Chapter Eleven
Hiccup-
Hiccup woke up late without any classes for him to get up for. The sun was streaming through the large window and brightened the almost empty dormitory. Other than Hiccup the only other student remaining was Mason. He had already left. Probably to play Quiditch or something, Hiccup thought groggily.
Yawning he slowly crawled out of bed. He stumbled into the bathroom, rubbed his eyes, and brushed his hair. Pulling on a plain green t-shirt and some brown jeans he walked into the common room. It was completely deserted. He slipped on some shoes then opened the portal and stepped out.
"Hello young Mr. Haddock," Sir Nicholas, the Gryffindor ghost, greeted him as he walked down the corridor towards the Great Hall.
"Hello Sir Nicholas," Hiccup nodded to him. "What are you doing in this part of the castle?" Hiccup asked, wondering why he was so close to Ravenclaw territory.
"I was hoping to talk to Rowena. I don't suppose you know where she is do you?"
"Sorry, but no," Hiccup apologized. Sir Nicholas nodded.
"Thank you anyways," he floated away. Other than that Hiccup met no one in the hall.
The Great Hall had been decorated for Christmas by the professors. The walls were lined with large Christmas trees. Some of them were decorated with candles and holly, others with the traditional ornaments. At the front of the room stood the largest tree. It was covered in both candles and ornaments.
Floating in the air was candles with holly and red ribbons wrapped around them. There were even some wreaths floating around.
Jack, Merida, and Rapunzel were sitting together at the Gryffindor table. They were huddled close and whispering feverishly. When he entered they looked at him.
"What's up?" he asked as he sat down. In front of him the table was covered in good breakfast foods like french toast, oatmeal, and all kinds of fruits. Hiccup filled his plate then looked at them for an answer.
"Mason told us that Mary is staying for the holiday. Madam Lawson said it would be safer for her to help her recover from the shock and everything," Merida finally said. "That means during the break is the best time to talk to her."
"Is she staying in the hospital wing?" Hiccup asked.
"For the first couple of days," Rapunzel nodded.
"We should wait until she's out to talk to her," Hiccup said. They nodded their agreement. "So what are you guys doing today?" he asked, changing the subject.
"I was gonna try to sneak into the Forbidden Forest," Jack joked, at least Hiccup thought he was joking.
"I'm going to work on flying with Mason," Merida said.
"I might send a letter to my mother and order some Christmas gifts," Rapunzel said. Hiccup nodded. He already had everybody a gift.
"I think I'll do some research in the library," Hiccup decided.
"On what? You already know everything," Jack laughed. Rapunzel and Merida laughed too, Hiccup rolled his eyes.
"Just to see if there are any recent news on evil wizards or something," Hiccup answered.
"We've already done that," Merida pointed out.
"We might have over looked something," Hiccup shrugged. They all sighed.
"Good luck," Rapunzel said, rising from the table. She walked off to write her mother a note. Merida left after her. Jack stayed where he was.
"Want some help in the library?" he asked. Hiccup shrugged again. "I'll take that as a yes," Jack smirked. Together they made their way to the Hogwarts library. The librarian, Miss Silvia, smiled at them when they entered.
"I don't get many students in here studying over the holidays. It's so nice to have such curious wizards," she said brightly. Hiccup smiled back at her. Jack just nodded.
"So what are we looking for?" Jack asked.
"Follow me," Hiccup led them towards the back of the library where Miss Silvia kept every edition of the Daily Prophet ever printed. "Let's look through these," Hiccup grabbed some from the top of the pile and started to read them. Jack sighed and settled down next to him.
"Hey here's the one about Alex and the Minister," Jack said. Hiccup looked up at him.
"What happened to them?" he asked.
"Alex saved the Minister from being murdered," Jack handed him the paper so he could read over it.
"Do you think this has something to do with the 'shadow?'" Hiccup asked.
"I guess it could," Jack shrugged. Hiccup looked down at it thoughtfully.
Merida-
Merida woke early. The only other girl sleeping in the dormitory was Ellen. She was just waking up too. They looked at each other with sleepy smiles. "Happy Christmas," Ellen grinned.
"Happy Christmas," Merida said brightly. They both jumped out of bed and ran to the stack of presents at the end of their beds. On top of her pile was a bright green hair brush from Rapunzel. She had also gotten her several boxes of chocolate frogs. Jack had given her a beautiful necklace that looked handmade. It had a lovely charm in the shape of the Gryffindor lion that hung from a silver chain. The charm almost looked like it was made of ice.
