The Only Exception

Chapter One: Grumpy Guts

"Hate to say it, boys, but I'm the fairest one of all," I said before turning back to my normal self.

"You're also a cheater," said George. From somewhere across the pub, Molly Weasley called his and Fred's names. The four of us went over to meet her and the rest of the family, minus Bill and Charlie. Aunt Molly was looking frantic.

"Nora!" she cried upon spotting me, her worried face smiling. "How are you, dear?"

"I'm great, Aunt Molly," I said, returning her hug. "What about you?"

She sighed and looked around, still distressed.

"Harry hasn't shown up yet," she said. "It was his first time using Floo powder, and he didn't say the name correctly, so he could be anywhere."

"Aunt Molly, it'll be fine. I'm sure he just went a grate too far."

"Oh, I hope so," she said. "Well, we should go look for him. Ginny, come with me. Arthur, Percy, Ron, you three together. Nora, boys - "

"Actually, Mrs. Weasley," interrupted Lee, "I need to go. My mum insists on staying with me as I get my things."

"Okay, dear, that's fine. Have a good day."

"Meet us in Gambol and Japes in half an hour," said George to Lee. "We have business to discuss."

I noticed Aunt Molly narrow her eyes when George said "business," but she didn't comment until Lee walked away.

"What business?" she demanded, rounding on the three of us. "I swear, if this is about that joke shop - "

"It's okay, Aunt Molly. It's nothing you need to worry about. Shall we go and look for Harry?"

The fire in her eyes died, and she nodded. Soon, we'd split up and were walking down Diagon Alley.

"You are a godsend," said George as soon as his mother was out of sight. "Ever since she heard us mention the idea for the joke shop, she's been pestering us about it and attacking us if she even thinks she heard it mentioned."

"Ouch. I'm sorry. Thankfully, my dad doesn't know about it yet, but I figure if your mum gets too suspicious, she'll tell him and he'll ground me for life."

"Then we'd better be careful," said Fred. "We wouldn't want our main woman all locked up with no one but Professor Snape for company."

"You're too kind," I said. "Now tell me what the deal is with our little celebrity friend. We broke him out of his house last week, and now he's lost in the Floo network?"

"He's just a bundle of trouble," said George with a sigh. "Honestly, he causes more mayhem accidentally than the three of us and Lee do on purpose."

"Like last year with the Stone thingie?" I said. "I still don't know the full story from that. I kept hearing different things. Angelina said that she heard he had to fight an army of giants and then Voldemort in the form of a vampire."

"No, no," said Fred, "that's nothing like what Oliver heard. He said Harry had to face down an Acromantula and use its venom to poison a unicorn."

"And he didn't say anything to you two over the past few days when he was at yours?" I said.

"Honestly he seemed too fascinated by our house to talk much," said George. "Poor kid, growing up with those awful Muggles."

"He should come live with me," I suggested.

"Your dad would absolutely love that, Nora," said Fred, laughing.

"Harry's his favorite student!" I protested. "He'd love it!"