It was just a normal Tuesday afternoon. There was the kid who came in with newts coming out of his ears but other than that, today was just a normal day in fact quieter than normal which left Poppy some time to Dela with her mess of an office.
After the exhaustion of dealing with Slytherin versus Gryffindor last week, where the new chaser, Harry Potter, had gotten very injured and needed a skelli-grow potion, Poppy was lucky to just have a normal week, and she was very grateful for that time to be able to get some organization done. She hadn't cleared out her office in what felt like an age.
Sometimes things got lonely for Poppy as the nurse in Hogwarts. Obviously she loved it, and although occasionally she lamented not pursuing her career as a healer, she never really thought about it too hard, because she loved it in Hogwarts, and she was very happy here.
She had other regrets. Ones that weighed on her heavily. How could she not? She was a lonely middle aged school nurse with no real companion but her colleagues and her work. It's not like she had wanted it to be this way. But she was happy with her lot despite her regrets. She loved her students and her work so the loneliness was an acceptable sacrifice.
"Madam Pomfery?"
"Miss Lovegood, what ails you, my dear?"
Luna stood nervously shifting from one foot to another outside her office. Poppy smiled at her, she truly did look so much like her mother. Poppy had loved Pandora, Luna's mum as she always came into talk to her and have a cup of tea in her office every once in a while. It was unusual that a student noticed so much about the staff at the school but Pandora seemed to tell Poppy's loneliness and Poppy was forever grateful for her for it.
"Nothing I just um..."
"Tell me," Poppy smiled and said in a hushed tone, "it will be strictly confidential if you want it to be."
"Remember when you announced to the first years that if they ever wanted to talk to you about anything..."
"That applies to everyone who needs it my dear not just the first years. Now come into my office and tell me what's on your mind."
Poppy silently mourned the loss of her quiet evening but she didn't hold anything again sweet little nervous Luna
"I umm... Think I'm gay." Luna said the minute the door clicked shut behind her. Poppy saw the terror in her eyes at the confession as Luna began to pace the small office space like a caged animal.
"Okay, that's okay and I accept you. You can talk to me about it or ask me for advice if you need anything to help you discover and be as open or not as you wish."
Poppy couldn't help but see not Luna's mother but herself in the small nervous girl in the middle of a sexuality crisis. It tugged at her heartstrings for Luna and threatened to open a whole Pandora's box of feelings Poppy had kept shoved down for a long long time.
"So do you have advice?"
"I'm sorry on what?"
"How to ask a girl out?"
"Um, Luna, I can't answer that for you, because, uh, it's different with every person. It's the same way that a boy asking one girl out would be different to a boy asking another girl out. It's not straightforward... it's a personal thing. And I... if I knew... you probably know this girl better than I do. Yes you certainly do. So, just be yourself, Luna." Poppy smiled at Luna who was clearly fighting the urge to roll her eyes.
"Yes, I know that it's different for every person, but... There must be something you can tell me, some advice, other than be myself. I'm not very good myself. I'd rather be someone else, honestly."
Poppy's heart went out of the girl as she mumbled to her feet. If only Luna knew how much Poppy knew her pain.
"Luna, my dear, you are perfect as you are. Don't let anyone, not this girl, not any girl, or anyone in the world, tell you that you aren't. Okay?"
"Okay, Madam Pompey."
"Good."
"Now, anything else you want to tell me?" Poppy said moving towards her desk to let Luna leave.
"It's Ginny!" Luna blurted out. Seemingly accidentally.
"Uh, excuse me?"
"Um, the girl. It's Ginny. I know you know who she is, so maybe... could you give me some advice?" Poppy looked at Luna. Of course, the Gryffindor girl. Luna really was like her. And like her mother, too. But Poppy couldn't tell Luna either of those things.
"Again, Luna, you probably know Ginny far better than I do. But, as far as I can tell, Ginny is probably the type of person who'd want you to be confident."
Don't go there, don't think about it Poppy. This isn't about your life it's just Luna's. Stop looking at the parallels.
"I'm not very good at that."
"I know, sweetheart. Just give it a try. What could you possibly lose?"
Luna bit her lip. "Everything," she said honestly shinning throw her eyes.
"You're not going to lose everything."
"I could lose her."
"But you're not going to. Because Ginny, the Ginny I know, is a very kind and compassionate, lovely person. You think so, too, don't you? Of course, Ginny is my everything. Then, as long as you're kind and respectful then everything should be fine. Got it?"
"Thank you." Luna said as she opened the office door and left. Poor girl.
