Chapter Twenty-Four

Merida-

Merida gave a great heave to push her trunk into Stoik's truck. She was the last one to load up her stuff, but nobody had climbed into the truck yet. They waited for Stoik to strap down their luggage before they sat down in the cab. Stoik squeezed into the driver's seat then started down the road.

"Can you believe we're finally going back?" Rapunzel asked. Their eyes gleamed excitedly and they nodded.

"I can't wait to see Jason and Mary again," Hiccup said.

"I wonder how Liam, Blake, Ellen, and Dorian are doing," Merida thought out loud.

"Well aren't you little miss popular? What a long list of friends," Jack smirked. Merida stuck out her tongue and wrinkled her nose at him. Jack smiled.

"I wonder who we'll meet this year. I hope all the first years are nice," Rapunzel said. Merida had forgotten there would be new kids this year. She still thought they would be the youngest.

"Wow, we're second years," she breathed. They glanced at her.

"You just now realized that?" Jack asked.

"The thought just came to me," Merida shrugged.

"Do you think they got any new teachers?" Hiccup asked.

"I doubt it. After the whole scare last year they probably won't bring in anyone new," Jack pointed out.

"So is that all done?" Rapunzel asked quietly.

"All what?" Hiccup asked. Before Rapunzel could reply the truck shuddered to a halt. Merida looked out the window to see the crowded parking lot in front of Kingscross Station.

"Everyone out," Stoik announced. They pushed open their doors and dropped out of the rusty old truck. Stoik helped them unload their luggage and then place it on a trolley so they could easily push it through the crowd.

"Thank you," Merida nodded to him.

"Anything for Fergus's little girl," Stoik winked at her. Merida grinned then pushed her trolley after Rapunzel and Jack. They received many odd looks from the muggles that were jammed in the train station. Rapunzel's lizard, Pascal, was perched on her shoulder and watched the people move by with little interest. Jack's owl hooted at them, occasionally causing someone to jump or give out a little scream of surprise. Merida found that extremely amusing.

"Calm down Flake," Jake shushed his owl. But it only hooted with more vigor then. Rapunzel giggled and hiccup looked medley embarrassed.

"Let's hurry up and get to platform 9 ¾," Hiccup urged. They picked up the pace until they stood in front of the tall stone pillar between platforms nine and ten. Hiccup hugged his father goodbye then went through the pillar.

"Thanks for everything," Rapunzel said gratefully. Jack and Merida nodded at him. Stoik smiled.

"You kids have a good time at school. Make me proud," he grinned. They waved then ran through the pillar, passing from the muggle world into the wizard world.

Jack Frost-

Jack loaded his trunk into the luggage department then turned to help Rapunzel. Together they managed to get it firmly in place. "Thanks," Rapunzel panted.

"It was an honor," he winked. The moment he walked through the pillar he had been bombarded by memories of his first year at Hogwarts. Most of it was of Rapunzel, especially their goodbye. For a moment he thought about kissing her right there and then, on the lips this time, but he decided against it. Don't won't her to get mad or anything.

"Let's find a seat," Merida waved them over. They hurried onto the train then started down the hall searching for an empty booth.

"Hey Merida," Blake waved from one of the compartments they passed.

"Hey Rapunzel," Liam grinned. She smiled and blushed. Jack felt a sting of jealousy so he put his arm around her shoulders.

"Hi Liam," he smirked. Liam narrowed his eyes and Jack strolled by with Rapunzel. She glanced at him.

"What was that about?" she asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Jack tried to sound confused. Rapunzel tilted her head slightly, but didn't respond. Merida rolled her eyes and Hiccup grinned. He mouthed the word 'competition' to Jack.

"Here's a good place," Rapunzel opened the door of a booth. It was completely empty. Jack and Hiccup placed their bags in the bag compartment then tried to help the girls. Merida ignored them and placed it in the slot on her own, but Rapunzel let Jack do it for her. Merida and Rapunzel sat next to each other while Jack and Hiccup sat across from them.

"So Punzie, what were you talking about in the truck?" Merida asked. Rapunzel got up and closed the doors before answering.

"I was talking about the shadow," she answered.

"But we killed it," Jack pointed out.

