=Astrid's POV=

{Friday, October 1, 2021-12:10 pm}

(Archian Preparatory; Cafeteria)

I've been in my Senior Year for a month now. The first week was all review and preparing for the year ahead of us. At the start of the second week; we began getting homework. The most straightforward course we had was Dragon Training, and that's only because Hiccup just had doing research on dragons in specific classes. Although, some of that was difficult; there were seven classifications of dragons, and different amounts of them in each one. After researching, we'd get to see some of the types up close, and work with them in approaching, calming, gaining trust, and training. According to Hiccup, we wouldn't get to flying for another couple of months. Hiccup expressed that we wouldn't get to bonding until after we passed the classifications. It's funny; Hiccup says he's been bonded since he was fifteen, but we've never see his dragon. And another thing; I wondered how this guy managed to do all his homework for classes, then sit down to grade our Dragon Training work. Plus, I've heard Hiccup has an after-school job too, but I forget where. My friends and I go out to eat a lot, and I know we've gone to a place where we've seen Hiccup working before. Overall, this year was going okay.

"Yoowho…Astrid? You with us?" Ragna's voice brought me out of my thoughts.

"Hm? Yeah, I am," I replied.

"You've been zoned out for five minutes," Thuggory mentioned.

"Sorry. I'm thinking about this research assignment for History that's due on Monday," I informed.

"Oh, is it the one about finding a historic place and writing about its history from beginning to present?" Gruffnut inquired.

"That's it," I nodded.

"Yeah, we all have it," Cami said.

"What place are you picking?" Eret wondered.

I shrugged, shaking my head as if to say I had no idea. "The most historic places in the entire Archipelago are in right in Berk," we heard Fishlegs say.

"Because it's said to have been the first settlement for Vikings. We're talking the year 793, start of the Viking Age," Heather added.

"And home island to the King of the Wilderwest, none other than Hic-," Snotlout started as Hiccup shushed him, then motioned to the fact my group was listening in to their conversation. "Oh, right," he said, nodding.

"Well, we might not all be in the same History class, but we have the same assignment," Minden smiled.

"I think we should work on it together. We can ask Mr. Fishers if it'll be okay to turn in a group report about one location," Ruffnut offered.

"I don't see why not. We'll go before the end of lunch," Hiccup said.

"The question is what place can we use? We're all from Berk, except for Minden, but she's only North of us on Wingmaiden," Tuffnut stated.

"Yeah, but I'm just twenty minutes away," Minden reminded.

"True," Heather nodded. "Honestly, I think we should do it on Berkian Estate,"

"Really?!" Hiccup asked quickly.

"Dude, it's the oldest place around in Berk and rumored to be home to the King of the Wilderwest; the guy who ended that first dragon war or whatever. Hiccup, it'd be exciting to see if we can learn about its history! It's been around since the late 8th Century," Fishlegs exclaimed.

"Ugh. Fine. IF Mr. Fishers says it's okay; we'll use Berkian Estates. For the time being, we'll discuss it more after DT, guys," Hiccup said, then they changed subjects to their weekend plans.

"Hmph. The losers don't have a bad idea there. Doing a group report on a place, and their choice is awesome. Berkian Estates would guarantee us a good grade," Camicazi said.

"There is no way Mr. Fishers is gonna let all ten of us turn in the same research assignment," Eret informed.

"Maybe not, but we can at least gather information off the web, and maybe something from them and make our own group report; it'll work," Gruffnut offered.

"You mean eavesdrop and copy," Ragna rolled her eyes.

"Exactly. All we have to do is change a few things and boom. Instant A…or at least a B," Gruffnut said.

"I guess we can try. It's not like these losers are hard to follow," Thuggory retorted.

"Then it's settled. We'll listen in and see what we gather off them," I nodded, and they did too in agreement.

. . .

{2 pm}

(DT Field)

Camicazi was the only person who had History last period before Dragon Training, so we left it up to her to be given the weekend homework, then ask if we could submit a group report if everyone did a different piece on the same historical property. Mr. Farmers said that was fine, but Camicazi messed up in mentioning what place we would do. Hiccup had gone to Mr. Farmers ten minutes before lunch ended and asked him the same question about group reports, so now, Mr. Farmers thinks we copied them as there was only fifteen minutes between inquiries from the two people. Camicazi said that we were all working together, and Mr. Farmers was delighted to hear that fourteen people were so interested in one location, and he expected a full report from us on Monday morning, whoever had History first would turn it in. All our names had to be on it, and the different parts we wrong needed to be in order.

"I can't believe you said what place we were gonna do!" Nadia scoffed.

"I'm sorry; it slipped out when he stared me down!" Camicazi said quickly.

"Now we have to find a way to work with them," Gruffnut mumbled.

"Yeah, cold day in Hell," Eret sighed.

"I think I have a way we could get them to agree…" I tapped my chin.

"What are you thinking?" Thuggory wondered.

"Let me worry about that; I'll tell you at the end of class," I informed as they nodded and Hiccup arrived with Dagur.

