"Sofia," Amber was in rare form today hands clasped tightly, waving a bit as she spoke. "You are not going to believe who I just saw." In the following silence, the blonde princess bounced on her (fashionable) heels, Sofia was unsure where to answer or simply wait for Amber to blurt out whatever it was that had gotten her so excited.

Seconds passed and the silence continued so the dark haired Princess decided that she was intended to answer. "Who is it, Amber?" If Amber was this eager, it had to be something big. Her sister was not the most excitable of the princess, prone to maintaining her dignified air until she absolutely had to break it. It was one of Amber's more admirable traits.

"Fairy Godmother!"

"Oh?" Perhaps it was her lack of Princess-related knowledge that kept Sofia slightly puzzled by the revelation.

"As in Cinderella's Fairy Godmother!"

"Oh!" Now that was exciting news. "What's she doing here!?"

"When Fairy Godmother comes to visit that can only mean one thing!" Amber flicked her fan in a downward motion to emphasize the finality of her statement. "A new Fairy Godmother in Training is picking out a Practice Princess."

"What…?" Sofia had understood all of the words individually, however, collectively they had thrown her for a loop.

"You remember Fairy Brittany right?"

"Of course I do! She mended my shoes before dance class last week!" Sofia was always happy to meet knew staff, with the exception of Miss Nettle, the school had a wonderful group of fairies and humans that kept everything going. Fairy Brittany had been in charge of mending torn dresses, scuffed shoes, and fixing up rumbled hair with just a wave of her wand. She was always so cheerful, ready to help- she even gave Sofia an extra bit of pixie dust to give her the courage to dance with a new partner. But if they were getting a new fairy… "What happened to Fair Brittany? Are they replacing her?"

"What? No! Well, kinda." Amber was quick to contradict herself. "Brittany chose a Practice Princess- Maria, one of the older girls? You probably don't know her- she only stayed here so long because we needed another graduate from the Fairy Academy to take over at the school. It's a complicated process, but it boils down to the fact that a new fairy is coming here to find a new princess and grant her every fashionable whim!"

"Isn't that what Mr. Cedric does?" Sofia pointed out.

"Yes, but fairies are actually good at it. That is why, this year, I just know I'll be the Princess the new fairy picks!"

"I really hope you get it Amber, I bet the new fairy will get a lot of practice from you!" Sofia let the first comment slide, she knew there was no changing their minds yet- but one day they could see Mr. Cedric for the wonderful sorcerer he really was. Plus, if Amber was chosen, that just meant there would be a new face in the palace! And if the new fairy was anything like Fairy Brittany, she would be a wonderful new friend. Sofia found herself really hoping Amber got chosen- though if Vivian was picked, that might be fun too! Vivian could always use the confidence boost that Fairy Brittany was so good at giving, and Sofia would still get to visit and talk to the new fairy… Hildegard would also be a great choice- so regal and confident… any of the princesses would be great.

Sofia walked with her sister through the halls of Royal Prep, passing the usual classroom to head out to the bleachers in the Derby Stadium for a school wide assembly. It was only the second… maybe third time Sofia had seen the school body in its entirety, and in three years of attendance, that really said something about the lack of school-wide events.

Not that Royal Prep was very large, but the age gaps in the students' could be quite immense, the youngest attendees being five and the oldest being eighteen. Sofia, herself, loved seeing everyone together. The way the oldest Princesses and Princes played with the youngest was always endearing. She saw Flora, Fauna, and Merriweather up at the front, full sized, wings fluttering. Beside them was the new fairy, in the same lavender skirt and light purple lacy blouse that Fairy Brittany had always worn- though her vest was a deep red rather than a soft blue. Physically however, she was quite different.

Fairy Brittany had been a robust woman, with rosy cheeks, golden curls, and a frame no larger than the beloved headmasters of the Academy. This new fairy was tall, slender, with pale skin lacking that same cheery blush, her hair was dark black, pulled back so the length was impossible to gauge. She wore glasses with thick black frames that matched her hair but just made her skin look like she was sickly with the contrast.

