The Eyes of Imogen
written by Poppy Scamander
Who is Imogen? It's a question that Poppy Scamander has been asking her entire life, but even as she attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, she still can't recall. In turn, she looks to her childhood imaginary friend, who may be far more real than he seemed. But as the details about Imogen come to light, Poppy must face a part of herself that she wants to keep hidden, no matter the consequences.
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
3
Reads
378
Firs' Years!
Chapter 1
Poppy Scamander moved through the sea of people with her head down and messy dark brown hair in front of her face. The noise of everyone talking and the number of people on the platform was incredibly overwhelming. Her younger brother, Rolf, saw how nervous she was to be around so many people. He walked beside her and held her hand.
Ever since Poppy was bitten, she had been kept away from others. Not because of Poppy, but because of the prejudice towards werewolves. So they thought it was better to keep close and keep her away. They just wanted her to be safe.
As Poppy was saying her goodbyes, Rolf hugged her and didn't let go.
"Rolf....you have to let go.." Poppy said quietly. Rolf didn't let go of her.
"I want to go with you," He whined. Their mom then pulled him away and smiled at Poppy.
Poppy smiled slightly, "You'll be able to join me next year."
"But I want to go now!" He whined again.
"Have a nice year, love. Write often," She said nervously, interrupting Rolf. Poppy nodded and went onto the train without another word. She began the search for an empty compartment. The only one she could find had one person sitting in it. She sat across from the girl.
The girl had electric blue eyes that cut through Poppy's soul like a hot knife. Her thick, black hair was in two neat braids with a headband on her head. She was short and her skin was pale.
"Hello. Who are you?" She asked. Her voice was soft and delicate.
Poppy hesitated. She wasn't used to people asking who she was. She had a hard time making eye contact. "P-Poppy Scamander..." She said quietly while looking at the ground.
The girl smiled and giggled, "I'm Alice Coleman. It's nice to meet you, Poppy!" She held out her hand for her to shake. Poppy took her hand, shook slightly and then let go. She looked at the ground as an awkward silence filled the compartment.
After about a few minutes the girl said, "So where are you from?" In an attempt to break the silence.
"Dorset..." Poppy said quietly while looking at the ground. She could feel the girl looking at her. Poppy quickly looked at her and then looked at the ground once more.
"Is it nice there?" She asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
Poppy shrugged. "I guess it is. I mean, I don't really go outside much. But when I do it's usually in the backyard because I'm not really allowed out the front door unless my parents are with me."
Alice's mouth fell open slightly. "That sounds awful. Why in the world would they do that? They sound incredibly strict."
"N-no reason. They just want to make sure I'm safe....that's all...nothing to be concerned about." She murmured. Poppy began to feel uncomfortable. Alice picked up on this and changed the subject.
"So, when do you think no we'll arrive?" She asked. No answer from Poppy. Alice sighed and looked out if the window, knowing she went too far and feeling horrible about it.
Then, Poppy stood up and opened her trunk. She grabbed her school robes out and went to the bathroom to go change. Alice stayed in the compartment and took the opportunity to change as well.
It was early evening when the train finally arrived at Hogsmeade Station. They were told to leave their luggage on the train, as it would be taken to the school separately.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" A voice boomed. Poppy looked at the source of the voice, and her mouth fell open when she saw the man.
The man was tall, taller than any man she has ever seen. He looked like some combination of giant and man. Poppy, who was incredibly interested and had to go there anyway, walked into the crowd of people. She just awkwardly stared at him. At this point, she didn't even care that she was in the middle of a crowd. She was too busy concentrating on the man.
"C'mon follow me - Any more firs' years? Mind yer' step, now! Firs' years follow me!" He yelled. They start moving down a path. Poppy kept watching him. Alice saw Poppy and went beside her.
"HELLO!" She yelled. Poppy jumped and looked at Alice.
" Please don't do that...." She said quietly. Alice grinned.
"Sorry. I'm just really excited. I've been waiting for this moment my entire life." She quickly says while jumping up and down. Poppy nodded silently and kept walking.
The giant man told the first years that they would be seeing their first glimpse of Hogwarts. Sure enough, around the bend, we saw Hogwarts.
The sight was beautiful. The huge castle was placed atop of a huge mountain. The turrets and towers shot into the start night sky, which was all reflected in the black lake.
Alice squealed with delight. She looked at Poppy and then back at the castle. Poppy smiled, remembering the stories her father and grandfather told her and her brother about the school.
" No more'n four to a boat!" The man called. Poppy looked forward and saw a small fleet of ships. Alice grabbed Poppy's hand and dragged her to a boat. Two others got in with then. Poppy and Alice sat in the front and watched as they went closer to the vast castle.
They soon reached some kind of underground harbor. They ascended up a flight of stone steps that led up to the huge oak front door. The man knocked three times before it swung open, revealing a tall, stern looking woman in emerald green robes.
