The Time Sunday Brunch got very, very awkward

To say that life had been hectic for Lily over the last few months would be an understatement. It turns out that setting up a new wing in a hospital is not a small feat; let alone being responsible for stocking said wing with supplies, employees and a purpose. Lily and Dario had been swamped, but it was now finally coming together and they had the luxury of a Sunday off. This, of course, meant lunch at the Burrow.

Dario had met most of Lily's family that was closest to her, but not all. Today was the day. They arrived fashionably early, as Lily was physically incapable of being late, which guaranteed them prime spots at the head of the table next to her grandparents, Scorpius, Teddy and the best bread rolls in England.

People piled in and out over the course of the afternoon, all stopping and saying hello to the new face at the table and Dario being able to put a face to each name.

The fireplace flared up around 3pm and Rose stumbled out, red hair askew. She straightened up, flicked her wand at her red hair so it flowed down her back, waved hello to everyone and made an automatic beeline for the bread rolls. She was almost there when Lily saw her eyes flick to Scorpius and she faltered slightly, slowing her pace. Her eyes passed right over Lily and widened as they landed on Dario.

Rose pulled herself up straighter, lifted her chin, painted a half-smile on her face and changed direction. Heading around the table, past Scorpius and Lily, she sat herself down next to Dario.

"Hi!" she said brightly, throwing him a very wide smile "I'm Rose, Lily's cousin. You must be Dario."

"Ciao, Rose," Dario replied politely, "Pleasure to meet you."

That was all the encouragement Rose needed. She monopolised his time for the remainder of the afternoon, while Lily kept an eye on Scorpius. She wasn't sure if Rose was still a sensitive topic or not. The duty to look after him had fallen to her now that Albus had headed off home early (headache apparently, but she suspected a woman was involved).

Lily was pleasantly surprised to discover that Rose was not, in fact, a sensitive topic at all. Scorpius did not look even slightly upset about Rose's interest in Dario. He hadn't flinched when she Floo'd in, didn't have a sad look when she headed for the seat next to Dario and seemed genuinely happy chatting away to Teddy about his Great Aunt Andromeda.

Lily had excused herself from the table and was boiling the kettle for another cup of tea when she felt a light tap on her elbow, looking back and up to see Scorpius.

"Alright, Malfoy?" she asked quietly.

"Just fine, Potter," Scorpius answered with a soft laugh, "Why do you ask? And also, why do you insist on calling me Malfoy?"

Lily shrugged, "I ask because of Rose trying to chat up poor Dario. Why do you call me Potter?"

Scorpius looked at her like she had gone mad. "Lil, I am well over Rose. You can tell that to your nosy brother, too. It's been a year, maybe more? And secondly, I call you Potter because you call me Malfoy."

Lily shrugged again, "There we go then. What came first, the phoenix or the flame? I'll just call you Scorpius if it bothers you. Tea?"

Scorpius just rolled his eyes at her answering his question with a riddle, then nodded and she poured him a cup; with a tiny drop milk one sugar as she knew he liked it.

They leaned back on their elbows against the counter and surveyed the rest of the room. The crowd as thinning out now that it was nearly four. Scorpius saw Dario catch Lily's eye from across the room, sending her a very pointed look. Lily just smirked and raised an eyebrow. He narrowed his eyes. She sighed and muttered, "Fine".

Pushing herself off the bench she headed over and tapped Rose on the shoulder. Rose looked over and frowned, "What, Lily? I'm talking."

"Well you can stop talking. He's not interested."

"He's not your property! We are going to get coffee next week, right?" she flicked a smile back at Dario.

"Err, ahh-"

"See?" said Rose triumphantly, turning back to Lily, "Don't tell me you're jealous?! You've known him long enough, you had your chance."

Lily just rolled her eyes, "I'm not his type. Neither are you. Nor are any of the woman in this room actually. He fancies more along the Albus sort of person if you get what I mean."

From the look on her face, Rose just wasn't getting it. Lily sighed again.

"Dario is gay, Rose."

Her mouth dropped. She looked wildly between Lily and Dario gaping like a fish.

"I, well I. I mean, I didn't know, I…"

Dario looked highly amused, "I am most sorry. I thought you would have known or have been told."

"Oh, no! It's fine, completely fine, don't apologise!" Rose's face was bright red, "I just realised I've got this thing, really important, must dash, lovely to meet you!" She shook his hand wildly and leaped up from the table, shouting a goodbye to the rest of the family. Unfortunately, she got up too fast and tripped on the leg of the table, smacking right into Scorpius. She righted herself, pushed him away and dove into the fireplace, green flames engulfing her. Scorpius almost felt sorry for her.

Lily snorted in a very unladylike manner, "Knight in shining armour, to your rescue milord," she said to Dario sarcastically.

"Oh bella, what would have done without thee?"

"Gone to coffee by the sound of it, you wimpy git. You need to grow a backbone when it comes to the woman in my family, Dar, they can't take a hint."

Dario just ruffled his hair and shrugged, mumbling something in Italian that made Lily smack him on the shoulder and threaten him with the bat-bogie hex.

Scorpius looked at how comfortable the two of them were with each other. If he was honest, he thought they were dating before Lily had dropped the bombshell about the Dragonpox Cure. He hadn't seen her relax around many people, himself included. If there was a word for Lily, it would be "composed". There was a twist in his stomach, and Scorpius realised that he was actually jealous of Dario. That brought him up short. Why would he be jealous? Frowning, he looked at Lily closely.

She was short, not quite reaching his shoulder, and not skinny but more athletically built. She had cut her dark red hair again into a classy angle bob that suited her thin face. Her style was eclectic, mix of wizard and muggle. Today she was wearing tight muggle jeans, dragon leather biker boots, a deep burgundy top under loose, open black robes.

Her hazel eyes brightened when she smiled, which was a rare but beautiful thing. She honestly didn't care about many people, but she would die for those she did. She was stubborn, cold, quiet, intelligent, and surprising at almost every turn. And she didn't give a toss about what people thought about her. She flew a broom and her bike like a mad-woman with a death wish. And had an annoying sense of superiority, like she always knew something everyone else didn't.

But he liked her. She was different. She challenged him. He respected her. He liked talking to her and making her smile. The realisation that he may like her little bit more that what was proper for a flatmate and her brothers best mate only dawned on him now. Shit. When had that happened? Shit. Albus. Shit. Rose. Shit. Harry Fucking Potter. FUCK!

"Scorpius?" Lily's voice floated into his consciousness and he snapped back to reality. Lily and Dario were looking at him with concern, "Are you feeling alright?"

Scorpius gave himself a mental shake and pulled himself together with all the poise of a pureblood. His father would be proud.

"Yes. I'm fine. I'm sorry, I just got lost in my head for a bit there." He smiled convincingly.

Dario bought it. Lily didn't. She raised an eyebrow at him sceptically, but didn't say anything. Thank Merlin she wasn't one for making a scene.

He breathed a sigh of relief as she and Dario walked over to chat with Teddy about the wedding next month. Maybe he should go home, write a list, get his head sorted….home. Lily lives there. Merlin's balls!