(Author's notes: My little sister and I found our missing girly tank tops in my brother's drawer. He never said a thing. Odd. Oh, yeah, Christmas Chapter coming right up if I get my act together, teheh…feeling rather under the weather…
In response to a guest named megan (though she called herself tarra, too). My chapters take usually one day to finish—that is maybe three sittings, depends on my mood, really. Sometimes it is written on a course of a few days. But even for a chapter written in a day, I keep it longer for revisions and editing before I publish it. But, I usually I tend to ignore editing, therefore my so many typos and wrong grammar. Teheh. But yeah, usually, I finish in a day, though it takes longer for some chappies that are heavy on the plot.
Ugh, my quality is degrading…I should stop making one-day chapters.
And to her second question, the timeline of this fanfic is nearly 26 years after the Deathly Hallows, since it was noted that nineteen years after the last book, Al, Harry's second child started Hogwarts. As we all know, he's a seventh year now.
Who wants midnight buttered toast!? You get a toast, and you get a toast! Everyone gets a toast! No one's losing weight this summer! Huwahaha! –crying inside-
Hey, that's a nice top you're wearing, looking good...!
Don't forget it guys, LOOOONG reviews! Enjoy!)
"…he didn't say anything, at all?" Hiccup asked anxiously as he sat on the edge of his seat.
"No, nothin' at all, why?" Merida asked, pulling her blanket about her.
"Suddenly interested…" Rapunzel snorted, taking a sip of her tea.
Shadows danced all around them as the fire crackled in the hearth. The Gryffindor common room was empty except for the three of them, huddled around the fireplace, all cozied up with scarves and covers. It was comfortably warm, like home. It was a usual sight to see. The night deepened outside the windows, stars bright in the ink-black sky, framed by frost on the glass.
"He saw me this afternoon." Hiccup mumbled.
"Wha' do yeh mean by that?" said Merida with a small chuckle, her face tinged with pink, faint freckles showing on her cheeks.
Hiccup looked to both of them, green eys bright in all seriousness.
"With Toothless."
Rapunzel gasped inaudibly.
"How!? The two of yeh were in the hollow!" Merida clenched her jaw.
"Something drew Toothless out—blue lights of some sort," Hiccup explained, "He's like a cat, he follows things like that…"
Merida gaped, sitting back, muttering, "Wisps…"
"What happened?" Rapunzel inquired.
"We got to a clearing. He got there—Professor Bunnymund was there, too," Hiccup added, "I ran off with Toothless. But Jack didn't say anything to him. He lied."
Exchanging glances, Rapunzel and Merida were quite relieved to hear so. If Professor Bunnymund so much as saw Toothless and Hiccup together, all would go awry. He could've gotten expelled…
Hiccup furrowed his eyebrows, eyes distant as he stared into the flames blankly.
"…why would he do that?" he asked.
Rapunzel shrugged, "Because he's our friend."
Rolling her eyes, Merida smirked as she sat back, "Someh'uw 'I told yeh so' jus' doesn't quite say it…"
"I'm telling you guys—he's with them," Hiccup tossed up his hands, "He's with the teachers—why else would he be in the forest with Professor Bunnymund? They even talked like they were scouting the woods for Toothless…"
"Ugh, the lad saved yeh—can't yeh jus' drop the conspiracy th'ery? He's one o' us!" Merida groaned, "If 'e is "with them" why would Jack cover up fer yeh?"
Rapunzel set down her mug of milk tea on the small table beside her and turned back to them.
"We should just be thankful we weren't found out."
"…what the—!? I can't believe you girls are in on this, too!"
Turning up to the indoor balcony in surprise, they saw Jack standing there, staff over his shoulders, hands holding on to it on either side, looking like someone sentenced to the stocks if it weren't for the smug look on his face.
"Oh, no…" Merida puffed.
"Are you going to tell the teachers!?" Rapunzel sat up on her couch, worried.
Jack shrugged, the staff sliding off his shoulders and coming to lean on the left.
