{Ellie's POV}

Last night with Harvey and our children at the diner had been exciting, to say the least. I was very sure of the fact now that Harvey hid behind a mask with certain people but I could not figure out why. Harvey semi-opened up to me over dinner and we talked about different things. A bonus was Harvey telling me that he could help Anna bond to a dragon! I still hadn't the faintest idea how he would pull off getting Anna out of school on Friday, getting out parent's permission for Anna to miss school and allow Miss. Lanvik to pick her up and bring her to BU. However, I trusted that if Harvey said he was going to do it, then somehow, he would. Harvey was an amazing father, and it seemed that he suffered a lot of pain in his past just as I had with my ex. Karina's mother and Owen's father both walked out on us and our kids for their own selfish reasons. I knew that pain and that's how I knew Harvey felt the same kind.

Granted, I didn't know who Karina's mother was, I doubted that Harvey and I were close enough as friends to discuss such a matter. For now, it was just enough that Harvey and I were friends due to our kids being best friends in daycare but of course, during class time, Harvey and I were just student and teacher. No one knew of the friendship, except Heather. I suspected that Harvey and her didn't have secrets between them and were good friends and had been since he started working at DSS when he was seventeen. Harvey was an interesting person for sure, I found myself becoming more curious about him and his past life. If we were to be friends, shouldn't we know more about one another? That's how I felt about it, but I also felt that Harvey was guarded and getting past those walls wasn't going to be an easy task.

It was Friday, I was in the cafeteria with my friends eating lunch. I hadn't heard word from Harvey if he managed to make it so Anna could come to the University today, I was wondering if he hadn't pulled it off. Anna hadn't mentioned anything, neither did my parents. I guess she wouldn't be coming, that was okay. Harvey was only a teacher, I didn't assume he had the authority to make things like that happen. Oh well, Anna would bond eventually with time just like we all do. I couldn't wait for class, more review of material since September and then in a week, we were going on holiday break! It was hard to believe that I was almost done with my third year of college, I was doing well in all my classes with an A or B average. Only one year left and I'd be a licensed rider and trainer!

{Normal POV}

"So what will today's review be I wonder," Sydney stated while sipping from her water bottle.

"More review I bet," Syrus snickered as Rylee smacked his arm.

"Likely hand signals, dragon calls, etc." Ellie replied gently.

"Sucks that we can't touch riding until after the New Year," Dominic muttered.

"Mr. Haddock said riding is more complicated and it will take January to June to teach us the basics. Next year is supposed to be a lot harder," Ford sighed.

"Still moping about that Harvey won't tell us why he left?" Tyler asked, and Ford nodded, "Let it go, man, it's clear he ain't gonna,"

"It just amazes me that we went from being best friends to him acting like we're strangers all because he vanished without a trace," Ford mumbled out.

"Doesn't matter, Ford. Harvey left for whatever reason, now he's back and our teacher. Might as well just accept it and lose hope he'll ever tell us what happened. You can look at it any way you want to, but the truth is evident. Harvey isn't our friend anymore and it goes without saying that he isn't the guy we thought we knew," Tyler remarked and then closed his eyes. Courtney glanced off to the side, maybe she should just tell them the truth but what trouble would that cause Harvey? Courtney didn't know what to do. She knew she still loved him, wanted to be back in his and Karina's lives. Courtney also knew that Harvey didn't want anything to do with her after she walked out on him when Kari was thirteen months old and sick. Courtney never even found out what was wrong with their baby, she just left in a hurry before Harvey returned home.

"It might not be my place here, but maybe he feels that class time should not be spent with you him telling you his past?" Ellie stated.

"Well, what about after class?" Ashlyn suggested.

"We all have classes to go to after dragon training, and he has the fourth years to teach. Aside from that, the rules say that teachers aren't allowed in student dorms," Andrew mentioned to his girlfriend.

"And students aren't allowed in staff quarters," Ellie reminded. "Plus it's a personal matter mixing with professionalism. From 8 am to 5 pm, he is a teacher, and we are students. It would breach a code of conduct that Mr. Haddock has to adhere to,"

"What about weekends? He's not a teacher then, and I doubt he spends Saturday and Sunday here on campus," Syrus informed.

"Let me put it this way. Mr. Haddock has his own life, and what he chose to do with it regardless of his reasoning, is no business or concern of yours. I understand you want to know what happened, but it's up to him whether to tell you or not. If he doesn't want to, then you need to accept it and respect his choice," Ellie said, though, it wasn't fair because she knew most of the truth. Harvey had a three-year-old daughter whose mother walked out on them, and Harvey left because of the mother being pregnant.

