Behind the mask

Grim

He knew the next part of his mission was going to be far harder-because he was facing someone who wasn't a relative, a brainless self-absorbed school bitch or a muscles-for-brains Dagur follower. Mr Grimborn was the smartest and coldest teacher in the school, a man who could probably see through walls and sense BS at a thousand paces. And he never backed down...so the only option was to trap him, because Hiccup wouldn't let him persecute Astrid as he had been persecuted himself.

He slipped his escorts and headed for the teachers' lounge before his courage evaporated, his heart in his throat.  He paused, checked his phone and got ready, then knocked on the door and asked for the teacher. Mr Grimborn slowly emerged, his cold brown eyes assessing the wary shape facing him.

"Why are you here, Haddock?" he asked smoothly.  Hiccup faced him seriously and swallowed.

"I want to talk about Astrid Hofferson," he said. Mr Grimborn smiled, an expression that didn't reach his eyes.

"Ah, the lovely Miss Hofferson," he commented. "Her last paper was most disappointing." Hiccup took a deep breath.

"We both know it was much better than mine...and I got a B+," Hiccup told him seriously. "Why was her paper marked down?"

"I'm impressed," Mr Grimborn said, his tone hardening. "I wasn't aware you also had a degree in Middle Viking History?"

"Congratulations," Hiccup replied too quickly. "I've done enough to knows that work deserved more than a bare pass..."

"And yet a C is all she gets...or is going to get," the teacher told him coolly.  Hiccup stared at him in shock.

"You mean you're going to mark her down, no matter how excellent her work is because Alvin wants to get back at me?" Hiccup asked, his heart sinking. Mr Grimborn's cold eyes narrowed.

"I can't think why he would bother," he said. "You are just a troublemaker..."

"Maybe you could behave like a professional and mark the work submitted, not what Alvin tells you to do!" Hiccup said wearily.

"He's in charge and if Miss Hofferson is so stupid as to throw her lot in with you,  then she deserves to be treated like the fool she is!" he snapped. Hiccup stared at him.

"Reconsider," he said softly. "She doesn't deserve this."

"You know, I'll decide what mark she gets..."

"But you don't. Alvin does!" Hiccup snapped.

"He's in charge, not you!" Grimborn growled. "And I'll do what he tells me to. So your little friend can kiss her grades goodbye, no matter how much you whine..."

"You know this won't go away," Hiccup said. "She actually had people who care for her and will fight for her."

"Unlike you, I think, Mister Haddock," the teacher sneered. "I doubt anyone cares enough about you to intercede..." Hiccup flinched.

"You may be surprised," he murmured.

"I doubt it...since Mr Treacher had told me everything!"  Grimborn sneered. Hiccup backed up. "You worthless little ragamuffin! You should have starved on the streets...but someone took you in. You were insubordinate to your step-father...but I won't tolerate this insubordination. You are expelled from my class."

"This is wrong..." Hiccup replied, his voice toneless.

"Well, who can you appeal to? Your step-father wants you and your girlfriend to suffer...so no one is going to listen." He paused and turned back to the door. "And tell Miss Hofferson now she's expelled as well!"