"I dunno…" he smirked tauntingly, disappearing down the spiral staircase, though his voice nearly filled the room as the other three barely made a sound.
"If—if yeh tell the teachers—!" Merida stammered, "I—I'll fight you!"
"Oh, please, there's no need for that. But seriously…a dragon in the woods?" he chuckled, "Oh, you guys have no idea how crazy the teachers went…"
"Actually, we more than anyone should know about that…" Hiccup replied, "Why are you after Toothless?"
Merida bit her lip. How was this supposed to pan out?
Jack appeared at the bottom of the stairs, his hands pocketed in front of his usual blue hoodie.
"Set fire to the Quidditch pitch and to the sixth floor," Jack reminded despite Hiccup's question, face now lacking its grin. He meant business, "Not to mention hurting more than a handful of students, attacking Bunny and Sandy, and nearly costing Tooth her wings."
He tilted his head, narrowing his eyes on Hiccup, who held his head low, staring down on the floor, watching the dancing shadows.
"…I think I have more than enough reason to tell the teachers." he finished.
Rapunzel gulped. What were they going to do?
"Wait—"Merida shot up to her feet, her blanket pooling on the sofa, "Why do yeh call the professors by their firs' name?"
Rapunzel let out a breath, sinking back to her seat, her viridian eyes not leaving Jack, who stood a few feet away from them.
"…because it's true isn't it?" she mumbled.
He shrugged, "Sort of."
Merida sank back on the couch, not really sure of what to think.
Hiccup turned to him.
"So why didn't you tell Professor Bunnymund?" he asked quietly.
Jack grinned, glancing up at the ceiling, shaking his head knowingly as he walked towards them.
"Because I know you guys," he explained, leaning on his staff by the fire, "You don't do anything for no reason. Though one thing I didn't expect is that even you girls would be in on it, too."
Rapunzel pursed her lips, rubbing the back of her neck uncomfortably.
"Yeah, well, we weren't expectin' to spend out fifth year doin' this, too…" Merida shrugged.
"So why are you guys hiding a dragon, anyway?" he finally asked after a moment of awkward silence.
"Why should we tell you?" wondered Hiccup, still unsure of him.
Jack rolled his eyes, crossing his arms, "I don't know…" he said, voice dripping with sarcasm, "I'm the only one standing between you guys and expulsion from the school. Oh, not to mention…"
They all looked up worriedly.
"…the Ministry of Magic is on to your dragon."
They all exchanged wide-eyed glances.
"Oh, come on! The lad saved yer sorry babby bot'tum a'ready," Merida nearly pleaded Hiccup, worry clear on her face, "Jus' tell 'im the truth."
Nodding in agreement, Rapunzel sat back.
Hiccup sighed, and looked up to Jack, "You're going to tell them, aren't you?"
"Unless you can convince me otherwise." he grinned. This should be interesting…
And so Hiccup told him the other side of the story, like he had twice before with Merida and Rapunzel. How Toothless was a good chap urged on by some unknown reason unseen before by Hiccup.
They had to convince Jack. Or they could start packing their trunks.
"I saw a few prints, nothing more," Bunnymund explained to his colleagues as they once again met in the headmaster's office. All the teachers were there, from Herbology to Muggle Studies, as well as the rest of the school staff, even the school Healers and nurses. Some sat in chairs in the room, other stood by, but all listened to the findings of their school's current dilemma.
From up the walls, the paintings of headmasters were all ears, as well. Even the Sorting Hat who usually sat rather inanimate on the top shelf was wide awake, curious.
"But you have its hideout noted?" wheezed Professor Binns of History of Magic. He floated by the door, silvery transparent, the only spectral teacher in the school (apparently he died in a school fire, but that didn't stop him from teaching).
"Ro'ight," Bunnymund nodded, "Though the snowfall covers its tracks, making it hard to know where it goes outside its hollow."
"Oh, how unfortunate…" sneered Pitch Black standing by the corner.
Ignoring him, Toothiana fluttered forward, carrying her clipboard.
