*Just a friendly disclaimer. I don't own any rights to Sofia the First. Sofia the First and the characters herein is/are the property of Disney and are not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.

CHAPTER 1

I'VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED

Sofia knocked three times on the large wooden door and waited for a sign to enter; only to hear a loud crash coming from the other side. She smiled to herself, gently shook her head back and forth, and pushed the door open. Standing in a plume of blue smoke was the Royal Sorcerer, Cedric, coughing and muttering "M-Mm-Merlins m-m-mushrooms!" His jet black Raven, Wormwood, ruffled his feathers at his master from his perch on the chair, kawed a few choice words and flew out the window. Sofia giggled at the sight of her magic teacher all soot covered and flustered. It was a normal occurrence for him to drop things when people knocked on his tower door, he was rather easy to startle. "P-Posiden's p-pumpkins Princess, n-n-now I have to start f-from the beginning." He yelled at her, raising his hands up in the air shaking them at her. He'll never change. She thought to herself.

She just softly giggled at him again, tossing her long auburn locks side to side. She raised her hand up to cover her mouth and said "I'm sorry Mr. Cedric, but I was just so excited to see you! I've been away so long, I missed our lessons... here I'll help you clean up." She walked over to him, grabbed up the corner of her dress and began to wipe his face off. He stood there at attention, in shock for a moment, and then quickly pushed her hands away.

"I-I-I'm fine, now I have to fix your dress as well." He sighed, flicked his wand, uttered a spell and the mess was gone. He straightened out his robes, pointed his wand at the corner of her dress that still in her hand, uttered a different spell, and it was clean. "P-p-put your skirts down girl, before someone gets the wrong impression." Sofia blushed at the thought and let go of her hemline.

"Mr. Cedric, really..." She chided him, running her hands over her lavender colored, silk dress to flatten out any wrinkles. She was a woman now, 17 years old, and was quite curvy compared to her sister Amber, who was tall and lean. Sofia had grown up and filled out to be an ideal woman while traveling the world, on and off, as an ambassador for the Eastern Kingdoms the last few years. Cedric ran his eyes up and down her as she flattened out the wrinkles.

"D-don't Mister Cedric me." He said turning away from her, staring down at his book instead. "If your father had walked in I'd be in a hangman's noose before you could utter a word." He ran his hand up to his neck and shook his head slightly.

"Daddy never comes to your tower though, Mr. Cedric."

"Well on the off chance, I'd rather be safe than sorry Princess. Its my head not yours." She rolled her eyes at him and smiled.

"Moving on," she whispered under her breath "so Mr. C-ee-dric, what were you making? What can I help do since I messed you up?" She asked approaching him with her hands clasped behind her back, trying to spy the potion book.

He snorted at her playfulness and ignored the pet name. "It's a rather difficult potion that will take me the rest of the day finish now." He sighed, placing his hands on either side of the open potion book on his desk. He glanced over at her and saw her frown; he sighed, looked back down at this book, and the corners of his mouth upturned ever so slightly. "I'll need the Prismatiumn butterfly wing dust, lavender, snowberries, unicorn horn shavings and the lotus dust to start with." Sofia smiled, clasped her hands together and ran off towards the storage closet. "Damn that girl." He muttered under his breath, smiling to himself.

Minutes passed and he lost himself in his thoughts.

"So what are we making?" She asked upon reentering the chamber with an armload of ingredients.

"It's a healing draught. A highly advanced one," he glanced over as she laid down the vials and bottles on his desk. She shot him a worried look. "Don't worry its not for anyone here. Your father asked if I could conjure up something for King Magnus."

"The king of Rudistan? Why what's wrong?"

"Well, Princess, you remember the man... you know how he is. He went on boasting about his hunting skills and got into an accident. He's not fairing too well, I'm afraid." Cedric explained sprinkling ingredients into the caldron.

"So Daddy asked you to help him... and I messed up your potion..." She began to frown as she connected the dots.

"Don't fret Princess, It'll be done in half the time now that you're helping." He tried reassuring her before the outbreak of tears. She nodded. Still seeing doubt in her eyes he continued "Here you take over while I gather the rest of the components." He took her hand in his and guided her over to the caldron, swapping spots with her. "Just follow the directions, you know what to do Princess. I'll be right back." She sighed as he walked away. It was her fault they were beginning all over, all the while King Magnus waiting ill. She felt terrible, the poor man was suffering longer due to her disturbing Cedric. She lost herself in her thoughts while she worked. She didn't know how long Cedric was gone, but she had got far enough in the recipe that she needed the next ingredients. Where was he?

"Mr. Cedric? I'm ready for the next components." She said raising her voice so he could hear her from the anti-chamber.

"One moment!" He shouted. "B-b-blast it where is that violet powder..." She shook her head and made her way over to the ingredient closet. She glanced around while he was studying a corner with his hands full.

"However did you manage without me?" She giggled plucking the bottle off the shelf. He turned, looked her over, grunted and stalked out of the room.

