Hiccup couldn't believe he was relieved for Monday to roll around. The only exciting thing that happened to him was Skyping with Jack and that only lasted for a few hours at most. Sure it was great seeing him, but getting caught up was a breeze considering their classes had only just started. Jack seemed like he was doing okay, but there was something off about him. Hiccup had a feeling he was just missing him. They'd get used to things and Jack had even started making plans to come see Hiccup the weekend after next.

Hiccup hated to admit that as much as he enjoyed Professor Mulch's engineering lessons, today he just felt distracted. It could be that because it was finally the day of the rush event with the Theta's. He was nervous and excited and it made him a little edgy.

His professor/advisor called on him to answer a question and Hiccup jumped but managed to answer it correctly. Mulch nodded his approval and Hiccup smiled at the stout man. Hiccup liked his advisor because he always managed to make Hiccup feel as though his work was important and it was only the second week of school. But Hiccup's entrance essay had impressed Mulch so much that the man practically bubbled with excitement on the first day of finally teaching Hiccup. He'd even gone so far as to propose Hiccup become his teaching assistant once he reached his second year of advanced mechanics.

For once Hiccup was glad that he paid attention to his dad all those years learning how gears and engineering worked for his leg.

Once class was dismissed Hiccup was rushing out the door to get ready for the rush event. They were told to come in business casual tonight, so he wanted to look presentable.

He practically ran into his room and almost bumped into Tuffnut who was agonizing over his outfit.

"Gah! How come my sister makes this look so easy?!" he grumbled loudly.

Hiccup chuckled and picked out a pair of black dress pants and a cream colored dress shirt. He grabbed a black blazer and left it at that, turning around in the mirror to see if it worked.

Tuff groaned and finally picked the light blue shirt with his black pants and blazer.

Hiccup nodded and both of them rushed out to get to the Theta house a little early to make a good impression.

Hiccup could tell Tuff was nervous, but he put up a good front. They walked in silence towards Greek Row and Hiccup was itching to start a conversation to feel a little less nervous, but couldn't seem to make his brain work.

They both rounded a corner at the edge of their school and came to a street filled with gigantic houses on either side. There were cars filling up the driveways, backyards, and the streets. The houses were all brightly colored and each had huge letters to signify each group. Hiccup noticed a few houses that had girls milling around, looking excited.

He spotted the Phi Iota Tau's wandering around in green and gold. He wondered if Heather was there as well. The girls seemed relaxed and fairly put together, their house was gorgeous, a cream yellow and a soft green accentuated its regal attitude. He looked across from it and spotted a pink and yellow house with a bunch of chipper girls who were obviously the famous Kappa Upsilon Mu's. The Kappa's were well known already for being rather perky and loud. Hiccup was unfortunately underneath a few Kappa's at his dorm and he could always hear them they were very loud.

He walked with tuff past the girls and they finally came to a few frat houses. One was blue and silver, the Beta Beta Psi's. These guys were all good looking. All the ladies on campus talked about them. Hiccup had to roll his eyes as their group milled around and hardly noticed new members, rather making cat calls to the sororities around them.

Both and Tuff stopped in front of a house that was painted a forest green color. The roof and shutters were a deep brown color and the letters on the house were painted in a bright red with black outline, making the house rather intimidating and almost rugged.

But they were here; the Theta house.

Hiccup and Tuff gave each other a quick look to say good luck and then walked to the front door. Hiccup wondered why their group wasn't out socializing, but maybe it was because they took their rush seriously. Hiccup actually liked that. He wasn't much for parties and socializing anyways.

Tuff was obviously too nervous so Hiccup knocked a few times.

Their eyes widened when a very large looking guy answered the door. He was very intimidating and rugged, yet he put on a smile and opened his arms, "THETA RUSHES!" he cried in a booming voice, welcoming them in.

"Hey! Ass holes!" he called behind him, "We have rushes here! Get your asses out now!"

Hiccup couldn't help but stare in disbelief as the most hulking beasts of men came bumbling out, practically shaking the house. They were all huge and intimidating as they wore black and red shirts with their insignia on them. Hiccup noticed one of the shirts had a very interesting design of a dragon in a circle. He couldn't help but admire it.

They both stood there staring for a while at all the rugged faces assessing them, sizing them up as though what to season them with for dinner.

It wasn't until one of them came forward. He was probably the biggest of the lot with a scraggly goatee and dark beady eyes that matched his dark hair. His voice was rough but there was a smile in it as he greeted them, "And who might you two be?" he asked as he put his beefy hands on his hips.

"Uhh…" Hiccup nearly stuttered, trying to collect himself, "I'm…Hiccup…Hiccup Haddock and this is my roommate." He looked at Tuff who couldn't seem to talk. He nudged him quickly.

"Uh…Yeah, I'm Tuffnut Thorston." Tuff said, trying to sound stronger than he felt.