"We have contact with the Ministry, and they are glad to be of assistance, though they cannot offer their services until after the holidays," she explained, turning from one face to another, "In the meantime, they will be researching on which particular dragon this is in order to be more prepared for its capture. The Romanian Conservatory, as well."
"But I though you already told them it's a Night Fury, Tooth," said Professor Longbottom, a puzzled look on his face.
"Yes, well," she smiled, "What I meant was where it came from and what its history is…"
"But no matter…" the headmaster clapped his hands together, "The dragon has become inactive from the cold, and I assure you, will not attack while the cold lasts…"
"Oh, so sure this time…?" Pitch chuckled, earning a few stares from the other teachers nearby.
Sandy raised an eyebrow and turned to him, puffy arms crossed. He huffed and turned away, silenced.
"WE OVERLOOK!" the headmaster boomed; "Now we are wiping clean the slate!"
"What do you mean by that, sir?" asked Professor Oliver Wood of Flying Lessons.
Tooth beamed, hugging her clipboard ecstatically, "Oh, oh! Could it be!?"
There was a murmur of wonder amongst the teachers. Did the headmaster mean…?
"Yes, my dear fellows!" North laughed, circling his desk and planting his large hands on the wooden surface, "WE GO AHEAD WITH 'ZHE PLANS!"
Now the buzz of interest was distinct. Teachers whispered; others clearly showed excitement, others: stress. Sandy smiled, clasping his hands together in delight. Bunnymund gaped. Was North serious!?
"Oh, I'm not so sure, headmaster…" Professor Trelawney moaned, "The school will succumb to flu within a few days…"
"Announce it to the students first thing tomorrow!" the headmaster laughed merrily.
Pitch Black just rolled his eyes, muttering in sarcasm, "Oh, goody, we're having a party…"
"So you're doing all of this—for a lizard?" Jack summarized. He had now sat on far arm of the sofa, perched lightly.
"He's not—!" Hiccup slapped his forehead, "His name is Toothless!"
Jack smirked, "Doesn't look pretty toothless to me."
"Are yeh serious righ' now?" Merida scoffed, "We told yeh the whole sto'ry, we're darn serious abou' this!"
"Guys," Rapunzel cleared her throat and turned to Jack, "Look—it's a few days before Christmas, which is kind of like one of the biggest days of my life—but I have to go home!"
They turned to her as she raised her voice irritatedly. Merida raised an eyebrow, muttering under her breath.
"Yeh kno'ow I go home, too, righ'…?"
"Now, if can I please leave the school knowing all of you are still enrolled and in one piece, that'll be GREAT, thank you very much!" she panted, "Jack—if you're going to tell the teachers, then know that I'm going to stand by Hiccup even if I get kicked out of here."
"Whoa," Jack whistled, a grin playing in the corners of his lips.
"No, no, no— if anyone's getting expelled, it should only be me!" Hiccup cut in, waving his hands disagreeably in front of him.
"Hey, hey, stop!" Jack stepped in, "No one's getting expelled!"
"DID I HEAR THA' RIGH!?" Merida gasped, jumping beside Jack, in the blink of an eye, tugging at his arm.
"Yeh aren't turnin' us in!? Are yeh goin' to help us!?" she beamed.
Hiccup and Rapunzel leaned forward anxiously, heartbeats drumming in their chests. If Jack had lied to hide their secret even a tad bit longer, he must have a reason. Maybe, just maybe…he was their friend, after all.
"Are you?" said Rapunzel.
Jack blinked, turning from one to another, suddenly speechless.
"Toothless saved my life," Hiccup suddenly said. They all looked to him, befuddled.
"…he saved my life more times than I could count," he continued, taking in a sharp breath, "He's first and the greatest friend I've ever had, a-and I trust him more than anything—I'm sure you've had a friend you'd do anything for…please, Jack…"
A silence descended on the common room.
"…please don't take him away."
