Hiccup rushed through the halls of the school, knapsack beating against his back as he franticly searched door after door. "You got to be kidding me. Lost on the first day?"

First year Hufflepuff, Hiccup Haddock sighed as he lightly banged his head against the wall. All he wanted to do was to get to Charms, his first class of the day and figure this whole 'being a wizard' thing out but apparently the forces of the universe wasn't in his favor. Hiccup banged his head against the wall again before turning down to look at the hallway. Currently on the fifth floor, he glared at the moving staircase to his right. If they hadn't moved before he stepped on he might have still been following the other first years of his house. He probably would still be lost but at least they would be lost together.

Another sigh escaped his lips as he walked towards the stairs, only to morph into a yelp of surprise as a ghost floated in front of him. She raised her hands in front of her in a calming motion. "Opps. Sorry about that. Still trying to figure out the whole, not accidently scaring people thing. It's a lot harder than most people think it is."

Hiccup nodded his acceptance as he took a closer look at her. Of course being a ghost, she had a natural transparent white color but there seemed to be a happy glow in her eyes. Her smile felt welcoming and her clothes resembled the same school robes he wore now.

"Um…what's your name?"

The ghost smiled wider. "Alice. You?"

"Hiccup."

Alice chuckled softly. "I see you're a Hufflepuff. I'm one too."

Hiccup tilted his head. "Wait, ghost still affiliate with houses even after death."

"Some." She shrugged. "Though they're mostly just the younger and house ghost. The rest don't care that much but they'll tell you which one they belonged to if you ask."

Alice floated up a bit. "Anyway. Shouldn't you be in class. It starts pretty soon."

"I want to be." Hiccup lifted up one hand in frustration. "Regretfully I got lost trying to find the classroom. Why doesn't somebody hand out a map or something on the first day?"

He was rewarded with light laugh. "True but most students figure it out within the first few months or so." Alice motioned toward him. "But I can get you to class if you want?"

"Please and thank you." He smiled at her. "I'm supposed to be in Charms."

Alice nodded before floating over to the staircase. "This way."

The two rushed down the stairs just as it started to move. Hiccup lurched forward, gripping the railing like a life line. Alice patted his shoulder despite it briefly going through him. "Don't worry. We'll still make it."

She lead him down two floors, pointing out future classrooms for when he would need to find them. They slowed down at the third door on the left as they heard voices chattering inside. Alice smiled at him before floating inside. "Morning Professor Flitwick."

A tiny man looked up from his role sheet and gave the girl a small, sad smile. "Morning Alice." He nodded toward Hiccup. "I see you're helping the new students this time instead of frightening them."

"He asked for help so nicely that I just couldn't help myself." Alice turned toward Hiccup. "I should be going now. The Fat Friar asked for my help in keeping an eye on Peeves. But if you ever want help just ask a painting or another ghost. They'll find me quick enough."

"I'll keep that in mind." He waved goodbye as she floated through the ceiling. He took the empty seat next to a brunette Ravenclaw.

She offered him her hand. "Rapunzel."

"Hiccup." He pulled out his parchment and quill as Professor Flitwick began his first lecture. It almost felt like a normal class, starting with a role call, stating a few class rules, as well as some what they will be expected to master in this class. But a half an hour in, he got paired with Rapunzel as the class was instructed to practice the pronunciation of their first spell.

Rapunzel chuckled lightly. "Not quite. Extend the 'gar' just a bit more."

Hiccup rolled his eyes. "I am extending the 'gar'."

"Not when you're saying the whole phrase. You tend to skip past it."

An angry huff seemed amplified by the many other students in the room. Very few people seemed able to understand the full pronunciation of the spell as the professor walked around the room. Hiccup tried again.

"Win-gar-di-um Levi-o-sa."

She smiled. "Much better." She leaned forward a bit. "Now that we have a few minutes to talk, can I ask why were you being escorted by a ghost."

Hiccup shrugged. "I got lost trying to find the classroom. She ran into me and offered to lead the way."

"That's so cool. Do you think she could show me where the library is?"