"Ellie, Ford and I were Harvey's best friends in the entire school. We've been friends since Kindergarten," Tyler began calmly.

"We didn't have secrets, we hung out, and always had a good time. We understand he has his life, but one day he disappeared without a word to anyone. And all we know is that he got a job at Dreki Souls Sanctuary, bonded with a Night Fury, and hid behind the alias Harris Andarsen. Ty and I can accept that he had his reasons for doing what he did. Our point, however, to wanting to know what happened is that he was our friend and now he's back and acting like the past we had doesn't matter." Ford added.

"That's what hurts the most about this, we just want to know what caused the change for him not to care," Tyler sighed along with Ford.

"The rest of us want to know what happened. It's shady as fuck that he bails, turns up almost four years later as our teacher with that girl who never leaves his side and we never see him outside of class," Dominic mentioned.

"And also remember that the day she was sick, he said he loved her," Rylee pointed out.

"You can say 'I love you' and not have it be in a romantic way," Andrew countered.

"It's also none of your business, Dom," Sydney informed. "Like Ellie and Andrew have said. What they do is their business, not ours. It's his job to train us with dragons, not tell us his his past or present. So let's drop it, finish lunch, and get to class," Nothing else got said because it was pointless to talk about it when they couldn't confirm or deny there being anything going on between Heather and Harvey.

(Dragon Training Feild)

Harvey was already there with Toothless and Windshear, Harvey sat against Toothless's midsection with his eyes closed when he heard his students approaching and go past him towards the stables to get their dragons. After ten minutes, they all came out and lined up as they had since day one under Harvey's class rules.

"Where's Miss. Lanvik today?" Sydney asked while Harvey was getting to his feet stretching.

"She will be here soon; I'm having her do something for me," Harvey replied.

"What will we be reviewing today?" Ashlyn inquired.

"Today you will be working on understanding dragon emotions," Harvey told them.

"I'm back, Harvey," Heather called coming onto the field with a younger girl beside her, Ellie looked back and saw Anna, her little sister. Ellie's eyes widened in shock, Harvey pulled it off?!

"Ellie!" Anna said excitedly as she rushed over to hug her sister.

"Anna. Oh, my Gods, you're here!" Ellie exclaimed hugging the young girl who had orange hair and blue eyes. Harvey came over now with a smile and put his hand out.

"You must be Anna, Ellie's little sister. She has told me so much about you," Harvey greeted, and suddenly everyone became confused.

"Yes, that's me and all good things I hope?" Anna giggled a bit and shook his hand.

"Absolutely. I'm Harvey Haddock, your sister's dragon training teacher. Ellie mentioned that you seem to be having some trouble bonding with a dragon and desire to attend this university to become a racer?" Harvey introduced.

"Yeah, everyone in my class has a dragon but me. Not sure if I'm cut out for it is all," Anna admitted.

"Nonsense, everyone is cut out for it. The trick is finding a dragon that suits your personality, and I think, from what Ellie has told me, you're daring, fearless, and stubborn," Harvey informed as Anna glared at her sister but then looked back to Harvey. "Tell me, what types of dragons have you tried with?"

"Uh. Nadders, Gronckles, Hobblegrunts, even a Triple Stryke," Anna listed off.

"I though you were training us?" Dominic remarked.

"I told you what to work on. I shouldn't have to babysit you, its review for midterms coming up in three or so weeks. Heather is watching; she'll correct if you are wrong. Ellie came to me a week ago to ask about tips for her sister who hasn't been able to bond successfully yet. I made arrangements to bring Anna here and help in person. Do you have a problem with that?" Harvey inquired.

"No sir," Dominic said with his head down.

"Then get to work," Harvey ordered as he turned his attention back to Anna with a smile, "My apologies," he told her. "Now, I have a few dragons here that were brought over from the place I used to work. Ones that might work for your personality and that helps the bond, to share a similarity and understanding." Harvey added as he gave a whistle and Gobber brought out three dragons. A Thunderdrum, Rumblehorn and a Nightmare. "All are known for being stubborn and cocky," he stated.

"Okay, so what's the next step?" Anna inquired.

"What would you do at school if the teacher was trying to get you to bond?" Harvey asked.

"If at school, they'd let me walk the stables and see if any of the available dragons would respond to me being close to them. If none showed an interest, then I just sat on the sidelines with my Terror, Hissy," Anna shrugged.

"Amateurs," Harvey sighed heavily. "You don't bond by waiting, you initiate one and see if they respond to you that way," he added.