Merida bit her lip in anticipation as Jack's blue gaze swept over them thoughtfully. He suddenly jumped off his perch and stepped back from them, staff at his side, the end scraping against the floor.
"Well," he shrugged, "Been breaking rules for you guys the whole year—might as well go all the way."
You could only imagine the relief that descended on them. They turned to each other, gaping, smiling, breathless and completely overwhelmed. And out of nowhere, Merida and Rapunzel jumped up on Jack, trapping him in a giggling hug, nearly knocking him to the floor, while Hiccup got up to his feet, holding on to the side of the couch to support himself, knees suddenly knobby.
"Oh—sorry," Rapunzel let go of Jack, face reddened.
"I told yeh he's one of us!" Merida laughed, punching him on the shoulder lightly.
"Uh…thanks," Jack grinned.
Hiccup smiled and held out his hand.
"Friends?"
Jack looked at him and smirked, shaking it with his own pale one.
"Took a while…" he chuckled.
Rapunzel smiled, crossing her arms as she finally saw truce between the two of them.
With a small smile, Merida leaned closer and whispered something to Hiccup.
"Yeh kno'ow… they say wisps—lead yeh to yer fa'ate…"
Winter mornings have always been the nicest time to stay in bed, wrapped up in the covers and sleep the day away. Unfortunately for students, that delightful opportunity was taken away by classes. The day was like any other, except that there were no more snowfalls outside. They woke up to clear December skies, the air fresh, crisp and cold. The whole castle was cloaked in white, making everything seem brighter with the sunlight reflected by the snow.
The hallways were filled with students wearing their ink-black uniforms, topped with their house scarves of respective colors. Owls flew overhead, carrying parcels and letters.
"Mornin' ev'ryone!" Rapunzel greeted cheerily as she came skipping into the Great Hall, her gigantic braid wagging to and fro behind her, with a sleepy Pascal on her shoulder.
"Is it jus' me or did yeh use mah accent…?" Merida moaned, looking up with half-lidded eyes.
Her flame-red bushy hair pooled over her shoulders and back uncombed, restrained by her Gryffindor scarf. Hiccup sat from across the table, holding a mug of hot cocoa with both hands, looking as drowsy as everyone else.
Rapunzel just beamed and sat down beside her, grabbing a fork.
"Aw come on, you guys, it's the last day of school before the holidays," Rapunzel giggled, "Give a smile! It'll be weeks before we see each other again…"
"Ra'elly?" Merida snorted, "I see yeh lot every day, ah think I'm getting' sick of yer faces, actually…"
"Wow, I'm hurt," Hiccup grinned, clutching his chest.
They watched the tawny post owls fly overhead, dropping envelopes on to the tables.
"Actually, guys…" Hiccup said, lowering his mug, "I'm not going home for Snoggletogg…"
"Snuggle-what?" Merida and Rapunzel chorused.
"Christmas—I meant, Christmas," he waved them off, "I'm not going home."
"Why not?" Merida tilted her head, "I thought yer Dad likes yeh aroun' durin' the holidays."
"No, I mean…" he scratched his head with a nervous laugh, "I gotta watch Toothless…"
"Oh, yeah," Rapunzel nodded, staring off to the ceiling imitating the bright sky outside. She forked a piece of potato and took a bite, "How 'bout you, Merida?"
"Oh, yeh kno'ow…" she shrugged, "Mum an' Dad an' me wee brothers are waitin' back 'ome…"
"Must be nice to have a big family," Rapunzel noted, glancing to Hiccup, who gave a nod.
Merida gave a grimace, shaking her head, "Not all the time."
Hiccup sighed, taking a sip of the chocolate, "At least you have a mom…"
"And a Dad," Rapunzel added, holding up her fork in agreement.
Merida stared at both of them, overwhelmed. Looking back to her plate, she smiled.
"Yeah, I am pret'ty lucky…"
"How lucky?" Jack popped up out of nowhere, still fixing his tie.
There were flurried greetings of good mornings as he sat down. Greetings echoed by a group of first-year Hufflepuff girls behind them. Merida just rolled her eyes.
