A door slams, and you startle almost to the point of slipping backwards and out the door. A glance at your hand shows you the bent and bruised stems of the flowers agonizingly plucked over the afternoon. You're tempted to throw them out, but you're already in the house and the glass vase is mere steps away.

The fresh flowers are squeezed between the dead and dying flowers you chose daily ever since Albus and Aberforth had returned from Hogwarts for the holidays.

"Still making a mess, Ariana?" Aberforth grinned. The dry leaves and petals had scattered on the table and floor. "There's a spell to keep your flowers fresh for longer, you know."

You grin. "Albus also made flowers once, but there's something special about the natural flowers that don't last as long. Besides, all of them can live in their different stages together!"

Aberforth grimaced.

"Albus is probably too busy pushing the boundaries of magic for something as useless as making flowers now," Aberforth grumbled.

You don't think too much of Aberforth's comment. Your brothers argue almost daily and wake up best of friends in the morning. The only time you paid attention was when one of them dragged you into the argument, even then you barely understood much to join the argument.

All you knew was that magic theory was difficult, and you were better off staying away from the entire thing. History was even worse, and your mother forced you to sit through the history of all the dead Dumbledores before you.

This was the only reason you don't cry about following your brothers to Hogwarts. There was no way a ghost would make history any more exciting.

The feeling of magic washes over you just as your mother comes through the doorway. The caked feeling on your knees is gone. You look down, and the mud stains on your dress have disappeared too.

You throw your arms around Aberforth in delight. You feel his breath tickle your hair as he huffs. You enjoy him patting your head.

"Call your brother for dinner, Ariana." Your mother's voice disturbs your comfort, and you're tempted to ignore it until Aberforth is called away as well. "Help me set the table in the meantime, Aberforth."

You reluctantly trudge over to the locked door.

"Albus, it's dinner time!"

You yell unnecessarily. You're sure Albus heard your mother's instruction and was just playing deaf.

"I'm not hungry," was the grumbled reply that the door returned.

"Are you sure? You skipped lunch too!"

"Ariana, stop yelling!"

There was no other sound from the room. You turn around with a frown and wander back into the kitchen. The frown is stuck on your face as you stare at your food.

"Was Albus that upset?" you ask Aberforth quietly. You catch his shrug, but he continues eating as if he hadn't heard you.

You see your mother sneaking glances in the direction of Albus's room, and suddenly you know what to do.

Your chair screeches as you stand.

"Excuse me."

You grab your food – and both your cutlery and the cutlery from Albus' seat – and march into Albus' room. You don't bother knocking. You know none of the doors can be locked.

Albus is sitting at his desk, staring determinedly at a book.

He looks up as the door opens. You place your dinner to the left of his book and sit on the bed.

"I'm not particularly hungry either, so I thought we could share dinner."

Albus stares at the food. You can't tell if it's out of shock, or if you've just upset him further.

The silence grows and you're starting to wonder if it's the latter.

"Alright, but all the peas are mine," Albus says finally. His expression has a bit of humour and you feel yourself relax.

Until you realise exactly what he said.

"Peas! No! You can't take them all!"

"What if I only want to eat that?" Albus asked, grinning.

You hesitate.

Finally, you jut your bottom lip out in annoyance.

"You can eat them, then. But you'll have to help me finish some of the other vegetables or… I'll tell on you!"

Written for Hogwarts [692 words]:

Survival Skills: Task 8 - Food [Write about someone sharing a meal]