Disclaimer: I do not own Sofia The First. Or Tales From The Book of Virtues.

A/N: Hi! So this is the last story(chapter) I'll be posting before I begin my hiatus tommorow. It's based off of, and named for 'The Magic Thread' segment from the 'Self-Discipline' episode of 'Tales from The Book of Virtues'. It was requested by retro mania, and I wanted to at least get the first chapter in before I begin my hiatus.

Anyway, please enjoy. And I hope retro mania in particular likes it :)

A warm breeze blew in gently through the carriage window. A welcome change from the frigid air native to Friezenburg, and a sign that they would soon be approaching their destination. Hildegarde took out her fan, ready to cool herself if needed during the waning days of the Corinthian summer. Smiling in satisfaction.

The Friezenburg princess' carriage landed gracefully outside the Corinthian palace. Stepping out, she bid the driver to merely wait for her. Intending to return soon.

After greeting the King and Queen, and confirming that Clio was home. Hildegarde traversed the familiar path to the other princess' bedroom.

Inside, the Corinthian princess was busy looking through her music sheets. When suddenly her door flew open.

"Clio!"

"Hildy?!" Clio blinked in surprise at the unexpected sight of her best friend.

"Oh, it's been so long." Hildegarde proclaimed as she gave her a hug.

Clio chuckled in amusement as she returned the sentiment. "Only about a week."

"I know," the other girl sighed. "But what a hectic week it's been! It felt like forever until my servants finished getting everything ready for my first day of school tommorow. And frankly I'm exhausted! I still haven't even decided what I'm going to wear!"

"Yeah, things have been pretty busy over here too. But I think I've pretty much got everything ready for tomorrow " Clio added, organizing her music sheets back onto her stand.

"Good! Because I have a surprise for us." Hildegarde smiled.

"You do?"

"Yes, I thought for our last day of summer vacation you and I could spend the day together in Tangu. I've been meaning to get a flying carpet made just for me after all." Hildegarde smiled, fluttering her fan a bit.

"Oh?... That sounds really nice Hildy, but..." Clio frowned, looking away.

"But what?" the other girl pressed, confused by her friend's hesitancy.

"Well, I kind of already made plans with Vivian in Zumaria today." she explained.

"Vivian!?" Hildegarde gasped in shocked. "Why?"

"Because we wanted to go over a few things together, before school starts. Since we're both the only ones from 'Royal Prep' going to 'Performing Arts Academy'. We thought it would be a good idea if we got prepared together."

"Oh, I see..." Hildegarde sighed. A lilt of disappointment in her voice, as well as a bit of jealousy.

"But.." Clio began, trying to cheer her friend up. "I will be at the 'End of Summer' party in Enchancia tonight. Maybe you and I can spend some time together then."

"Oh?... Oh yes of course." Hildegarde agreed, plastering on a smile. Still a little shocked by her friends seeming out right rejection of her. Though, she was purposed to attend the party in Enchancia as well. So perhaps thing would turn out alright...

—-

The Enchancian celebration was a grand affair. Which was per usual for the Royal Family. Amber, as she was accustomed to, picked out an extavagant dress for the occasaion. And even their sorcerer, Cedric, seemed to have gone all out in adding a flair of magic to the decorations.

Clio and Vivian came together, and were greeted by the two Enchancian princesses. Sofia, who had opted for a simpler dress than her sibling, hugging her Zumarian friend tightly.

Hildegarde arrived shortly after, and the five friends immediately set about enjoying themselves with dancing, food, and conversation.

After sometime, the subject of the new school year came up.

"I'm really excited! Though I am a bit worried of how much more busy it's going to make me" Sofia admitted, clutching her Enchantlet. The girl's occupation as 'Protector of The Everrealm' no longer a secret to her friends.

"You'll do fine." Amber said confidently, placing an assuring hand on her sister's shoulder. The younger girl smiled in response, placing her own hand on top of her siblings.