"You're really popular, huh?" Rapunzel raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, well, that's what you get when you look like—that," said Hiccup, gesturing to all of Jack.
He just smiled knowingly.
"You haven't…really told us what you…" Hiccup stammered, motioning with his hands, "What you're doing here."
"You said Hiccup was right," Rapunzel said in a curious tone, "So you really are with the teachers?"
"Not exactly," he replied.
"Is yer name really even Jack Frost?" Merida added.
"Of course, it is, why wouldn't it be?" Jack chuckled, "What do you want to know, anyway?"
"Why are you after my dragon?" Hiccup hissed under his breath.
"We're not," said Jack, "Not at first. It was burning school property…"
"Why are yeh even with the teachers, ani'way?" said Merida.
"I don't think I should tell you that," he smiled.
"Why not?" Rapunzel asked.
"You'll know soon enough," said Jack curtly.
They could hear the Hufflepuff girls giggling from the other table, snippets of whispers could be heard.
"…do you have a camera? I need his picture!"
"Anyway," Merida cleared her throat, shooting a glare at the giddy freshmen, "Wha' are yer plans fer the holidays, Jack?"
"I'm not sure, really," he said, resting his shoulders on the table, "What about you guys?"
"Ho'ome," Merida said, stuffing her mouth with pancakes.
"I'm staying…" Hiccup mumbled.
"Spending time with your pet?" Jack sneered.
"Shut up…"
"What about you, Pretzel?"
"Who, me?" Rapunzel snapped up, "I, um…actually—"
"Gryffindors! Gryffindors! Stop whatever you're doing and listen up!"
Al came running along the house table, looking harried and excited all at the same time. His hair was messed up, Gryffindor scarf tied around his collar loosely. Rose trailed after him, suppressing a smile, though her expression was nearly as bright as her auburn hair. Everyone in the Great Hall turned to him, only to be called up by their own prefects.
"Slytherins, you may want to sit down for this one…" Scorpius Malfoy said coolly as he strode in, perfectly composed.
"I dun'no, but Malfoy gives me the shivers whenever he walks by…" Merida snickered.
They stifled their laughter, waiting for Al to gather the lower years from the upper table.
"I heard that, DunBroch," said Malfoy as he passed behind her.
She gulped, sitting up stiffly. Hiccup, Rapunzel and Jack laughed even more.
"I'll see you at the playing field…" he drawled, heading off to the Slytherin table.
"Did I jus' challenge a prefect?" Merida said blankly.
"Okay…gather around, everyone," Al said as he stopped near where the four sat, followed by the Gryffindor horde, huddling around like the other three houses.
Al pursed his lips as he faced them, clearly nervous about something. Rose stood by him, beaming.
"Well, good morning, everyone…" he smiled tightly.
"Good morning…" they replied in a scattered manner.
"Well, we do know that tomorrow, we're heading back home for the holidays, right?" he laughed hollowly, "Right…well, there's been an announcement…"
"What is it?" Lily asked.
"Well, I , er…"
"Al, come on, spit it out…!"
"What's the announcement? Is there a storm?"
"Was Professor Trelawney's prediction of flu outbreak come true?"
"No, but," he stammered, looking around almost pleadingly, sort of struggling with himself. Suddenly turning to Rose, he whispered into her ear.
"Darn, you do it, Weasley…!"
"I'm not saying it!" Rose hissed.
"Just say it already!" Merida shouted.
Pushing her forwards, Al forced her into speaking; she glared at him though smiled excitedly to the housemates right afterwards.
"Well, I'm pleased to announce…" she began, "that there will be…"
"A what!?"
"A storm!?"
"Flu outbreak!?"
"Oh, shut it," Lee Jordan scolded his underclassmen.
Rose took in a deep breath and beamed.
"Headmaster North has decided to proceed with an event for Christmas," she announced.
There was a sudden hush. Until everyone chattered on excitedly.
"What kind of event!?" Rapunzel shot to her feet.
