AN: sorry I'm late everyone, I had a bit of a crazy day yesterday so I didn't have time to upload.
The following morning Ashley said nothing, barely acknowledging anyone even when asked a question. She kept a firm glare on the Slytherin table throughout breakfast. This continued for several days, only changing her attitude when a teacher was present, before returning to her murderous looks once they left her line of sight. Merida didn't know if she should be happy to be left alone or scared that the prefect might be planning something.
Rapunzel noticed the change in attitude as well, concerned for her friends. She was often distracted by the direction of the glares, often watching Ashley closely in case she tried to do anything.
"Hey, earth to Rapunzel." Kristoff waved a hand in front of the blonde girl, trying to get her attention. Rapunzel shook herself out of her daze and returned to boy in front of her and the food on her plate.
"Sorry Kristoff, I was a little distracted there." She gave a nervous grin as she glanced once more over at the Gryffindor table. Honey Lemon followed her gaze and spotted the female prefect, drawing a frown on her own face before bouncing back. She had taken a liking to the sweet blonde girl and while she was sure Rapunzel was hiding something, she let it be.
"I know what you need. You need a distraction, something fun. And pink!" the older girl cried out, causing Rapunzel to laugh a bit. While Honey Lemon was much older, she sometimes acted like a young child.
"She's right you know. Plus I'm sure your friends would like to have something else to think about." Kristoff agreed. Honey Lemon clapped her hands with glee and began talking about everything they would need, from food to games they could play. Soon it was agreed that they would meet up next Friday at the room of requirement. Since it was only Tuesday, the group had time to get everything together. Besides the three Hufflepuffs, Hiccup, Merida, Jack, Astrid and Fishlegs would be there along with several of Honey Lemon's friends, each of whom had very strange names. Gogo from Gryffindor, Tadashi and Wasabi from Ravenclaw and a boy named Fred from Hufflepuff would be joining the motley crew. With that decided, the group split for their first class.
The rest of the week flew by and before she knew it Rapunzel was walking down the hallway to the room of requirement, where everyone was going to meet. They agreed to wait in front for everyone to gather, since it would be easier. Once she reached the tapestry, she saw her friends already there. The only one missing from the large group was Fred, a tall skinny wizard Rapunzel had seen around. He was often excited, going off on long tangent and telling stories to anyone who would listen. Apparently his family is incredibly famous, his grandfather having created a spell that would make an invisible wall while his parents made a potion that would help heal those hit by Obliviate. He wasn't far behind her, arriving moments after the young witch. Once the group was together, Honey Lemon walked back and forth three times in front of the tapestry, repeating her wish over and over with a small hop in her step. Soon the door came into existence, opening to reveal a large room with several sofas and chairs in a circle with a long wooden table on the far wall. Jack, Hiccup and Tadashi moved to the table to put down the food, the former having convinced the house elves to lend a hand in their impromptu party.
Soon the group was laughing and joking, watching as Jack ate a vomit jellybean in disgust and laughing at his reaction.
"Why do these flavors even exist?" Jack asked, drinking water in an effort to get the taste off his tongue. Tadashi was the only one able to control his laughter enough to respond.
"Because it's funny watching people react when eating them for the first time." He replied with an easy smile. This produced a round of nods. Rapunzel smiled brightly as she looked around the group, first years talking and laughing with the older students, different houses having fun. The blonde prefect next to her looked over as she gave a light giggle.
"What's on your mind?" Honey asked, happy to see the nervous girl from earlier in the week was gone.
"Just thinking how much fun this is. And how all of the houses are hanging out together."
"True, I don't know when, if ever, in history all of the houses have gotten along." The large dark skinned wizard from Ravenclaw said from her other side. When she had first been introduced to Wasabi, she thought he would have been from Gryffindor. His thick shoulders suggested someone who had immense physical strength but it was his strength of mind that shocked her. In fact, he was more likely to be found in the library than out on the quidditch field.
Looking around the circle, Rapunzel saw how close the older group was, despite being placed in different houses. Just like her own group.
"So, how did all of you guys become friends anyways?" Jack asked the same question on the young blonde's mind. Most houses kept to themselves, despite the truce between Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. Tadashi was the one to begin the story.
"Well, I actually met all of them on the train, kind of like you guys I'm guessing. I was lucky enough to find an empty coach, though obviously it didn't stay empty. Gogo and Honey Lemon bumped into each other right outside the door and saw I was the only one in there so they joined me." He smiled at the memory, giving a small laugh while Gogo blushed slightly.
"More like crashed. Gogo was running through the train like someone was chasing her." Honey Lemon laughed at her own memory of the same events, causing Gogo to turn an even darker shade. Fred was the next to jump in.
"I saw the whole thing. I thought they looked really cool so I checked out their coach and saw there was space so I joined in." Gogo interrupted him.
"Yelling 'go,go,go, Gogo', It sounded really weird until he plopped down. Then he introduced himself, pointed to me and said 'I'm going to call you Gogo cause you go go go.'" She said, pointing her finger at the introduction and deepening her voice. Then entire group burst out laughing at the over exaggerated voice.
"By now, I was still struggling to find a seat. When I passed their coach, Tadashi called out to me and asked me join them. They shifted around to make room for me." Wasabi explained his part.
"After we introduced ourselves." Gogo interrupted, crossing her arms with a grin.
"And Fred gave everyone a nickname." the rest of the older student gave a small giggle before Tadashi continued.
"We just kind of clicked. I don't even remember most of the trip. We were just talking the whole time about anything and everything. When we were sorted, we were all kind of sad we weren't together. But, then some of the prefects showed us DA and we met again. Since then, we meet sometimes in the library or at DA to hang out."
"But it's nothing like you guys." Wasabi said, almost looking proud.
"I mean, others have had friend in other houses like us but even then, it doesn't ever include Slytherin. You guys have some kind of connection. I don't know what it is but I feel like you guys are going to change everything for the better." Honey Lemon said.
"History in the making." Came a cry from Gogo, leaning forward from her position across the circle. She raised her goblet, which had come with the room, and prepared a toast with the punch they were drinking. With another giggle, Rapunzel followed her actions as one by one the group raised their glasses.
"To making history." The young blond said, looking at each of her friends in turn. Hiccup followed her lead.
"To friends."
"To the future."
"To all of the houses." Jack finished, a small tingle running through his hand. After their toast, the group slowly cleaned up, the food gone. Slowly they trickled out the door, each leaving for their own common rooms. Jack moved off on his own, the only Slytherin to join their group. The rest left in groups, Merida thankful for Gogo and Astrid in case Ashley was still awake. Rapunzel, Kristoff and Honey walked back together while Fred ran ahead, hopping and leaping every few steps.
"Thank you Honey, it was exactly what all of us needed." Rapunzel said. The tall blonde just smiled and the group returned to a peaceful silence until they returned to the Hufflepuff common room, Honey tapping each barrel in turn to open the door. That night, Rapunzel fell asleep quickly, her worries alleviated but not gone.