Merida Dunbroch hated her parent's parties with a vengeance. Especially the Christmas ones, where everyone they knew would arrive to her house, bringing presents and food and potential husbands for the Dunbroch's eldest child. So, as usual, Merida put on extravagant gowns and fake smiles, politely refusing to dance or awkward dates at muggle restaurants.

As there were so many people from school at the annual parties who Merida never actually spoke to, she avoided them as much as possible. This was one of those occasions; Merida was avoiding a spotty boy in 5th year Hufflepuff, who said he wanted a snog. Just then, someone tapped her on the back.

Henry Haddock never really liked parties. His father, an official in the Ministry, insists on bringing him to meet new people and establish 'connections'. Hiccup, on the other hand, never cared about it. All he ever wanted was to stay in his room, doing the thing that he loves-being with his pet dragon, Toothless.

So standing at the sidelines, the 7th year Ravenclaw could only sigh. He was people watching at the moment, just get his mind off things. Then, he noticed a familiar face. She wasn't very interested in the party like him. So, gathering up the courage, he went to meet her.

''Oh, hi Hiccup.'' Merida smiled slightly, waving as he headed over to her.

Hiccup was a bit surprised. He never really expected Merida to remember him from the time they were partners for Potions during their 5th year. He shook that thought away and smiled. "Hello, Ms. Dunbroch" he said, wincing at his own awkwardness. "How's the party?" he added with an unsure smile.

''I mean, it's alright.'' Merida sighed. ''What am I saying? This party is shit.''

Hiccup couldn't stop the smile forming on his lips. "That makes the two of us. I'm wasting my time here when I could do a lot at home." He sighed.

''I should feel offended, but I feel the same way. This is my house. I only have my room.'' Merida laughed.

Hiccup noticed a 5th year Hufflepuff heading towards them.

''Oh Merlin.'' She groaned.

"You know this guy?" Hiccup whispered to her. The guy was getting closer.

''He wants me to snog him.''

"Well, he doesn't look that bad." he said.

Merida gave Hiccup a look. ''Not that bad? It looks like he hasn't heard of chapstick. Or the moisturizing charm!''

"Alright, I was just kidding. No need for that." he said, chuckling. Then, an idea popped inside his mind. "Hey, do you trust me?"

''Um, if after you do this and I hate it, I'll hit you with my beaters bat. But yeah, I guess...''

Hiccup placed his palm on her cheek and inched closer to her face, twisting his body so his back was facing the Hufflepuff guy.

''What are you-'' Merida whispered, before Hiccup crushed his lips to hers.

Or so she thought. Everything happened so fast. The guy clicked his tongue before walking away. After confirming that everything was okay, Hiccup removed his hand from Merida's mouth.

''Oh.'' Merida blushed. She thought Hiccup was going to kiss her. She looked down at the floor, biting her lip.

"Sorry about that." He said, a faint blush on his cheeks. "Desperate times call for desperate measures."

''Yeah, sure.'' Merida muttered. ''I'm going to get a drink, d-do you want one?''

"How about we go together?" he asked with a smile.

Merida nodded, turning around and sauntering off to the drinks table.

Everything was going fine when Hiccup saw his dad near the drinks. He was talking to a noble with her daughter. "On second thought, I have to go to the washroom for a bit." he said nervously.

Merida gave him a sideways look. ''OK, I'm going to talk to that Ministry Official my father keeps talking about.''

Hiccup's blood ran cold, but he just gave her a stiff smile. "Okay, see you later." With that he left the room. Hiccup really liked Merida but he didn't want her to know that he was constantly getting set up with daughters of different nobles. He sighed.

Merida smiled, walking over to the ministry official. ''Hello, I'm Merida Dunbroch.''

The ministry official and the noble continued with their conversation, without even sparing her a glance. The daughter, who was a 6th year Slytherin, just gave her a dirty look.

''Fine then. See you in school, snake.'' Merida glared at the Slytherin, turning around and storming off. She knew not everyone in the room would like her parents or even be here to say hello to them. They were here to say they went to one of ''the wealthiest pureblooded household's parties last week.''

Hiccup went looking for Merida as he came back from the washroom. But as he wandered around, he heard the voice that he really doesn't want to hear at the moment. "There you are, Henry. You see, Mr. Hofferson and I were just talking about you" the voice of his father said as he placed an arm to drag him to meet the noble. Hiccup gave a curt nod, which was met with a raise of an eyebrow. The daughter on the other hand had an expression of disgust.

Merida was still avoiding the Hufflepuff, as she began talking to Rita Skeeter, who looked very pleased to be able to interview a Dunbroch. ''So, Merida, or should I call you Lassie?'' Merida cringed. That was what her father called her. ''Um, Merida's fine.''