"Well, we prefects have come to gather our house members for an early morning meeting," Rose continued, loosening her scarf, "First period classes have been cancelled. Details will be filled in during the meeting; Professor Toothiana is waiting for us in the Transfiguration classroom."
They all looked at each other, puzzled. As they filed out of the Great Hall, their breakfasts lying forgotten on the tables, they noticed that the other houses were as baffled as them.
"What the heck is going on?" Jack huffed.
No one told him anything.
"I still don't understand why they couldn't just tell us right then and there…" Rapunzel mumbled as the flood of Gryffindors squeezed through the Transfiguration corridor.
"Well, wha'ever it is, I'm not goin'…" Merida crossed her arms, "I'd rather go 'ome…"
"You didn't tell us what you were going to do this Christmas, Jack," said Rapunzel, hands behind her back.
"Are you going home?" Hiccup asked.
"Well, no…" he chuckled, turning to them, "Not really."
"Aren' yer parents waitin' fer yeh?" said Merida, dodging a group of running second-years.
"Don't have parents," he replied coolly.
"That must be awful…" said Rapunzel . She couldn't imagine being an orphan.
"Nah," Jack replied, not at all bothered, "I loved being on my own. No rules, no responsibilities…it's as good as it sounds."
"You sound like you're a street urchin," Hiccup scoffed lightheartedly.
"Well I've been alone for a long time," Jack replied.
"So how did you end up in league with the teachers?" Hiccup questioned.
"Let's just say I work with them…" he grinned.
Hiccup raised an eyebrow. How in the world was that possible?
"Look, I have no idea wha' yer talking abou' anymore…" Merida tossed up her hands.
Jack wheeled around and pinched her nose. Merida squeaked in surprise.
"That's my secret, princess."
She scoffed as he ran off into the Transfiguration classroom.
"How thick can 'e get!?" she shook her head, "Goin' aroun' the school, making these girls swoon…"
Rapunzel rolled her eyes, "Well, he is sort of—"
"None of that!" Hiccup cut in, "Whatever girlish thoughts, please keep them away! None of that!"
"Are yeh jealous, Hiccup?" Merida snorted as they darted between students to get into the classroom.
"Of him? No," Hiccup insisted with a rather confident grin, "Him? Where does he stand next to me, huh? Strapping guy like me…"
"Yeah, ye're righ'…" Merida nodded, "Yeh do 'ave a beauty spot righ' there—under yer righ' eye."
"I do?" Hiccup halted, a pink tinge rising up to his cheeks.
"Well, yeah, righ' there," Merida pointed at Hiccup's face.
"Makes you look dashing," Rapunzel added.
"Wait," Merida raised her hand with a smirk, "Tha's a freckle."
They burst out laughing and bolted off to the tables, leaving Hiccup standing there, crossing his arms in disbelief.
"Haha…" he muttered humorlessly.
Professor Tooth was already waiting for them in the roomy Transfiguration classroom as they all settled down, perched on a high stool at the end of the hall. The tables had been pushed against the wall and the chairs lined along them. An idiophone was set up at the corner, its "trumpet" larger than an umbrella, a large old record set under its pin. For some reason she had insisted on separating the boys from the girls.
"…ladies, ladies—over to the left, yes, please, thank you!" she chattered on, flying up to the air, her wings glinting in the wintery light from the arched windows, "Boys, to the other side…!"
"What d'you guys reckon this is about…?" Hugo whispered as he sat down beside Jack and Hiccup (who had been forced to sit together).
"If it's extra lessons, I'm out of here…" Jack grinned.
"Your sister looks pretty excited, though," Hiccup pointed to Rose standing behind the girls on the opposite side of the room, looking happy as ever.
"That's why I'm nervous about this…" Hugo snickered.
"Listen up, everyone!" Professor Tooth called out as she fluttered in the middle of the hall, purple tail feathers lightly touching the stone-flagged floor, "I am glad to announce that this Christmas, we will be having a special event!"
A hush fell over the room. A falling pin could be heard.