He introduced her as Professor McGonagall. She thanked then and then opened the doors wider to reveal a giant entrance hall. Alice's mouth fell open. Poppy looked at Alice and smiled at her reaction.
The group of first years was lead into The Great Hall. Poppy looked up at the ceiling to the starry night sky with thousands of floating candles that lit up the vast hall. Students sat at four different tables with goblets and tables on top. The students at the tables watched the nervous first years.
Professor McGonagall Placed a stool on the ground in front if the first years. She then placed an old, dirty, and frayed wizards hat on top.After a few minutes, the hat twitched. It's brim opened into something like a mouth. It began to sing a song about its self and the houses.
After it finished the whole hall applauded. Then names began to get called. As Poppy watched people go up to the hat and it yelling out what house they were in. She began to get more and more scared as each name was called.
"Collman, Alice." Alice smiled and skipped confidently up to the stool. The hat was placed on her head but it was too big so it slipped over her eyes. Seconds later the hat yelled. "HUFFLEPUFF!" Alice smiled as the Hufflepuff table burst into applause.she skipped over and sat down. Poppy tried to calm herself down.
One name was called that made everyone in the hall whisper to each other about Harry Potter. Poppy heard about him but never really cared. He was sorted into Gryffindor and the sorting proceeded.
Finally after a few more names..."Scamander, Poppy." What Poppy wanted to do was go hid in a hole and die, what she actually did was keep walking. Even though she could feel everyone Staring at her. She sat down on the stool and looked at everyone. The hat was placed on her head and instantly yelled "HUFFLEPUFF!"
The table burst into applause. When the hat was removed from her head, she quickly got off the stool and went to the table. Alice smiled and scooted over. Poppy sat by Alice.
"I'm so happy we are in the same house!" She clapped her hands together. "Now we can get to now each other better!"
"Y-yeah....I guess..." Poppy hesitated. She didn't really want to talk to other humans but she didn't want to be rude.
Soon the sorting was over. Albus Dumbledore said a few words and the feast began. Food suddenly appeared on the table. Alice's eyes widened as she saw the food appear and she began to shovel food onto her plate. Poppy took a little. She began to wonder how someone so small could eat so much. But some mysteries are best left unsolved.
After the feast ended, The headmaster gave a few Start of term notices. After singing the school song, they were sent to bed.
Poppy stared at the dying fire. it was a restless night. Just like night previous night and the night before that. This was a common occurrence for her. Silent footsteps broke the silence and in the common room.
" Poppy? What are you doing up?" Alice asked with a yawn. Poppy jumped.
"N-nothing!" She said back, ..startled.
"Sorry I startled you. I just saw you weren't in bed and decided to come looking for you...". Poppy stood up abruptly
"I'm fine... let's just go to bed." She grabbed Alice's hand and together they went to the girl's dorm.
Ever since Poppy was bitten, she had been kept away from others. Not because of Poppy, but because of the prejudice towards werewolves. So they thought it was better to keep close and keep her away. They just wanted her to be safe.
As Poppy was saying her goodbyes, Rolf hugged her and didn't let go.
"Rolf....you have to let go.." Poppy said quietly. Rolf didn't let go of her.
"I want to go with you," He whined. Their mom then pulled him away and smiled at Poppy.
Poppy smiled slightly, "You'll be able to join me next year."
"But I want to go now!" He whined again.
"Have a nice year, love. Write often," She said nervously, interrupting Rolf. Poppy nodded and went onto the train without another word. She began the search for an empty compartment. The only one she could find had one person sitting in it. She sat across from the girl.
The girl had electric blue eyes that cut through Poppy's soul like a hot knife. Her thick, black hair was in two neat braids with a headband on her head. She was short and her skin was pale.
"Hello. Who are you?" She asked. Her voice was soft and delicate.
Poppy hesitated. She wasn't used to people asking who she was. She had a hard time making eye contact. "P-Poppy Scamander..." She said quietly while looking at the ground.
The girl smiled and giggled, "I'm Alice Coleman. It's nice to meet you, Poppy!" She held out her hand for her to shake. Poppy took her hand, shook slightly and then let go. She looked at the ground as an awkward silence filled the compartment.
After about a few minutes the girl said, "So where are you from?" In an attempt to break the silence.
"Dorset..." Poppy said quietly while looking at the ground. She could feel the girl looking at her. Poppy quickly looked at her and then looked at the ground once more.
"Is it nice there?" She asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
Poppy shrugged. "I guess it is. I mean, I don't really go outside much. But when I do it's usually in the backyard because I'm not really allowed out the front door unless my parents are with me."
Alice's mouth fell open slightly. "That sounds awful. Why in the world would they do that? They sound incredibly strict."
"N-no reason. They just want to make sure I'm safe....that's all...nothing to be concerned about." She murmured. Poppy began to feel uncomfortable. Alice picked up on this and changed the subject.
