Preparing for eid
The days in Egypt were blending together. The street outside Severus’s apartment, once a strange and intimidating place for the Marauders, had now become familiar. They were starting to recognize the faces of their neighbors—people who greeted them with smiles and waves as they went about their daily lives. The language, too, was becoming more intuitive, though still a challenge for the Marauders. Hassoona had become their unofficial translator, helping when words eluded them and pointing out important cultural customs. But even without words, they were beginning to understand the rhythm of life here.
Severus, for his part, had become more comfortable in his role as their guide through Egyptian culture. He had started to offer advice on how to blend in, from the simple—like when to greet with a “Salam” or a “Ramadan Kareem”—to the more complicated, like understanding the intricate social codes that governed how they interacted with others. His knowledge, acquired from years of living among people who had been born and raised in this environment, was proving invaluable.
Today, however, was a little different. As they ventured out into the city for errands, it became clear that something was approaching. People were talking excitedly, preparing for something bigger than just the end of Ramadan. The word Eid was everywhere.
“Severus, what’s going on?” James asked, noticing the unusual number of people on the streets and the increase in the buzz of energy.
“It’s Eid,” Severus said, his voice low but full of meaning. “The celebration at the end of Ramadan. It’s a holiday that marks the end of the month of fasting, a time for family, for community, and for charity.”
Sirius glanced around. “So… people are shopping for presents? For food?”
“Not quite,” Severus explained. “Mostly clothes and food for the big feast. It’s a way of celebrating the end of fasting with family and friends.”
Remus raised an eyebrow. “And the clothes, what’s special about them?”
Severus looked at him. “You wear your best clothes to mark the occasion. It’s a special time, a time to honor the sacrifice made during Ramadan and the joy of reunion and renewal. People wear new clothes, often in bright, festive colors, and there’s usually a lot of feasting and giving.” He hesitated, then added, “In some places, people go to the mosque to pray together. It’s a big community event.”
“Sounds like Christmas, minus the gifts,” Peter said, trying to wrap his head around the concept.
Severus smirked slightly. “You could say that. It’s just… there’s less focus on presents and more focus on charity, on community. On gratitude for what you have.”
As they walked through the busy streets, the sound of laughter and chatter grew louder, the energy palpable. Vendors lined the streets, selling everything from sweets to fabrics, and people moved quickly through the throngs, clearly preparing for something big.
When they returned to Severus’s apartment, they found Intisar waiting for them with a wide smile, clearly excited. She greeted them warmly, and without much preamble, invited them to join the family in shopping for new clothes for Eid.
“We will need you to help carry some of the bags,” she said. “It’s a big family event. Come, come. You are part of the family now, and we must dress you properly for the holiday.”
Sirius shot Severus a look. “Are we really doing this?” he whispered.
Severus’s response was a dry, “I’m afraid so.”
The next hour was spent in a whirlwind of activity. Intisar, her two daughters, Nabeela, and even Saeed were all bustling around the apartment, getting ready to head out to the market. It was a family affair, one that didn’t just involve buying new clothes but gathering everything they would need for the massive meal and celebration that would follow.
Once they had gathered everything they needed, they filed out onto the narrow street, all of them heading to the bustling market together. The Marauders were overwhelmed by the sheer number of people and the vivid colors everywhere. Bright silks and linens were on display, and the sound of bargaining filled the air.
Peter seemed to be more intrigued by the food stands than anything else, but Severus had to pull him back when he started reaching for a bag of dried fruits. “Not yet,” Severus warned. “We’ll be doing the buying later. For now, we’re focusing on the clothes.”
It was then that Nabeela smiled, walking up to the four boys with a small stack of fabrics in her arms. “You boys must choose something nice. Something colorful, yes?” she said, her words gentle and her smile warm. “For Eid. For the day of joy.”
They all looked at each other, unsure of how to proceed.
Severus, watching the confusion in their eyes, stepped in. “I’ll take care of it,” he said, a little too quickly. “Just follow me.”
They moved through the market, with Severus leading the way. He picked out fabrics—bright, cheerful ones—and helped each of the boys choose their new outfits, explaining as he went. “You want something comfortable, something that reflects the joy of the occasion,” he said as he guided them toward soft cottons and silks. “Nothing too formal, but nothing too casual, either.”
By the time they were done, the Marauders were carrying several bags filled with freshly purchased clothes for the coming holiday.
As they walked back toward the apartment, the sense of excitement only grew. The streets were filled with people setting up decorations—stringing lanterns along balconies, placing floral wreaths on doorways. There was a sense of anticipation in the air, as though everyone in the neighborhood was preparing for something beautiful and meaningful.
The day ended with them back in the apartment, the new clothes laid out and the flour and other ingredients ready for the making of the Eid biscuits. It was then that Hassoona’s grandmother, Nabeela, entered the room with a tray of dough she had already prepared.
“Now,” Nabeela said, clapping her hands together. “It is time to prepare the biscuits. You must help. In the spirit of Eid, we all share in the work.”
The Marauders exchanged wary glances, but Severus, ever the expert in Egyptian culture by now, nodded and began rolling up his sleeves. “Get used to it. Eid is as much about the process as it is about the celebration.”
They worked together, rolling out dough, cutting it into shapes, and filling them with sweet dates and nuts. The scent of freshly baked biscuits filled the apartment, and despite their confusion and awkwardness, the Marauders couldn’t help but feel a sense of warmth and connection. The bustling streets, the laughter of Hassoona and his family, and the sense of shared purpose brought them closer to understanding what this celebration was really about.
For the first time since arriving in Egypt, the Marauders truly felt like they were part of something—something bigger than themselves. And as they sat around the table, the warmth of the oven filling the room, they knew they had found something more than just refuge here. They had found a family.