Chapter Twenty-Two
Merida-
Merida woke late the next day. The dormitories were already empty so she just sat in her bed for a while until she was fully awake. Even then she still sat and contemplated the events of the night before. They had won, the shadow was gone! The thought still gave her shivers and made her want to run up and down the halls shouting it out so everyone could hear, but she had to keep it a secret. It was an unspoken agreement between Jack, Hiccup, Rapunzel, and herself that they would tell no one about their adventures.
Finally ready to get out of bed Merida rolled out of the covers and plodded into the bathroom. Her hair was frizzier than normal and there were still some twigs and leaves sticking out from when she had been too tired to take a shower after the battle, deciding to go straight to bed instead.
After a good shower and some brushing with the brush Rapunzel gave to her for Christmas Merida's hair actually looked calm and clean. There were no tangles and no debris. Merida smiled at her reflection. Maybe she should do that more often! Nahhhh, Merida laughed to herself.
Before she headed out she pulled on a plain white button up shirt, her grey school shirt and her grey sweater vest with the Gryffindor crest sewed on. After lacing up her shoes Merida headed out.
The Great Hall was packed with students cramming down their breakfast so they could go outside and have fun. Young students, like herself, were awaiting a day outside maybe playing Quiditch or splashing in the shallows of the lake. Older students were planning their last trips to Hogsmead.
As soon as she entered Rapunzel waved her over to a quieter corner of one of the tables where her friends were eating. Merida hurried over.
"Nice of you to finally arrive," Jack smiled smugly. Merida was in too good of a mood to start a fight with him so she just rolled her eyes.
"Hey all of us were late risers today," Rapunzel nudged him. Jack grinned and swung his arm around her shoulders. Hiccup glanced sideways at Merida and smiled in amusement. Merida felt her own lips turn up in a goofy grin.
"Yeah, last night was wicked," Merida stated. They all nodded.
"I'll never forget it," Rapunzel said. "It was the scariest moment in my life," she shuddered. Jack pulled her into a sideways hug with the arm he had around her shoulders.
"I promise to never put you in that kind of danger again," he promised jokingly. Merida noticed the tracing of truth in his promise and how fondly he looked at Rapunzel and she knew he was only half joking.
"We're all here for you," Hiccup put in. Merida nodded.
"I'm here for you guys too," Rapunzel stated. After that they all began to eat their breakfast. It was full of laughter and memories of the adventures they had this year. Merida and Jack started a food fight that ended up involving the whole school, teachers included.
By the time they had finished it was pretty much lunch time, but they decided to take lunch outside next to the Black Lake.
The rest of the day moved by slowly filled with many different activities and people as they tried to do something fun with all the friends they'd made this year. By dinner time they were exhausted, but full of laughter and happiness.
Hiccup-
It was their last night at Hogwarts. Tomorrow they'd be on the train and heading home. Tonight was also the night when the House Cup was awarded. Hiccup had been so caught up everything going on that he hadn't had anytime to check the hourglasses that displayed the houses points. However, when he got into the Great Hall he knew exactly who won.
Blue banners decorated the Great Hall and there were ravens soaring through the room. The house's crest was everywhere, even printed on the enchanted night sky that they could see through the ceiling.
Nicholas Jurntry stood at the front of the room, next to his owl podium. Sitting on the pedestal to his other side was the House Cup. It was even better than Hiccup imagined and he felt a rush of pride and excitement that his own house had won it. Mary, Mason, and Pally were sitting around Hiccup and they all glanced around excitedly kept fidgeting in their seats like they couldn't wait for it to be announced that they'd won even though it was pretty obvious they had won.
When everyone had entered and were turned to face Nicholas he began. "Tonight, before we begin our feast we shall award the House Cup." The room exploded into cheers. Nicholas's face stayed impassive and Hiccup wondered how he could be Jack's father.
"In fourth place with 247 points is Hufflepuff," Nicholas announced. Rapunzel's table cheered loudly while the other three lazily clapped. Hiccup stood up and whistled. His friends glanced at him in question, but Merida and Jack jumped up and joined him. Rapunzel blushed from her seat.
"In third place is Gryffindor with 298 points," Nicholas stated after they had sat down. Merida's table cheered and screamed. Merida glared grumpily at Jack who clapped louder than everyone else and smirked at her.
"Go Merida," Rapunzel shouted. Everyone laughed and she blushed again.
"In second place is Slytherin with 325 points," Nicholas said with almost an angry hint to his voice.
Jack and Bounder jumped into the air and roared while pounding their chests. "Slytherin, Slytherin," they cheered. Hiccup laughed and Merida rolled her eyes.
"And now, in first place with 378 points is RAVENCLAW," Nicholas actually shouted the house name, but Hiccup thought is sounded more furious than happy.
Hiccup jumped onto the table with his friends and cheered ecstatically. Mason threw Mary on his shoulders and ran up and down the aisle. They continued cheering as their Head Boy and Girl walked on stage to receive the House Cup.