"So, when do you think no we'll arrive?" She asked. No answer from Poppy. Alice sighed and looked out if the window, knowing she went too far and feeling horrible about it.
Then, Poppy stood up and opened her trunk. She grabbed her school robes out and went to the bathroom to go change. Alice stayed in the compartment and took the opportunity to change as well.
It was early evening when the train finally arrived at Hogsmeade Station. They were told to leave their luggage on the train, as it would be taken to the school separately.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" A voice boomed. Poppy looked at the source of the voice, and her mouth fell open when she saw the man.
The man was tall, taller than any man she has ever seen. He looked like some combination of giant and man. Poppy, who was incredibly interested and had to go there anyway, walked into the crowd of people. She just awkwardly stared at him. At this point, she didn't even care that she was in the middle of a crowd. She was too busy concentrating on the man.
"C'mon follow me - Any more firs' years? Mind yer' step, now! Firs' years follow me!" He yelled. They start moving down a path. Poppy kept watching him. Alice saw Poppy and went beside her.
"HELLO!" She yelled. Poppy jumped and looked at Alice.
" Please don't do that...." She said quietly. Alice grinned.
"Sorry. I'm just really excited. I've been waiting for this moment my entire life." She quickly says while jumping up and down. Poppy nodded silently and kept walking.
The giant man told the first years that they would be seeing their first glimpse of Hogwarts. Sure enough, around the bend, we saw Hogwarts.
The sight was beautiful. The huge castle was placed atop of a huge mountain. The turrets and towers shot into the start night sky, which was all reflected in the black lake.
Alice squealed with delight. She looked at Poppy and then back at the castle. Poppy smiled, remembering the stories her father and grandfather told her and her brother about the school.
" No more'n four to a boat!" The man called. Poppy looked forward and saw a small fleet of ships. Alice grabbed Poppy's hand and dragged her to a boat. Two others got in with then. Poppy and Alice sat in the front and watched as they went closer to the vast castle.
They soon reached some kind of underground harbor. They ascended up a flight of stone steps that led up to the huge oak front door. The man knocked three times before it swung open, revealing a tall, stern looking woman in emerald green robes.
He introduced her as Professor McGonagall. She thanked then and then opened the doors wider to reveal a giant entrance hall. Alice's mouth fell open. Poppy looked at Alice and smiled at her reaction.
The group of first years was lead into The Great Hall. Poppy looked up at the ceiling to the starry night sky with thousands of floating candles that lit up the vast hall. Students sat at four different tables with goblets and tables on top. The students at the tables watched the nervous first years.
Professor McGonagall Placed a stool on the ground in front if the first years. She then placed an old, dirty, and frayed wizards hat on top.After a few minutes, the hat twitched. It's brim opened into something like a mouth. It began to sing a song about its self and the houses.
After it finished the whole hall applauded. Then names began to get called. As Poppy watched people go up to the hat and it yelling out what house they were in. She began to get more and more scared as each name was called.
"Collman, Alice." Alice smiled and skipped confidently up to the stool. The hat was placed on her head but it was too big so it slipped over her eyes. Seconds later the hat yelled. "HUFFLEPUFF!" Alice smiled as the Hufflepuff table burst into applause.she skipped over and sat down. Poppy tried to calm herself down.
One name was called that made everyone in the hall whisper to each other about Harry Potter. Poppy heard about him but never really cared. He was sorted into Gryffindor and the sorting proceeded.
Finally after a few more names..."Scamander, Poppy." What Poppy wanted to do was go hid in a hole and die, what she actually did was keep walking. Even though she could feel everyone Staring at her. She sat down on the stool and looked at everyone. The hat was placed on her head and instantly yelled "HUFFLEPUFF!"
The table burst into applause. When the hat was removed from her head, she quickly got off the stool and went to the table. Alice smiled and scooted over. Poppy sat by Alice.
"I'm so happy we are in the same house!" She clapped her hands together. "Now we can get to now each other better!"
"Y-yeah....I guess..." Poppy hesitated. She didn't really want to talk to other humans but she didn't want to be rude.
Soon the sorting was over. Albus Dumbledore said a few words and the feast began. Food suddenly appeared on the table. Alice's eyes widened as she saw the food appear and she began to shovel food onto her plate. Poppy took a little. She began to wonder how someone so small could eat so much. But some mysteries are best left unsolved.
After the feast ended, The headmaster gave a few Start of term notices. After singing the school song, they were sent to bed.
Poppy stared at the dying fire. it was a restless night. Just like night previous night and the night before that. This was a common occurrence for her. Silent footsteps broke the silence and in the common room.
" Poppy? What are you doing up?" Alice asked with a yawn. Poppy jumped.
"N-nothing!" She said back, ..startled.
"Sorry I startled you. I just saw you weren't in bed and decided to come looking for you...". Poppy stood up abruptly
"I'm fine... let's just go to bed." She grabbed Alice's hand and together they went to the girl's dorm.
