Hiccup's words turned out to be prophetic as the next couple of weeks went rapidly downhill. When they entered the school, the noise level in the hall dropped and whispers instantly began...whispers and giggles. Hiccup put his head down as usual and walked with his escorts to his locker while Astrid stuck to her friends, carried out her duties and arrived at every class on time. By mutual agreement, there were no overt signs of affection, which led Raylee to start a rumour that Astrid had dumped him. Even Hiccup supergluing Lilah's locker closed with all her possessions inside did little to lighten the mood.

Savage and Thuggory were watching Hiccup like hawks, always present whenever he went to the bathroom or was moving around with just a female escort. He was getting very agile with his crutches and Astrid was working him like a demon with his physical therapy exercises. Because his leg was pinned not merely plastered, he had some simple exercises to keep the muscles strong and she was determined that he would do them religiously.

But Astrid's grades were down and she was sure it wasn't because the standard of her work had dropped. In classes where there was no interpretation involved, her grades were as they were-vocabulary tests and pass/fail assignments were much the same. But she was convinced that she was being marked down and she found A- and B+ were becoming far more common than her usual A. She knew she was working as well as ever but she feared her father would blame Hiccup for the deterioration in her results. So she and Hiccup hatched a plot. They both did their Math homework separately and Astrid sealed her answers in an envelope...but then she copied, symbol by symbol, Hiccup's homework and handed it in. The results: she scored 10% less than he did for exactly the same work. And there was only one person who could be to blame.

Hiccup was chewed up with guilt, suggesting he should go and surrender to Alvin in exchange for leaving her alone but she had rubbished the suggestion, sitting quietly by him in the canteen, her hand twined under the table with his. The others couldn't do much, though the girls had stood fiercely by Astrid, rubbishing anyone who thought she had gone soft or let anyone down by befriending the outcast of the year. The Team also stood by her, though it was made more awkward when Lilah took up with Thuggory and Savannah-not to be outdone-started going out with Savage. For Hiccup, it was another complication as two groups of people who really disliked him had now joined forces.

After two and a half weeks, where Astrid's final grade was dipping towards a B, Hiccup decided he'd had enough and after school, he firmly grasped Astrid's hand and led her to see her father in his study. Martin Hofferson worked from home sometimes and Hiccup politely knocked the door and entered when bidden, dragging a resisting Astrid with him. She scowled at him, warning the boy that she didn't want her troubles discussed with her parents because they were her troubles...but Hiccup knew Alvin Treacher better. He sat down carefully and Astrid perched on the arm of his chair as they faced Martin. The man inspected them closely, reading their grave expressions.

"Is she pregnant?" he asked directly. Both teens blushed scarlet and Hiccup shook his head desperately.

N-no, sir!" he gabbled urgently, seeing the protective light in the man's eyes. "I can honestly say we've not done ANYTHING except kiss...and even then, I'm kind of careful what I touch, in case she punches me..."

"DAD! How could you accuse me...us..of doing...that...!" Astrid shouted at him, her eyes glittering. Martin was unrepentant.

"It's the first thing that comes to mind when your daughter and her live-in boyfriend come into your study and look so serious," he told them shortly. Hiccup gave a very nervous laugh.

"No, it's nothing like that...but it is something that could have almost as devastating effect on Astrid's future." Martin's brow furrowed further. "And I guess it probably is my fault," he added softly. Astrid's hand gently stroked his hair and she rested her head briefly against his shoulder.

"It's okay, babe," she murmured. Then, with a sigh, she explained the problem. Martin sat down and listened, asking a few questions and making notes on his jotter. Finally, Astrid and Hiccup handed over their Math workbooks and the man carefully compared the exactly similar equations...and frowning at the stark difference in their marks. She handed over the sealed envelope.

"Here's my actual homework," she said. "To prove I actually did it myself before we conducted the experiment."

"Can I keep these?" Martin asked.

"Until Friday when Mildew will want to hand out more Homework," Hiccup murmured.

