Proof Positive

Summary: Cedric and Sofia attend a sorcery seminar in the Kingdom of Helvetica where they run into Gabriella, a reformed sorceress-in-training whom they encountered a few years ago. She informs them that her mentor, Sir Finlay, has been arrested on what she proclaims are false charges of treason and seeks their help to clear his name. *Many references to "Magic of Memories"* *Chapter story*

Disclaimer: I don't own Sofia the First. I only own Gabriella, Sir Finlay, the Kingdom of Helvetica, and any original characters associated with it.

A/N: Hi, all! Yes, I know, I've updated quite a lot today. It's one of my final days of summer freedom, so I'm using it to the best of my ability. Also, Royal Detective asked me how I did the smiley thing. I have no clue. Lol. I think it's because I was on an updated version of Microsoft Word on my laptop, and it inserted an emoji for whatever reason. I'm back on my normal computer now, and this version isn't doing that for whatever reason. So yeah, no clue! Also, I know Ira seems a little silly now, but just hang on. I'm not done with him yet! You'll see him again soon. Onward we go! :)

*Story*

Chapter 4: A Break in the Pattern

"There is no doubt in my mind that Sir Finlay was framed," Cedric told the girls as they remained in the workshop, discussing their plans. "However, I need more information. Miss Gabriella, take me back through that day when he was arrested. What exactly had transpired before all of that happened?"

"Well…" She held one hand to her forehead as she attempted to recall the events of the day. "It was a Friday. I'd said goodbye to him that morning, because he had told me of a meeting he had to attend in another kingdom. I didn't even think anything of it. He's a sorcerer—he always has royal meetings and such."

Cedric nodded with a heavy sigh. "I know his pain." He smiled lightly as Sofia giggled. "What happened next?"

"I tidied up the workshop and got to work on some of our spells we'd been working on. I wasn't feeling well at one point, so I decided to take a nap. Several hours later, I woke up and took a walk to get some fresh air, and maybe some food. Finlay actually met me in the hallway, which seemed about right as far as timing went. Right after he met up with me, that's when he was arrested."

"So," Sofia started as she tried to piece things together. "Sir Finlay was gone to a business conference when all of this was going on. But people said that they saw him making claims of taking over the kingdom? Something isn't right here." She frowned before glancing at Cedric. "How hard is it to make a masquerading potion?"

"Not too terribly hard if you have the correct ingredients," he responded before blinking. "So you're thinking someone was pretending to be him, not just framing him."

Gabriella nodded solemnly. "It makes sense. But who would be dumb enough to try to imitate Finny?"

"Someone who was successful, I'm afraid," the sorcerer told her. "Miss Gabriella, are there colleagues of Sir Finlay's who could testify to his being there?"

"Of course. Oswald the Honorable. George the Gentle. Marilyn the Mighty. And plenty others I'm sure… But getting all of them together before the king would be nearly impossible. For starters, despite knowing their names, I don't know where they live…" She folded her arms. "So maybe we need another tactic?"

"I hate to ask it," Cedric continued, "but did he have any enemies? Or did he, perhaps, even accidentally slight or offend someone?"

"Finlay? No. Everyone loves him." She smiled lightly at the thought of her husband. "Even the hardest hearts like him. I guess that's what drew me to him…"

The princess had been listening to all of this and suddenly stood up. "Miss Gabriella, do you know of any shapeshifters in Helvetica by any chance? I know it's a long shot, but if not, I have another plan."

Gabriella pondered her question before shaking her head. "No 'shapeshifters,' per se. There are plenty who dabble in magic on and off, but there's no one who—oh, no." Her eyes widened.

"What is it?" Sofia asked in concern.

"There was, um… There was something that happened a few weeks ago that I just recalled. Finny and I were at a social event for Helvetica, and we were approached by this boy…"

*A few weeks ago*

"Another cider, my dear?" Sir Finlay asked his apprentice as he offered her a glass of the golden substance.

She giggled and waved it away. "I really shouldn't, Finlay. Besides, it's getting late." Her eyes shifted to the king, who appeared to be glancing at them every now and then. "Do you think he knows?" she whispered as Sir Finlay drank her proffered cider.

"Honestly? As much as I admire King Cyprus, he's a bit dense when it comes to certain things."

The sorceress snickered. "Finlay the Flawless makes a snide remark about someone?" She grabbed him by his pendant and pulled him closer, their faces rather close to each other. "I'm impressed."

He chuckled. "First of all, that's not my title…don't even have one." He tapped her nose playfully, making her sputter. "Second of all, it wasn't a 'snide' remark. More an observation." He took her hand that was holding his pendant, releasing the gem, and kissed it gently, smirking as a rare blush made its way across her cheeks.

"Finny, what if they see?"

"Let them," he murmured, pulling her ever closer.

