The next morning brought a strange view for everyone. At first nothing seemed out of place, each of the houses sitting at their table eating breakfast and a few hello's tossed between three of the tables. Slytherin usually kept to themselves but Jack usually sat at the end, waving over to each of the other tables while the rest of his house ignored him. By now it was normal even for the other houses to see the single Slytherin waving to others, accepting his small interaction despite their dislike for the rest of the house with the obvious exceptions within Gryffindor. Even Merida was able to get away with waving hello in the mornings Astrid on one side, Gogo on the other and Glint across the three girls, all joking around with her. He wasn't doing any harm despite his placement and some of the other students from DA would wave as they passed in the hall, still nervous but slowly learning about the cheerful boy underneath the house stigma.
This morning though brought something different, something new, something that disturbed the other houses despite the typical view in previous years. Jack was sitting in the middle of the long table, squeezed in between a first year and a sixth year with the older student draping his arm around the young boy's shoulders. Hiccup was the first to enter the dining hall with Fishlegs crashing into the small boys back. Peering around his shoulders, the blonde saw Jack's new seat, his eyes growing wide. Hiccup tried to wave but the Slytherins glared and pulled Jack into their conversation. The two boys slowly made their way to their own table, the smaller of the two visibly upset.
Next was Rapunzel, her thick braid bouncing when she first entered. Last night had revived her, a bright smile lighting her up. She waved to Hiccup first only for her smile to slowly fade when only Fishlegs responded halfheartedly. Turning to where Jack typically sat, her wave was cut off when she didn't see him. Looking around, her eyes passed him several times before she spotted his small mop of messy brown hair seated low between two black haired boys. Both of them were leaning in, almost covering him from view. Like her friend from Ravenclaw, all she received for her positivity was a stern glare. Jack glanced up but looked away as soon as he made eye contact. Her shoulders feel as she made her way to Honey Lemon, who immediatly drew her into a hug.
The last of the group to arrive was Merida, the most anticipated reaction by everyone. Even still, Astrid tensed her should at the first sign of red hair, breathing a sigh when Glint moved to his usual spot.
"What happened to Jack?" were the first words out of his mouth, shocked as everyone by the sudden acceptance by the house for the young half blood. Especially Cygnus Malfoy, someone who took more after his mother than his father, both in looks and personality.
As was tradition, Scorpius married a pure blood who was as pure as they come. Cepheus on the other hand took after her father through and through.
Finally the young redhead entered the room. She called out to Rapunzel and Hiccup in turn, looking at their house friends in confusion when there was little response. Turning to the Slytherin table, she took note of where Jack sat as well as the boys crowding around him with a frown. He had never been the popular one so how had all of them changed their minds at once. She moved towards her table, just passing the end when Ashley stood in her path.
"Merida, come sit with me." without waiting for an answer she reached over and pulled the surprised redhead down on the bench beside her. The blonde kept her grip on Merida's arm until the end of breakfast, going as far as walking out the large door with her. She was happier than she had been for a while, not even glancing over at the table of snakes.
The group was unable to meet up with Jack, whenever they tried to talk to him during class another Slytherin would come over and drag him away. Even when they were able to get him alone he would turn the other way, barely sparing them a glance. The three friends were upset, keeping a small smile whenever their friends were around but when evening came, they would hide themselves away in the Hogwarts common room, staying in their special room that they soon figured could only be opened by them. There, Hiccup spent his time reading silently not looking up from one of the many books he pulled of one of the shelves. Merida would lay her head down on the table, her wand held lazily in her hand as a small fireball flew around her. Rapunzel would curl up in her chair, her arms around her legs.
The rest of their growing group of friends were also quieter, though far from the core group. Astrid, Fishlegs and Kristoff would follow into the common room, finishing up homework or just talking, occasionally tossing a worried look at the closed off door. The sixth years would pop in as well and help the younger students or do their own work, after learning of the room when they badgered the first years as to where the others would disappear and equally loving the room. Glint and Glimmer were invited too and slowly the once empty room began to fill with voices and laughter, still quieter than that perfect night.
Finally enough was enough. Astrid was the first to voice her thoughts.
"We have to figure out what is going on with Jack." Honey Lemon looked over at the heavy door and nodded.
"You're right. That group has a deeper connection than most and this is tearing them apart." Her shoulders sunk. Gogo nodded fiercely, though surprisingly Fred was the voice of reason.
"Cool. How are we going to get Jack though?" He looked towards the others for ideas while they just stared in shock, their eyes wide at the thought of him having an intelligent question. Tadashi shook it off and answered his question.
"That will be the hardest part. There is always someone with Jack to help steer him away from anyone from the other houses." Fishlegs frowned, thinking back to the times he and Hiccup passed him in the hallway. That was one of the few times they had seen the boy without someone beside him so of course they had tried to talk to him but he shook them off, immediately heading in the other direction.
"It's not just that though. Jack has been on his own for a bit but he never stops to talk to us. I think there is something going on with him to keep him away from everyone else."
"Not that Ashley is complaining. She must have something to do with this, she is acting way too happy to not be connected somehow." Astrid said, crossing her arms.
"Let's focus on Jack first. Once we get the group back on track we can focus on figuring out how Ashley is connected to all of this." Tadashi sent another glance towards the closed door. It would be another hour at least before any of them saw the light. Turning back to the group circled close to one of the many fireplaces, he braced his arms on his knees, deep in thought. He sighed as he hung his head, Honey Lemon placing a comforting hand on his back. Gogo huffed and stood up, marching over to the heavy wooden door even as her friends called out to her. The group looked around at each other before standing as well and moving to surround the door. Gogo held her wand in one hand, clenched in a tight fist as she raised her other hand and banged on the door.
"Hey, get out here and help us already. We get that you four are a group but this is ridiculous. Now open this door and help us figure out how to get your friend back or I will start sending whatever spells I think will work at this thing." She called out, her voice echoing throughout the room. She waited only a few seconds before raising her wand, sending a variety of spells at the simple door with none making a single dent.
Inside the small room, Rapunzel jumped at the sound of Gogo banging hard on the door. Merida almost sent her fireballs into the bookshelf, the books only saved by Hiccup sending a small burst of wind with a flick of his wand and sending the fire into the already lit torches lightning the wall. He barely even looked up from the thick book in his hand as he replaced his wand inside his robe and held the book in both hands. At the older students words, the two girls looked up from their seats, their eyes meeting as they held a silent conversation and nodded in agreement. Rapunzel stood and slowly moved towards to door. She gently opened to reveal the entire group crowded tightly around the entrance. She gave a small giggle at how tightly they pressed together, all leaning inward just behind their leader.
"Great, now let's all come out here and figure out a plan." Gogo said firmly, nodding her head at her own idea and pushing the others back to move back toward the couches they were seated at before, plopping down on the nearest spot. The rest of the odd group followed, either sitting on one of the couches or on the floor close to the fireplace Merida had lit before escaping. The weather was slowly warming up but the fire helped to stave off the last few waves of cold air that lingered still. Rapunzel was the first to join them, taking the empty seat between Honey Lemon and Wasabi. Merida followed, the same frown etched on her face that had been there since the beginning. Hiccup was the last to leave the small room, taking his book with him but keeping it closed on his lap.
"Okay, we're out here. So what's the plan." Hiccup said, quick and to the point. His fingers flexed on the cover of the book, his thumb making his page.
"We were hoping you guys would have an idea." Fishlegs said sheepishly.
"Look, let's just get our heads together and brainstorm ideas. We'll figure out a plan together." Gogo said, the group nodding in unison.