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Ariana always has the most fun when her brothers return for the summer, and her days are filled with tales of Hogwarts, magic, and Hogsmeade.
Mother had an errand to run, so she asked Albus, the eldest, to watch Ariana while she left dealing with some orders. Albus grumbled under his breath, but he wasn't really upset. “ I just have this good book I want to read,”
Ariana nudged his feet with her toe, gesturing at the book.
“You don't mind me reading out loud?”
Ariana nodded, eager to hear her brother's voice.
Albus dutifully read, but he skipped a few pages, went silent for a while, and then read out loud again.
Ariana was beginning to feel her stomach churn uncomfortably, and she made sounds and pointed clumsily at her mouth.
“Food? Water?”
She nodded enthusiastically.
Abeforth already entered her room with a tray, chiding his elder brother, “You have to be aware of the time, or she'll starve and get upset.”
“I was about to do it,” Albus said with a frown. He took the tray from Abeforth and prepared the bowl so he could feed her.
Abeforth didn't look like he was leaving the room. “What have you been doing with Alby, eh, Ari? He's boring your ears off with his studies.”
Ariana shook her head and laughed silently.
“We were having fun reading if you must know,” Albus wrinkled his nose. “Where have you been? You could have stayed with Ariana if you were so concerned.”
“I was tending the goats-”
“Mum said to leave the neighbour's goat well alone!”
“They missed seeing me,” Abeforth protested. “The old hag has no idea how to tend to them properly. The way they bleatin’ is all sad!”
“You're going to get mum in trouble one of these days,” Albus warned.
“Oh shut yer mouth,” Abeforth snapped. He was two years younger but he never put up with Albus patronising him. “You just wish I took care of Ari so you would have a free afternoon yer self. What were you reading on anyway?”
Abeforth read the book's title and grimaced, “History of the Oldest Wizarding Village in Britain. Oh, sorry, Ari, yer had to suffer that.”
Albus took back the book roughly and then dusted the cover off carefully.
"The history of Hogsmeade isn't merely a collection of dates and events. It's the very essence of our wizarding heritage, the oldest and largest wizarding-only village in Britain.l."
Abeforth rolled his eyes, “I know what it is. I think Ari here would much rather enjoy my take on Hogsmeade-”
Ariana has an open smile. Clapping at his brother in earnest, she does want to see what it's all about.
"Consider its founding," Albus interrupted impatiently. Hogsmeade was born from necessity. It used to be a sanctuary for those seeking refuge from muggle persecution. Hengist of Woodcroft didn't just create a village; he laid the cornerstone of what would become a bastion for wizarding culture and freedom."
“It's got loads of fun shops! Abeforth ignored Albus completely, “Honeydukes, Zonkos, the Two Broomsticks and Quill Fevers and Bossery Clothes! It's especially pretty during Christmas. Me mates and I love to drink butterbeer and do a proper stroll.”
“Childish toys and sweets,” Albus scoffed.
“Oh, stop yer high horse. You still love those sweets, don't lie. I know you keep a stock of them under your bed! Mum's always complaining you keep yourself hungry because of the reading!”
Albus and Abeforth continue to bicker. Ariana watched them back and forth, her meal getting a little cold, but her mind was preoccupied with Hogsmeade, daydreaming of a time when she would be able to see the village for herself.
She's not allowed to go to Hogwarts. Mum tells her she is too sick and needs constant care, but she wishes, oh, how she wishes, to visit the large castle and its halls and learn proper magic.
A stroll in a beautiful village also feels like a fevered dream. She imagines she will wear pretty frocks and skip joyously with friends.
Her thoughts made her excitedly let out a joyous laugh, startling her brothers.
Aberforth caught her eye and smiled, sitting before her and pushing back a lock of her wild hair. "You happy Ari? Talking about Hogsmeade makes you happy?”
She nodded her head and grunted. Clapping her hands for emphasis.
“Maybe I'll open a pub in Hogsmeade, then you can stay with me. What do you think? A place for you to see all this magic up close."
Oh, would she be able to?
Albus raised an eyebrow. " Don't joke about stuff like that,” he said in a low tone that Ariana still caught. You'll keep her hopes up. It's cruel. You know why Mum has her home.”
“She'll get better and well enough someday.” Abeforth insisted, resuming feeding her. “I'll make a pub, and she can be my assistant, and we won't let shots like you join us!” He winked at Ariana conspiringly. She drooled a bit, so happy.
"You running a pub? That's peachy. Would you name it after the goats you are so obsessed with? I can't imagine that drawing in the crowds."
Aberforth's retort was quick and filled with mock indignation. "Fine, then. I'll name it after a hog. How about that? The Hog's Head, perhaps?"
Their banter was interrupted by their mother’s gentle yet firm voice. "Boys, what did I say about fighting in front of your sister? Ariana needs calm and rest."
“Sorry, Mum,” They said in unison.
Mum entered the room and tutted disapprovingly at Ariana’s still-full plate.
Ariana didn't feel so hungry anymore. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of a magical village.
***
Ariana hadn't meant for it to get so far. She was only curious about Hogsmeade and wanted to follow her brothers.
When Abeforth left the Floo powder out in the open instead of keeping it hidden after use, Ariana didn't hesitate. Mum was outside, and Ariana was alone again. She's stayed home ever since the accident, and although her family keeps her company, she is too curious about the world outside.
She tossed the Floo powder and, with a difficult stutter, said, "H-hogssmeadde!"
She threw herself into the green flames, trusting the magic would take her where she wanted to go.
She arrived at another Floo connected to a train station. There were other people—so many people that Ariana could only gape and stare for a full minute. Abeforth's description didn't do Hogsmeade justice. It was more than she had ever thought of: stores of all colours, wizards and witches bustling on the cold streets. Everything was so big, so many.
Ariana couldn't stop smiling.
There were many students wearing black robes. She recalled her brothers wearing similar garments to school.
Maybe she would see them here? How great would that be?
She found them hiding behind one of the shops with two broomstick signs; she wanted to laugh and grunt, to wave her clumsy hands for her brother's attention. But the scene she saw made her frown.
A group of wizards surrounded Abeforth; he had a split lip, and Albus was by his side- his hand out in a firm and probably placating manner.
What were those boys doing? It seemed they were saying something and spitting at Abeforth's face. Abeforth gritted his teeth, his veins almost bursting on his neck, face red and indignant with anger-
It triggered a memory deep within Ariana of a group of boys surrounding her when she was weak. She couldn't let it happen to her brother, too.
Her heart was thundering, and Ariana clenched her fist, feeling the magic swirl and concentrate within her—that's when Albus and Abeforth saw her.
"No, Ariana, no!"
She screamed, and with it, a gush of energy escaped her, breaking the shops around her. Everyone ran and whipped out their wands in shock.
Ariana panted harshly, but she saw the rubble around her, and her heart dropped. She fell on her knees.
Abeforth pushed aside Albus, who had a protective arm over him; he rushed over to Ariana and hugged her.
"Ari..."
"...ogsmeade?" She whispered fearfully.
Abeforth pulled her head to hide in his embrace. "Alby will figure it out. How are you even here? Where's Mum?" People were crowding around them, "Stay back!" Abeforth shouted. "We have to get you home first- we have to-"
Ariana stared mournfully at the scene before her, loosing the strength to move her limbs and letting her brother carry her away...