"Excuse me!"

They quickly pulled apart, surprised by the sudden intrusion. They observed what appeared to be a teenaged boy with his medium-length brown hair tied into a low ponytail and a red outfit to match his ruby eyes. He couldn't have been older than maybe nineteen, though he seemed rather strange at first look.

"May I help you?" Sir Finlay inquired as Gabriella moved behind him. He knew she was a bit more aloof with strangers, so he wasn't necessarily surprised at her reaction.

"You're Sir Finlay, aren't you?" the boy asked excitedly.

"I am—"

"Oh, my stars, it's so awesomely amazing to meet you!" He grabbed Sir Finlay's hand and started shaking it enthusiastically. "I'm Gideon, and I've been studying magic for a long time now. And if it pleases you, I'd love to come study magic with you!"

"Wait a minute," Gabriella interrupted, grabbing her husband's hand and pushing him away from the boy. "There's only one apprentice here, and that's me, kid. So back off."

The brunette raised his eyebrows at the girl before him. "Kind of old to be an apprentice, aren't you?"

"Why, you little-!" She growled as Sir Finlay took her arms and gently pulled her back. "Let me go, Finlay! I'm going to teach this little brat some manners!"

Gideon smirked at her reaction before smiling kindly toward the sorcerer. "If you ever decide you'd rather have a more compliant apprentice, just remember my name: Gideon."

"You'll never amount to anything," Gabriella seethed, her words dripping with venom. "Keep your precious ambitions to yourself, and stay away from my hu—mentor. Now go! Get out!" She didn't even realize that all eyes were on them now.

"I…" Gideon gasped when he felt a hand on his shoulder. A guard had come and was now escorting him out. He left without a fight.

"Was that really necessary?" Finlay asked as he released the girl and gave her a stern stare, his arms folded.

"I got a bad feeling from him," she mumbled in defense.

"It's called 'jealousy,' Gabby." He smirked when she tossed him a glare. "Remember? That horrid little feeling you get when someone tries to get my attention?"

"Oh, shut up. Besides, that's not even…what I really mean. I just don't get good feelings about that kid." She looked toward the exit, where the doors shut Gideon out.

"I wouldn't worry. The guards have taken care of him, and besides, I don't feel he's much of a threat either way." He unfolded his arms and reached forward, grasping her hands. "Now, where were we?"

She giggled as he pulled her in for a kiss.

*Present Day*

"So you became jealous that some boy was getting attention from Sir Finlay," Cedric concluded, rolling his eyes. "Dear girl, will you ever learn your lesson?"

"Mr. Cedric, I think you missed the point," Sofia giggled as Gabriella made an annoyed sound. "Miss Gabriella said he'd been kicked out of the party, but she also had a bad feeling about him." She looked toward the older girl. "Honestly, I get bad feelings about some people too. A lot of others tend to dismiss my bad feelings, but I know I'm right. Sounds like you've got the same thing."

"Yeah, maybe, but that's not even the creepy part. On the day Finlay was arrested for treason, I saw that kid in the hallways after I'd taken my nap; he was strutting around like he owned the place or something. But when I thought to follow after him and see what was going on, I lost him. Not much longer after that, Finlay arrived and greeted me. I remember needing to have a talk with him before getting arrested, and the rest is history…" She sighed, rubbing her arms. "I just miss him so much, you guys. And I can't just waltz into the dungeon, because it's heavily guarded… And he just seemed so confused when he was being hauled away like some common criminal…and I saw that look of betrayal on his face." She frowned, fisting her hands. "He didn't do it. I know it."

"I'm inclined to agree," Cedric informed her. "But without evidence—positive evidence vindicating him—we seem to be at a stalemate. What can we even do?"

Sofia smiled at both of them. "We can find Gideon," she suggested. "He seems to be the link here, and he's probably the only one who knows the truth."

"Even so, how are we going to persuade him to speak with us?"

The princess tapped her chin thoughtfully before grinning. "I have an idea. We need to go back to the Sorcery Seminar first, and then we'll find this Gideon person. But we need to hurry. We're running out of time."

With that plan in motion, the three friends left out the back part of the castle and headed on their way.

Meanwhile, in a small cabin on the outskirts of the Village of Smaragd where most of the subjects of Helvetica lived, a ponytailed brunette boy paced his floor fiercely, muttering to himself, before stopping and picking up what appeared to be a small portrait of Gabriella and Finlay. Anxious hands ripped the photo directly down the middle, Finlay's side cast aside while Gabriella's was burned in the candle on the desk that most of his work inhabited. "Make a fool of me, will you?" he muttered with an angry growl. "I'll make you pay…" He smirked as the portrait burned to cinders. "You're nothing without your mentor, Gabriella of Helvetica."

To be continued…