Breaking fast
The moment the call to prayer ended, movement filled the room again. Hadeel and Mariam hurried to bring out small bowls of something in milk, placing them in front of each person at the table. James peered into his bowl, brow furrowing.
“What is this?” he asked, poking at the mixture with his spoon.
“Khoshaf,” Severus answered without looking up, already reaching for his own. “Dried fruit soaked in milk.”
The Marauders exchanged glances but followed suit, each hesitantly taking a bite. It was sweet, the dried apricots and figs softened from the soaking, mixed with nuts that added a crunch.
Sirius hummed in appreciation. “Alright, this is good.”
Intisar chuckled as she took her seat. “It’s good to break the fast with something sweet, to prepare the stomach for the meal.”
Severus, who wasn’t fasting, still ate the khoshaf alongside the family as if it were second nature. The Marauders followed his lead, glancing around at the others.
Hassoona, looking incredibly proud, sat up straight. “I fasted the whole day today,” he announced.
Nabeela smiled warmly at him. “A big boy, indeed.”
Severus ruffled the boy’s hair slightly. “I’m proud of you, Hassoona.”
Hassoona grinned, pleased, before eagerly grabbing a piece of bread.
The Marauders, still adjusting to the rhythm of this unfamiliar setting, watched as the meal continued. Plates of food were passed around—warm, steaming dishes filling the table.
Sirius found himself with a plate of rice and something rich-smelling ladled on top. “What’s this?” he asked.
“Fattah,” Severus answered. “Rice, bread, and garlic sauce with beef.”
Remus, sitting beside him, took a cautious bite—and his eyebrows raised in surprise. “This is amazing.”
James, enjoying his own serving, glanced up. “Do you always eat like this?”
Intisar laughed. “Not every day, but Ramadan is special. We prepare meals together, eat together, and share with our neighbors.”
As if on cue, Nabeela turned to Hassoona, handing him a plate covered with a cloth. “Take this to the neighbors downstairs,” she instructed. “And do not touch the sweets inside.”
Hassoona nodded seriously, carefully taking the plate. He hopped down from his chair and darted toward the door.
Sirius, watching, frowned. “Wait, they’re giving food away? Didn’t you say there were a lot of people living here?”
Severus sighed. “That’s the point.”
Saeed, who had been busy eating so far, spoke up. “Ramadan is about community. No matter how little we have, we share.”
The Marauders exchanged glances again.
It was strange. Back in Britain, even at Hogwarts, sharing food wasn’t some big, significant thing. You ate what you had. You didn’t go giving meals away when you had a full table to feed.
But here, it wasn’t a burden. It was expected.
They ate in relative quiet after that, the Marauders still adjusting to this new environment. Despite the unfamiliar customs, the energy at the table was warm. It felt like a family meal—even if they weren’t part of the family.
Sirius stole another spoonful of Severus’ food when he wasn’t looking, James tried (and failed) to balance a piece of bread on Peter’s head without him noticing, and Remus made polite conversation with Mariam and Hadeel about their studies.
Severus, sitting among them, ate in silence, listening to the conversations flowing around him.
For the first time in weeks, it felt almost normal.