The months passed in a blur; spending time with her four friends, reading as usual and acting as carefree and impulsive as she wanted. It was amazing. Then Christmas day rolled around and for the first time in years, she was excited for she had her friends to celebrate with.

Poppy grinned as she bounced out of bed to an empty dormitory. The striped haired girl dashed to the window to watch the snow fall peacefully and felt great relief and harmony inside of her.

Rushing to the bathroom, she fixed her hair carefully, braiding some of it at the back and brushing the rest of it so that it fell in soft waves down her back. A small spell to make it neat was also used. As her Uncle always said – you always needed to look your best because you don't know who might be watching.

Poppy eyed her body in the full-length mirror and pursed her lips. Her back had scarred over quite nicely, showing the many lashes she had been given. Little cuts and scratches from curses were here and there but the absolute worst was the brand on her upper left arm. It looked raw and deep, sunken into her skin even though it was one of her oldest.

All in all, she was very happy with how well she was healing. She might be broken on the inside and her body was proof of that but no one would ever see.

Changing into a casual red dress with long sleeves and knee-high green socks, she felt very Christmasy and beamed at herself in the mirror. Poppy had managed to steal twenty galleons thanks to her animagus form and the invisibility she had along with it. This time of year everyone carried around extra gold for shopping.

With a definite bounce in her step, she collected her two gifts to her friends and walked down to the common room. It was empty so no one must be awake yet.

Poppy waited calmly for Harry and Ron to come down to meet her, glad her two friends did not return home for the holidays.

It wasn't long before thundering footsteps reached her ears as Ron raced down the steps with Harry following behind with a smile.

"Presents!" Ron exclaimed and made a mad dash for a small pile. Poppy watched with happiness and fondness as Ron opened a home made maroon coloured sweater and a box of homemade fudge. Her heart warmed at the kind and caring gifts.

"You two not going to open your presents?" Ron finally looked up with a quizzical face. Poppy and Harry met each other's eyes and seemed to think the same thing 'what presents?' though before any of them could reply, Ron picked up another gift under the tree and said,

"These are for you Harry" He pointed at the small pile.

The bespectacled first year eyes widened and a boyish and heartfelt look reached his green eyes – so similar to hers it was scary.

Harry rushed over and opened up a present that was a lovely homemade jumper from Ron's mum and again homemade fudge. Seeing the happiness, delight, awe and disbelief on her friends face made her quite emotional and feel a certain kindred spirit with him. Poppy was very glad Harry had presents.

"Poppy, you're not-" Ron began with a completely perplexed face, eyeing her as if she was mental and idly looking around the room as her presents were hiding underneath the sofa.

A fresh stab of pain and loneliness entered her heart but Poppy only shook her head with a carefully controlled smile, "-Nah, I'm an orphan, Ron. Who would get me any presents?"

A lump of fudge fell from Ron's eyes as his eyes widened in disbelief and his face turned as red as his hair. Poor boy. Hadn't she told him she was an orphan? Perhaps not. Fortunately for him, Harry immediately interrupted with-

"Hey it's a cloak. I wonder who got me this" He said and pulled out a grown man's sized cloak. Poppy frowned suspiciously at the material and asked, "You don't know who got you it?" She inquired while lifting her wand in case any nasty hexes or dark magic was embedded into the material.

"Go on, try it on then" Ron encouraged as Harry carefully put it around his shoulders.

Poppy's breath caught in a panic and she jumped from her seat with a "Wait-don-" She gasped but was rendered speechless as Harry's body disappeared.

Poppy watched with a dull sense of comprehension as Harry and Ron wondered over... over... this invisibility cloak. Time stopped and her heart thudded in her ears painfully. Sweat broke out on her skin and she felt herself tremble.

She stood staring at the cloak with sharp, intense eyes and was pulled out of her trance as Ron quietly asked the other boy, "What's up with her?"

Harry approached her and she stumbled away as the cloak was still in his hands. She needed to get away.

"I-I need to go" She choked out through a tight throat and sped up her dormitory steps in terror.

Poppy avoided the boys for the rest of the Christmas break. In fact, she sneaked out the castle in her animagus form with its own invisibility to get away and pull herself together. She would break down when no one could see her.

She eventually brought herself back from her hysteria as school started up. At breakfast, that morning when she finally re-emerged Harry and Ron both stared at her. Ron with wide and pity filled eyes, no doubt believing her state was from a lack of presents and family. Harry was more subtle with shifting green eyes that lingered with guilt. Hermione was her usual bossy self and did not notice the tension, too focused on their holiday homework. It was a great relief.