The person who had addressed them gave a booming laugh and looked proudly at them, "Well done! Being the first to arrive! I'd expect that of legacies!" he then turned to all the members behind him, "Gents! Meet our newest pledges!" he called happily.

The whole group cheered and Hiccup began to feel a little better.

The man walked forward and held out his hand to Hiccup first, "Name's Alvin Torchwood, president of the Theta's. Welcome."

Hiccup shook it and the man looked him up and down, admiring how tough Hiccup seemed to be despite how scared he looked. He then turned to Tuffnut and did the same.

"I like the gumption you two." He said, beckoning them inside, "Make yourselves at home!"

Hiccup walked inside and felt hands patting him on the back roughly. He tried not to get shot forward as he smiled awkwardly.

Boy did he feel scrawny compared to all these guys. They must be football players at best. He was hoping to find at least a few fairly sized people, but couldn't seem to spot them at the moment.

Tuff was instantly taken aside by what appeared to be fellow wrestlers. Hiccup was feeling slightly alone when one of the members came up to him. Hiccup swallowed staring at the guy. He was just as huge as Alvin, with a goatee and everything. Only his hair was red and he had kindly green eyes. He immediately approached Hiccup with his hand out, "Hiccup was it?"

Hiccup nodded and shook his hand.

"Benjamin Bork. But everyone just calls me Bork." He shrugged.

"Nice to meet you." Hiccup said, hoping his voice wouldn't crack.

"You're an engineering major right?"

Hiccup nodded.

"I thought so. I'm in the physics department as well, only I do more research than anything." He said.

Hiccup smiled, "That's cool, what sort of work do you research."

Bork winked, "I can't seem to make up my mind yet. But I'm on my way to a doctorate at this rate." He chuckled.

"Wow…" Hiccup gasped.

"So Hiccup, what do you like to do?" Bork asked him.

"You mean besides lose my mind?" Hiccup joked and Bork chuckled with him, "Well…I like dragons I guess, I like drawing them and all that." He motioned to the shirt logo.

Bork raised his eyebrows, obviously impressed, "You'd make a good logo maker in this group, that's our mascot is a dragon. Not the Changewing mind you, but we have what we call the Death Dragons. If you can come up with designs for those, you'd be one hell of an asset."

Hiccup was thrilled about that. Finally a way to get his art recognized.

"What else?" Bork asked him.

"Well, I've been attempting to help my dad in the prosthetic's business, you know making changeable body parts to help people."

Bork continued to look impressed, "That's a very noble cause. Why that field?" he asked him.

Hiccup looked down awkwardly and then lifted his prosthetic leg and tapped on it.

Bork looked saddened and guilty, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"No!" Hiccup said, "I'm not ashamed or anything." He shrugged, "It's actually kinda annoying but after a while you get used to it."

Bork nodded smiling at him.

"So…are you a senior?" Hiccup asked, hoping to change the subject.

Bork nodded, "There are six seniors this year." He said, "Alvin is one of them."

Hiccup nodded and Bork began to point out the noticeable members in black with the red dragon insignia and letters on their shirts. Most of the other members wore red shirts with black letters.

"That over there is Norbert who's talking to Thorston." He said, looking around some more, "Some of them must be more towards the door, looks like more freshman are coming in."

Hiccup nodded and looked over to see three more freshmen walk in. One was just as big as the group members, but he looked very shy. His blonde hair fell over his eyes that hid his blue eyes that looked nervous. The one in the middle was almost as scrawny as Hiccup, but he definitely worked out the way he held himself. His long black hair practically flowed and Hiccup could tell he was a ladies man. The last one was rather odd looking. He was large, yes, but his face was…small. His frail blonde hair was done up to almost look like some sort of troll and his eyes, Hiccup was convinced were crossed. He looked almost confused by being there, surrounded by huge, hulking men, but didn't seem to care.

"What a lot we've brought in." Bork laughed.

Hiccup couldn't help but chuckle and then walked up to the freshmen to hold out his hand.

"I'm Hiccup." He said kindly.

The blonde was the first to shake it, looking relieved that somebody was nice to him, "I'm MacGuffin." He mumbled so fast that Hiccup had him repeat it about five times.

The black haired freshman rolled his eyes and smiled a dazzling smile, "I'm Macintosh."

Hiccup nodded and then looked at the cross-eyed boy who seemed to be interested in looking around at everything.

"That's Dingwall." Macintosh explained, leaning towards Hiccup, "He's my roommate and he's kinda…"

Dingwall turned and practically sniffed Hiccup.

"Yeah…just let him be…but don't make him mad!" Macintosh warned.

"Why not?" Hiccup asked as Dingwall shook his hand. Hiccup was suddenly in pain as his hand felt as though it were being crushed.

"That's why." Dingwall answered, smiling slightly, "I ain't as dumb as I look boy."

