The Burrow Brunch
Chapter 4: The Brunch Substitute
Scorpius had often wondered why the Weasley extended family always, always ate together at school. He would sit with Rose and Albus, but they were on the outskirts of the group, and never really fought with each other. The rest of the cousins and family friends would often have disagreements, but as it was such a big family, they could just shift around and everything would be fine and light-hearted. Still, Scorpius didn't know how they didn't all get sick of each other.
Now he realised, taking the seat between Albus and Rose at the start-of-term feast, that this was their substitute for the Burrow Brunch. They didn't have their hilarious aunts and uncles, loving Professor Longbottom, as he was here, or their grandmother's amazing food, but the house-elves in the kitchens were a close second and Professor Longbottom was just at the top of the room. The cousins always had each other.
They chattered merrily as they ate, lamenting the loss of the quirky Scamander twins and their parents. A small explosion went off in Lucy's soup, and she hurled it angrily at James and Louis, who were cackling madly.
"God, I miss the Brunch," Lily moaned, picking at the tart she had selected for dessert.
"We all do, Lil," Louis comforted her. "But it's just the usual first day misery, right, Scorpius?"
"Er," Scorpius replied articulately. "Sure. Yeah. I'll really miss the Brunch."
The family all looked at him.
"What?"
"D'you mean you're not coming back?" James said loudly.
"Ah, no," Lucy groaned. "Dad doesn't yell at me at brunch now because he doesn't want to embarrass himself in front of guests."
Scorpius looked taken aback. Rose rolled her eyes.
"I mean, I didn't think – "
"Of course you're invited back," Albus cut him off with a tone that clearly said, "You're so stupid."
"Well – " Scorpius cleared his throat – "thanks, thanks a lot! I'd love to come back next summer."
"Nah, mate, we mean over break," Hugo elaborated, oblivious to the fact that Lucy was now pouring pepper over his pie.
"You can stay with your folks and all, that's fine," Roxanne hid a smile at the prank. "It's only a few hours on Sundays. Hell, your parents are probably invited back, too. I'll owl Gran."
Truly touched by this family's open arms, Scorpius nodded. It wasn't that his family didn't love him, but they were a much more proper household than the Weasleys. At the Burrow, he could have fun. He'd only been twice, but Rose knew that he'd open up soon enough.
"Great! That's settled, then. Anybody know the new password to the Tower?" she inquired.
"Lucy! What the hell!" Hugo had taken a bite of his pie.
"Funny enough, I don't think that's it," Albus grinned at Scorpius cheekily. These people would be the death of him, Scorpius thought merrily as everyone laughed at Hugo's watering eyes.