From her family she received a thick golden sweater with scarlet trim, new leather boots, and lots of muggle candy from her brothers. Hiccup's gift was a silver bracelet that almost perfectly matched her necklace from Jack. She assumed they had planned it. The bracelet also came with a book on Quiditch. Maybe next time you won't crash into the wall, she read the note tapped to the front. Underneath all of this was a beautifully carved wooden bow with a leather quiver full of arrows.
Curiously she picked them up and looked to see who they were from. There was no note or name. "Weird," she murmured as she fingered her strange gifts. Suddenly her barn owl flew through the window with a note in his beak. She took it and petted his head.
Meet us in the library with your gifts.
-R. J. H.
"Bye, Ellen. I'll see you later," Merida grabbed her presents and shoved them in a nearby bag. Ellen waved bye without looking up from her gifts. Pushing through the portal Merida raced to the library. When she entered she found Jack, Rapunzel, and Hiccup sitting at a table with piles of presents in front of them.
Merida sat next to them and dropped her bag on the table. "What's this about?" she asked.
"We're showing off our gifts," Rapunzel explained. "It's a Christmas tradition. Oh and Happy Christmas," she added.
"Happy Christmas," Merida said.
"Happy Christmas," Jack and Hiccup said.
"So who wants to go first?" Jack asked.
"We normally start with the youngest," Rapunzel answered.
"That's you then," Merida nudged her.
"Oh yeah," she blushed. She grabbed the first thing on her pile. "This is from my mom." It was a bright yellow sweater with black trim.
"I got one too," Merida showed her mom's gift.
"Cool. This is from Jack and Hiccup," Rapunzel showed off her matching necklace and bracelet with the Hufflepuff badger.
"I got that too," Merida laughed. Rapunzel laughed too.
"We thought you would like them," Hiccup said.
"We do," Rapunzel reassured him. "This is my gift from Merida," it was a canvas and paint brushes. "I also got this, but it has no name on it," Rapunzel revealed to them a piece of parchment. It had a rhyme of some sort written on it.
Flower gleam and glow,
Let your power shine.
Make the clock reverse
Bring back what once was mine.
Heal what has been hurt,
Change the face design.
Save what has been lost.
Bring back what once was mine,
What once was mine.
"What does that mean?" Jack asked. Rapunzel shrugged.
"I wonder who it's from," Hiccup said thoughtfully. They all gazed at the parchment until Rapunzel put it away. "Merida's next." Quickly Merida showed them her gifts.
"And I also got something without a name," she displayed her new bow and arrows.
"Wow, those are cool," Jack examined them. "I got something just like you guys too," he exclaimed. He pulled out a long twisted staff with a crooked end.
"Can I see that?" Hiccup asked, extending his hand. Jack handed it over. "This is amazing work. It's obviously hand carved," he handed it back to Jack. "So are your bow and arrows," he said to Merida.
"Did you get anything like that?" she asked him.
"No," Hiccup replied. Merida could see in his eyes he felt a little left out.
"It's ok Hiccup. Maybe you just have everything you need," Rapunzel hugged him. She must have saw what Merida had seen.
"So what else did you guys get?" Merida asked, changing the subject. Jack finished showing off his gifts which consisted of a blue hoodie from Alex, candy and sweets from Merida and Rapunzel, and a book from Hiccup. Hiccup had received a thick brown jacket from his father, sweets from Merida and Rapunzel, and an ice sculpture of a dragon from Jack.
"This was a fun Christmas," Jack grinned.
"It's not over yet," Hiccup said. He pulled out four notebooks and gave one to each of them. Merida's was red, Rapunzel's was yellow, Jack's was green, and Hiccup's was blue.
"Are you encouraging us to take notes in class?" Jack asked.
"No," Hiccup laughed. "These are enchanted so that if you write in yours in will appear in everyone's notebook. Try it."
Merida grabbed one of the quills the library kept laying around and jotted down hello. Rapunzel squealed. "Hello," she laughed and pointed to the word in her notebook.
"Wicked," Merida breathed.
"Hey, you just used a wizard word," Hiccup gasped. "I didn't think you knew any."
"I didn't think I did either. I guess you guys are rubbing off on me," she laughed.
"I don't know any either," Jack pointed out.
"You guys really don't know any wizard words," Rapunzel gasped. They nodded. "We've got to teach you," she exclaimed. Hiccup nodded.
"I think we're good," Jack and Merida laughed.