After everyone had settled down and the House Cup was sitting at the end of their table Nicholas summoned their food and everyone started eating.
While he was eating Hiccup felt someone hug him from behind. He saw a flash of blond hair and knew it was Rapunzel.
"Congratulations Hiccup, you really deserved it," she hugged him.
"You did well Ravenclaw, but next year things won't be so easy," Merida winked.
"Yeah, next year I'll be on the Quiditch team so I can win my house more points," Jack grinned.
"That's not what I meant," Merida shoved him. She looked angry but Jack grabbed her arms and looked her in the eye.
"I know," he said. They looked at each other, then busted out laughing. Hiccup was just happy they weren't fighting anymore.
"Let's eat," Hiccup suggested. They all joined his table and started to eat with the other Hufflepuffs. Mason, Mary, and Pally welcomed them as did many of the other Hufflepuffs which surprised Hiccup. Hey it's the end of the year, Hiccup thought. Maybe they just want to be nice.
Jack Frost-
Jack lugged his trunk out of the dormitories with Bounder. They paused at the door and turned to look at the common room. "I'm gonna miss this place," Jack sighed.
"Hey, we'll be back next year," Bounder thumped Jack on the back. Jack nodded, but he was still sad about leaving. Shrugging it off he continued to pull his trunk through the door. They met Tess half way up the steps and they all walked out of the dungeons together.
"I can't wait to come back next year," Tess stated. "I'll have to redo my highlights." Jack and Bounder chuckled. Helping each other they finally made it to the train tracks. In the end they had to get Alex and Drake to help them load their stuff on the train.
"Now remember your going to have to wait a while at the train station before I can come get you," Alex reminded him. Jack nodded. "Oh and Nicholas wants to talk to you," he added before walking away. Jack froze.
"What?" he asked.
"I'm sure it's nothing. I know you don't like him, but don't worry, I won't let him expel you," Alex ruffled Jack's hair. "He's in his office, I assume you know where that is considering you were caught fighting down that hall." Jack laughed silently at the memory.
"Oaky," Jack nodded and took off back into the school.
He ran all the way down the sixth corridor and right up to Nicholas's office door. Taking a deep breath he knocked on it.
"Come in," Nicholas's voice echoed. Jack shoved on the black door and it slowly swung open. Jack entered it cautiously. The room was smaller than he expected, probably only half as big as the common room. It was empty other than a short wooden desk, a wooden chair, and w window overlooking the train tracks. Nicholas was staring out the window. He didn't look up as Jack entered.
"You wanted to speak with me?" Jack asked.
"Yes, so I did," Nicholas sighed. "This was a hard year for this school. I thought I was going to have to close it down half way through the year, but I decided not to. Now I sense that a great danger has passed. Do you know what I'm talking about?" He finally turned to Jack and looked him right in the eye. He didn't look mad or mistrustful just tired.
"No sir," Jack replied. Nicholas sighed again and turned to look back out the window.
"I know we had a rough start and I'm sorry. I understand if you hate me or if you think that I hate you, but this is very important. Without this knowledge she school might fall." Jack glanced at the desk while Nicholas was talking.
It was covered with papers and notes. Most of it looked boring and important except for one. There was a sticky note stuck to the end of a corner. Jack had to tilt his head to read the words scribbled on it.
I love you sweetie, have a good day!
It was the same handwriting as the words on the back of his picture. That meant it was a note from his mother. Jack had a strange longing to reach out and touch the paper, he wanted to feel the writing, to hold something she had held. His hand quivered, but he restrained himself.
"I'll ask you one more time, do you know anything about what happened the other night that has alleviated this danger?" Nicholas's voice brought Jack out of his thoughts. The gentle longing he had felt faded away to be replaced by cold hatred.
"No," he answered again, purposefully leaving off the 'sir.' Nicholas glared at him, he was done being nice.
"Are you sure?"
"I thought you were only going to ask me one more time?" Jack shot back. Nicholas's hands clenched into fists.
"I'm just checking," Nicholas growled.
"Well, I told you no," Jack said.
"Then go," Nicholas ordered. Jack happily left. He ran faster than he had ran to get to the office to get away from the office.
Rapunzel-
Rapunzel, Merida, and Hiccup were the only three people standing on the platform. They weren't getting on the train until Jack arrived. They didn't have to wait long because pretty soon he arrived, panting and sweaty.
"Sorry I'm late, I had to talk to Nicholas," Jack panted.
"Really what did he say?" Rapunzel asked.
"We can talk about it on the train," Jack said. They nodded and boarded the shiny black and red train. After they had found an empty compartment Jack told them what had happened in the office.
"So he like acted nice at first?" Hiccup asked.
"There was a note from your mom?" Rapunzel breathed.
"He knows about the shadow?" Merida gasped.
"Yes, yes, and yes," Jack replied. He turned and looked out the window, stopping them from asking. Rapunzel's heart ached in sympathy for him. She was able to look past his the icy anger in his eyes, unlike the others, and into the pain and humiliation he was too scared to show. She knew this hurt him so it hurt her too. She reached out and took Jack's hand. He glanced at their hands then looked up into her eyes.
