A/N: Ariana is able to pursue her dream of running her own bakery. Bakery!AU. Aberforth/Ariana sibling moment. I do not own Harry Potter.

Submission for:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments): Astronomy Assignment #4 -Write a story involving dreams (eg. pursuing dreams)

AU Battle Competition: Bakery!AU. Prompts: (word) pursue, (dialogue) "Well, when you say it like that..."

All You Need Is Love Challenge/Competition: Round 3 - Aberforth/Ariana

Ariana laughed as she kneaded the dough on the countertop, enjoying the ability to work with her hands. Her younger years had been spent indoors and in bed after the incident with those horrible neighbourhood boys. However, staying indoors had helped her to discover a talent she had in the kitchen.

As soon as she was of age, she told her brother, Aberforth about her dream: to open her own bakery. Albus had already left the home to travel the world with his friend and now she wanted to pursue her own adventure.

She was a bit scared at first to tell him. Aberforth had always doted on her more than Albus ever did. To Albus, she felt almost as if she were a burden, holding him back from his true purpose in life, but to Aberforth, she was a porcelain doll that could break at any moment.

But he surprised her with his positive response and fully supported her dream. So much in fact, he was currently working the till at the front counter of the bakery.

The doors to the kitchen swung open and Aberforth walked inside. "It's a bit slow out there this morning. Do you need any help around here?" he asked as he came up beside her at the countertop.

Ariana gave him a wide smile as she wiped her arm across her damp forehead. She was sure she looked a right mess wrist deep in dough and her apron and face speckled with flour. "No, I'm doing all right back here. You should stay out there in case a customer walks in," she said as she rolled the dough.

Aberforth smiled and said, "They won't come in."

"How do you know that?" Ariana asked.

"I turned the sign to 'CLOSED' for moment," he said.

"What!" Ariana exclaimed, her hand striking out at her brother who easily evaded it. "But then we'll miss customers," she said, already making her way towards the kitchen doors before he grabbed her arms.

"The customers can wait. Have you sat down at all today, drank something?" he asked as he placed his hand on her forehead and wiped away the streak of flour.

"I had a glass of pumpkin juice and-" she began but Aberforth held up his finger and added, "Besides breakfast?"

"Well, when you say it like that..." Ariana began as she looked away, unable to meet her brother's eyes. He would know if she lied anyways.

Aberforth tutted. "You need a break," he said as he pulled her over to the side of the kitchen where a small stack of crates stood against the wall.

"No, I don't," she said with a pout.

Aberforth just shook his head. "Yes, you do. Now, I'll continue the baking back here and you just rest."

Ariana laughed and leaned back against the wall. She was a bit tired now that she thought about it and kneading the dough had caused her wrist to start cramping.

"Hello," a voice called out beyond the kitchen doors. "Are you open?"

Ariana stood up from the crates. "We got a customer," she said with a smile as she washed her hands and then moved to open the shop door.