for unicorn day - nightmares

for shakespeare day - dying on their birthday

for auction - no 'the'

1116 words, by google docs

Aberforth would not let them ruin Ariana's birthday. He knows that it's probably irrational for him to still insist on celebrating it, but maybe one day Ariana will remember who he is. Maybe she'll remember that he's her brother and he loves her and he hopes that she'll live another year. It doesn't make sense, celebrating her birthday, when she doesn't know what a birthday is. Aberforth doesn't even know why people celebrate birthdays, period. It all seems a bit ridiculous.

Still, he likes making a cake for her, spending hours slaving away, trying to make something so perfect. Something that she probably won't eat.

And Albus, every year, has complied.

Albus, every year, has joined him for their little birthday party for Ariana. She deserves it.

Albus, every year, probably never wanted to go, but always did.

And now Gellert exists. Aberforth isn't stupid. He knows that Albus probably won't even remember that it's Ariana's birthday, this morning.

Aberforth is going to hope that he does.

"What are you doing today?" he asks, trying to test Albus. They're both eating a quick breakfast. Later, when Albus inevitably leaves, Aberforth will bring some food to Ariana. She never comes out before eleven, latest. She once told Aberforth, in one of her normal stages, that sometimes she had nightmares and just couldn't sleep so she sleeps later. And then she exploded at him.

"Working on plans with Gellert," Albus replies. He sounds tired, as if he didn't get much sleep. Glancing at his brother, Aberforth can see a stack of papers in front of him. There's pages upon pages of notes sitting there and Aberforth is reminded of that Albus probably didn't have much sleep last night. Of course.

He knew Albus' answer was probably going to be something about Gellert, but Aberforth's heart sinks anyway.

"Have fun," he says bitterly. He doesn't know what their constant 'plans' are, but he's almost certain that they aren't anything good. Since when has his brother been good?

Albus raises his eyebrows a tiny bit before collecting up his papers and standing up.

"I'd better be off," Albus says, nodding at Aberforth. Something in Aberforth wants him to tell Albus what day it is, to make him stay, but he doesn't. There would be no point. Albus doesn't want to celebrate Ariana's birthday. Why should Aberforth make him?

When Albus leaves, Aberforth gets to work. He pulls out his wand, considering for a moment before putting it back away. It would be quicker to make it with magic but there's always a risk of being expelled.

Of course, Aberforth doesn't really care about Hogwarts, but what if it makes Ariana stressed and something happens. He can't have those tensions arise.

He gets to work, taking care to measure out every bit of flour. He measures out sugar, too, and cracks two eggs and beats everything together. Aberforth has been collecting these ingredients slowly and storing them at their house. He doesn't even think Albus noticed.

After a couple of hours, it's finally ready. He takes it, gripping it hard, and makes his way to Ariana's bedroom. He thought that a cake would be a nice way for her to wake up.

And then a crash comes from outside.

All morning, Aberforth has been worried that Albus and Gellert, their precious friendship, would ruin Ariana's birthday. If it becomes true…

He turns to start going out to them but someone grabs his arm. Turning, he sees Ariana standing there, her eyes wide. He can tell that she's close to having a meltdown by her grip.

Something in his stomach tells him that Albus wouldn't know if he was here. He can't have them make another big noise and cause her to go off—sometimes small things did that—but he can't leave her here alone; what if she has a meltdown and he can't calm her?

So Aberforth leads Ariana outside with him, to see Albus and Gellert standing there, brothers in arms, both grinning widely. He leaves Ariana before walking over to them, his chin up.

"Albus," he hisses, glaring at them. He doesn't care if they finally worked out another genius thing that will change everyone's world. This is Ariana's birthday and Aberforth, making a split-second, maybe rash, decision, will not let them ruin it.

"You really should be getting back inside," Gellert says, not even giving Albus a chance to answer Aberforth. "This is between us, please." Aberforth squints at Gellert, trying to let him know that he is not going to just listen to him because he said so. "You really shouldn't squint," Gellert tells him, giving him a dark look. "It's bad for your eyes. Just look at your brother."

Gellert smiles at his mention of Albus, but Albus doesn't return it. Instead, he places a single hand on Gellert's shoulder.

"Gellert," he says slowly, giving him a look before turning to Aberforth. Something feels like triumph inside of Aberforth—maybe his brother does have some of his old self locked away inside of him! "What do you want, Aberforth?" he asks, raising an eyebrow as if Aberforth is a naughty child who's making too much noise. He's not making too much noise.

"You're going to set off Ari if you keep on being so loud," Aberforth tells them. There's a sour taste in his mouth as he glares at Gellert, specifically.

"We're working on more important things than your sister," Gellert shoots back, once again not letting Albus speak.

Albus opens his mouth as if he's about to say something, but Aberforth shoots back, "There isn't anything more important than her health." He's always hated Gellert. Maybe now he can finally say every thought that's been stirring in his brain. "Especially not your silly little games," he adds as an afterthought.

"Aberforth, they're not—" Albus says, before being cut off by Gellert pulling out his wand.

"You want to see my 'silly little games'? I can show you, no problem," he says, pointing his wand at Aberforth's head.

"Gellert, don't—" Albus says, sounding slightly desperate. Aberforth cuts him off, though, pulling out his wand too and directing it at Gellert.

"Show me," he challenges.

And his mind temporarily goes blank as Gellert shoots a spell at him.

He doesn't really remember anything but shouting and regaining himself to shoot some spell back at Gellert.

Aberforth doesn't know how long it's been before he finally stops and Albus is holding back Gellert and someone's lying down. Someone—

No.

"Ari!" Aberforth says, trying to shout loud enough to wake her up. Because that's what it is, right? She's just sleeping?

He can't shout loud enough to wake a dead person.