You guys are great, honestly. I'm so happy you guys get so involved in my story, it makes me feel amazing! And the reviews just continue to pour in...it's great. So, in case you guys haven't picked up on it before, yes this is going to be Merricup and Jackunzel fanfic. I'm going to try and incorporate them both in slowly, but I'm going to focus on one at a time for a while, build each one up over time. So, I really hope you enjoy this next chapter.
Thanks again, you guys are seriously, so awesome! Enjoy!
Punzie and I sat in the Gryffindor common room, working on some extra hard charms homework Prof. Toothiana had given us last week.
"What's that charm called, the one that makes things invisible?" I asked Punzie.
We sat on the floor, with our books and quills lain out in front of us. Punzie lay on her front, facing the fire while I sat cross legged beside her.
"Invisibiliem." Punzie said, sounding slightly bored.
"Thanks, Punz." I sid. I quickly scribbled down the answer onto parchment.
We wrote in silence for a few minutes before we heard the creak of a door. It was late at night and we were the only ones in the common room. Our attention was brought to the door where a familiar step clunk pattern of a certain Viking was heard.
"Hiccup?" I asked. I stood suddenly, and so did Punzie.
The door swung close and in walked Hiccup. Punzie walked quickly over to Hiccup, examining his face. After a quick moment of silence, she threw her arms around his neck. Hiccup stood there awkwardly, not looking sure as to what he was supposed to do. Before he could decide how he should react, Punzie drew back, smiling.
"It is you!" She said.
"Why wouldn't it be me?" Hiccup grinned his familiar lopsided smirk.
"You just look so...different." Punzie said.
"I didn't change that much, did I?" He frowned slightly.
I looked him over once. "Well the uniforms different, your hair's a bit longer, and crazier." I added. "And you look taller."
"I didn't grow that much in just a year. I can't look that bad." He said, smiling.
"I never said you looked bad." I said.
Hiccup's eyes met mine and I smiled. He looked a little confused for a moment, before a smile lit up his face.
"I never thought I'd miss this place so much." He said wistfully.
"So you didn't miss us at all? Only school?" I asked.
Punzie laughed.
"Of course not." Hiccup said. "I was too busy living the life of a wanted criminal, being a heroic vigilante and all." He said, taking on an arrogant air.
I let out a short laugh at his obvious attempt at humor. I studied his face again. Though he was trying to appear light-hearted, I could see the wear on his face and the worry behind his eyes. I wondered yet again whether this was the right thing to do.
"So, what did the Minister want to do once you went into the back room?" Punzie asked.
"It's a long story." Hiccup sighed, the smile lighting up his face slowly faded.
I went over and sat on the arm of one of the blue sofas.
"We have tons of time, laddie. Spill it." I told him.
Punzie and Hiccup walked over to the ring of armchairs and sofa's surrounding the common room's hearth. Punzie sat in a small cordouroy armchair beside the fire. Hiccup walked over and sat on the sofa I was on.
"So what happened after the Minister took you into the room?" Punzie asked him.
"Well, first I was intterogated." Hiccup said.
"Intterogated?" Punzie asked.
Hiccup nodded. "North and Bunny kept on asking me how I got my name into the goblet, while Sandy kept shooting me dirty looks from the corner." Hiccup turned to look at me. "By the way, Merida, would you happen to know how my name ended up in the goblet of fire?"
"No idea." I said, not meeting his eyes.
"Merida?" Punzie asked.
"Fine. I did put your name into the goblet." I slipped off the sofa's armrest and stood up. "I just...you were going to leave again and-" I stopped. "I needed time to think of ways to convince you to stay, and this was the only short-notice plan I could come up with."
Hiccup sighed. "You could have just talked to me. You know, power of persuasion and such." He made little hand gestures as he spoke.
"What power of persuasion?" I asked.
"I-I don't know." Hiccup muttered. "Look, all I'm saying is that it would have been a lot easier if you had just asked me to stay and not...this."
"So you don't want to do the tournament?" Punzie asked.
"Do I want to take part in a deadly wizard tournament I was forced to participate in? Of course!" Hiccup said, sarcasm oozing off his words. "The chance of me dying makes it that much more fun."