"Oh come on," Rapunzel pleaded. Jack and Merida rolled their eyes.
"Oh alright Punzie," Jack sighed. Rapunzel squealed in delight. Merida was secretly excited too. She wanted to know all she could about being a witch. "I guess you can start."
"Let's eat breakfast first," Hiccup said. Laughing and talking about Christmas they bundled up their gifts and walked out of the library.
Rapunzel-
Rapunzel was sitting with Hiccup, Jack and Merida at the Ravenclaw table today. Mary was supposed to be released from the hospital and they hoped she would sit with them for breakfast.
"So how should we bring it up?" Rapunzel asked. She was wearing her yellow and black sweater with her new bracelet and necklace. Merida was wearing hers too. Jack and Hiccup were also sporting their new clothes.
"We should just start a casual conversation then just ask questions about it here and there," Hiccup suggested.
"I think we should just ask her what happened," Jack said. Hiccup glared at him.
"What kind of girl who almost drowned would want somebody to come up to them and be like so how'd you almost die?" he asked. Jack shrugged.
"You never know."
"I agree with Hiccup," Merida announced.
"Only because you don't like me," Jack snapped. Merida huffed and narrowed her eyes.
"My judgment of people has nothing to do with the judgment of plans," she growled. Jack opened his mouth to reply, but Rapunzel stopped him. She was sensing a full on fight coming on.
"You guys. We can't fight with each other. If we're torn up on the inside how are we supposed to fight against the 'shadow?'" she demanded. They all got quiet and looked down shamefully. Just then Mary entered the room. "Act natural," Rapunzel whispered.
"I think us fighting if kind of natural," Jack whispered. Rapunzel kicked him from under the table. He winced.
"Hey Mary," Hiccup waved her over to their table. She smiled and sat next to Rapunzel.
"Hey Hiccup," she said brightly. "Boy I sure am glad to be out of the hospital wing. Was it that boring when you were in there?" she asked Merida.
"It was probably worse," Merida said. Mary laughed.
"So Mary," Jack started, but Rapunzel kicked him again.
"Yes Jack? Hey why are you eating over here? Why are any of you eating over here?" she looked at them curiously.
"Well I'm a Ravenclaw," Hiccup said quietly. They all rolled their eyes at him. "Just saying."
"We were keeping Hiccup company," Rapunzel said brightly. Mary nodded, she seemed to believe her. And it wasn't entirely a lie. They were keeping Hiccup company after all.
"I love your necklace Rapunzel," Mary complemented her.
"Thanks. Jack made it for me," Rapunzel smiled.
"Wow. Can you make me a raven?" she asked Jack. He smirked.
"Yea sure I will, if you tell me what happened," he said. They all winced. Mary got quiet then she gave them all an accusing look.
"So that's what this is about. Well I'm sorry, but I don't remember," she stood up to walk away.
"No wait," Rapunzel got up and stood in front of her. "Please tell us what you do remember. It's really important," she begged. Mary looked hesitantly at the table then sighed and sat back down.
"Promise you won't tell anyone?" they nodded. "Ok well I was studying in the library like I normally do after class. Then Gowthur and Deb showed up. They started teasing me about how I didn't belong in Ravenclaw because I actually had to study and none of the others do."
"I study," Hiccup stated. They glanced at him then looked back at Mary.
"Well I took it kinda hard so I left the library to get away from them. I thought they were following me so I started running and I ended up on this corridor I've never seen before. I was crying so I couldn't really see where I was going and I tripped. When I tripped I think I triggered some trap door or something because when I got up I was in some room.
"It was totally trashed and there was broken glass and paper all around it. The walls were covered in empty pictures frames. It was really sad to look at so I turned around to leave and I saw, I saw," she sobbed. Her eyes were wet and Rapunzel put her arm around her as she started to cry.
"What did you see?" Jack pressed. Merida glared at him and Rapunzel kicked him for the third time.
"I-it w-w-was this-s figure o-of this man-n in a b-black cloak. All I c-c-could see was his-s-s eyes. Th-th-they were red like b-b-blood. Th-th-that's it. I can't r-r-r-remember anything-g-g else," she finished. Merida handed her a handkerchief to dry her tears. Mary took it and buried her face in it.
"Thanks for telling us Mary," Rapunzel gently patted her back. Mary nodded and began to stand.
"I'm sorry, b-b-but I really want to l-l-leave now," she walked away. They watched her go then turned back to each other.