"My school is lazy," Anna rolled her eyes.

"I see that. All right, how we're gonna do this today is that I want you to approach these dragons calmly and talk to them as you would a friend. Give them your attention, your respect, your full trust by holding out dominant hand out to them. If one steps forward to sniff your hand, smile and keep talking but focus your words to just that dragon. If one bows it's head to you with eyes closed and nose pressed to your palm, then you've bonded," Harvey instructed.

"O-Okay, I'll try," Anna nodded showing she understood and the Harvey stepped back to give her space and watch carefully, prepared to step in if need be. After ten minutes, the Rumblehorn and Nightmare just closed their eyes and laid down uninterested, Anna was getting doubtful again but turned her attention to the Thunderdrum to keep trying. Another ten minutes passed and Anna just sighed heavily. "It's no use," she said closing her eyes and turning her head as her palm began to drop. Ellie watched it happen, she felt sorry for her sister and went over to comfort her but the Thunderdrum stepped forward and sniffed Anna's palm and Harvey kept his other students back and had them be quiet. The Thunderdrum closed it's eyes with a purr and pressed it's nose to Anna's palm.

"Anna, why don't you open your eyes and meet your bonded dragon?" Harvey smiled. Anna's eye's snapped open, and she looked at the Thunderdrum that had pink/purple eyes, and a dark purple body with black spots on it's back and wings, the underside was white.

"I-I bonded?" Anna asked.

"Sure did. This Thunderdrum is a young adult, about seventeen years old and female. I worked with her when I was just a starting trainer for DSS," Harvey told her. "I think you should give her a name," he suggested as Anna smiled wide and crouched down to rub under the Thunderdrum's chin.

"Skywave," Anna stated.

"Anna, I'm so proud of you!" Ellie smiled happily as she hugged her little sister tightly. "Thank you, Mr. Haddock," Ellie bowed her head to Harvey.

"You're welcome," Harvey gave the nod in acknowledgment to her. "I'll get Skywave to your High School by the end of the day, Anna. Heather will take you to the dragon registry office to do the paperwork for Skywave, and then she'll drive you home after this class ends at 3 pm,"

"Thank you, Mr. Haddock!" Anna said to him as she sat on the ground with Skywave beside her.

"The rest of you get back to work," Harvey informed the rest of his students. There was still and hour and ten minutes of class remaining after all.

(Next Week-Friday; 3 pm)

"Good work today, we'll pick it up when you return from holiday break and that will be your last week until midterms. Get your dragons put away and dismissed, have a good vacation," Harvey told the class, Heather got up to move with them and keep an eye on things as she always did. While in the stables, though, Heather listened in when Syrus and Dominic were talking about her and Harvey hooking up and that's why they wouldn't see them at dinner in three hours. Heather couldn't believe what she was hearing, they thought Harvey and her were having sex? It kind of hurt to know they were assuming that. Heather exited the stables and moved beside Harvey with closed eyes.

"What's wrong?" Harvey asked noticing her saddened expression.

"Your third years are assuming we're sleeping together," Heather admitted as Harvey looked at her quickly.

"What?" Harvey asked.

"Syrus and Dominic are saying the reason we never show up for meals in the cafeteria are because we're fucking. It's the reason why we're always seen together, and they think I'm the cause of your leaving when you were seventeen," Heather looked down. Okay, this was getting out of hand. "Also, they think we have a child because they've seen me close to the daycare," she added.

Harvey facepalmed and put his index finger and thumb between his now closed eyes to attempt easing the headache that formed hearing all the information. Obviously, it was time for him to make things clear to all of them. "I'll take care of it," Harvey offered her a smile as Heather nodded to him then they waited for the students to come out, "Who was saying it?"

"Syrus, Dominic, Rylee, Ford, Tyler. Ashlyn wasn't saying anything but nodding. Courtney looked like she was about to cry. Elli, Andrew, and Sydney were trying to tell them to leave it alone," Heather replied.

"Why don't you go take a few laps with Windshear? I'll handle them," Harvey said. Heather nodded and got on her dragon, then took to the sky just as the others were coming out.

"Enjoy your holiday, Mr. Haddock," Ellie smiled at him.

"Ingerman, Hofferson, Bogsven, Thorstons, Jorgenson, and DeRange. I'd like to see you before you leave," Harvey informed firmly with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Do you need us too?" Andrew inquired.

"No, you three can go," Harvey said as Ellie, Sydney, and Andrew headed off the field.