"Well" Amber continued, "Along with begining my education to become the future Queen of Enchancia. I'm glad we're going to the same school together again." she gave her sister a meaning smile

"Me too." Vivian agreed. "Well... not that I'm going to school with Sofia..." She quickly corrected. "I just meant that I'm glad there'll be at least one person I know at 'Performing Arts Academy' with me" she added, giving Clio a smile.

Though it was true, Vivian had opened up quite a bit with her classmates at 'Royal Prep.' She was still, by nature a shy girl. So with her going into a new environment, it was comforting to know there would at least be one familiar face there with her. Plus, she and the Corinthian princess, had grown rather close to each other during the summer.

As the girls continued to chat about their new schools, as well as their upcoming plans for that year. Hildegarde began to feel strangely out of place. Unlike her friends. Who all seemed to be going somewhere together. She would be the only one of them going to the 'School For Royal Fashions'. And as a result the conversation seemed to steer in a direction that made it increasingly difficult for her to participate. Something that the dark haired princess didn't care too much for.

Feeling a bit frustrated, she decided to retire to the balcony for a bit. Unnoticed by the others as she departed. Except for Sofia, who grimaced in concern as she watched the older princess exit the ballroom.

—-

Leaning against the railing, the princess of Friezenburg let out a heavy sigh.

"Hildegarde?"

She straightened up at the sound of her name. "Sofia?" Eyes widening in surprise at the younger girl.

The Enchancian approached her friend. "Are you okay?..." she ventured.

"What!? Oh! Of course! Why wouldn't I be?" Hildegarde insisted, trying to put on a uncaring face.

Sofia answered with a dubious grimace, and the other princess sighed in defeat.

"Oh fine! It's just hearing everyone talk about what schools they're going to... And...Well, I'm just feeling a little nervous about my first day is all." she half admitted.

Sofia could certainly understand that. After all, her face day of 'Royal Prep' away from 'Dunwiddie School' was filled with much of the same concerns. And even now, that pattern seemed to continuing with her upcoming transition to 'Everrealm Academy'.

"I know what you mean..." Sofia sympathized. "I'm a bit nervous for my first day at 'Everrealm Academy' too.

"Oh! It's not the same Sofia! At least you'll have Amber with you! And Clio will have Vivian! But no one I know is going to the 'School For Royal Fashions' with me." She lamented.

The Enchancian blinked at the explanation. Realization dawning on her that this was less about changing schools, and more about the other girl leaving her friends behind.

Sofia shrugged, "Well, sure I'll admit I have someone I know this time with me. But I didn't have anyone my first day of 'Royal Prep'. It was scary at first. Leaving all my friends behind at Dunwiddie. But I had such a good time at 'Royal Prep', and made so many new friends." She explained, smiling meaningfully at the older girl. "So I think if you'll give it a chance. It might be better than you think."

Hildegarde remained silent. Watching the younger princess as she spoke.

"Besides" Sofia continued, "Just because we don't go to the same school anymore. Doesn't mean we can't still spend time with each other."

"I suppose your right..." Hildegarde sighed, languidly fanning herself.

"And as for me and Amber. Though we may be going to the same school now. I'm still not completely sold on 'Everrealm Academy'. Who knows, maybe I'll try out the 'School of Royal Fashions' some time too. I do already know a lot of sewing thanks to my mom."

Hildegared smiled "Well, if she passed down her fashion sense to you as well. I'd say you'd be a shoe in." Recalling the lovely pink dress Queen Miranda had sewn for Sofia, for their 'Royal Prep' graduation.

The younger girl chuckled at that. "Thanks. Do you want to come back inside?"

"Hmm...I think I'll stay out here a bit longer."

Sofia frowned a little, worried perhaps that she hadn't reached the other girl. For as long as she'd known her, Hildegarde had borne a few obvious flaws. But she also knew that hidden underneath them were some insecurities. Especially, as the other princess had confided in her the day they were stuck in an enchanted painting together, when it came to making new friends. And although she had learned to overcome those things a bit. It seemed perhaps she was still having trouble outgrowing them...

Still, she didn't want to push her friend too much. So with a simple "Okay..." she returned to the party. Leaving Friezenburg's princess alone with her thoughts once more.