"So this thing with the red eyes must be the shadow," Jack said. They all nodded. Merida had a thoughtful look on her face. "What's up Gryffindor?" he asked.
"I've seen that thing before," she said quietly. Rapunzel gasped. "When I was shopping with my mother for school supplies. I saw it in Diagon Alley." They were all silent. They sat that way until the plates had been cleared of food.
"What happened?" Hiccup finally asked.
"Nothing. My mom and I walked away," Merida said. Her blue eyes were confused. "Why would it attack Mary, but not me?"
"Mary was alone," Jack answered.
"We have to find that room," Rapunzel said. "Maybe if we find the room we'll find the 'shadow.'"
"You're right," Hiccup agreed.
Jack Frost-
Jack collapsed into his bed. The dormitory was now full of people. The trains had returned today with the students who had went home for Christmas. They hadn't got a chance to talk to Mary again and they hadn't found the room.
Things had been kind of dull the past few days. All they'd done was wander the castle and talk about the 'shadow.' He was beginning to get kind of freaked out about it. Whenever he heard a noise he totally flipped out thinking some red eyed guy was gonna jump out and get him.
"This can't be good for my health," he mumbled into his pillow.
"You talking in your sleep Jack?" Bounder asked.
"I wish I was asleep," Jack answered. Bounder laughed.
"You two had better go to bed. Classes start bright and early tomorrow," Jasper growled. They rolled their eyes and settled into their covers.
Jack had a dream he was running down the hall Mary had talked about. Someone was following him and his heart was pounding. Instinctively he reached for his wand, but it was missing. Feeling his fear rising he ran faster. Everything was a blur around him. Then he ran into something and fell.
Without pausing he jumped up and found himself in the trashed room. His heart was still hammering and he dove behind an over turned chair to escape from whatever was following him.
When he moved two wooden doors opened next to him and revealed something that resembled a birdbath. Curious he forgot all about being chased and approached it. At the top was a bowl and it was filled with silver liquid. As Jack leaned over someone shoved him from behind and his head dunked into the liquid.
Jack sprung up from his bed, his heart pounding and his body covered in cold sweat. Bounder woke up and gave him a startled look.
"What's wrong Jack?" he asked. Jack massaged his head with his fingers.
"Nothing," he sighed. "It was just a bad dream." Bounder looked at him with concern, but he laid back down and soon went back to sleep. Jack was too restless and he couldn't sleep. Grabbing his wand he left the Slytherin dormitory.
He didn't know where he was going, but he ended up at the astronomy tower. It had a clear view of the front of the castle and the black lake. Jack sat down and let his legs dangle over the edge.
"Jack," said a surprised voice. He turned around to see Rapunzel. She was in fuzzy purple polka dotted PJs. Suddenly Jack was aware that he only had on his pajama pants. "What are you doing up here? Aren't you cold?" she eyed his pants, choosing to ignore his bare chest. Jack smirked.
"I could ask you the same questions," he shot back. She shrugged.
"I couldn't sleep. I had a dream I had so much hair it was suffocating me," she laughed.
"I had a dream I found that room," he muttered. Rapunzel sat next to him with her legs dangling over the edge.
"Where was it?" she asked.
"I don't know," he sighed. They grew quiet and just stared out over the lake. Rapunzel shivered and Jack put his arm around her, forgetting he didn't have on a shirt. At first she stiffened then she relaxed into his warmth.
Their breath rose from their lips and mixed in the cold air making one big cloud. Jack waved his wand at it and the cloud formed the sun he had seen on one of Rapunzel's shirts. She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. Jack felt his heart beat faster then it slowed down again as he relaxed against her.
Right there it was easy to forget about his dream and the 'shadow' that stalked the school.
A/N:
Ok so I know the whole Jackunzel thing at the end doesn't make up for the long wait for this chapter. Let me say I am so, so, so, so, so, so sorry for the very long wait. I've been really busy. I had EOGs last week, then a rodeo and my formal on the weekend. Then I had an EOC this week and I 'graduated' from middle school. So now I'm official a freshman. Yayyyyyyy! I feel awesome! I wanted to do some epic chapter to celebrate, but I was just to busy and I have this story all planned out and this was the next part on the list. Sorry if it was boring and sorry again for the wait. Thanks to Bailey24, disnerd, 4everETRNL, AlexJohnD, Kasha Eliz, I.L.Y.S, xxxxFrostbitexxxx, Guest, kairi196, and Guest for reviewing. You guys are totally awesome and amazing. Thanks for reading and please review!