"Probably. She used to be a student from what I gathered."

Both of them flinched as the bell rang above them, announcing the end of their first period. They scooped their stuff into their knapsacks as they left. Rapunzel asked. "So where are you off to next?"

"Transfiguration, I think it's on the first floor."

"I'm off to Herbology next. What about third period?"

"Potions I think." Hiccup shrugged as the two walked down the stairs. "I haven't memorized my schedule yet. You?"

"Transfiguration. How about we meet up at lunch and we can exchange notes?"

He smiled as they hit the first floor landing. "Sounds great. Met up by the doors?"

Rapunzel smiled back, waving goodbye as she head toward the outside doors. "See you then."

Lunch found Hiccup leaning against the wall next to the door of the great hall, nose firmly planted in his Transfiguration book. He developed a love for the subject during class as the Headmaster, Professor Mcgonagall, explained to them the difficulties they were expected to encounter when pursuing this subject. And of course spending almost the entire hour trying to figure out how the spell worked drew him in almost immediately, drawing back to memories of finding car manuals and how-to books. He didn't even notice another presence walking up to him.

He jumped as he felt a hand grab his shoulder. Hiccup glared at the laughing Rapunzel. "Not funny Rapunzel."

Stilling chuckles, she tugged on his arm toward the tables. "I couldn't help myself."

Hiccup rolled his eyes but allowed a smile to spread on his face. The two friends found an empty seat and began piling food onto their plates. Hiccup hummed in satisfaction from the warm sandwich. Rapunzel leaned on her elbows. "So how have your classes been."

He shrugged. "Interesting. I didn't realize how complex all this stuff actually was when I got my letter."

"Oh. So you're a muggle-born?"

He raised an eyebrow at her. "I guess."

Rapunzel quickly waved her hands in front of her, probably afraid that she had accidently offended him. "Oh, it means nothing bad I promise. It just an observation."

Hiccup laughed slightly. "Ah Rapunzel. I'm not entirely sure what that means."

She gave a one-sided grin. "Muggle is the word people use for those who can't do magic. When you're muggle-born it basically means that you're a witch or wizard with no magical blood in your bloodline."

"Makes sense but why would I be offended by that."

Rapunzel sighed and fiddled with her peas for a bit. "Some people like to put a lot of emphasis on their blood-line. They're not as popular as they were in past years but there's a few of them around. They like calling people out for not being as pure as them."

She turned toward Hiccup as he snorted. He gave her a large smile. "Trust me. I can handle people like that. I've been defending myself against bullies for a while now for other stupid reasons that this can't possibly hurt me." He leaned against one hand. "Besides, you don't look like one of those people."

She chuckled. "Well, I'm not exactly in a position to be judgmental being a half and half."

"Meaning one parent muggle and the other witch."

"Wizard in my case." She tipped her head to the side. "Dad had to use his magic in order to help mom when my birth wasn't going quite as well, though they like to maintain a balance between magic and muggle technology."

"What is like to live with magic?"

Rapunzel laughed as she started to explain her life to her new friend. Hiccup for his part was a fantastic listener, always questioning how or why one thing was one way instead of another. Once that subject was exhausted, they moved on to class subjects they already had. Hiccup smiled as he learned that he had an advantage over his smart friend in Transfiguration but she had him beat when it came to Charms.

"By the way, Hiccup. Have you encountered a white-haired boy in Slytherin?"

Hiccup shook his head. "Other than Charms, all my classes have been with the Gryffindors. Why do you ask?"

"Heard a rumor about him. Wondered if it was true or not." She shrugged.

"Well if you're looking for interesting people try that loud DunBroch girl from Gryffindor." Hiccup pointed her out. "Very obnoxious during Transfiguration when Mcgonagall insisted that everyone will attempt the exercise."

Rapunzel chuckled. "Will do." She checked the time. "Looks like lunch is almost over. I have to run if I want to make it to Defence Against the Dark Arts. Talk to you after dinner?"

He grinned as she gathered her stuff. "If not earlier."

Gathering his own stuff, he jogged outside for Herbology with a smile on his face.