It wasn't until Charms where Poppy sat beside Harry that he turned to her. The boy-who-lived eyes darted to hers before he shifted and whispered.

"Are you ok?" His voice was quiet and barely there but held true worry and caring that made Poppy felt less alone in life. His words were drowned out by the loud incessant chatter of the first years around them as they waited for Professor Flitwick to arrive.

She turned to her best friend and smiled sadly, "I will be" She promised quietly.

Harry took her hand under the table for the rest of the class.


Poppy was decidedly nervous a few weeks later when Harry announced he was going to use his cloak to go researching about Nicolas Flamel in the forbidden section in the library. This whole misadventure with the stone was ridiculous, they were first years in a castle guarded by Albus Dumbledore. If it was such a danger then the headmaster would deal with it. As he was such a great wizard after all. Poppy was none too keen on jumping unnecessarily into danger as four first years were hardly the most competent for the task, were they?

Though she would do anything for her friends. Poppy would try to be the rational one when even Hermione jumped on board the nosey and hero train and was unsuccessful. The orphan girl would willingly take a crucio for her friends and follow them anywhere. They were all she had.

The night Harry disappeared with the invisibility cloak, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up and she felt sick to her stomach as she attempted read a book in the common room after curfew.

Poppy made Ron sit with her while she fretted. He had long since fallen asleep curled up on the sofa and the striped hair girl focused on deep breathing and remaining calm.

Eventually, Harry burst through the common room portrait panting as only a floating head. She leapt up from her seat with her heart pounding.

"Come quick, it's my parents" He breathed, utterly delighted, glasses tilted on his face, hair messy though his face was bright with happiness.

Poppy watched as Harry shook Ron awake excitedly and watched with dull detachment and dread as Harry explained seeing his parents. Ron was tired and skeptical, Poppy was alert and angry with her wand clutched tightly in her hand. People did not come back from the dead. What kind of dark magic was this?

The two first years followed their excitable friend through the dark and quiet halls of Hogwarts. They ran at full pace with Poppy's eyes darting around the corridor and using her advanced smelling and hearing for signs of trouble, ready to whip out a full body bind at the flick of her wrist.

They reached the empty darkened classroom where a large floor length mirror lay on the far side of the room. The three first years approached it with Harry eagerly leading the pair. The mirror was beautifully encrusted with gold and Ron stumbled along with Harry while Poppy lingered in the background eyeing the mirror suspiciously.

"There look-" Harry sighed with a smile. Ron began squinting in the mirror as Poppy crept closer slowly, wand in hand, noticing an inscription at the top of the mirror.

'Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi'

It was not Russian. Nor German or French. Not Gobbledygook or another creature tongue. Poppy needed to focus more on her foreign languages. She continued staring at it in concentration. It appeared English.

"I see myself... and I won the Quidditch cup! And I'm Head boy!" Ron gasped with wide eyes. Harry's happiness seemed to deflate as he looked back into the mirror despondently with surprised disappointment.

Perhaps it was merely a trick mirror? Cautiously approaching, Poppy looked into the mirror to see for herself. Ron and Harry stood on the outskirts of the mirror as opposed to right beside her where they actually were.

Ron and Harry were smiling and laughing together with Hermione. More figures appeared in the mirror.

A man and a woman materialised on either side of her. One with long red hair and green eyes and another man that looked much like Harry. She had seen enough photo's of them in their yearbooks. James and Lily Potter.

Her eyes drifted towards Harry uneasily. He did say his parents were in the mirror, didn't he? Why did Ron see something different?

The Potters had a hand on each of her reflections shoulders proudly, smiling with watery eyes. James Potter's grin was the brightest whilst Lily Potters smile looked more emotional and loving.

More people appeared. Poppy couldn't contain her gasp as her uncle appeared right by Lily Potters side. He was smiling at her. It wasn't as bright or unconstrained as James and Lily Potters but it was very small and yet filled with pure adoration. It was her uncle's true smile, barely there but eyes that swam with affection.

Tears filled her eyes and she reached a shaking hand out as if she could touch him. Her uncle, the only person who ever loved her.

Another man appeared by James Potter, standing tall and regally. He had long dark wavy hair and a mischievous smile. More and more people appeared whom she did not know. The mirror was filled with people staring at her in love and joy.

Poppy trembled.

Right at the very back, standing on the outskirts of the strange assortment of people that seemed to go together, was...her papa.