It's always the Gryffindors, Poppy thought. It was for her and it was for Luna's mother. It seemed an endless cycle. Of course, Luna probably had much better chances with their little Ginny. It was a different time nowadays. It was okay to be gay. It was no longer kisses in broom closets. And 'I wish you were a boy'. 'I wish you were a boy.' whispered a hundred times under bedsheets. Of course, in pure-blood society, there would still be an element of that. Poppy knew that very well. She knew that things weren't just okay now for the younger generation. But she had a sense that Ginny and Luna would be okay, no matter what happened. Poppy moved to her desk, flopping down on her chair. There's still a pig stig in here. Poppy let out a big sigh, better get tidying.
A couple hours later Poppy gave up. She shoved the last few patient folders out of the way and made sure that at least the middle of the desk was clear. Poppy wasn't aware she had accumulated this much mess. She really ought to get better at organisation but she was too drained to care at the minute.
Standing up she noticed something on the floor. Poppy bent to pick it up and peered at it closely. The back of a moving picture and an old one from the looks of it, they didn't make them like this anymore. Assuming it had fallen from one of the folders she turned it over.
It wasn't. It was a picture of her.
And Minnie.
Poppy felt her knees buckle as she fell back onto the chair. She hadn't seen this picture in forever and it brought back memories she had been trying to keep locked away.
Poppy was laughing, desperately trying to keep a straight face but Minnie had just told her a brilliant joke before taking the photo. Her body shook as she held onto Minnie's, her arm around her waist Minnie's around her shoulders touch so casually. They both had the sparkle of amusement and joy in their eyes. Minnie looked so carefree hair loose and fly-away blouse untucked and Poppy's Ravenclaw tie around her neck.
They were both in the full bloom of their youth. The peak of their lives and the last time Poppy had no regrets. Two weeks before Minnie got engaged, two weeks before they were tore apart forever.
The date on the photo was...
***
26 June, 1954
"Stop laughing I'm trying to take a photo." Pomona complained Minnie grabbed Poppy around the shoulder with one arm and straighten their mismatched ties with the other. Pomona shook her hand and clicked the photo. Smiling Pomona skipped off while Poppy shook the photo.
The sun was high in the sky and the seventh years were partying today. Minnie and Poppy were in the middle of it all. Shouting to the music at the top of their lungs. Hands grabbing at each keeping only as much distance between their bodies as what could possibly be considered appropriate for friends.
"Cheers to finishing the NEWTS!" Someone called out in a loud holler.
"Cheers!" Everyone cheered.
Everything was perfect, they still had a few weeks of Hogwarts left, they were all seventeen and legal wizards and they didn't have to deal with grades and jobs for a while.
But more importantly for Poppy than all those things was that Minnie was right next to her. Beaming and laughing along with everyone free as a bird. Poppy knew it had taken alot and a long time for Minnie to get like this.
"Hey, Pops want a butter beer?" Minnie called over her shoulder as she disappeared through the crowd to the drinks table.
"Yeah sure!' Poppy called back to her over the music. They were on the lawn by the lake but magic made the music equally loud for the whole party. It was a magical band as most were but the Muggle borns had snuck some of Elvis' hits on there and Poppy enjoyed the purebloods distaste when they cropped up every so often.
"Here you go." Minnie skipped back over handing Poppy the butter beer. Minnie was dressed in Muggle clothing for once so her long satin skirt swished through the field towards Poppy. She still had her school blouse on but it was a pleasant experience to see Minnie without the heavy black school robes.
"Cheers." Poppy and Minnie clinked their bottles a d each took a swig. "Say love so you want to take a stroll get away for a bit?"
Minnie blushed crimson but no one was paying attention to their little exchange anyway.
"Oh-okay." Minnie stumbled over her words in the most adorable way that only Poppy could get from her. Poppy grabbed her girlfriends hand and pulled her off towards the lake and when the music stopped pounding in their ear drums they walked slowly side by side swinging their interlocked hands.
Their relationship was a secret of course. Both Minnie and Poppy's parents were rather open minded but this was too far for anyone. There were no labels or being out to it. It was just them when they were alone. And Poppy was more than happy with that. Because oh how she loved when they were alone.
"Poppy, come here." Minnie said with a smirk curling on her face, innocent school girl blush gone without a trace. And oh Poppy love that expression on Minnie's face.
Minnie tugged Poppy behind a tree nearly the other side of the lake from the party by now and definitely out of sight. Poppy was breathless and blushing now as Minnie pressed her up against the tree her grin growing wider.
"What are you going to do now?"
"Kiss you if course." Minnie said as she leant in and pressed her lips against Poppy's in the sweetest feeling she had ever felt in her life. Minnie's lip and kisses were like a drug, something she craved and longest for and might not be able to live without. She could never get enough of them and soon Poppy's hands were wrapped around Minnie's waist pulling her closer and closer.
"Wow." Was all Poppy could manage when Minnie pulled away.
