It hadn't been a difficult decision, leaving the school and going in search of his friends because failing to straighten this out now may mean he had no friends...or much of a life to enjoy not having them in. Dagur was a psychotic son of a bitch and if he was gunning for Hiccup, then his life was going to get unbearable. Cutting school, skipping detention and facing whatever Alvin did to him was pretty much no contest compared to having Dagur as his enemy. So he headed for the park where he guessed the guys would be. And when he reached the swings he wasn't disappointed...but he was vaguely alarmed to find not only Dagur, Thuggory and Savage but also their cronies Dogsbreath and Madguts. All were taller and considerably more built than he was but he walked casually up, nodding his greetings. But this time there were no high-fives or fist-bumps. Dagur looked at him like something he had scraped off his shoe.

"Hi, Dag," Hiccup said with the right amount of casualness, making sure he didn't look worried. "What gives?"

"Now that's the question," Dagur growled. "What did you give?" Hiccup froze, his green eyes widening and a mildly hurt expression crossing his bruised face.

"C'mon, Dag-you know I wouldn't roll on you!" he protested. "I frickin' stepped up and took the blame!"

"And now I'm suspended for another week and you're off suspension," Dagur pointed out. "You see my concerns?" Hiccup gave a false little laugh.

"Of-of course," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck self-consciously. "But it isn't true, Dagur. I swear!"

"Then who did turn me in?" Dagur growled. Dogsbreath was already slapping his fist into his palm and the auburn-haired teen backed up a pace, green gaze darting from man to man.

"I don't know!" he protested. "Dag-I've got your back. I've always got your back. I-I guess it may have been one of the girls? Maybe they don't understand?" In an instant, Dagur lurched forward and Savage and Thuggory grabbed Hiccup's arms, holding him still. In a second, Dagur's arms was wrapped across Hiccup's neck and he felt the fierce pressure. "Dagur...please..." he begged. "You know Alvin wants to split us. He must...have found out and set me up!"

"You think?" Dagur asked softly, his voice menacing. "You sure your Mommy didn't beg her little boy to tell the truth?"

"I told her I did tell the truth," he murmured softly. Her tears of disappointment and sorrow had almost broken his resolve...but the subsequent slaps from Alvin had erased any doubts and he had stubbornly repeated his story...despite Alvin's sneers. "No one believed me but I didn't say anything. I swear, Dagur!" Dagur tightened the grip.

"You know, I could literally beat the crap out of your lying body!" Dagur threatened and Hiccup felt himself stiffen.

"Yeah-that would be a shame coz it would be a waste of effort!" he forced himself to say. "You'd be making Al happy and not getting the right person!" Dagur paused, then shoved Hiccup away.

"Then find out who did rat on me," Dagur threatened him, his powerful arm tight around the other teen's bony shoulders. "You're my inside man, Hiccup. You find out who turned me in by the time my suspension is over-or I'll have to kick the shit outta you. Nothing personal...but if there isn't anyone else to take the blame...well, can't have the rest of school thinking I'm going soft, can we?" Hiccup forced a weak smile.

"Course not," he managed, his heart fluttering. "I'll find out who it was...so you can have a word with them..." Dagur nodded and stared pointedly at Hiccup as the boy made no move.

"Well, what're you waiting for?" he asked. Hiccup's brows dipped.

"Guys, I cut school to hang with you..." he explained but Dagur was already shaking his head.

"I think it would be better if you went back and started doing what you're told...fishbone!" he sneered to the laughter of the others. Hiccup stared at them for a long moment and turned away, heart sinking to his boots.

"See ya later," he muttered as he began to walk away, head down and hands dug deep in his pockets. "Unbelievable," he sighed. "All we've been though-all those detentions, all those nights out and days hanging...and they think I would...Thanks, Al," he added under his breath. "I'll get you for this..."

oOo

He went to Gobber's not school, sitting with Toothless for a long time before pulling his overalls on and helping fix a handful of minor faults, almost silent. Gobber watched him all afternoon and then pulled him aside as he was preparing to leave.

"Okay-spit it out, laddie!" he demanded. "Has Alvin bin hittin' yer again?" He shook his head.

"Not even close," he muttered. "That would be preferable. Instead, the crew think I ratted them out. Al cancelled my suspension and has spread the word I rolled on Dagur." Gobber's blond unibrow dipped and he stared at the boy for a long moment.

"Ah can see yer problem, laddie," he murmured. "And yer friends know ye didnae turn them in?"

"Um...no," Hiccup admitted then forced a small smile on his face. "Screw 'em. I'll manage." He slammed his locker and slung his bag over his shoulder. "Course, I may just manage to get pounded into a greasy smear on the sidewalk but hey! That's still a step up from life at home." Then he turned and walked out the door. Toothless gave a small whine and looked at Gobber.

"Yeah, ah dinnae like it either, boy," the mechanic murmured. "Some friends!"

oOo

Astrid had gotten hold of Heather by phone at lunch and had finally got the story out of her. Her parents had been uber-mad at her for getting caught and she was pleased Astrid hadn't shared her fate. And she was very interested at the news that Snotlout and Dagur had been suspended for another week for kicking the whole thing off. Her only comment was she thought Cami was lucky not to be with them for egging the two boys on and stirring them up royally. Astrid rolled her eyes. Cami was one of her closest friends but she sure had a wild side and would have relished the chance to cause mayhem. And she had been the one practically dragging Heather, Ruff and Astrid to watch the contest.

Heather confirmed she was back in on Thursday and commiserated with Astrid that she was alone...though Astrid did remind her that half the year had come up to ask her what had happened so she really wasn't alone-she was just missing her besties. Heather also confirmed that Snotlout was fuming because he was missing the match but still intended to turn up at the twins' party on Saturday night-originally intended as a victory celebration but now probably just a party party. Astrid had been reticent but had finally agreed-though she had been forced to lie and tell her parents that she was going to be at Heather's for the evening for a sleep-over. Which wasn't entirely untrue because she would be sleeping over there after the party had finished...

Of course, her parents wouldn't approve of her going to any sort of party with the Thorston twins-Ruff was Astrid's friend but Tuff and Ruff together were a force of nature and hurricanes were felt to be less devastating. Their last party in Junior Year had six fire engines, nine police units and the coast guard in attendance. And then there was the sticky issue of her grades.

She was maintaining a very high standard in all her classes but two. In Math she was edging between an A and B...but in Art, she was a straight C student. Even the assistance from Hiccup and the single A she had achieved couldn't overcome the drag of her mediocrity in the subject. Her Dad had been predictably unhelpful.

"You have to improve!" he had told her.

"But Dad-I'm doing my best-I just don't have the talent!" she protested.

"Nonsense!" he told her bluntly. "You are a Hofferson. You will prevail."

"Not with a paint brush," she grumbled. "Dad-I am heading for a C. This will ruin my average! If I can drop Art, I will maintain..."

"No!"Martin Hofferson growled. "You will speak to your teacher and get extra tuition to get you up to standard! I will not tolerate failure...or have you forgotten? If you do not graduate with a perfect A average, I will not fund your further studies. You can work out there and see what hard work really is!"

She took a shuddering breath and nodded. It was the same speech, the same threats every time. And she never slacked, never let up, always drove herself as hard as she could possibly go...so if she was failing, it was because she simply wasn't good enough. And there was no way she could ever pass in Art with an A.

"I understand, sir," she murmured, knowing that what he was telling her was to get a tutor. And the only one good enough in her year to tutor her...was Hiccup.

She sighed. She would stack shelves in a convenience store before she placed her future in the hands of Hiccup Haddock!