Hello everyone! Thank you to everyone who reviewed, newcomers and constants alike! For this chapter, you may notice that I skipped a few years from the beginning of this story. That is because...well, there really is no reason, I just felt that the plot of this story would work better if the big four were a bit more mature. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it!
I sat in the great hall, alone at the Gryffindor table. 6th year had just begun and we sat, waiting for Prof. North to give the welcoming speech. I tapped my foot idly, staring at Hiccup, yet again scribbling something down in that journal of his at Ravenclaw table. Being the only one of us three being in Gryffindor could sometimes be lonely, something I hated being. I directed my attention back up to the head table.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts!" Prof. North bellowed across the hall. The students cheered and hollered, happy to be back in school.
"Before we eat, I have very important thing to tell you." Prof. North waited for the noise to die down, crossing his thick arms over his large belly.
I leaned forward in my seat. What could be so big that Prof. North needed to tell us during the opening feast?
"This year, we have new student at school." He said. He gestured to a tall, skinny boy with handsome features and snowy white hair. "His name is Jackson Overland, and he will be 5th year. He is from North lands, and will study at Hogwarts school instead of Durmstrang. Now, we sort him!" North finished with a dramatic flair.
Prof. Toothiana brought out the old sorting hat and a chair, not the usual stool we used for smaller first years. The new boy, Jackson Overland, didn't appear nervous, in fact he looked a little bored.
Prof. Toothiana gestured for him to sit, and Jackson plodded over and sat down lightly in the chair. She placed the tattered old hat over his eyes and we waited. Within only a few seconds, the hat cried out "Gyffindor!" I applauded along with my housemates, cheering just as loudly as the others.
Hopefully Jackson would be a good flyer. Gryffindor hasn't won a single Quidditch game against Ravenclaw ever since Hiccup became their new seeker.
"Great!" North boomed. "Now we begin feast!"
The Jackson boy walked over hesitantly, as though not sure where to sit. The table was quite overcrowded with rowdy Gryffindors as they dug into the food. Jackson spotted me, or more like the empty space around me and came to sit. He plopped down heavily, not seeming very happy about where he was.
Rapunzel came over to the table, dragging a protesting Hiccup behind her. I smiled at the sight. Though nobody at Gryffiindor minded Rapunzel coming to sit with us, not many were fond of Hiccup. He tended to be very good at everything, and to some of the others, this was enough to cause jealously. Not to mention his whole village was filled with muggles, including his parents. This provoked the trademark Slytherin prejudice against muggle-borns, and wizards who were friends with them.
The new boy, Jackson, arrived at the table. Seeing as there wasn't much room left anywhere else, he went to go sit beside Hiccup, who payed no heed to Hogwarts newest member as he finished scribbling something down in his old, leather notebook.
Others further down the table whispered to their friends, probably talking about the new student. I found myself rolling my eyes at their antics.
"Hello there," I said to Jackson. "My name is Merida DunBroch."
"Hey." He said back, a slight grin lighting up his face. "Just call me Jack."
I nodded and nudged Punzie, who had gone silent, staring at Jack.
"Oh, yes. My name's Rapunzel Corona." She said kindly, reaching a hand out to shake.
"I call her Punzie, though she doesn't like it much." I smiled at her.
"Probably because that's not her name." Hiccup mumbled.
I flicked his left hand and he dropped the crude pencil he was using.
"Ow, Merida!" He said.
Jack looked between us three, looking amused.
"So, who are you?" He asked Hiccup.
"Hiccup. Just Hiccup." He mumbled, snapping his book closed.
"You wanna know his full name?" I asked Jack.
"Merida, that's not really necessary-" Hiccup said.
I smiled. "Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III"
Hiccup groaned. "Thanks, Mer."
Jack couldn't contain his laughter. I grinned, proud of my ability to turn Hiccup completely red.
"Jack, that's not nice." Punzie said, though I could see a slight smile playing on her lips as well.
"You guys are such wonderful friends." Hiccup deadpanned.
"We try, Hiccup." I said. "So, you any good at Quidditch, Jack?" I asked him.
"Not this again." Punzie muttered.
"What?" Jack asked. He looked very confused.