"Yeah, but what about the master?" she asked. "Isn't he or she still around?" They grew quiet and looked at each other.

"Maybe they gave up after we destroyed the shadow," Hiccup suggested.

"He has the power to take lives, I seriously doubt he gave up. I mean can't he just make another shadow?" Merida wondered. Hiccup shrugged.

"I don't know," he said.

"We'll probably find out when we get to school," Jack stated. "If the master is still alive and still at it then there will be more trouble happening that we'll most likely find out about. And if we don't we can simply ask Alex."

"And Simpion," Merida added.

"Speaking of Simpion, where's Toothless?" Rapunzel asked Hiccup.

"I left him at school. He has more freedom in the Dark Forest than he ever had in my room," Hiccup answered. "It'll be good to see him again," he sighed and looked out the window.

"We must go see him very soon," Rapunzel said.

"When we go see him we can talk to Simpion," Merida suggested. They nodded in agreement. Just then a voice sounded from outside.

"Anything from the trolley?" came the friendly call of the old witch that pushed around the cart of goodies.

"You guys hungry?" Jack asked.

"Of course," Rapunzel exclaimed. Jack stood and opened the doors. The witch paused.

"Anything from the trolley dear?" she asked.

"Yes please," Jack pulled out his wizard money. The others joined him. After they had picked out several wonderful treats and had paid for them they settled back in their seats and started to eat.

Rapunzel-

Rapunzel pulled her robes out of her bag then headed into the hall. "I still think we should find a new room and you girls use this one," Jack argued.

"Jack's right," Hiccup agreed.

"Nonsense. I won't have you giving me any special treatment. Beside we won't to go talk to some old friends anyways," Merida snapped. She closed the door then headed down the hall. "Coming Rapunzel?"

"I think I'll head this way actually," Rapunzel said. Merida shrugged then walked on her way. Rapunzel smiled then started down the hall.

Most of the compartments she passed were filled with wizards and witches she didn't recognize or know very well. "Maybe I should have gone with Merida," she said to herself. Suddenly the door next to her opened and a young wizard fell out. He stumbled into Rapunzel and she let out a small scream of surprise as she was knocked against the wall.

"Oh! I'm so sorry," the boy apologized. He glanced up at her and Rapunzel realized it was Liam. He blushed even harder when he noticed who she was. "Rapunzel," he gasped.

"Hi again Liam," she giggled. "You don't have to run into me to get my attention you know, a simple hello will do." Liam smiled a smile that lit up his face and made his brown eyes twinkle.

"I know, I'm really sorry," he apologized again.

"It's okay," she shrugged. "I better go get changed," Rapunzel took a step forward. As she moved her foot her ankle sparked in pain. "ouch," she gasped in surprise.

"What's wrong?" Liam asked worriedly. He grabbed her arms and held her tightly.

"I think I hurt my ankle when I fell." She tried to move it again, but it still hurt very badly.

"You need to sit down," Liam declared. He put her arm around him then wrapped his arm around her waist. Rapunzel felt a warm blush paint her cheeks. No one, but Jack had ever put their arm around her.

Liam helped her into the next compartment over, that was surprisingly empty, then set her in one of the seats. He sat across from her, his face filled with concern. "Should I go get someone?" he asked.

"No, it'll be fine after I rest it for a while," Rapunzel answered. She rubbed her ankle and was relieved to find it wasn't swollen.

"I'm so sorry. I should have been watching where I was going," Liam apologized for the third time.

"Really it's okay," Rapunzel laughed. "I'm just happy it was you and not someone rude or mean." Liam smiled slightly. They grew into an awkward silence. Rapunzel hoped her ankle would be better soon, this was too weird.

"So how was your summer?" Liam asked quietly.

"Good, kinda boring, but good nonetheless," Rapunzel answered. "Yours?"

"Pretty much the same," he laughed. "Not much happened." Liam had a cute smile and Rapunzel realized she felt a little attracted to him and that wonderful smile. "If we have classes together we should really sit together."

"Sure," Rapunzel nodded. Something inside of her fluttered in delight that he wanted to spend more time with her. "We should hang out even if we don't have classes together too," she suggested.