"I saw that little 'incident' a while ago." she said, as Merida stiffened. 'She saw what Hiccup and I did?!'

''What little incident?'' Merida's voice went unusually high.

"What incident? I mean, the one with those big shots over there." She said. "Talk about rude."

''Oh! Yeah, they're probably just here for the 'connections.''' Merida laughed nervously.

Rita narrowed her eyes, sensing that she was hiding something. "I thought so" she said. "Well, I need to talk with a few people so I should get going." Merida breathed a sigh of relief. "And before I forget, you should choose the time and place for PDA" she whispered. Merida blushed, as Rita walked away, laughing.

''Bloody Skeeter.'' She muttered as she sipped her butter beer, rubbing her temples.

After a few awkward excuses, Hiccup managed to slip away from his father. Then, he saw Merida and Rita Skeeter talking. Rita whispered something that made Merida blush, while Rita walked away laughing. Hiccup headed towards her and said, "So, what did she say?"

''Just about that stupid Ministry Official ignoring me.'' Merida glared at the floor. ''Just because he's high up in the ministry doesn't mean he has to be so bloody rude. Apparently Rita's doing a column on the event. He might be mentioned in it.''

"Sorry about that, I guess. My father only suck up to those he could use." Hiccup said.

Merida did a double take. ''That's your father? Why didn't you tell me!?''

"Uh...er...I was about to tell you, I swear." Hiccup frantically said. "If only he wasn't trying to set me up with- er I mean, if only my stomach didn't act up, I would've introduced you." He laughed, but it was clear that he was nervous.

''I know, parents set up their children for marriage. I get it.'' Merida smiled softly. ''My younger brother Hubert was set up with this French veela girl. Her family are very powerful. They fell in love.'' She sighed wistfully.

"Well, I bet you a glass of butter beer that I wouldn't fall for that Slytherin." Hiccup said, finally overcoming his nervousness.

''She's horrible at Quidditch as well.'' Merida laughed.

"But still better than a bookworm like me" Hiccup said. He was never the athlete-type though he was unusually fit for someone who just sticks head inside books in the library.

Merida raised an eyebrow, downing the rest of her drink. ''Don't down yourself, Haddock. You're smart. That's why you're in Ravenclaw. I have wit and my large amount of sarcasm. That's why I'm in Gryffindor.''

"I'll toast to that-" Hiccup said, but noticed that he didn't have a drink. "-I mean, if I had a glass but unfortunately I don't. Excuse me for a sec." he said as he went to get a glass of butter beer.

Merida giggled, rolling her eyes as Hiccup ran back with a drink.

She snorted, raising her empty glass. ''To being sarcastic twats.''

Hiccup sighed as he raised his glass as well. Then, that guy came and ruined the moment.

''What do you want?'' Merida asked, making her lips into a thin line.

"Oh don't be like that. You know you want me" the guy said, a slur in his voice and a smile in his face. Hiccup wanted to sock him then and there but Merida held his arm. Noticing this, the guy said, "You shouldn't be hanging with nerds like him, come with me and I'll show you what a real man can do" He smirked as he licked his lips.

''You're a Hufflepuff.'' Merida said simply, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, and we're really good at finding things. I think I found what you're looking for" he said as he puckered his lips. Hiccup could barely hold it in anymore.

Merida winced, stepping forward. She had a plan. ''Yeah, sure. Meet me on the front porch in five minutes. I'll get my underwear off.'' She gave the Hufflepuff a wink, shooing him away.

The guy smiled giddily as he walked towards the front porch, his legs wobbly. "I was this close to ripping his head off." Hiccup said, his face red with anger. Merida felt a bit flattered that he was willing to fight for her. Only she doesn't need someone to fight for her.

"Don't worry, Hiccup." She said, finishing her drink in one gulp. "He wouldn't know what hit him."

Hiccup could only sigh, slowly relaxing. He forgot that this girl was the Gryffindor Quidditch team captain ever since they were in 3rd year. He saw her heading outside, her beautiful figure slowly fading from his sight.

He wanted to help her but she clearly pointed out that she didn't need any help but still he could still go and watch, right? Besides, he wanted to see how she would beat up that guy. And beat him up, she did. He never saw a more beautiful thing in his entire life. The way she smiled at him as she went back inside the party made him weak on his knees.

"This party'e not too bad after all." he murmured, as he was holding her hands.

"What's that?" she asked, eyes looking up to him.

"Nothing. Let's get back to the party." he said, smiling as they got lost in the crowd, but with smiles on their faces.