"Usually, this special event is held to commemorate the Triwizard Tournament, as is tradition," she continued, "But the headmaster has come to the decision to hold it this holiday season for those willing to join. It shall be a celebration held on Christmas Eve—the Yule Ball."
Quicker than lightning, the girls suddenly whispered amongst themselves excitedly. The boys, however, didn't share their optimism about a formal party.
"Did he, now?" Jack muttered to himself. North had been acting all anxious of the dangers in the school.
But it seems like: even if they had a dragon in the grounds, North wouldn't let anything spoil Christmas.
"Quiet!" Professor Tooth clapped her hands together and continued on, "It shall be a night for well-mannered frivolity, and I expect each and every one of you of Gryffindor House who will be joining to be on your best behavior. Put your best foot forward—and I mean this literally,"
"We never have parties…" Hiccup murmured, "Something's up…"
"…for the Yule Ball—is first and foremost," their head of house enunciated, pausing to make sure she had everyone's attention.
"…a dance."
Instantly, the room was plunged into a deafening din. As expected, the lasses of the house were more enthusiastic than the guys. They immediately whispered prospects and plans, dresses and how wonderful such a party would be. They've never had such an opportunity, and probably never will again. The boys, however, were struck with dread. A party? Full of frills and formalities. Not to mention dancing.
Dancing! Merlin's beard, they couldn't imagine how to get through that…
"Silence!" Tooth said calmly, "Now, I do not want to see my students acting like a bumbling babbling band of baboons! At this ball, I want each and every one of you to act with grace!"
"Oh, my gosh…I can't believe we're having a party," "Oh, my gosh…I can't believe we're having a party," Rapunzel squealed toherself, hands clasped together.
"Well…tha' just grand, though, isn'it?" Merida grimaced, "I'm not goin' ter this…I'm goin' home, I don' wanna go…"
"What, why?" Rapunzel turned to her quizzically.
"Have yeh ever been to a dance?"
"No."
"You'll see, then," she huffed, "I'm goin' home…Nothin's goin' ter change mah mind."
"Oh, come on, Merida, it'll be fun!" Lily joined in, who was sitting behind them, "Just imagine it! We'll be having fun all night long!"
"Hah," Merida rolled her eyes, "As if…"
"Inside every girl, a secret swan slumbers, longing to burst forth!" Professor Tooth beckoned towards the ladies with a smile her beautiful wings splaying for a moment. Most of them felt the flutter of delight and excitement in their stomachs.
For at least once in their lives…every girl wishes to be a princess.
"…I bet Merida's swan is stuck in her hair," Hiccup snorted, joined in by Jack and Hugo.
"—inside every boy, a lordly lion prepares to prance!" Tooth continued, turning to them, "Mr. Haddock!"
Hiccup gulped and looked up at her, eyes wide, "Y-Yes?"
"Will you join me, please?" she held out her hand.
"What?" he breathed. Rolling his eyes, Jack pushed him forward, sending him into Toothiana's grasp.
There was a stifled wash of laughter in the room as Professor Tooth steered Hiccup to the center of the room. She alighted on the floor, her wings still twitching at her back, making them flicker with many colors.
"Oh…I wish I had a camera right now…" Jack laughed.
While across the room, Rapunzel and Merida leaned forward on their seats, eager to watch Hiccup's performance like the rest of the house.
"You're never going to make him forget this, are you?" Rapunzel said.
"Ne'ver…" Merida replied, resting her elbows on her knees, cupping her face with her palms.
"Now, put your hand on my waist," Tooth instructed.
"Wh-here?" Hiccup gaped.
"My waist," she repeated firmly, the feathers on her head bristling, "Now, Mr. Jordan, if you please!"
Lee Jordan by the corner turned on the ancient-looking idiophone set up on a stool. Instrumental music began playing, filling the room. Tension was beginning to build. Christmas was in a few days—how were they supposed to get things done?
"Now, follow my lead," Professor Toothiana smiled, "One, two, three…one, two, three…"
