I've Run Out Of Excuses (Granger Family Reunion)

Chapter 9

I claim the hotel, the few characters I made up and the plot. J.K.Rowling is the mastermind behind everything else!

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By the time the shooting party had arrived back at the reception it was already 2 o'clock and they were all feeling rather hungry, but without the ladies present – specifically Grandma Pippa – they were at a loss of what to do so they sat on the sofas and waited for the others to return from the spa.

"I do wish Grandma Pippa and Aunt Cecily had told us what we were going to be doing for the day so we could prepare for it instead keeping it all to themselves and consequently wasting our time." Mark grumbled as he sat down. Tristan looked at him in surprise, wondering where is brother had learned the word 'consequently'. Mark caught the look Tristan was sending him and stuck out his tongue, resulting in eye rolling.

"Me too." Scorpius grumbled, climbing up onto the cushion next to Mark and crossing his arms. "I'm hungry." He paused before his face lit up and he looked at his parents. "Mummy? Daddy? Can we have lunch soon? What is for lunch? Where are we having it?"

Hermione looked at her son from the armchair she was sitting on with a sad smile on her face, knowing that the poor boy probably felt like he was starving. "I'm sorry, baby, but my Grandma Pippa and Aunt Cecily didn't tell us."

"But I'm hungry!" Scorpius repeated, his voice breaking slightly as his three year old emotions started to show.

"We know bud," Draco said from his position leaning against Hermione's chair, "and as soon as we find out what's happening and when we're having lunch, we'll run straight towards the food."

"I'm hungry now!" Scorpius whined, wriggling his legs in frustration.

"Scorpius..." Draco warned, giving his son a look that said he wasn't all that impressed with his whining – although he understood what the hungry fellow was going through.

"I'm going to die, Daddy." Scorpius whispered, tears starting to fill his vision. "I'm so hungry, I'm going to die!"

Draco moved to crouch in front of his son. "Scorpius, you know that Mummy and I don't like it when you whine," Scorpius sniffled, and wiped away a tear that fell as he tried not to burst, "but we're also very hungry so we understand." Draco glanced down at his watch and sighed, he looked round the foyer quickly searching for anyone who could be a Granger coming their way – he wasn't sure what most of the spa party looked like aside from Jennifer. "Why don't I go to the kitchens and see if they can whip up a small snack for you." Draco suggested, wiping away another tear that had leaked onto Scorpius's face. "Would you like that?"

Scorpius nodded as he wiped away yet another tear. "Yes please, thank you Daddy."

Draco smiled at the little boy and ruffled his hair before going over to Hermione and asking if she'd like anything from the kitchens.

"I'm sure I'll survive." Hermione laughed, squeezing Draco's hand briefly before letting him go off to the kitchens to grab some crackers or a cookie for Scorpius – anything that would prevent a tantrum.

Less than a minute after Draco had left could the spa party be seen entering the reception and heading over to the hungry people sitting on the sofas who hadn't noticed them yet. They remained unnoticed until they were standing right behind them and Pippa gasped, causing everyone to jump in fright – Tobias put a hand over his heart which was beating rapidly, and Scorpius had slipped off the sofa accidentally.

"You can't eat lunch in that!" Grandma Pippa shrieked. "Why didn't you get changed? You're all sweaty and I'm sure if I dared to breath I would smell a horrendous pong of sweat and physical exertion." She flapped at the air in front of her, trying to ward off the stench she claimed there was. "No, this will not do. You most certainly cannot eat appearing like that."