"You seem to have forgotten you were away for over a year this time... and I'm still here. I manage j-just fine without your p-presence P-Princess." He shot at her while he added the last of the items to the brew.

"Mr. Cedric..."she began tossing her curls back and forth, peering over his shoulder as he worked. "I was only teasing... anyways it looks like the shelves could use some organizing... now that I'm back..."

"If that's what you want to do, g-go right ahead." He stammered waving his hand back at her.

She leapt up from behind him, gave him a hug around his shoulders, and planted a kiss on his cheek. "I'll start right away then." She beamed, immediately turning and running into the ingredient closet before he could utter a word. His cheeks turned beet red as he blushed from her sudden display of affection. He grumbled to himself, then smiled unknowingly.

He was glad to have her back in his workshop.

Hours past as they worked on the healing draught and the closet; the sun was setting in the distance, casting a pinkish gold light onto the castle. Sofia starred out the tower window watching the sight unfold. "Oh how I missed this view." She sighed resting her head on her hands, propping her elbows up on the windowsill. "You have the best view in the whole kingdom Mr. Cedric."

"I guess I never paid attention..." He said casting her a glance as he poured the purple colored liquid into a vial.

"How could you not notice silly?" She joked, looking at him from the corner of her eye. "You spend nearly every evening here. Its beautiful." He stoppered the vial and put it onto the rack, closed the potion book and began to sit down only to be pulled over to the window by a pair of delicate hands. "Here look," Sofia stated positioning him where she had just been standing. "isn't it just ah-mazing?" She finished resting her head on his shoulder, gazing out the window again.

"I-I...W-well I sup-p-pose it is, P-Princess." He said nervously as he twiddled his fingertips together, looking back and forth between her and the sunset.

"You can't tell me you've really never watched the sunset from here..." She almost whispered looking up to his face.

"I-I g-guess there are other m-more imp-p-portant t-things that always g-get I'm my w-way of it." He managed to get out, gulping down his nervousness, at her closeness.

"Life can't be all about work Mr. C-ee-dric." She tittered. "You have to take moments to enjoy the simplistic things; the beauty of the world we live in..." She turned to face him. "You gotta live a little." She finished taking his hands in hers, giving them a tight squeeze for emphasis. He gazed down at their hands, trying to calm his nerves; he never did understand how she was always so good at invading his personal space so easily.

A loud rapping came from the door. "Cedric I'm sorry to bother you, I'm looking for Princess Sofia." Baileywick announced entering the workshop. Cedric shot backwards away from Sofia so fast he tumbled over.

"Mr. Cedric are you okay?" Sofia asked running over to him, seeing that he was fine, she helped him up and giggled yet again. "You've not changed one bit Mr. C-ee-dric."

"Oh, there you are Princess!" Baileywick exclaimed, clasping his hands in joy. "I've been all over looking for you! Dinner will be served shortly on the veranda. Your mother and father thought it would be nice to have a small celebration of your return." Cedric, being completely ignored by the steward, straightened out his robes, grunted and stalked over to his desk.

"Oh, I'm so sorry I was helping Mr. Cedric with his potion. Thank you Baileywick, I'll be there momentarily."

"Alright Princess, good evening." Baileywick bowed taking his leave.

"That's what I meant earlier!" Cedric hissed at her as soon as the door shut. "You're going to be the death of me, and you've only been back one day!" He finished turning to her shaking her finger at her.

"Mr. Cedric...I don't understand..."

"W-w-what d-do you mean you don't u-understand girl?! Do I h-have to spell it o-out for you?"

"Spell what out? What are you talking about?" She asked with hands on her hips. Cedric rolled his eyes and took a seat in his desk chair. Frustrated he ran his hands through his hair and sighed.

"Sofia...I guess it is hard for you to see..." He sighed looking her over. "Sometimes I envy your naivete." He shook his head, his grey bangs sweeping side to side. "You have to watch personal boundaries now... you're not a c-child anymore... things can be m-misinterpreted." She stood there waiting, a puzzled look on her face. "Oh my, you really are too innocent and naïve, to see." He stood up to face her, ran his hand through his hair once again. "Princess; you're kind and considerate to everyone, you're compassionate and amiable, your heart shows no bounds... but now that you're... w-well you're a woman now... a-and that can create p-pr-problems for people who you consider f-friends... not everyone m-may see it as f-friendly and innocent as you." She was still giving him a quizzical look, seeming lost more than ever. "M-Meaning, although, for example; we've known one another for many years, and you without a second thought see it perfectly fine to h-hug me or …" he nervously loosened his neck tie as he spoke "o-other things t-that invade my p-personal space..." His nerves still getting the better of him he tapped his fingertips together as he continued "a-and although I m-might not m-m-mind, your f-family on the other hand m-might. M-m-meaning p-people might s-see something... s-s-se-sexual instead." He gulped, hoping that he finally got through to her.