With the other girl gone, Hildegarde took some time to consider her words. Maybe Sofia was right... Maybe she should just try to focus on making some new friends at her new school...

With that thought in mind, the dark haired princess turned herself about to look through the window at the awaiting party within. Inside she could see Clio and Vivian talking happily with one another. Their faces brightening with cheer as they giggled together at some unheard joke.

The sight set Hildegarde's blood to boil. She sneered in disgust, snapping her fan shut and turning back around.

Hmph! she pouted thinking of the two girls still inside. Clio was her best friend! Had been so since they were both little. Why should she bother making new friends!? She should just be with Clio! But it's not as though she could make the other girl go to the same school as her. True, there was a time when she definitely would have tried. And probably would have succeeded. But she honestly was trying to allow Clio her own independence. Still, it was hard not to have her sidekick with her all the time anymore...

"I just wish I could spend more time with Clio?..." she admitted aloud. Resting her chin in her hand.

"Oh! Does someone have a wish?"

"Who said that!" Hildegarde perked up in surprise.

"I did!"

"Who?" she asked once more. Looking around in confusion.

"Me!"

Hildegarde flinched in surprise, when suddenly a woman with wings marerialized in the air just above her. Facing the opposite direction.

"Oops!" She giggled before turning herself around. The fairy was dressed in a poofy green dress that matched her eyes. Her blonde hair was styled into two cones a top her head. The tips of them adorned with lighter green puff balls.

"Who are you?" Hildegarde asked, still a little surprise.

"My name's Dippy!" she introduced. "I'm a Fairy Godmother!"

"I have a Fairy Godmother!?" Hildegarde exclaimed. Her eyes lighting up.

"Of course!" Dippy cheered. "I mean... If you'll have me. I'm a little out of a job..." she giggled nervously, swaying side to side.

"Yes!" Hildegarde agreed, "I've always wanted a Fairy Godmother!"

"Excellent! Well, you must know that my job is making your dreams come true. So, what's your dream?"

"I want to be able to spend more time with my friend Clio." Hildegarde said confidently. Getting straight to the point.

"Of course! Now where is my wand?..." Dippy mused, searching her person. "Ah! Here it is! Oops!" the fairy fumbled a bit when she nearly dropped the magical device.

"Now lets see..." she tapped the wand to her temple in thought. "Something to do with time... Oh, I know!"

With a quick twirl of her wand, Dippy produced a small glass ball into the palm of her hand. Which she passed over to the confused princess

"What's this?" Hildegarde asked. Examaning the orb curiously, she saw there was a small white string coming out of it.

"Something to help with your problem!" The fairy smiled, before grimacing slightly "...I think "

Hildegarde eyed her dubiously. What did she mean? How exactly was this thing supposed to help her?

"Hildy?"

Before she could ask more questions. Hildegarde caught the voice of Clio, who had arrived at the balcony. The pink clad princess clearly searching for her best friend.

"There you are!" She said, "What are you doing out here?"

"Oh! I was just getting some fresh air." Hildegarde half lied, hiding the ball behind her back.

"Is everything alright?" Clio asked. Tilting her head in concern.

"Oh yes! Everythings fine I was just..." she looked over her shoulder a bit to see that Dippy had vanished.

"I was just about to come back inside." she smiled.

"Oh. Okay. Well let's go then." Clio said, taking her friend's hand and guiding her inside. Having accepted the other girl's explanation.

"Yes, let's." Hildegarde agreed, discreetly pocketing the ball into her blue dress. And placing her now free hand a top Clio's.

The two girls returned together to the party. Their evening continued on pleasantly. But the purpose of the mysterious crystal ball weighed within Hildegarde's mind all through out...

Still. She supposed she could just figure it out later.

A/N: Thank you for reading. I know it's very different from how the original story is so far. But hopefully I'll still be able to be true to the heart of it. I'll be back after Christmas. And hopefully I'll have the rest of this story ready to post by then.

Oh! And just so you know. I didn't forget about Khalid also attending the 'School For Royal Fashions'. Hildegarde did though, lol. He'll be making an appearance in this story too.