We heard the midnight bell toll deep in the castle, signalling the act that it was midnight.
"I should probably get some sleep." Punzie said. "I'll see you guys in the morning." She said quietly. "Welcome back, Hiccup."
Hiccup nodded silently.
"Goodnight, Punzie." I said. Punzie smiled at me as she exited the common room silently, sneaking back to Ravenclaw common room. Hiccup remained silent staring at the fire. He cast a look at me.
"What about you? Don't you have lessons tomorrow?" He asked.
"I'm not tired." I told him. "How about you?" I asked.
Hiccup shook his head and sat up straighter. "I'm used to being awake at night. It's better cover for Toothless and I."
I noted the fact that his suit was black, with only a few red signs placed on his shoulders. Without thinking, I reached out and traced the red crest marking his right shoulder. It was a black dragon, a Night Fury to be exact, forming a circle with one bright red tailfin.
"What does this one mean?" I asked him quietly.
I saw Hiccup swallow. "It's my crest, I kinda made it up. I like it though, and so did Toothless."
I nodded. "What about this other one?"
"That one...is Berk's crest." He said quietly.
"Do you ever miss it?" I asked him. "Home?"
Hiccup closed his eyes. "Sometimes. Only on those long nights, being so far away from...everyone, it starts to grind on you. It gets a little lonely."
I sat down beside him, on the couch, not just the armrest.
"Are you going to stay?" I asked him quietly. I stared deep into the fire, leaning forward. Hiccup did the same, with his hands clasped in front of him while his elbows rested on his knees.
"I don't know." He replied, his voice cracking slightly. "I don't regret it, you know."
"Regret what?" I murmured.
"Being chosen, for the tournament."
"Oh." I said, simply. Where was he going with this?
"I thought that leaving would be best, for everyone. Toothless couldn't live in that forest forever, I had some other...problems going on. Then there was Jack and the Guardians." He sighed and ran a hand over his face, suddenly looking older than just 17. "If I wasn't chosen for the tournament, I probably wouldn't have stayed."
"Thank you." I said.
"For what?" He asked, sneaking a small grin my way. I couldn't help but grin myself.
"For not hating me."
Hiccup laughed suddenly and my smile grew.
"In case you haven't noticed, hate isn't exactly in my nature."
"I've noticed." I said. "Among other things." I was no longer thinking through every word I was saying, whether it was the fact I was sleep deprived, or the fact I was sitting so close to him...
"What else have you noticed?" He asked. Hiccup looked at me mischeivously.
"That you're a cheeky bastard." I told him.
Hiccup laughed loudly and I giggled myself. Wait, I giggled? What was happening?
Hiccup's hand brushed mine, ever so slightly. All of a sudden, I was wide awake, sleep no longer bothering me. I looked up and met his eyes. He still had that stupid smile plastered on his face. His deep green eyes were so interesting. A dark green with gold flecks, outlined with a soft green and brown mixture. How had I never noticed before?
Hiccup swallowed and stared back at me. He searched my eyes, and I searched his. We were close, unknowingly leaning in closer to each other. Our noses were almost touching now, and I didn't care.
"Don't leave, Hiccup." I whispered to him.
"I wouldn't dream of it." He said.
I leaned in closer, and he did too. His lips brushed mine, and he placed a hand behind my head, pulling me closer. We kissed, and a thrill ran through me. Hiccup pulled back slowly and stared deep into my eyes. We sat there, lost in the wonderful moment. We were oblivious to everything around us. Not even the crackling fire, or the sounds of crickets outside could distract us.
Suddenly, Hiccup tore his gaze from mine, turning a very bright red.
"I-I should probably-"
"Yeah." I said, my voice shaky. "Yes. Uh, I should go as well."
"I will-I'll see you tomorrow." He said, standing rather awkwardly.
"Well, goodnight, Hiccup." I said. I felt my face growing slightly hot.
"Uh, yes. Yeah, goodnight, Merida." He disappeared through the doorway, leaving me standing there alone, wondering what had happened.
"Oh Haddock, what are you doing to me?" I whispered to myself. I sat down heavily in the red armchair by the fire, touching my fingers to my soft lips that still tingled at the thought of him.