Chapter 8
Rapunzel's first class after lunch was Transfiguration with Professor Deronda. After comparing schedules, Merida and Rapunzel found that they only had two classes together- Charms and Herbology. Unfortunately, neither of these classes took place on Mondays. So they parted after lunch, and Rapunzel walked alone.
Due to several unexpected detours (with help from the ever-moving staircases), Rapunzel arrived about ten minutes late to class, disheveled and decidedly in duress. Professor Deronda frowned at her, and said, "Miss Royal, please sit. And try not to be late tomorrow." The whole class had turned around and was staring at her.
There was only one seat available next to a Hufflepuff student, and Rapunzel quickly took it to try and end the scrutiny of her classmates. Her deskmate hardly paid her any mind, as he seemed to be sketching something in his notebook. Rapunzel couldn't help it; she leaned over slightly to get a peek of what he was drawing. She caught a glimpse of what looked like a winged contraption when the boy shut his notebook. She started and looked at him. He was blushing quite a bit, and whispered, "Sorry."
"Sorry for what?" she whispered back.
He looked confused for a moment. "Erm… I guess for closing my notebook so suddenly," he whispered. "I guess you can look, if you like." He opened his notebook again and Rapunzel took a closer look. It looked like a dragon, except instead of flesh and bone it appeared to be made of metal.
"It's… totally awesome," murmured Rapunzel.
The boy's eyes lit up. "You think so?" he said a little too loudly, for Professor Deronda turned away from the chalkboard and asked, "Am I going to have to separate you two?"
"No, professor, sorry," said Rapunzel. Professor Deronda frowned at them for a moment, and then turned back to the chalkboard and continued to lecture about the properties of a needle.
Rapunzel took a sheaf of parchment from her notebook and wrote, I think I recognize you.
The boy wrote back, From Platform 9 and ¾?
Yes! You helped me with my trunk.
I do remember. I think I did most of the lifting, to be honest.
Rapunzel smiled and wrote back, Forgive me for my lack of muscle.
Forgiven.
Your name?
Hiccup. Hiccup Haddock.
Mine's Rapunzel Royal.
Royal? As in, your highness?
No. As in that's my last name, smart one.
Sorry. Cleverness isn't really my thing. Hufflepuff, you know.
Yup. Not that being in Ravenclaw really means I have any brains, as I've done a proper good job of making sure none of my fellow Ravenclaws will ever talk to me again.
Sounds like a good story.
It's too long and too pathetic to write down.
Don't feel too bad. Trust me when I say that, as a Hufflepuff, I am infinitely more pathetic than you ever will be.
Don't say that. There have been plenty of amazing, non-pathetic Hufflepuffs. Artemisia Lufkin, first female prime minister. Grogan Stump, the most popular prime minister ever. Nymphadora Tonks, member of the Order of the Phoenix and Battle of Hogwarts hero. Hengist of Woodcroft, founder of Hogsmeade.
You seem to know a lot for someone without any brains.
I just read a lot.
At that point Professor Deronda told the two to look up and pay attention or he would Transfigure their heads into cabbages. They took actual notes for the rest of class.
When parting, they decided to meet up to do their Transfiguration homework at four o'clock, after the last class of the day. With a cheery wave, Hiccup departed to his next class with the rest of the Hufflepuffs, and Rapunzel walked slightly behind the rest of the Ravenclaws on the way to Flying class.