"Ariana?"
The little girl turned to look at her brother who was now standing close to her. She tilted her head, confused. He never came to visit her. No one did. Mum didn't let them. She said it was because her little Ari was 'special'. Ariana didn't think she wanted to be special. She didn't want to hide in this little dark room behind the tapestry.
She liked her brothers. She wanted to see them. But Mum said it was too dangerous. Albus was sitting down next to her now. Is that dangerous? she wondered.
"Do you want some food?' Albus asked. Ariana hesitated. Dangerous, her mind whispered. Then, she nodded. Albus smiled and uncovered the little dish he was carrying.
"Peaches and cream," he said. "Your favourite."
She didn't remember having a favourite, she thought to herself. But the food looked and smelled good. Mum rarely gave her things like that. As she put the spoonful of fruit and cream in her mouth, she smiled. It was good. She wanted to eat more. Albus waited for her to finish, then put the dish away, to the side.
"Do you want to see something wonderful?" he asked, with a twinkle in his eye. She nodded eagerly. She couldn't see why Mum has insisted Albus was dangerous. He was nice, like she remembered. He took out a long wooden stick, and waved it around. Suddenly, red sparks flew from it, hitting the walls of her room and turning them into a bright rainbow of colours instead of the usual grey. Magic, she thought. Mum had warned her never to use it. It was bad for her. She wondered why it wasn't bad for Albus. But soon enough she was too mesmerised by the colours to care. She giggled in glee
"What will we do next?' she asked, her voice not sounding like her own. She had never heard herself so...happy.
Albus grinned widely, replying, "We are now about to visit the most marvelous places and see the most wonderful things!"
"Nothing of the sort," came a familiar voice from the doorway. Ariana turned to look, already knowing who it was. Mum. Albus stood up immediately, shaking. Was he scared of Mum? Why?
"Albus. You are well aware that you are not to come here," Kendra said. Albus stared at her silently for a few moments. Then, he spoke. "I wanted to see my sister." To Ariana it sounded like Albus was fighting with Mum, She didn't like that. She knew Albus would get scolded now.
"You will not disobey me. Understood?"
Ariana knew that tone. It meant Mum was angry, and that wasn't good. Albus paused again, but nodded quietly and walked out, turning back to look at her once.
"Ari," Mum said, leaning down to look at her, "you know I love you, yes?"
She nodded in response, still scared of getting scolded.
"Good. Remember that. No one loves you like I do. Not Albus, or Aberforth or anyone. They only want to hurt you. Mum does not want you to get hurt. So you must stay away from them."
Albus was nice to me, she thought, was he tricking me? Mum must be right...
"Stay away," Mum repeated, walking out of the door, leaving her alone again.
"Mum is always right," she repeated to herself in the empty room, her voice echoing off the cold stone walls.
Notes: For the Mother's Day Challenge at the Golden Snitch. Prompt: Kendra Dumbledore.
Also for the British Literature Challenge. Prompts: peaches and cream, rainbow, a secret room in an ancient manor, "We are now about to visit the most marvelous places and see the most wonderful things!"
And for the Through The Universe Challenge: Ariana Dumbledore.