He was tall and stood rigidly as usual. His clothes were impeccable, hair white as snow and face wrinkled with age though holding no signs of frailty. He watched her kindly with a carefree smile she had never once seen on his face before. He nodded to her and looked amused. Her papa held out his arms wide in a welcoming and beckoning gesture of acceptance.

Poppy stumbled back gasping in a panic with acidic longing. What was all of this? Harry was at her back and caught her immediately.

"Poppy? Poppy, are you okay? Poppy?" His voice was worried and stressed as he stood her up and supported her shaking frame. His worried green eyes met her own green orbs as he looked her over. She continued trembling in his arms.

Ron stood silently to the side but kept sneaking glances at the mirror, "What... what did you see?" Ron whispered in puzzlement.

Harry's arms tightened around her protectively and she eyed the mirror again. Harry's parents and everyone were now looking at her in worry. 'Why do I see Harry's parents and a bunch of people I do not know?'

Looking up again at the words crafted onto the mirror, she finally realised that it was actually English only written backwards.

"I show not your face but your heart's desire"

Poppy stared blankly at the words and felt a painful numbness sweep through her. She felt Harry and Ron dragging her back to the common room and she allowed herself to be taken. The boys exchanged whispered and worried words between themselves.

She felt herself being sat down on the sofa in the common room as they continued whispering, a weariness like she'd never known crept up inside of her and she sighed heavily.

"I'm fine guys, I just want to go to bed" She muttered quietly.

Harry and Ron exchanged worried looks.

"Poppy what did you see?" Harry quietly asked her.

She debated whether or not to tell them but decided that friendships were a give and take and that she needed to tell them. It would be dishonest not to. That is what she told herself. She was not weak and had to rely on others for emotional support. No, she didn't.

"...family. I saw myself having a family" The broken orphan girl whispered.

In many ways, it was a lie of omission but another it was the biggest confession she had ever given anyone. Her late uncle and papa were present. Harry, Ron and Hermione were there. Lots of people she did not know were there too. It wasn't too hard to figure it out if she was being honest with herself. What she saw was what she had always wanted. To be surrounded by love.

Harry and Ron again looked at each other helplessly.

Poppy sighed and slouched on the sofa, rubbing her face, "The mirror had an inscription at the top. It says that the mirror show's not our face but your hearts desire. I guess I was just startled. All I want is to be surrounded by love and family" She muttered again, keeping her head down. Poppy was weak and pathetic. She shouldn't let her emotions rule her.

It was a few moments later that the two boys approached her on either side of her in an attempt to comfort.

Harry took her hand in a silent support of union but Ron just looked lost and helpless, "Blimey, that's awful. I don't know what I'd do without my family and they can be right gits at times" His face was anxious and serious. Poppy couldn't help it.

She chuckled at Ron. He looked towards her uncertainly with a little smile. She smiled back genuinely, "You both should get to bed. It's really late now and we've got Potions first thing in the morning" Ron groaned loudly and immediately stood up muttering about greasy gits and making his way up the stairs.

Harry didn't move.

Poppy waited patiently for him to leave and kept her eyes on her feet. But he didn't.

"I know how it feels to not have a family" He confessed quietly. Poppy hesitantly lifted her head only to see Harry staring into the now extinguished fireplace with a pensive expression.

The striped haired girl waited for him to continue, "I know how lonely and awful it feels, not having a family. It's all I've ever wanted really" He sighed and then looked back at her with a worried face but continued speaking, "When I first saw the mirror I was shocked and overwhelmed but in a good way, you know? It was like a dream come true... I've... I've never seen my parents faces before" Harry's voice had become a little hoarse and Poppy immediately reached for his hand.

She tried to smile at him though it probably didn't work too well and quietly muttered back, "Me neither, I don't even know who they are" She again tried to smile as if it was a joke but Harry saw right through her.

"I just-Poppy I was so happy and it was wonderful when I saw my parents who loved me. But you... you looked shocked, confused and then really scared. Why did you look like you'd seen a ghost?" He whispered, knowing that it was a very sensitive subject.

Poppy felt tears well in her eyes for the first time in years and took a steadying breath, feeling the words pour out of her uncontrollably, "I saw lots of people and I don't even know who they are. I only recognised a couple. I saw... I saw my uncle..." Surprise flittered across Harry's face as she'd already told him she didn't know who her parents were so she explained, "I was adopted before my first birthday by a Wizard. He was amazing, my family... but he died when I was five. I was then taken in a couple months later by another Wizard... my papa" She whispered, "I loved my papa. I only ever wanted his acceptance and approval. But he didn't love me, he was just using me" Harry sucked in a breath at the onslaught of personal information she was telling him.