"And you're sure this isn't just a deterioration in your standards because of...?" Martin asked his daughter, casting a meaningful look at Hiccup. The boy sighed, his bony shoulders slumping but Astrid was fierce in her defence.

"Dad-I work as hard now as I did before...and he's been here since October with all his problems...and my standards haven't altered!" she retorted. "In fact, he has specifically told me that I need to protect my grades because success will give me options for the future. He's not the problem...Alvin is..."

"He...he promised that he would target Astrid because she means something to me," Hiccup said wretchedly. "When he gave her detention for giving me a kiss-as a hundred other students do..."

"How many people have kissed you?" Astrid asked him teasingly. He blushed.

"That didn't come out right," he mumbled, "but in total in my whole life...three. Mom, Dad...and you. And only one of those is alive or actually acknowledges I exist any more." He sighed. "No...hundreds of students have the odd small kiss at school over the years...but when Astrid was put in detention...I went along as the boy she kissed...and then her friends came along claiming to be guilty of the same crime. Al threw them all out...all but me so he could tell me he was going to ruin Astrid because I cared for her."

"He hurt you as well," Astrid pointed out.

"A couple of slaps and punches," he admitted wearily. "Nothing I haven't had before..."

"At school?" Martin asked directly, his voice grim. Hiccup started then nodded.

"Yeah, he's beaten me at school," he admitted quietly. "Because he knew my parents would never complain." Martin rose and beckoned his daughter over, giving her a hug.

"Don't worry," he murmured. "I will sort this out." Then he paused and pulled Hiccup to his feet, staring at the skinny young man...then hugging him. "I don't blame you," he reassured the boy. "I know you want to protect her. So do I. I will fix this."

oOo

Two days later, Hiccup arrived in the canteen at lunchtime to find Astrid distressed and being comforted by Heather and Ruff. He sat opposite her and looked in confusion at Fishlegs.

"Lilah and Savannah have set up a petition to have her removed as Class President and she's been given a C in Viking History," he explained. "Mr Grimborn was very scathing when he called her in before lunch." Hiccup stared at the girl, shocked-because it must have happened after he left the class...then he rose awkwardly and limped round to sit by her, pulling her against him and wrapping his arms protectively around her. She resisted for all of a second before she curled into him, her face burying into his chest and arms wrapping around him. He gently rested his cheek against her hair and held her tight, feeling her sobbing quietly.

"It will be okay, Milady," he murmured, feeling the dampness of her tears on his shirt.

"What have I done wrong?" she mumbled softly. "All I ever did was what I was supposed to..."

"I know," he reassured her. "Your halo is untarnished."

"So why have they all turned against me?" she murmured. "Aren't I allowed a life?"

"Not if I am in it," he sighed. "I seem to ruin anything I touch."

"You haven't touched me," she mumbled. He managed a smile.

"Wouldn't dare, Milady...not if I like having two hands..."She lifted her head, her eyes red and cheeks damp.

"I trust you," she said with a small smile.

"And the last shreds of my rep go up in smoke," he sighed, then ghosted a kiss on her forehead and shoved himself to his feet, slamming his crutch on the table. Every eye turned to him.

"LISTEN TO ME!" he shouted as every eye turned to him. He glared at them. "Most of you know me. I'm Hiccup Haddock. THE Hiccup Haddock. Generally considered a pest or possibly the greatest enemy to civilisation ever, dependent on who you talk to..."

"We know who you are," Lilah called in a bored voice. he glared at her furiously and she shut up.

"And you all know Astrid Hofferson, your Class President. OUR Class President," he continued firmly. "She was chosen because she is smart, organised, caring, disciplined, decent...and kind. She commands respect for who she is. And she hasn't changed who she is one iota. But I hear that someone has started a petition to remove her as President. Why?"

There was silence as he turned to glare at Lilah, Savannah and Raylee. They huffed.

"She doesn't represent us," Lilah sneered.