"That would be great!" Liam looked thrilled. They started on another conversation and Rapunzel lost track of time. She just enjoyed talking to him.

Hiccup-

Hiccup looked up as Merida entered their booth. "Where's Rapunzel?" Jack asked. The girls had been gone for some time and Hiccup could tell Jack was getting worried.

"Dunno. She went a different way than me," Merida shrugged.

"You left her alone?" Jack seemed shocked. Merida and Hiccup glanced at each other. Merida had her eyebrows raised and Hiccup just shook his head.

"We're on the train to Hogwarts, not in the Dark Forest," Merida said slowly. "I think she'll be okay."

"I'm gonna look for her," Jack stood up. After exchanging another look Merida and hiccup rose too.

"We'll come with you," Hiccup offered. Jack nodded then headed out the hall.

They went opposite the way Merida had gone and started searching the compartments. They ran into a lot of first years and some old friends, but no Rapunzel. In one booth they found Bounder and Tess with some other Slytherins. "Hey Jack," they grinned and gave him a big hug. "It's good to see you," Bounder ruffled his hair. The second year had grown tall over the summer and had developed wide shoulders and big arms.

"Hey Bounder," Jack smiled. "Hey Tess," he added to the blonde. "By any chance have you guys seen Rapunzel pass by?"

"Actually we did," Tess answered. They looked at her eagerly. "She went that way," Tess pointed down the hall. "Then I think she ran into one of your Gryffindor friends," she looked at Merida. "The cute brunette boy."

"Liam?" Merida asked. Tess nodded.

"Thanks for the help," Hiccup thanked them. They nodded and sat back down.

"Hope you find her," they called as the three friends left the booth.

They looked in every booth until they came across one that only held two people, Rapunzel and Liam. They were talking and laughing like old friends. Jack tensed up next to Hiccup and glared into the booth. Merida rolled her eyes at him. "They're only friends Jack, relax." He ignored her and pushed open the doors.

Rapunzel and Liam looked up in surprise. They smiled at them, but Hiccup noticed how Liam looked a little less pleased to see Jack. "There you are Rapunzel," Merida exclaimed before Jack could say anything.

"You didn't come back so we got worried about you," Hiccup added. She smiled brightly and Jack relaxed some.

"Sorry I guess I lost track of time. Liam and I were just having a great conversation," she explained.

"What were you talking about?" Jack glared at Liam.

"It wasn't anything important," Rapunzel answered. "We were just catching up with each other." Jack glanced at her then turned his narrowed eyes back to Liam. The Gryffindor glared right back at him. He stood up and faced Jack.

"Is there something wrong Slytherin?" he asked.

"Actually-" Jack started. Merida stepped in front of him and shoved him into the hall. Hiccup followed him out.

"He's had a bad morning," Merida explained as they stepped out.

"Jack, seriously you've got to calm down. Liam and Rapunzel are just friends. They had potions together last year and he helped her pass the class. Besides it isn't like you two are dating or anything so really you can't get mad about her talking to other guys," Hiccup snapped at his friend. At first Jack looked mad at him then he sighed.

"You're right Hiccup. Sorry, I just have a really hard time controlling my temper," he said. Hiccup felt a rush of relief to see Jack had calmed.

"It's alright. Now let's get back to our booth, Merida will bring Rapunzel later," Hiccup started to push Jack back down the hall the way they'd come. Thankfully Jack allowed himself to be ushered away.

Soon after they returned to their compartment Merida and Rapunzel arrived. "Rapunzel," had to stop and change," Merida explained why they were a little late. Not long after that the train pulled to a stop. "Finally," she smiled, "we're back at Hogwarts."

A/N:

Ohhhhh dramaaaaa. Hahaha. Since they're older this year there will be some relationship drama, but not that much. Most of that stuff happens in the second book, Escaping Magic. But I still wanted to add a little into this one. I know this chapter was kind of short so sorry. I've been playing in the snow and it's just so funnnnn. This is like seriously the most snow I've seen in my whole life. We got about fourteen inches and it's awesome! But anyways I just want to thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I can't believe so many people are still reading. I actually didn't think I'd get any reviews. You guys are great(: Happy Valentines Dayyyyyyy Love youuuuuu!