Taking an unsteady breath she confessed, "I saw them both in the mirror. My uncle was still alive and...and my papa loved and accepted me for who I am" Poppy's voice cracked and broke as she finished speaking. This felt like both the worst mistake and the most freeing moment of her life.

Harry was silent as he processed the information that she gave him. Poppy let him gather his thoughts.

"Do-do you still live with your papa?" He asked looking extremely worried and a little determined. Her heart went out for her amazing and selfless friend.

Poppy shook her head with a sad smile, "No I ran away a couple months ago and came back to Britain when I got my Hogwarts letter"

Harry nodded his head but his green eyes, although caring and understanding, swam with questions she probably didn't want to answer.

Harry furrowed his brows and did dare a question, "How... how did you uncle die?" He asked quietly. Poppy was pleasantly surprised that he didn't ask what she meant when she was her uncle 'used her'. It could mean a great many, awful things but he was tactful and considerate enough not to ask. What did she do to deserve such a wonderful friend?

The first year girls hand tightened in his, knowing very well that he could hate her after this. But Poppy couldn't not tell him. That would be so much worse, "He was murdered. The killing curse. I remember it clear as day. You don't forget that bright green light too easily" It had been many years for Poppy but her body still trembled and she still felt the aching emptiness clutching in her chest.

Harry's hand got a little too tight in her hand and he looked both sympathetic and furious. He would hate her for this...

"But... my uncle... as much as I loved him and how great he was to me..." Poppy drifted off and then closed her eyes painfully.

"What" Harry whispered.

The broken first year orphan opened her eyes and smiled at him sadly, "He was also a Death Eater"

Harry sucked in breath very sharply it was almost a hiss. He looked both surprised and shaken. Poppy laughed joylessly, feeling warm tears trickle down her cheeks.

She spoke breathlessly, "He never treated me differently. You know? Even though he was pureblood and I wasn't. Obviously, I wasn't pureblood. If I was pureblood I would have had a family. I have no idea why he even took me in. He protected me and raised me as one of his-his own" She hiccuped and Harry uncertainly moved to rub her back as she sobbed.

"The worst part is that I don't care if he was a Death Eater. He was my uncle. He tucked me into bed at night and let me sleep with him when I had nightmares. He read me stories and taught me to read. He was... he was my family" Poppy had reached the hysteria stage as she wept in pain.

Time passed as only her painful sobs made any noise in the common room. Eventually, she calmed down, feeling emotionally drained but lighter and freer.

"I'm sorry" She choked out shamefully. His parents were murdered by Voldemort himself. He would hate her now. He should, "Oh Merlin Harry I am so sorry"

When she finally looked up at Harry he looked sad and swallowed, "I-I don't know what to say, Poppy. You were so young and I don't blame you. It wasn't you who killed my parents or even your uncle. I know your not a bad person" He sounded so sure of her. Poppy let out a bitter laugh that made her sound years older. He didn't know the half of it or he wouldn't be so forgiving.

"No but he was a dark wizard Harry and after he died I went back into the system only to be found by my papa, another dark wizard" She made a noise that was a part laugh and part hysteria.

Harry rubbed her back as she pondered how unlucky she was.

"That doesn't make you bad Poppy" He muttered quietly but softly. Harry's back was rigid and eyes bright. He looked so surprised, worried, compassionate, angry, bewildered and protective or her.

She looked up with big puffy eyes, refusing to feel hopeful, "I know dark magic, Harry. My papa taught me it. He-" Her throat gradually closed up as she continued talking until she was incoherent.

Harry moved forward to hug her tightly, in a move that seemed very unusual for the shy boy not used to physical contact.

"I don't care. I know you didn't want to and your still my friend. You stuck up for me at the welcoming feast and don't let Snape bring you down. Your good. I know it" His whisper was fierce and held no room for argument. Pure joy and hope threatened to drown her.

Poppy only wished that he was right.

The very next night, with her talk with Harry fresh in her mind, she conjured her first ever corporal Patronus.


A/N: Any guesses to who her uncle is? Or papa? I will give you props if you can guess her Patronus or animagus form. All will be revealed eventually anyway. Poppy's Patronus and animagus forms are different but both very rare. Wow, I have a lot of secrets here. Hopefully, it makes my story interesting and not annoying!