The Only Exception

Chapter Three: Being Difficult

“And why is that, exactly?”

“Because school is overrated. Plus, there’s people there. And work. And teachers. And Lockhart. Besides, I've already wasted three years of my life there, anyway. It's time I get some real-world experience.”

“Y’know, Mum, she has a point. . . . “ Fred began. I imagined Aunt Molly glaring at them sharply.

“Don’t you even start with me, young man. Both of you go downstairs, I will deal with Nora.”

“Hey!” we all three protested at the same time. I finally opened my eyes to find Fred and George scowling at their mother, who scowled back.

“Downstairs, now,” Aunt Molly ordered the twins. They hung their heads and retreated, and she turned to me.

“I’m not leaving this bed, Aunt Molly,” I said simply.

“Yes you are.”

“Make me.”

“Shall I ask your father to come over and try?”

I scowled. Damn.

“No, it’s fine, I’m up.”

“Excellent,” she said proudly. “There’s food downstairs for when you’re ready to leave.”

She left, and I sighed. Luckily, I’d packed my trunk the night before, so all I needed to do was fix my hair and change my clothes. This happened relatively slowly; it was five minutes before I finally appeared downstairs. The Weasleys and Harry were all seated around the table in the kitchen; I put my trunk with the rest by the door and went to join the family. We were there barely a minute more before Mrs. Weasley shot up in a panic and ordered us out the door.

King’s Cross was reached barely in time, and I took Ginny through the barrier as soon as we reached it. Most of the students were on the train already, but I pulled Ginny to a stop as the rest of the Weasleys gathered around us.

“You ready, Gin?” I asked her with a grin. She nodded, returning it. Aunt Molly pulled her into a hug, and I waited by while Fred and George went to find Lee.

"Let's get you a compartment," I said to Ginny after she'd hugged her parents goodbye. She nodded, and we stepped together onto the train, lugging our trunks behind us. The corridor was long, full of people and noises, but eventually, we came across  a compartment full of wide-eyed kids. While Ginny hung back, I slid open the door and smiled at them. They each smiled back, except for one blonde girl in the corner, whose nose was buried in an upside-down magazine.

"Hi, are you first-years?" I asked. They nodded. "Could my little sister sit with you guys? She's a first-year, too."

They looked at each other and shrugged. I smiled and ushered Ginny inside. With a last grin at her, I shut the door and walked back down the corridor.

"There you are!" said George, who poked his head out of a random compartment "C'mon, Lee has another giant tarantula, and I'm thinking we can find a way to slip it into Ron's bed."

I grinned and entered the compartment. Lee, Angelina Johnson, and Alicia Spinnet sat along one side, while Fred, George, and I took our seats on the other. I sat in my usual seat by the window; Fred was squooshed between George and me.

"So, Jordan," I began, "what's this I hear about yet another giant tarantula?"

Lee laughed maniacally and pulled a cage from under a pile of robes. Inside of it was a hairy spider the size of a Bludger.

Angelina and Alicia instinctually leaned away from it with little noises of protest. Fred, George, and I, however, leaned forward in fascination.

"How'd you get it?" I asked as it scuttled around.