"Alright, students; let's pick up from yesterday in the Tidal Class with the Sliquifier," Hiccup called. And for the next hour; this is what we'd be doing. Since starting in classifications at the beginning of the year; we've already completed Tracker, which had seven dragons in it. We were done with that after two. And Mystery with eighteen dragons has also been finished. Right now, we're doing Tidal Class, which holds thirteen dragons listed, and we would be done by the 29th, or so Hiccup believes. So I wondered what would be next. "Oh, and we're moving to Strike Class; we need to get these done by January when your midterms are. Strike only has five dragons, so we should finish with that fairly quickly at the start of November. From there we'll be going Stoker, as it's particularly long, then Boulder, and finally, Sharp," he announced.

. . .

{3:05 pm}

(Student Parking Lot)

After Dragon Training ended; I had the others follow me to my car in the Student Lot. As I already knew Hiccup was headed there to get to his car, which I've never seen before now. It wasn't even a car; it was a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, all black with light gray patches; kind of like scales. I didn't know Hiccup owned something like that; it was an expensive vehicle.

"We're being followed," Fishlegs told Hiccup. The auburn-haired teenager stopped and looked back at us, then kept walking, but never said anything.

=Normal POV=

"Just keep walking, Legs," Hiccup responded upon reaching his Jeep and unlocking it. Ruffnut and Tuffnut jumped in the rear back seating. Snotlout, Heather, and Minden took the three in the middle. Fishlegs and Hiccup loading in up front with Hiccup driving. "They're up to something…" he whispered. "Snot, where's your sister?"

"Right here, Hiccup!" Adelaide called, rushing past Astrid and her friends. Snotlout moved and allowed Adelaide to crawl into the back with Ruffnut and Tuffnut.

"Seat belts!" Hiccup reminded, then started up the Jeep, backed out, then joined in line with the rest of the students leaving.

"Load up; let's follow them," Astrid told her group. In an agreement, they loaded up between Astrid's car and Thuggory's. Eret with Astrid in hers, and the rest in Thuggory's orange SUV.

. . .

{3:20 pm}

(Berk; Raven Point Hills)

In one of the most historic and luxurious neighborhoods in Berk laid Raven Point Hills. A secluded section of land where only the best of the wealthiest members of the community resided. Most of the homes were hidden from view because of the trees, but that's what a lot of owners liked; privacy. Astrid was following a few cars behind Hiccup, and Thuggory behind them. Hunter turned on to Cove Way as the other vehicles Astrid and Thuggory had been using for cover continued on.

"Hic, they're still following us," Heather mentioned while looking back to see Astrid's blue Porche almost right behind but a good few feet back.

"I'll deal with this," Hiccup stated as he pulled off to the side of the road, threw the gear in park, then got out of the car and stepped out into the street as Astrid came to a quick stop. Hiccup moved around to the driver's side. "Just what the hell do you think you're doing way up here in Raven Point Hills?" he asked.

"We came up here for our history report; researching Berkian Estates," Astrid replied calmly.

"Yeah, researching the idea you stole from my friends and I," Hiccup retorted.

"It's a free island, Loser. We can choose any place we want," Eret huffed.

"Except for the fact you happened to be sitting next to my friends and me at lunch when we talked about what our choice and the idea to do a group project," Hiccup reminded.

"Well, we're already here, so might as well see it through. As we all have the same idea…Why don't we…Work together?" Astrid suggested.

"Excuse me?" Hiccup arched a brow.

"Yeah. I mean; we all chose the same place, and we're here together…So why don't we share the work? Fourteen heads are better than one, right?" Astrid continued gently.

"Come on, Hiccup…" Eret pushed after Astrid elbowed him in the arm. Hiccup seemed to roll his eyes, then look up and sigh heavily.

"Fine, you can come…But for the love of Odin…Best behaviors…" Hiccup said.

"Promise," Astrid nodded. Hiccup moved back to his car and got into the driver's seat, then got back on the road. Less than two minutes later, Hiccup pulled up to a gate and rolled his window down. Seconds after that, the gate opened and remained that way as Hiccup's Jeep, Astrid's car, and Thuggory's SUV made it inside, then the object shut tightly. Hiccup led them up the long driveway as the stone mansion came into sight. Though in different cars, Astrid, Eret, Thuggory, Nadia, Gruffnut, Camicazi, and Ragna stared in awe of the home. Hiccup's car turned right to the flat-stone driveway way that had a fountain, and places to park. Hiccup motioned for them to park at the edge while he went in front of the main door. A man stepped out and walked around to Hiccup's side, opening his vehicle door and offering a bow as Hiccup got out.

"Shall I park your car for the evening?" the man inquired softly while Hiccup's friends were out as well. Hiccup handed the man his keys with a nod. "Shall I move these two cars to the motor court?"

"No, that won't be necessary. Thank you," Hiccup told him, then the male climbed into Hiccup's Jeep, driving it back on to the driveway, and pulling into another area before it went out of sight.

"What was that all about?" Nadia asked.

"Why did your car get taken over there?" Thuggory inquired.

"Because my vehicle is being put in the garage?" Hiccup replied, then moved to the front door.

"Do you know the owners or something?" Astrid put her hands on her hips. "Are you a frequent visitor?"

"Yes, and yes," Hiccup put his hand on the door handle with a smile. Gods, he was going to enjoy this way more than he should. Hiccup looked at them. "Welcome to my humble abode," he said as they looked confused and in disbelief.

"No…No; it can't be-" they whispered.

Hiccup grinned a little. "Oh, but it is. This is Haddock Manor," Hiccup watched their mouths drop, and eyes widen.