione confirmed with a firm nod. 'Ahh, my stomach,' Hermione had a low tolerance to this type of pain. It always made her want to claw her stomach open and untie the knot forming inside.

Ginny asked confusedly for she did not understand something," What do you need me for, though? You've never asked for me to accompany you to the infirmary for this before."

Hermione herself very well did not know why. "I just felt like having you by my side. Now hurry, I also have something to ask you." With that Ginny was whisked away without her consent, not that she minded by the same person.

Hermione was feeling anxious by the grave look on Madam Pomfrey's face.

Everything was fine and Madam Pomfrey was her usual self, checking on her patients and scolding with sharp remarks here and there. Until Hermione asked for medicine to help soothe her painful stomach. Both she and Ginny shared the perplexed look as they gazed at each other before looking at the nurse standing in front of them.

"Follow me," she said strangely before leading the duo to a smaller side-room built within the infirmary.

Going to a cupboard, the matron took out a small bottle containing four pills. Then she came and stood behind a wide desk in the center of the room.

Her serious look made it seem as if she was glaring at the two girls. Ginny gulped while Hermione felt a sense of doom shadow over her.

"Miss Granger, you're having your cycle of the month, I presume." Madam Pomfrey's tone was sharp and her words sounded clear.

Hermione nodded, unable to find her voice.

"I also believe Mr. Malfoy is unaware of this?"

Again, she just nodded.

"I suggest you maintain some distance from Mr. Malfoy during the duration of your cycle. Unless, of course, you both have successfully solved your differences and are ready to take the next step."

Ginny didn't know why, but she felt as if Madam Pomfrey was being sarcastic in her last sentence.

Hermione was baffled by what she heard. Solved differences? Yes, somewhat. Next step? What is that?

Before she could voice her queries, Madam Pomfrey continued. "These pills are to be consumed only when the pain is unbearable and the flow too much. I do not advise taking more medicine than required, for it could make your body immune to it. Take my words seriously, Miss Granger. There's a lot that you and Mr. Malfoy need to learn. Treading carefully as you still explore your newfound relationship is the best for now."

Hermione opened her mouth, but the strict nurse spoke first, yet again," You may leave."

"But, Mada-"

"Leave." No room for an argument of any sort.

Ginny tugged at her arm and reluctantly Hermione gave a nod, wished a good day to the matron and left the infirmary with her friend.

'What is the next step in a relationship? Between a Veela and his mate? What comes after a kiss or two?' With these thoughts floating at the forefront of her mind Hermione made her way towards her first classroom with Ginny.

Just then Ginny blurted out her thoughts on the matter which made Hermione blush almost instantly.

"Ginny!"

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What do you think Ginny says? Do share!