Hiccup smiled and realized that Dingwall looked crazy, but he was actually probably just as smart.

Truffaut came over and they were all introduced. Slowly but surely, the group was milling about and more and more freshman were walking in. Hiccup didn't get a chance to meet all of them because most of the group members were cornering him for attention. He had talked to quite a few members he'd realized and began to notice certain hand signals they would use. Every member that came up to him gave a thumbs up. But for other freshman, he noticed they would give a thumbs down and then they would escort that person out. Hiccup realized that after so many thumbs up, more and more seniors would come over to speak with him. Bork had approached him at least three times to talk and Hiccup was coming to like the guy who reminded him more and more of himself until Alvin shoved him aside, "Jesus H. Christ, Borky, give the president a chance to talk to this guy, would ya?"

Bork rolled his eyes and punched Alvin's arm playfully, walking off to talk to some more freshmen.

"Well, well, well…" Alvin smiled at Hiccup, "You've become quite the popular one in here."

"Uh…Well that'd be a first." Hiccup laughed awkwardly.

"Nonsense! You've got the spunk and we like that." Alvin told him, "Why one day you could be on your way to becoming a president of the Theta's."

Hiccup stared at him in awe, "No way."

Alvin nodded, "Most of us look like real bears, but in reality, we're all tough on the inside and that's what made us Theta's."

"Wow." Hiccup said, "I certainly hope I can keep up with that."

"You will. Like I said, you have guts. Not much on the outside, but on the inside…there's something brewing."

Hiccup smiled and then Alvin gave another thumbs up and walked off, winking proudly at Hiccup.

Bork came back over and smiled apologetically, "You get used to the bantering." He laughed.

Hiccup smiled, feeling slightly proud of himself.

"So…after tonight…what happens?" he asked.

Bork nodded thoughtfully and looked at his watch, "Guess you'll find out soon."

Suddenly there was a booming roar, "TOAST!"

Hiccup wondered what on earth was going on when he was shoved with the line of ten other freshmen against a wall and they watched as the group members gathered in a circle, raising their fists in the air and chanting something in a strange language that seemed to go on for minutes.

Hiccup watched as they cheered and then turned towards the freshmen. Alvin came forward, his hands clasping excitedly in front of him, "Well done, mates! You passed the first rush event! The next one will be held next week: same time, same place. This is invitation only from tonight. We'll be meeting here again to have a bonfire out back. See you then, gents!"

He waved and then they were ushered out with lots of hands patting their backs congratulating them.

Before he knew it, the door had closed and he was out on the lawn with departing freshmen. He found Tuffnut who was looking pleased with himself. They walked back to their room together, Tuffnut actually babbling on about who he'd talked with while Hiccup seemed to be in a daze over how excited he was to be included in things. He was so used to being picked last over something and tonight was a sure sign that things were looking up. He sure hoped.

…

"Alright you dick wads!" Alvin barked at the members as they gathered in the meeting hall they used in one of their rooms. It was a large room that had chairs surrounding a desk in the center where Alvin sat as head of the group.

"All seniors come up to the board when it's your turn and write your top two down." Alvin growled.

On a whiteboard were names that went in order of rank in the hall. Because he was president, he got to go first. He quickly wrote down two names and more seniors came up to do the same.

Once they were done, Alvin began going through the list. They had to make sure there were no other changes to be made before heading out that night.

"Seems we picked good this evening, gents." Alvin said, "But we have to narrow it down to six by next month, so start getting picky."

Alvin looked over the list and suddenly growled when he realized something.

"Bork!" he roared, "I picked Haddock!"

Bork shrugged, "We have a couple of months to figure it out. But he's my top choice."

Alvin was fuming. He'd written Hiccup as his top as well. He should have known Bork would try to take his future pledge. The guy always had to try something on him. Ever since he'd fought for the presidency, Bork was on him about every little thing.

"Relax, Norbert and I are fighting over Thorston, but we'll get it cleared. It all depends on the pledge by next month." Madguts said, hoping to alleviate the tension in the room.

Alvin smiled. He had a feeling that Haddock boy would choose him by the time pledging started, he just had to play his cards better than Bork was all.

"Fine." He mumbled, sitting back in his chair. He then scanned the room, "Is our Pledge Master ready?"

"He is still organizing the events, sir." One of the members replied, "He and his liaisons are almost done with the program schedule."

"Good. Good work." Alvin nodded, and then looked back at the board begrudgingly. True a lot of seniors would pick the same freshmen the first rush night, but over time they were easier to narrow down. But in the end, it was up to the freshmen to pick. It was their biggest challenge when pledging really. Sure the seniors had control over their top choices and it was their chance to fight for them, but in the end, it all came down to the pledges. Of course, when you're going through hell, you tend to crawl to the best decision by that point. Alvin had a feeling Haddock would choose wisely. If he wanted to survive pledging it was his only option anyways.