"Quidditch. You know, flying on brooms, scoring points, dodging bludgers?" I said.
Jack shook his head. "I don't know what that is, but it sounds like fun. In my uh, old village, magic was taught by the parents of the Witch or Wizard. We didn't have any flying. Why'd you ask me, anyways?" He asked.
"Merida's still looking for a good seeker for Gryffindor team." Punzie said.
I scoffed. "Ever since the wee lamb over here became Seeker, we haven't won a single game against Ravenclaw." I threw my hands up in despair. "It's completely mad!"
"Wait a second, Horrendous III over here is Seeker?" Jack asked, pointing a thumb at Hiccup.
"Yes." Hiccup said. "And don't call me that." He told Jack.
"Sorry, Wee lamb." Jack said, mocking my accent.
"Lighten up, Chief." I said, sarcastically.
"Chief?" Jack asked.
"His father is the chief of his village. Hiccup's next in line for the throne." Punzie said.
"It's not a throne, Rapunzel." Hiccup said. "Though you do know who's next in line for the throne..."
"Shut up, fishbone, or I swear I'll bloody murder you." I threatened.
"Who?" Jack asked.
"Don't you dare tell him..."
"Merida." Hiccup sounded very smug. "She's gonna be the future queen of-"
I picked up an apple from the table and threw it at the smug 16 year old. The apple flew at his head and Hiccup barely had enough time to duck.
In the back, I could hear the Prefects calling for First Years to follow them up into dorms. The feast was over.
"Come on, laddies. Time for bed." I said, standing up and stretching my back.
Hiccup sighed and stood, as did Punzie and Jack. Jack looked slightly uncomfortable.
"Hey, do you guys know where the dorms are? I don't actually know where anything is..."
"Sure do. Just follow me." I said. We left the Great Hall, all four of us together as we made our way up to Gryffindor tower.
We reached the painting of the Fat Lady only a few minutes later. I stood in front of the painting before realising something.
"Uh..." I said.
"What's the problem?" Punzie asked.
"I don't know the new password." I admitted.
From behind me Hiccup sighed.
"Fortis." He said.
The Fat Lady smiled and the door swung open. I turned around to face the young Ravenclaw.
"How did you know that? You're not even Gryffindor!" I demanded.
Hiccup shrugged and gestured at the open door.
"Well, are you going in or not?" He said.
Jack stepped forward after shooting a quizzical look at Hiccup. He strode in and sat on a plush red sofa.
"This place is very...comfy." He said.
"Sure." Hiccup muttered. "Well, I've gotta go now, I'll see you guys in Transfiguration tomorrow."
"Why do you have to go so soon?" I asked him. "We still have an hour until curfew."
"I have a meeting, with Prof. North. I'll see you guys in the morning." And with that, he left.
We sat in silence for a few moments, lost in our own thoughts.
"Is it just me or does Hiccup seem...different to you?" I asked.
"In what way?" Rapunzel asked.
"I don't know. He just...holds himself a bit differently." I said.
"I wouldn't know." Jack said.
"Thanks, Overland." I rolled my eyes. "I wouldn't have guessed."
There was a bit of an uncomfortable silence before Rapunzel stood from the red chair she was siting in.
"Well, I should probably go too. Got to unpack." She mumbled and left the room.
And then there were two.
"Is Hiccup really as good a Quidditch player as you say?" Jack asked.
I scoffed. "Better. He doesn't really like to flaunt it though. It's almost frustrating, he's always so humble." I sat down heavily in a chair. " He's got more talent than all the 7th years put together."
"Would you say he's powerful?" Jack asked, slightly hesitant.
I was taken aback from the question. Could Hiccup, a scrawny boy from the north be powerful? He excelled at everything he did, could accomplish everything with ease and had a brilliant mind. Was that considered powerful?
"I dunno..." I mumbled. "Why are you so interested in Hiccup?'' I asked.
"No reason." Jack shrugged.
There was a brief silence.
"Well, I'm going to bed too. I'll see you in the morning." I said.
"Okay. See you in the morning." Jack replied.
I climbed the staircase and walked into my normal dorm. Jack's questions still whirring through my mind.