The eid morning and the Fseekh challenge
The morning of Eid was unlike anything the Marauders had ever seen. The entire city seemed to have shifted overnight. The streets were packed with people in new clothes, exchanging greetings of Eid Mubarak as they made their way to the mosque for the morning prayer.
Inside the apartment, Intisar and her family were getting ready to leave. Nabeela adjusted her scarf, while Hassoona fidgeted excitedly in his neatly pressed clothes.
“We’re heading to the mosque now,” Intisar said as she grabbed her prayer mat. She looked at Severus. “Will you and your friends be alright?”
Severus nodded. “We’ll wait here.”
The Marauders watched in curiosity as the family left. As soon as the door shut, Sirius let out a long breath.
“This is so different,” he muttered, rubbing his face. “Imagine an entire country stopping everything to pray.”
Remus hummed in agreement, staring out the window. “It’s… kind of nice, actually.”
They waited until the family returned, looking refreshed and happy. Then, without much delay, they all left the apartment, heading toward a large public garden where dozens of families were already gathered.
It wasn’t long before the Marauders noticed something was off.
“What is that smell?” James asked, wrinkling his nose.
Sirius visibly recoiled. “Severus, I swear to Merlin, if this is another one of your potions—”
Severus smirked. “No potions. That’s feseekh.”
“That is food?” Peter looked horrified.
“A delicacy,” Severus corrected, as Intisar and the others set out plates of fermented fish, fresh greens, and flatbread. (And on that note, if you're a foreigner or never tried feseekh before, it's fermented fish but not safe to consume if it has other spices like red pepper or smth, salt only lest you get an allergic reaction. Since it's fermented fish you won't know the difference that much, but you need to get the feseekh from really clean and 100% guaranteed to be safe)
Sirius looked downright betrayed. “You eat this?”
Severus shrugged. “Of course. The smell is the best part.”
James gagged. “Nope. Absolutely not.”
Remus hesitated but took a cautious step back as well. “It does smell… strong.”
Severus rolled his eyes and handed them another plate. “Fine. If you can’t handle feseekh, try renga instead. It’s smoked herring. Milder smell, easier to eat.”
The Marauders hesitantly tried the renga. Sirius, after a dramatic sniff, took a bite and sighed in relief. “Okay. This one’s actually good.”
Nabeela chuckled at their reactions. “You’ll get used to feseekh one day.”
“Doubt it,” James muttered under his breath.
As the meal continued, Nabeela reached into a bag and pulled out a bundle of small, stuffed pancakes—atayef. She handed a plate to Hassoona.
“Take these to that family over there,” she told him, nodding toward another group sitting in the park. “And don’t eat any on the way.”
Hassoona huffed but took the plate and ran off.
Sirius raised an eyebrow. “So, this is a thing? Sending food to people?”
Severus nodded. “It’s the spirit of Eid. People give food, money, and gifts to family and neighbors.”
The Marauders sat back, watching families laughing, kids running around, and food being shared between groups. It was loud, warm, and completely unlike anything they’d ever experienced.
Severus caught them staring and smirked. “Still think Egypt is unbearable?”
Sirius huffed. “It smells unbearable.”
Severus only laughed, shaking his head as he reached for another piece of feseekh.