"In what way?" Hiccup demanded furiously. The girl gave a nasty smirk.

"She's going out with you!" she spat. Hiccup swung away, rotating to glare at the rest of the canteen.

"So going out with whoever you choose carries a penalty?" he asked. "You want to remove her from her post which she is performing without any flaw just because she's chosen to go out with all this raw vikingness?" He gestured to himself with a smirk to a ripple of laughter.

"You're nobody!" Savannah sneered.

"I'm somebody," he corrected her. "We all are. I'm just not popular. I'm not a Jock or an athlete. I'm not a trendy girl or a brainless bimbo who can't even spell her own name rightly. I'm not a nerd or a dancer or a musician or anything you may consider valuable. I'm not good-looking or built. But I am a person and I am as much a student here as you. I have the same rights as you and the same responsibilities. Now look around this room and tell me how many of these other students you consider nobodies, Lilah? Because you think someone is worthless if they aren't you or your little clique of friends! I want to know on what basis you have any right to decide who is worthwhile?" She blushed under his intense glare.

"Well, obviously, I'm pretty, popular, trend-setting, smart..."

"Stupid, selfish, conceited, judgemental, vicious, sharp-tongue and spiteful," Hiccup told her brutally. "You are everything that's wrong here."

"Well at least I didn't turn in my friends!" she screeched.

"I never did," he argued calmly, "but they turned on me anyway. And look- you turned on your friends, trying to undermine Astrid because you're jealous that she is popular and respected. Why should you care who she goes out with? She has never changed-but you have. And all you have done is behaved with utter contempt for her and for everyone else. And who would replace her? You? Can you organise a Prom? Chair student council? Will you help students in difficulty? Will you intercede if someone is being treated unfairly? Or would you just sit around giving orders and demanding obedience. We've already got someone like that-our Principal. Is that what you want, Lilah?" He turned to the room. "Is that what you all want?"

"No!" Heather, Anna, Helga, Cami and Ruffnut shouted. Snotlout and Fishlegs were shaking their heads and Olaf and Damien shouted 'No!' as well. Hiccup swept his emerald glare over the room.

"Then stop persecuting Astrid!" he growled. "You all have a choice who you like-and don't pick on people just because of who they want to be with! You only live once-don't waste your time being so small-minded..." He paused and gave a smirk. "Or you'll end up like Lilah...brainless, spiteful and cruel! And the next person who doesn't meet her insane ideals may be you! Do you want HER telling you who you can go out with? Who you can like or befriend? Do you want someone so stupid she thinks Erick the Red was a pop star and Hamish the First was a haggis farmer as your President and judging you?"

The canteen burst out in laughter and Lilah's face scorched red in embarrassment and anger.

"How dare you!" she screeched. "And I said Hamish the Second anyway!"

The laughter was even louder and fingers were pointing at her. Tears were running down Heather's face and she clung to Fishlegs. Savannah stared at her.

"I thought you fished for haggis," she said loudly and the canteen collapsed in hysterical laughter. "What?" Lilah rose angrily.

"We're going!" she announced to gales of laughter. "You'll all be sorry! C'mon, Sav..."

"But what's wrong? Why is everyone laughing?" Savannah asked, confused, getting up and following Savannah. Hiccup slumped to sit by Astrid who was trying not to laugh but failing. He turned to her with a smile.

"Better?" he asked. She gently kissed his cheek.

"My hero," she murmured. Tuffnut high-fived Hiccup and the auburn-haired boy nodded, accepting the gesture.

"Awesome speech, dude!" he commented. "And I think they've listened to you..." A group of girls started towards Astrid, looking sheepish and offering apologies, which she graciously accepted, turning away from her boyfriend and chatting with them easily. He smiled as more student came forward and apologised for they way they had treated her. Lilah's name was mentioned numerous times and Hiccup gave a sigh.

"That was the easy part," he told Tuff. "The harder part will be seeing Mr Grimborn."