"What did you need to see us about?" Ashlyn asked first.

"Which one of you seven started the rumor that Heather and I are sleeping together?" Harvey asked with irritated eyes. "Come on, out with it. Heather came out here and told me you were talking about it. So, who started it?"

"Is it true?" Courtney asked quietly.

"What does it matter if it is? It's none of your business what I do on my personal time," Harvey stated coldly.

"So you two are banging, that's why you don't show up for meals in the cafeteria!" Syrus burst out. Harvey's eyes narrowed darkly as his hands dropped to his sides in fists.

"HEATHER AND I ARE NOT FUCKING EACH OTHER!" Harvey yelled which shut them all up, taken aback by the anger. "We're not in a relationship. We're not having sex, least not anymore. Heather and I have been working together since I was seventeen and when I got this offer to teach here, I got to choose my assistant, so I picked her because we work well together," he glared.

"Then why don't you two come to meals like everyone else?" Dominic asked, "You're both always smiling and happy together, saying that you'll talk about it later,"

"And you've said you loved her," Courtney forced out, "And what do you mean...not anymore?" she questioned. So Harvey and Heather have had sex before?

"We don't come to meals because we aren't required to do so. I eat in my dorm or go flying with Toothless. Sometimes I visit my parents. Heather's going through a hard time right now; I just keep her distracted because that's what friends do for one another. Yeah, I tell I love her because she's helped me out of a lot of tight spots. We're friends, and that is it," Harvey retorted.

"You said you two weren't having sex anymore, so you have in the past?" Rylee asked.

"Yeah, what of it?" Harvey inquired, his eyes falling on Courtney seeing her look upset and hurt to know that fact. "At one point we were friends with benefits. It was easier than dating. First time we did it, we were both drunk and just ended up hooking up if we had time,"

"So, you lose your virginity to her? Is she why you basically abandoned us?" Tyler inquired.

"No. I lost my virginity to someone I thought loved me, someone I had asked to marry me when I was seventeen," Harvey saw Courtney bite back nervously, "Instead she decided to walk out. Heather was there for me, and it went from there because of her own issues too. Worked out that we hooked up to temporarily forget what bothered us in life. It was meaningless sex, and we don't do it anymore. We stopped in April of 2019 for personal reasons; life got in the way, and we don't have the time. Heather has feelings for someone else, and my heart still cares for the girl who broke it," Harvey informed coldly as Courtney's eyes widened a little. Harvey...still cared about her?

"Is...the girl you lost your virginity to the reason you left?" Ford asked calmly.

"Yes." Harvey gave him a nod as Heather landed and dismounted, "Now. You have classes to get to, and I have another class to teach. I don't want to hear about any of this again, understood? I hear one more rumor regarding Heather and I...and that person gets detention for a week on stable duty or setting up the courses and fields. I know you want to know everything, but making up your own theories is just going to piss me off. There is nothing between Heather and me."

"Why can't you just tell us!?" Ashlyn yelled at him.

"Anything that happened between October 2016 and to present and future is no concern of yours. You are my students and nothing more so kindly keep yourselves out of my personal life, or you will have a problem with me. Is that clear?" Harvey warned.

"Yes, Mr. Haddock," the seven replied with their heads down.

"Good. Now get go-" Harvey stopped when his phone rang as he put it to his ear. "Yes?" he answered, "Speaking," then another pause. They saw his eyes widen, "I'll be right there," he then stuffed his phone in his pocket and gave a whistle for Toothless who rushed over, and Harvey jumped on his back and positioned his foot while opening the tail.

"Harv, what's the matter?" Heather asked with worry.

"Something is up with Kari. I gotta go, you're in charge of fourth years," Harvey ordered.

"Understood. Give her a kiss from me, I'll see you after 5," Heather nodded to him.

"Will do," Harvey told her before Toothless launched into the sky at top speed with a whistle over to the main building. Heather sighed softly.

"Why did he rush off?" Rylee asked first.

"And who is Kari?" Ashlyn said next.

"Kari? She's Harvey's daughter," Heather stated, "Off to your next classes," then she walked off to the prepare things for the fourth year class. Six of them were in shock, Courtney acted like she was surprised but in truth, she worried about Karina. The phone call didn't sound good at all. Dominic, Tyler, Rylee, Syrus, Ford, and Ashlyn, on the other hand, were shocked. Heather and Harvey have had sex before but stopped recently for their own reasons and now it was out that Harvey did have a child, a daughter named Kari. However, the question remaining; who was Kari's mother? Heather or the girl that Harvey said he was going to marry.