Astrid found herself looking out for Hiccup on Monday morning-while, of course, trying not to look as if she was watching for him. Cami, Ruff and Heather were full of tales from the party and Heather was profusely apologetic that she had left Astrid alone to go to the bathroom. Cami had almost got off with Dagur but he had upped and left shortly after Astrid left, apparently in a bad mood...and Ruff was absolutely furious that one of her friends had been attacked at the party. She was looking out for Dogsbreath to give him a piece of her mind...though Astrid had wryly noted he wouldn't know what to do with it.

"So how did you get away?" Cami asked carefully and Astrid huffed. She didn't really want to think back to that terrifying experience but she nodded.

"Not much to say," she shrugged. "I was being dragged into Tuff's bedroom by Dogsbreath and I was completely unable to get free. And then a student burst into the room and hit him with a chair. He grabbed me and we climbed out the bathroom window and he...he walked me home."

"Details, sis," Ruff urged her. "Though that explains why the bathroom door was kicked in! Who was this hero?"

"I-I...didn't recognise him," Astrid murmured coyly. "Maybe he was a junior?"

"No, details!" Ruff insisted. "Descriptions! Names! Was he hot?" Astrid blushed, recalling her brief inspection of Hiccup in her bedroom. "Ohhh..." Ruff teased her and the embarrassed blonde swatted at her.

"He was...well, a bit skinny but pretty light on his feet, brownish hair, kinda cute..." she muttered. Cami and Heather shared a look.

"Oh. My. Gods!" Cami giggled. "Astrid is blushing. I do believing she's crushing on her hero!"

"AM NOT!" she snapped, her eyes sparkling. "Look, it was really horrible and frightening and this guy bursts in and saves me! And I'm just...grateful because he came when no one else did..." Her glare silenced the others and there were mumbled apologies, but she could see Cami and Ruff sharing a look and knew she wouldn't hear the end of this...

...and then Hiccup walked past, his head down and shoulders hunched, bag slung over one casually. HIs dark auburn hair was ruffled from the fairly strong breeze and his cheeks were reddened. His emerald eyes flicked up...to meet Astrid's and for a second she considered what to do...

...and then she smiled and nodded to him. He gave a tiny nod in reply and then looked away, continuing on his way to whispers and sneers. Heather stared at her in astonishment.

"Did you just smile at Hiccup Haddock?" she asked and Astrid started. She nodded. "Why?" her friend asked her. Astrid turned to her locker, fished out what she needed for her first couple of classes and slammed it closed.

"Because of something my Mom said to me which I think is very true," she said thoughtfully. "He's a human being and no one is all bad!"

"Uh, hello? Hiccup Haddock we're speaking about?" Ruff reminded her snarkily. "I think he may be totally completely all bad!" Astrid sighed.

"Or he may have things going on in his life the we don't know anything about," she added.

"Wait...are you going soft on us, sister?" Cami asked her fiercely.

"No, I'm acting like an adult," she retorted. "There are more than enough idiots who are shouting at and gossiping about him. Even his friends think he's rolled on him. When he looked at me, it cost nothing to smile...but it might make his day better." Heather stared at her...and then nodded.

"That's why you're President," she murmured with a mildly impressed look, staring after the tall, hunched shape. "But I seriously doubt a smile will make his day any better..."

oOo

He had needed to steel himself before he walked into the hallway, mentally preparing himself for another fun day.

He had put off going back home as much as possible, spending the day with Gobber working and having another hefty meal with the two-limbed mechanic. But when he had finally arrived home, Alvin had shouted at him for staying out overnight, slapped him and sent him to his room...though the look of disappointment on his mother's face had hurt him more. And he had three days to find out who had given up Dagur and Snotlout or face Dagur and his gang...if they didn't decide to just jump him before. He had no idea how they Crew would respond to his rescue of Astrid...

So he had not held much hope as he walked through to the blizzard of sneers and whispers and as he saw Astrid, he had almost not even looked at her. But he just wanted to hope she would keep her word and he had flicked his gaze across, seeing her stare at him for a long moment...and then smile.

It had been like the sun coming out and he had felt a tiny surge of warmth in his chest at the acknowledgement, knowing it couldn't last, knowing she wouldn't speak to him or interact with him...but she had not blanked him. He offered a small nod of acknowledgement at the smile and then continued on his way, knowing they weren't friends but for one moment, she wasn't his enemy either. And then he had to carry on, his senses on edge as he headed towards his locker. So far, there was no sign of Dogsbreath or the others but he made sure he didn't hang around. Of course, they wouldn't hesitate to beat him up in the middle of the hall if they really wanted to...but he knew he was probably safer with the other students than away on his own. With a sigh, he slammed his locker and headed to class. He was earlier than usual but he had deliberately come before class because there was something he had to do...and for this, he needed to be alone. It was something personal and very, very important.

Miss Sylvester was already in the Art classroom, preparing for the morning's lesson when he tentatively opened the door. She looked up as she saw him enter and straightened up, her eyes hard. He paused, then walked up to her.

"You are still banned from this class, Mister Haddock," she told him firmly. He nodded.

"Um, I wanted to speak to you about that, Miss Sylvester," he said self-consciously, rubbing the back of his neck. His green eyes darted around the room and he found he was feeling nervous. "I-I wanted to apologise...for my behaviour," he said hurriedly. "I-I was very rude...and I'm sorry." He paused. "Please forgive me..."

The teacher looked at him, her cool eyes sweeping over his skinny shape, fidgeting with anxiety...and very different to the mildly indifferent and moody young man she was used to. "Why?" she asked him sternly. "Every other teacher complains about you...Hiccup." His green gaze flicked up and he felt his heart sink. "And I thought that they were wrong...but your behaviour was completely unacceptable."

"I-I know," he said softly, taking a small step forward. "And...and I know there is no excuse. I-I was just really angry...because...well, Astrid just hasn't treated me fairly..." Miss Sylvester stared at his face and saw him struggle to explain himself.

"That's no excuse," she told him shortly and he took a deep breath.

"It...it's a reason," he said awkwardly. "I mean...when someone calls you Useless and tries to get you thrown out of the only class you care about...why should you help them? Why should I help someone who still treated me like shit even when I had already helped her?" He flung his arms up. "I'm not a saint, Miss Sylvester! Totally not! But...I never wanted to be rude to you. You really are the only person here who treats me like a real person, not a nuisance! And I am really sorry...because this is the only class I actually want to come to! And...I would do anything to be allowed back..."

"Mr Treacher suggested I should expel you permanently," she told him and he stiffened. He felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him.

"He would," he growled and he turned away. "Sorry to have wasted your time." He reached for the door handle and she took a step forward.

"Hiccup-wait!" she said sharply and he stiffened. "I guess you and the Principal don't get on..."

You have no idea, he thought bitterly but nodded, not trusting himself to speak. His hand on the handle was trembling and saw it, her face moving into a sympathetic expression. She walked to his side and he turned to face her. "No," he confirmed gruffly.

"You are a talented student and I think you are sorry for your conduct," she told him slowly. He hardly dared breathe but nodded slightly. "So I will allow you back into the class...on one condition..."

"What?" he asked warily, his emerald eyes wide with concern. She patted his shoulder.

"Nothing difficult," she told him gently. "I will readmit you to the class-if you agree to tutoring Miss Hofferson."