When Push Comes To Shove

Chapter 1: Si Bella

Normally when in class all my undivided attention is on the professor. Today however is an exception. It happens one day out of every month. It’s the day I get my period.

Unfortunately for me, the first day of my period always has my mind preoccupied. No one seems to notice though that I don’t raise my hand to answer any questions. It’s a relief.

Usually on the first day of my period my mind is preoccupied with thoughts of children. Maybe it’s because, in a sense, your period symbolizes children. For whatever reason, my mind is always preoccupied with children the first day of my period.

Once those thoughts have started my mind usually wanders over to something else. Something that goes hand in hand with children: husbands. Then from there my mind continues on the same path down to boyfriends. At the end of the path, my mind’s always back to me and my lack of boyfriend. It’s frustrating really.

I’ve got a great life; great friends; a secured job in the Department of Mysteries when I’m done my 7th year at Hogwarts. I don’t plan on having a family until after I’ve been working for a few years. However, on this first day, it’s as if my mind has completely forgotten my plans. Hopefully I’ll be able to escape away to my room after this class where I’ll be able to just let my mind wander. Transfiguration is the last class today and to my own embarrassment I can’t wait for it to be done.

In the next instant the bell signals the end and I hurriedly write down the homework so I can escape to my room. I’m out of the room in record time and silently patting myself on the back for my quick getaway. My celebration ends a little sooner than I would have liked as I hear someone down the corridor yell something at me.

“So you’ve got you’re monthly visitor, eh Granger.” The voice yells out in what can only be described as a gleeful manner. I don’t want to, however, my body is compelled to turn around.

There, emerging from the classroom surrounded by all of our classmates stands the bane of my existence: Draco Malfoy. I can tell, by the look that he’s giving me, that my face is bright red. No one has said anything yet but no one has stopped staring at me either. Squaring my shoulders and lifting my chin up, I can’t help but reply.

“What Malfoy, not man enough to say period?” I ask him coolly before turning back around. I decide that now’s a good a time as any to walk away as I hear the laughter echoing off corridor walls.

As soon as I’m alone I give in to the chuckles that have been bubbling up in me. I’ll admit that that was quite humorous. Malfoy should know by now that I don’t back down. Even though I started out as the butt of the joke I was able to turn it around. Not too bad if I do say so myself.

Finally reaching the Fat Lady’s portrait I’m able to relax. Upon entering I notice that it’s empty until I remember why. I had practically raced up the stairs and levels to get to my room quickly, therefore it’s only reasonable that the room’s empty. Crossing the room I walked up to the portrait of two wizards playing chess.

Becoming Head Girl really had its advantages. I press my hand against the portrait and feel the tingle of magic as it assess’ me. Once it opens I slowly walked down the corridor to my second common room. This common room I share with Blaise Zabini, Head Boy.

Upon noticing that Blaise isn’t in the room I decide that relaxing in front of the fireplace would be a nice way to relax. Dropping my sac onto the office table, I plop myself down onto the biggest sofa and spread out. Besides not being able to concentrate on the first day of my period I also can’t seem to relax.

There’s restlessness to me that always makes me stiff and sore. I’ve found that the only ways I can relax are by having a nice hot bath or lying down in front of the fireplace.

Closing my eyes, my mind drifts over to the confrontation between myself and Malfoy. Of all the people who could have known that I had my period it had to be him. I don’t know how he found out either. It’s not like I go around broadcasting it. I guess the only thing that matters is that I got the last laugh. Okay these thoughts are definitely not helping me relax. The portrait opening across the common room has me sitting up.

‘It’s alright Hermione it’s only me right now.” Blaise says as he walks up to the sofa. “Would you like a foot massage? You look like you could use one.” He asks as he pickes my legs up to sit on the end of the sofa.

“Do I ever say no?” I ask while relaxing further into the sofa. I give him a big grin as he starts; these massages always make me feel better.

“So,” Blaise starts as he gives me a wicked grin. “Do you really have your period?”

“Ugh!’ I groan. “Not you as well.” I say as I start to sit up.

“Alright, alright I won’t say anymore.” He adds hastily while grabbing my legs to continue his ministrations. “So have you been stressed lately? You’ve looked like death warmed over for probably the last week.” Blaise asks while working out a pretty vicious knot.

“You could say that. The week leading up to my period I always get these horrible cramps.” Here Blaise interrupts with a ‘So you do have your period.’ I continue on as if I haven’t heard him. “Although what’s worse is that the day I actually get my period I can’t help but think of babies. Then one thing leads to another and I’m thinking of how I don’t have a boyfriend and how it would be nice to have one. I can also never seem to concentrate or relax. I hate the first day of my period more than anything, now that Voldemort’s dead that is. And by the way that feels incredible so don’t stop.” I grin at him.

“Well Hermione there are plenty of guys who would date you; you know it as well. Just how many guys have you turned down so far?” he asks though he already knows the answer.

“Blaise, you and I both know for a fact that none of those guys were right for me. I can’t date someone who’s not as smart as I am; someone who can’t defend me. You know my standards.”

“Your standards are bloody ridiculous sometimes. You want someone who’s strong; intelligent; someone who knows how to properly court you; an old school and classic romantic; someone who can support you; someone who’s not either intimidated or in awe of your intellect and your name; and on top of all that you want someone who can get along and become friends with ‘The Great’ Harry Potter and ‘the Unruly’ Ronald Weasley. That last bit is what really makes your dream guy just that, a dream.” He laughs out.

“Oh come now. You know that I’m not asking for that much. There is a guy out there who can be and do all those things, including getting along with Harry and Ron. I know it. Sometimes I just get tired of waiting so much.” I say as I sit up and flip around so I can put my head in his lap.

“Si Bella I know. Now why don’t you just close your eyes and try to sleep for a bit before dinner.” He tells me as he starts rubbing my temples. I don’t bother replying; I just relax further and feel myself slowly drifting off to sleep. My last thought before falling asleep is ‘I’m really lucky to have a best friend like Blaise.” And then I know no more.

xxxxx

After Blaise woke me up we both went down to dinner. Surprisingly dinner was a quiet affair. I guess nothing really major happened today. The thing between Malfoy and me doesn’t seem to have caused anything other than a bit of laughter.

I talk to Harry and Ron for a bit and am grateful when Harry suggests doing homework after dinner. Harry truly has changed since he defeated Voldemort. There’s a more relaxed, mature man beside me; not an insecure, unawares boy. He’s changed for the better; taken what he’s learned and applied it to his life.

A fit of choking has me glancing to my left at Ron. His mouth is stuffed full of food and it appears as if he is coughing as well. Ron makes me realize that not everyone has changed since the war and it’s a blessing, a blessing that I can look around and still see innocence.

My eyes have landed on Malfoy and although he isn’t looking at me, I can tell that he has changed. During the war he lost his father, though I think it is for the better. I have no idea how it affected him though. I don’t pity him though; too many other people were ripped apart for one person to be pitied.

“Mione, what are you looking at?” Harry asks me. I glance over at him and smile.

“Nothing, are you done? I would like to go now.” I say as I look over to Ron. Ron nods at me and I feel harry getting up beside me.

xxxxx

We spent the better part of the evening doing homework. It was the most relaxed I’d been all day long. Going to bed that night I dreamt of nameless, faceless potential boyfriends.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

paigeey07 --> Glad you like it so far. :D
margaritama --> Yes, I figure it's about time that Hermione accepts that she is a woman. And it's post-War but they are still at Hogwarts.

A/N so here is the first chapter. No beta, just me. Hope everyone enjoys it.

~Misery