Disclaimer: I do not own Sofia The First

Cedric eyed the potion carefully as he put in the last ingredient. His anxious expression changing to one of dismay as it turned a sickly yellow. Nothing at all like the clear aquamarine it was supposed to.

"Merlin's Mushrooms!" he groaned, burying his face in the table, and he was almost out of ingredients too. Meaning at this rate he'd either have to turn in a failed assignment, or ask his father for more.

Not finding either prospect appealing, he decided it'd better to take a break instead, before trying it again one last time. Retreating from his room to get some fresh air outside.

"Mutato Rubio!"

"Huh?" looking out into the gardens he spotted that new princess. What was her name again?...ah yes, Sofia.

Honestly, he hadn't paid too much attention to her since her arrival. In fact, they had hardly interacted with one another save for that first day. When they'd accidentally bumped into each other in the hallway.

Still, he couldn't help but notice a few things. Such as how nervous she seemed those first days. As well as the fact that her and Prince James seemed to be getting along quite well now; whereas Princess Amber on the other hand, was still giving her the cold should. Girl didn't even show up to her new sister's debute ball.

But of course, all of that was of little concern to him. The royal family inhabited a world different from his own. He was after all, only the son of a servant. A very high ranking servant, yes, but a servant nonetheless; and while his own father and King Roland II got on pretty well, he himself wasn't exactly held in the highest esteem. Even the royal twins, (and recently, his own sister) were by no means his friends.

With that in mind, normally he'd pay the sight no mind, and just continue on his way. However, this time around curiosity seemed to get the better of him; and before he'd known it, his feet had carried him to where the young girl sat. A gray rabbit at her side, and the makings of a small picnic spread out on a blanket before them. Which included an unusual amount of tomatoes and...rocks?

"Mutato Rubio!" she chanted again. One of the stones quivering with magic for a bit before transforming into another tomato.

"Oh Clover, it was supposed to turn into a ruby, " she lamented to some unknown figure. Perhaps the rabbit who had eagerly began munching on the fruit.

Cedric understood now. This must have been one of the spells they taught at the Royal Preparatory Academy's magic class. He couldn't help the smug satisfaction that came to him. Of course, he had already learned the same spell a couple of years ago.

He watched as she tried again, producing the same failed result.

"What am I doing wrong?" she sighed.

"You're too halfhearted."

"Huh?" finally turning around to look at him. Cedric flinching slightly. Had he said that out loud?

"Hey, who asked you buddy?" Clover glared suspiciously. His intimidation going unnoticed by the boy. But Sofia hushed her bunny friend with a low whisper anyway.

"What do you mean?" she asked. Looking up at him expectant, almost hopefully.

He hesitated a moment, feeling suddenly put on the spot, albeit through his own fault. But cleared his throat and explained:

"You need to wave your wand with more confidence. Like this," demonstrating the proper motion with his own wand, which she mimicked. "Then, say the spell clearly, otherwise it won't work."

She nodded, then tried again utilizing his advice. The rock transforming into...a ruby!

Blue eyes lit up, and she let out a delighted gasp. "I did it! I really did it!"

He shrugged, "Well, it's a simple enough spell."

"Thanks for helping me, Cedric." Beaming up at him.

He felt his heart flutter a moment, and blushed. "Oh...um...it was nothing. Just something my father taught me." His nose then wrinkled as he realized something. "Wait...You know my name?"

"Well, of course I do," she said as if it was obvious that she should.

He gaped, still surprised. Before brushing it off with an, "Oh, um, yeah...of course." Standing there awkwardly a moment more before announcing, "Well, I guess I better go."

"Wait!" she called out; and he stopped, turning back to her.

"Would you like to join us for our picnic?" she offered, gesturing to the blanket. "It's not much, but we've got cookies and lots of fruits and veggies. Especially tomatoes," she added with a giggle. "Though I think Clover may want most of those." Observing the still munching rabbit with amusement.

Cedric hesitated a moment, having grown a bit wary of others since his sister's ball. But something inside him told him he could trust her.

"Alright..." he agreed, taking a seat next to her. "um...Thank you, Princess."

"Call me, Sofia," she insisted, taking his hand, and causing that warm feeling from earlier to rise up within him again.

"Sofia," he echoed. A slight smile coming to his face, finding he liked saying it. As he did also that first afternoon they shared together; and the many more that followed after.

A/N: Thanks for reading. I wanted to do a same age AU take on Sofia's first magic lesson with Cedric. The moment that kick started their friendship. And I thought this would be a fun way to get around the whole "Cedric is not yet Royal Sorcerer in this universe, and therefore she would have gone to Goodwyn for help instead" dilemma, lol.

Oh! And as for Cedric's own assignment. I like to imagine that it ended up turning out just fine for him. No doubt, thanks to being able to spend some time with his new friend ;).

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it.