Jelsa, The Big 8, at Hogwarts

Chapter 22

*Hiccups POV*

The TriWizard tournament. This is my chance to prove that I'm a great wizard. No one will be able to doubt me then.

And with how much I've been working out, I won't be looking like someone the other wizards can just push over.

Also, it could help my chances with Merida. She's so amazing and athletic. Not to mention a great witch. I want to be able to impress her. She's awesome and so...pretty.

Head of Hufflepuff, professor Sandy, let's us leave finally. Kristoff and I talk about the tournament and the other schools that will joining us here at Hogwarts.

"Didn't the professor mention that the Beauxbatons and the Dumstrongs are coming?" Kristoff asks.

"Yeah, the Beauxbatons are an all girls school in France. And the Dumstrongs are in Russia."

Kristoff sighs and puts his hands in his pockets. "I wonder how I'm going to ask Anna to the ball.."

"Seriously?? You're already thinking about that?" I ask a little surprised. The only thing on my mind is preparing, mentally, for the challenges if I'm chosen as champion.

"Yeah. Why not? I mean, Anna is my girlfriend. It has to be perfect. She's like a princess to me and deserves to be treated as such." He looks off into the distance.

"So...you're not applying to be champion?" I ask slowly. Kristoff shakes his head. "Nah, I was never interested in it anyway. Why? Are you going to apply?"

I nod my head. "Yup. This is my chance to show off my skills."

"Are you sure it's not so that you can impress Merida?"

I whip my head to look at him. "What?? No don't be ridiculous." I lie blushing a bit. Unfortunately Kristoff notices it. "Ha ha! I knew it!" He punches my shoulder.

"Geez Kristoff. Take it easy will you?"

He chuckles. "Sorry. But still, you should ask Merida out. Everybody knows that you guys like each other."

"She likes me too??"

"Gosh I swear Hiccup, sometimes your so blind when it comes to this stuff." He rolls his eyes. "Anyway, she's never actually said that she does, but it definitely shows whenever you guys are in the same room together."

I blush and turn away. Merida is going to be so surprised when I tell her that I'm entering.

_________________

Merida is practicing archery when I find her outside. She shoots arrows one right after the other. Each one hits the center and splits the other in half.

I whistle impressed. "Dang Merida."

She puts down her bow, and puts her next arrow back in her carrier behind her back. "What do you expect from the best archer in Hogwarts?" She smirks at me.

"What are ye doing here anyway Haddack?" Merida starts to put away her bow and arrows back up in the weapons holder under the tent out here. 

I clap my hands nervously. "Well, I just wanted to let you know that...I'm entering to have a chance to be the Champion for Hogwarts in the TriWizard tournament."

She stops and stares at me. Then, Merida hits my head so hard I stagger back. "Are you out of ye mind?!"

"Me?? You just hit me!"

"Because you're crazy!! It's extremely dangerous, you're skills aren't nearly good enough for something like this, and-"

"Wait a second," I say interrupting her. A smirk forms on my face. "You're worried about me aren't you."