Author's Note: Written for...

Hogwarts Auction 2021 - Prompt: Ariana Dumbledore

Back to School - Prompt: Albus Dumbledore

scared to begin

600 words

The house is still and quiet, where once Mama's soft singing would fill the place as she cooked and cleaned. But now Mama is gone, and Albus decidedly taken her place - or at least, claimed the position.

Aberforth thinks on it bitterly as he prepares lunch for his siblings. He used to watch Mama cook all the time, and sometimes he would even let her sleep in and make breakfast for Ari. He doesn't think Albus would trust him in the kitchen, for he's only a dimwit in his brother's eyes, but not for the first time, the eldest Dumbledore has become so wrapped up in his reading that he's forgotten the hour.

Ariana dances into the kitchen, humming one of Mama's favorite songs. It brings a smile to Ab's face to hear it again, and he joins her as he ladles out bowls of stew for the two of them. He leads his sister to the dining table and makes sure the food has cooled sufficiently before letting her dig in. Ab sits and watches her for a few quiet moments, smiling at the happy little sounds Ariana makes as she eats her favorite stew. He mixes his own slowly, suddenly feeling less hungry as he looks over the empty chairs at the table.

Papa, lost to Azkaban for trying to defend Ari. Mama, gone in the blink of an eye because Ari got a little too worked up. Albus, a victim of his own pride.

Aberforth hasn't said a word to his brother since they buried Mama two days before. What was there left to say? Albus made himself clear when he decided to stay and take care of them.

Only, Ab doesn't want to be taken care of. He's fifteen now! He hadn't needed his big brother when Ariana got hurt and Papa went away, nor when his classmates came to the realization that Al got all the brains in the family. He certainly didn't need him now.

He hates Hogwarts with his entire being, and he can't stand to be away from Ariana for another three years, let alone one. But he's only fifteen, and he can't do it all on his own no matter how much he wants to.

So Aberforth forces himself up from the table. He pours a third bowl and sets a place at the table. He steels himself for any argument that may be thrown his way before heading to the stairs, pausing to place a kiss to the top of Ariana's head as he passed by.

Albus was henched over books at his desk, the door slightly ajar, as Aberforth found him. It wasn't an unfamiliar position. Even before he'd gone off to Hogwarts and become the golden child, he was an avid reader and had big plans for his future - his, not the family's.

Aberforth cleared his throat softly, coming into the room. Albus straightened and glanced over his shoulder briefly.

"What is it?" he asked briskly.

"Lunch is ready. Thought you might be hungry."

Albus waved him off, rotating the books before him and shifting papers. "I'm not. I'll come down after."

The younger brother resisted rolling his eyes. He nodded once and began to retreat.

"Ab?" Albus called. Aberforth turned back, meeting the blue eyes, so like his own. They were without their usual twinkle. "Thank you."

Aberforth nodded his acknowledgment and left the room quietly.

It may have been a long time since he'd taken pride in being Albus Dumbledore's little brother, but perhaps there was hope in restoring their family, if only for Ariana's sake.