"Aww did Poppy go all speechless." Minnie teased pulling away.
"Come here you idiot." Poppy leant against the tree and pulled Minnie with her.
Poppy and Minnie kissed again. Poppy tangled her hands in Minnie's long brown hair and pressed her lips against Minnie's. Snap!
Minnie sprung away from Poppy so fast Poppy was afraid she got whiplash. Seconds later before Poppy realised what was happening a boy appeared from behind the trees. Whipping her head around to see who it was.
Elphinstone Urquart. The boy who had been pining over Minnie all year and was stuck to her side whenever he could help it. Coincidentally Poppy biggest foe (despite being completely unaware of that fact.)
"Minerva, how pleasant to see you here."
"Likewise Elphinstone."
Elphinstone stalked toward Minnie who clearly looked more and more uncomfortable despite the pleasant smile she schooled her features into. Poppy stayed where she was. He hadn't seen her yet so she could step in if something happened.
"I was going to enjoy the lovely weather the take a stroll around the lake. It would be far more pleasant if you were to join me than if we were both by our lonesome don't you agree?"
"Oh no I couldn't..."
"Please you wouldn't be intruding. I'd love for us to be closer, I think it's a same we never were that close."
"No, it's just that I..."
"It's just that Minnie and I aren't alone we were walking together." Poppy appeared by Minnie's side and standing close to her protectively.
"Oh, Miss Pomfery, I didn't see you there. Surely you wouldn't mind if I steal your friend for a while?"
Elphinstone's smile was sickly sweet and Poppy wanted to throw up over him. He needed to get his disgusting simpering mouth away from her Minnie now
"Of course normally I would oblige but I'm feeling rather ill and Minnie has promised to accompany back to the castle to go to the nurse. So as much as I am loathe interrupt your flirtations Mr Urquart, I simply must had Minnie with me in my state of fragility."
Poppy's face nearly betrayed her by breaking out into a smirk when Elphinstone gasped at her bluntness. Minnie however had no such qualms and burst out laughing. Looping her hand around Minnie's shoulder she slumped against her trying to look sick and weak
"Yes, Poppy is unwell. Surely a gentleman such as yourself would not begrudge a girl for looking after her dearest friend when she has fallen ill?"
"Of course not, I wish you a rapid recovery Miss Pomfery."
Then he was gone and the two girls burst out into giggles at the affected language they had put on. Minnie clung to Poppy and Poppy felt her heart speed up. Their laughter stopped and they were left staring at eachother panting heavily.
"Poppy..." Minnie said leaning close to Poppy eyelashes fluttering. And oh Poppy would have happily given up the world to have this forever but it couldn't happen.
"Come with me, my love." Poppy grabbed Minnie by the wrist grinning as Minnie's perfect cheeks bloomed red with a heady blush.
Carefully avoiding the gathering of people on the lawn Poppy acioed a bottle of fire whiskey from the drinks table and continued pulling Minnie towards the castle. Once they were inside in the cool quiet of the castle they ran giggling through the halls to the Ravenclaw tower. Pulling Minnie up the stairs they collapsed onto Poppy's bed.
"What now?" Minnie asked laying back on Poppy's bed. Poppy took a swig of the fire whiskey and spluttered and coughed as it went burning down her throat. She passed it to Minnie who laughed at her coughing. "Haha you have such a low tolerance."
"Like you are any better, remember last month at the Hufflepuff party Pomona brought us too."
Minnie took a swig of the whiskey handling the alcohol admittedly better than Poppy.
"Oi, how was I supposed to know that the Puffs can create werid alcoholic potions that didn't taste like alcohol."
They teased and chuckled for a while before Minnie put the bottle down, still three quarters left in it,and jumped on Poppy. Minnie sat on Poppy pinning her down and tickling her until she was crying if laughter.
"Fine fine I admit it okay." Poppy raised her arms above her head but Minnie seemed to no longer care about her admission. There was something else in her eyes.
"Merlin, you are so hot Poppy." Minnie's gaze burnt into Poppy and she stayed perfectly still although she felt like she was about to burst out of her skin.
"Really?"
"Yeah..." Minnie leant down holding Poppy's hands down and kissed Poppy slowly. And Poppy felt complete. This moment was better and more wonderful that anything that had come before it and...
***
After it.
Tears were spilling out of Poppy's eyes now and she could no longer be bothered to hold them back. Maybe Poppy would have been able to get over Minnie if she didn't see her every day but some self destructive part of Poppy didn't want to get over Minnie.
"Madam Pomfery?"
A voice of a child reminded her she was not longer a seventeen year old with heart break and she had adult responsibilities.
"Coming my dear."
Poppy wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and put the photo down. Maybe Poppy would never get over Minnie but maybe she could learn to live with that, but today was not that day.