Her hands shot up to her cheeks, which were flushed now pink "Mr. Cedric!"

"I-I'm just being ho-honest. Y-you don't see it b-but you p-put me in v-very comp-pr-promising positions sometimes." He sputtered, holding his hands out, palms up, as if in defeat. She frowned at him.

"I...I don't mean to... I can't help it... I just, I'm comfy around you." She shrugged, wringing her hands. "I can always be myself... and you never... seemed to mind." She finished turning away from him, her voice drifting off.

Then he heard it; sniffles.

"Princess... P-please d-don't. I..." he started, he sighed instead and put a hand on her shoulder. "I didn't mean to make you cry Princess." She shook her head, her auburn locks running over his hand.

"I-I'm the one w-who's sorry." She managed between sobs. "I never meant, to put you in that position... It never occurred to me someone might think..." She cried turning to him. He sighed in defeat and pulled her to his chest. She hesitantly stood there not knowing what to do, in light of the implications of the conversation. He wrapped his arms around her and taking his lead she buried her head in his chest, and wrapped her arms around his torso.

"It's okay, I-I was t-to harsh on you. I overreacted. I'm sorry Sofia. I just...well, you understand what people think of me... you're really the only friend I have beside Wormy..." He was absent mindedly stroking her hair as he spoke; her tears slowly subsiding. "You might understand me, but t-they don't... I d-don't want people to have the w-wrong impression of our relationship b-because we are m-more than just m-mentor and apprentice..." He sighed, burying his head into her hair on her shoulder. "Because over all these years you've become more than that to me." He confided, gripping her closer to him. "When you're gone and it's just me and Wormy... I'm so alone. A-a-and although I act contrary, I-I do enjoy it when you're here... you breath life into this cold stone tower. But if anyone ever knew that, they'd snatch you away again, and I'd be left alone again." He continued his voice becoming softer, almost a whisper. "That's why I react how I do... that's why I c-chide you and s-scold you, not to hurt you... but to keep you at arms length..." He took a step back and held her literally at arms length. "You have no idea how I m-miss you when you're away... you saw the closet, my w-workshop..." He shook his head and scoffed. "You're the glue that keeps me put together. And I don't want to ruin that. I'm the Royal Sorcerer, I have a d-duty to the Royal family, I'm not s-supposed to have close r-relationships with them... but I can't help it with you... I just... can't." He finished enervated. She stared at him taking in his words, searching for a reply.

"I've gone and said too much." He sighed pulling away his hands.

She smiled softly up at him, gripping his hand on her shoulder before he could remove it, and quietly replied. "I guess I can't either." It earned her a small smile from Cedric. She wrapped him in a hug before he could step away. "I'm sorry Mr. Cedric, I didn't realize... you felt that way. And I agree with you. I feel the same way... Though, I guess I do I have lots of friends, but you're the only person I feel that I can really be myself around. I don't have to impress you, although I do try to make you proud with my magic..." she smiled at him demurely. "I don't have to feel like things are expected of me... I've missed you a lot while I was away, you're one of my dearest friends and I hope you always will be. I understand that I have to be aware of how I conduct myself around you now, so not to jeopardize our relationship." She said drawing back to look him in the face.

"You mean jeopardize my life." He muttered. At that her smile turned to a frown again.

"I suppose it is more serious for you... Daddy can jump to conclusions rather fast."

"Your father isn't the only one. That sister of yours spreads more rumors than anyone in the entire Kingdom."

"I guess I have to be more careful about what I say to them about you then... and control myself not to hug you as much." she laughed. He smiled.

"Then we have an understanding?" He asked her holding her hands in his. She nodded and shook his hands for emphasis.

"Onelasthug!" She shouted as she sprang on him, causing them both to tumble to the ground. She wrapped her arms around his neck tightly laughing in his ear. Again he smiled while she couldn't see. He ran his hand over her hips and up her back, and wrapped his arms tightly around her.

"Last one." He whispered. He felt the changes in her body, she indeed was a woman now; her breasts were plump and pressed hardly against him, she had curves in all the correct places. How could he not notice? How could she be so oblivious? They laid there longer than they should, wrapped in each others embrace. Cedric finally loosened his grip, letting his hands rest on her hips. "Don't you think you better meet your family for supper? Baileywick will be back here looking for you again. A-and I can tell you if he f-found us like this it would be the h-hangman's n-noose for me, for sure."

"Oh!" She said sitting up, now straddling him, absolutely unaware. "I completely forgot!"

"Best get going then, Dear." He said laying there on the tower floor, his hands now resting on his chest. She nodded, and quickly planted a kiss on his nose.

"See you tomorrow Mr. Cedric!" She yelled as she closed the door behind her.

Cedric lay on the floor, his hands still on his chest, staring off into space. "Damn. Damn. Damn. Damn." Wormy flew into the tower, found his master on the floor and swooped down beside him. He kawed a few times and pecked at his arm. "Oh Wormwood, I've really done it this time... my days are surely numbered."