Amber frowned.

"Usually fairies have better fashion sense when it comes to accessories… she must still be pretty new…" Amber fluffed up her dress before sitting a cushion down and sitting on that rather than the cold metal of the bleacher seats.

"I'll miss Brittany though…" Sofia looked over to see James taking the seat on her other side. "She's gotten my clothes clean before our big dinners so many times I can't even count them all."

"She was really nice," Sofia agreed. "But I bet this new fairy is just as sweet!"

"I'll bet. You remember Fairy Shalayla right?" James seemed only mildly interested in the Practice Princess aspect of the conversation that Amber was obsessing over, but was more than willing to discuss past fairies.

"Oh yeah! She fixed your lance that one time, before the big joust!" Sofia had recalled just how crushed poor James had been.

"She was my favorite."

"I liked Brittany better…" Amber interjected, but the argument was cut short.

"Princesses and Princes!" Flora had her vouice amplified by her wand.

"We are so pleased to see you all here this morning!" Merriweather, too, had her voice enchanted so she could talk over her fellow fairies.

"We have some big news for you all!" Fauna decided to try to get a word in between her fellow fae-folk bickering amongst themselves. "You see-"

"We have a new Fairy Godmother in Training joining us today!" Flora took over seamlessly. "So without further ado-"

"We introduce Fair Melody!" Merriweather took control again.

The fairy in question, Melody as she had been called, had been rather passive through the whole ordeal; while the headmistresses fought over her introduction, she had been fiddling about with her wand, seemingly lost in thought. But as her name was said she looked up. She spoke to Merriweather, but since her voice was not amplified all they could hear was the blue clad fairy waving her off. "No no, not now, Melody dear this is your introduction."

"Merriweather let the poor thing talk." Flora not-so-subtly hip-chucked her sister out of the way. A flick of her wand granted the young fairy the same vocal amplification as her three new mentors.

"-lody." It must have hit her midsentence because the soft spoken voice actually made very little sense when it was first heard. "So you see it's close but not correct…" She trailed off realizing she was loud enough for the entire school to hear. Strangely enough, she froze up for a moment, her face going, if it were possible, even paler.

"It's all right, Deary…" it was the sweet voice of Fauna that egged her on. "You can just say hello." There was a loud noise as Melody swallowed hard and took an involuntary breath.

"Hello…" her voice cracked and the white face was slowly growing very red. "It's nice to… um… meet everyone… Fairy Shalayla was my mentor in school…. She told me… um… great things a-about you." Sofia felt bad for the girl, it seemed public speaking was not her strong point. Perhaps she could offer to help like she did with Vivian! "Please feel free to v-visit me if you need anything- a-anything at all… and… um… okay, I'm… I'm done… talking- how do I undo this, exactly?"

Another flick of Flora's wand and the black haired fairy looked so relieved she might just pass out on the ground. Sofia decided now she definitely had to speak with her. Maybe bring Vivian along so she could have someone to whom she could relate.

"Thank you Melody for that very… complimentary speech." Flora gave her a reassuring smile. "Now students, you may come greet Miss Melody on your own time during lunch or your break, she will be in Miss Brittany's old office. But for right now-"

"It's back to classes!" Merriweather managed to steal the last word as the students began to disperse, deep in conversation, some talking about the new fairy, others discussing school work, or home life, or other unrelated matters.

Amber picked herself up and her pillow, fanning herself lightly. "I think she's got potential. She's no Brittany, but that just means I can teach her fashion myself."

"She seems shy…" Sofia added as she followed James back toward the school. James had lost interest and was currently talking with Zandar about some new ship that was being built by the Tangu armies. "I think I'll drop by to see her with Vivian before lunch…."

Author's Note: Most of the Fairy Godmother in Training (FGiT) lore is from Walt Disney World's Bibbidi Boppidi Boutique, where I work. I certainly hope the chapter was enjoyable enough. Sorry if it was a little slow. This is my first Sofia fanfic, so critique is welcome!