Suddenly all the covers fell away and she could see how lost he really felt. Tears flooded his eyes and Jack tried to wipe them away, but Rapunzel beat him to it. She hugged him and felt her own tears filling her eyes.
"Hey what's going on here?" Merida asked. Through a veil of tears Rapunzel could see Merida and Hiccup watching them curiously.
Rapunzel reached out her hand to them and sobbed. Jack was holding her close to him and had his face buried in between her shoulder and neck. "I'm so sorry Jack," she cried. Merida and Hiccup moved closer.
"It's ok Jack," Hiccup reassured him.
"It's not fair," Jack sobbed. "What did I do to deserve this?" Rapunzel hugged him closer and closed her eyes as the tears poured. Merida and Hiccup joined the hug. Rapunzel was shocked to hear their own sobs join with her's and Jack's.
If someone had walked in they would have thought there was some red, brown, white, and blonde blob sitting in a puddle and making weird noises. Luckily nobody entered the compartment.
"Okay, okay, I'm alright now," Jack broke apart first. He moved back into his seat and wiped his eyes. Rapunzel watched him sadly and moved back into her seat across from him. Merida and Hiccup sat back down too.
"So you promise to write this summer?" Hiccup asked randomly. Rapunzel smiled and nodded. Merida and Jack nodded too. "Good, good," Hiccup muttered. They all fell into an awkward silence. Normally after a big hug they would all start laughing, but now they just sat there.
Jack sighed. "You guys are the best, you know that right?" They looked at him. "Thanks for being my friends," he said.
"You're the best too," Merida said. They all gaped at her. "What?" she asked.
"Aw Gryffindor, thanks," Jack ruffled her already frizzy hair, totally ruining the moment.
"Jack," Merida shouted and shoved him away. They all laughed.
"Oh hey I almost forgot about this," Jack exclaimed. He reached into his bag and pulled out a folded up piece of parchment. "I found this in the beat up room. It took me forever to figure out what it was but I finally got it." Jack pulled out his wand and waved it over the paper. "I summonly swear I'm up to no good." To everyone's shock pictures and words began to appear on the blank parchment.
(Okay so I know I spelled the map's name wrong and I probably messed up their nicknames too, but I couldn't find my book to check it so just pretend it's right!) It said the Mauduarers Map by Wormtail, Moony, Padfoot, and Prongs. Jack unfolded it to reveal a complete map of the school. There were tiny foot prints walking along some halls and in some rooms.
"Professor Starling," Rapunzel pointed to some footprints with the Professor's name labeling them.
"Alex," Hiccup pointed to the Defense Against the Dark-Arts teacher. He was in his study.
"Is this accurate?" Merida asked. Jack nodded.
"I did my research. Apparently it was created by James Potter and some of his friends. He was the father of that Harry Potter guy Hiccup is always talking about."
"Wow," Hiccup breathed.
"Imagine all the fun we can have with this thing next year," Jack grinned. They laughed at him. Just then the trolley pulled up. After buying loads of sweets they spent the rest of the train ride daring each other to eat strange looking beans and reading the map.
When they finally arrived at Kings Cross Station they were slow to gather all their things and exit the train. Merida saw her family first.
"Bye you guys. I promise to write," she hugged them each individually, even Jack. "Don't have too much fun without me." She waved and headed for her mother and father. Her three younger brothers were jumping around and bothering all the other students.
Hiccup was the next to leave. "Bye. Keep in touch and don't forget me," Hiccup hugged them. He smiled sadly then hurried over to his father.
Rapunzel saw her mother waiting for her, but she hesitated to leave. "Bye Rapunzel," Jack sighed. Rapunzel turned towards him.
She hugged him like she had on the train and pushed her face into his chest. Jack hugged her back tightly. She was surprised to feel him kiss her forehead. It sent shivers running down her back and made her smile.
"I'll see you next year," she said.
"I know," he let her go. She headed towards her mother without looking back.
"Rapunzel," her mother hugged her and kissed her on the forehead like Jack had, but it didn't have the same effect. "Ready to go?" she asked.
"Yeah," Rapunzel sighed. Her mother began to lead the way through the crowd and Rapunzel followed. She stopped just once and glanced back. Jack was watching her go. He smiled and waved. She waved back. As she walked out of the train station she already felt herself missing her friends. I can't wait to go back next year!
A/N:
So this chapter was supposed to be a filler, but then I decided to just combine it with the train ride and make it the end. Sorry if it feels kind of rushed and more like a narrative, but I was just ready to be done. It will be combining their second year and their first so their second year will still be Making Magic. Please continue to read and enjoy! Thanks to AlexJohnD, Sol and G'syr, blackkitten13, stacy656246, and FloralrmaTylee for reviewing. Love you guys and wish I could give you better stuff to read. Please keep reviewing and reading!