"Well?" Christina questioned, "I'm waiting,"

"I wanted to know what Valerie meant earlier," Sophie exclaimed brightly, "When she said you were almost her Mommy,"

Christina's curious expression crumpled causing the other girls to cringe while Sophie smiled obliviously.

"It's nothing, Sophie," Christina said slowly, "Just don't ask about it okay?"

"Okay," Sophie pouted as Christina retreated.

"I didn't mean to make her sad," she said, turning to the others.

"We know," Tannis grinned, reassuringly, flicking her blue streaked hair over her shoulder.

"It'll be okay," Winnie added with a smile of her own.

"Okay,"

…...


Sophie's question seemed all but forgotten at the breakfast table the next morning. Christina fluttered in humming happily as she poured another cup of coffee and joined them.

"Morning ladies," she greeted.

"Good morning, Christina," they chorused, except for Valerie who slumped in her chair with a scowl.

"Christina?"

"Yes, Tannis?"

"When are the others coming?"

"Soon,"

Nervousness shot down Sophie's spine. Others were coming? Were they going to be like Valerie who constantly scowled? These questions spun through her mind as she clutched at her stuffed dog tightly, eyes darting to the floor, focusing on her faded pink sneakers. She ate quickly and quietly, her eyes never leaving the floor.

After breakfast, the girls marched into Christina's classroom and took their seats.

"Okay, girls," Christina declared, clapping her hands for attention, "We'll be starting with magic class,"

Winnie, Tannis, and Phantasma cheered, Valerie, scoffed. Sophie watched curiously as Christina continued.

"Now, who can tell me what a magic touch is?"

"Is it like frosting on a cake?" Sophie guessed.

"No," Christina replied with a smile, "Anyone else?"

"Is it the natural-born ability to do magic?" Winnie tried.

"No,"

When no one else made a move to guess Christina continued, "A magic touch is that little something that separates magic users. Being able to talk to animals, knowing if someone's lying, being able to cheer spells, every touch is unique,"

"But none of us have magic!" Valerie drawled.

"Upsetting isn't it?" Phantasma snarked.

"Girls, eyes on me," Christina reminded them sternly, "And Valerie, why you may not have magic in the wand-wielding sense every single one of you, has a magic touch. Anyone care to guess what theirs may be?"

"I can control sand," Tannis offered.

Christina nodded, "Very good, anyone else?"

"I can make it really cold when I play music" Phantasma piped.

"Yes, you can," Christina nodded, faking a shiver, "Winnie?"

"I can tell what people are feeling?"

"Very good!"

"What's your magic touch?" Sophie asked Christina.

"Can you guess?" Christina grinned impishly.

"Can you talk to animals?"

"No, "

"She sings!" Winnie burst, "Stuff happens when she sings!"

"I suppose you girls want to see?"

"YES,"

"No," said Valerie.

Since she was out-voted however, Christina sang anyway.

Where the north wind meets the sea
There's a river full of memory
Sleep, my darling, safe and sound
For in this river all is found

The room was cast in blue light, making the girls ooh and ahh, magic floating through the air formed a river that rippled when touched.

In her waters, deep and true
Lie the answers and a path for you
Dive down deep into her sound
But not too far or you'll be drowned.

The river turned frothy, swirling, 'pulling' them into it.

"Sophie," Tannis whispered, "Look at the ceiling,"

They were now 'underwater' causing Sophie to gasp with delight.

Yes, she will sing to those who'll hear
And in her song, all magic flows
But can you brave what you most fear?
Can you face what the river knows?

Where the north wind meets the sea
There's a mother full of memory
Come, my darling, homeward bound
When all is lost, then all is found

"Wow," Sophie gasped when it all vanished.

"Now that we've had our fun lets get back to the discussion," Christina instructed.

…...


Later while Sophie was trying to read, there was a knock at the classroom door. She turned to look as did everyone else, finding the white-haired half-ghost Danny Phantom.

"Danny!" Christina exclaimed, "Been a while,"

"No kidding," Danny chuckled, "Dani said I had to come say hello,"

"Where is-AH" Christina jumped as the twelve-year-old half-ghost materialized behind her.

"Hi, Christina," she laughed, lightly.

"Dani, take a seat," Christina nodded, before turning back to Danny, "See you on Halloween?"

"Bet on it, bye Dani, have fun,"

"Sure thing,"

"And now we're only missing two,"

"Who?" Sophie whispered to Phantasma.

"Girls, eyes on me, please,"

…...


Only after classes let out did Sophie have a chance to study her newest classmate. Finding she could change from ghost to human and back as she had done shortly after arrival, reverting to her human state. Human Dani had black hair and blue eyes, dressed in a blue hoodie, red shorts, blue sneakers, and a beanie. The girls lazed about the main room now each doing their own thing while Miss Grimwood prepared dinner. Yet again, Sophie watched the outside, jumping when wolves darted past the window and ran into the room, each curiously sniffing. She squirmed trying to back away as they neared her.

"Down!" Christina ordered from the doorway, "You're scaring her,"

The trio of wolves sat down, heads hung in shame.

"Why are they inside?" Sophie squeaked, as Christina neared her.

"They're my pets,"

"They're very big,"

"I know but they're giant fluff-balls," Christina promised, "This is Fluffy," she pointed to the tan wolf, "Thunder," she pointed to the first black one who Sophie noticed only had three legs, "And Jade," she patted the black and silver wolf in the center.

"What happened to him?"

"Thunder got into a scrape as a pup but he's fine, you can pet them,"

Slowly she patted the heads of each finding that she could bury her hand in their fur.

"You like animals, Sophie?"

"Yes, Ma'am, I have a doggy at home,"

"Want to help me pick some peas?"

"Yeah,"

…...


"Why are there two gardens?"

"Because some of the girls like monsterized food. Spoiled food lends to that,"

"You don't?"

"No, I like a nice green salad, not a wilted one."

"Your garden is nice,"

"Thank you, Sophie but you haven't seen my real garden yet. Come on,"

Rising from the ground, Sophie followed her teacher noticing the apples, oranges, cherries, peas peppers, and carrots eventually gave way to a flower garden where roses in a myriad of colors bloomed.

"They don't have thorns,"

"Makes them easier to care for, go on have a look,"

There were bright colors everywhere. Blues, yellows, purples, pinks, and reds. Even the whites seemed to glow in the fading light.

"Is that a lizard?"

Christina picked up the scaly creature snoozing under a bush, "No, this is Matches, he's a teacup dragon and our unofficial school mascot,"

Upon hearing his name, Matches opened an eye and stretched.

"He likes to be pet,"

"Where?"

"On his head, right here, try,"

Using one finger Sophie rubbed the center of his head causing him to lean into her touch.

"He likes you!"

"He does?"

"Yeah, he's usually stand-offish," glancing at her phone Christina declared, "We have to go back inside now,"

"Okay,"

…...


Valerie intercepted Sophie as she was heading to bed. Pushing the much smaller girl into the wall.

"You don't belong here human,"

"But I'm not-"

"Furthermore stop being such a kiss-up,"

"What's that?"

"Something bad,"

"But I don't wanna be bad,"

"Then go away,"

"VALERIE JANE EASTON," Christina wrenched the girl away from the trembling five-year-old, "Go to your room young lady,"

"But-"

"Or you'll lose your video chatting privileges-"

"But Daddy doesn't always get to talk with me,"

"That's because he spends ninety percent of his time in a padded cell with a motion sensor,"

"That's your fault!"

"Room! Now!"

Valerie stormed away.

As soon as she was gone Sophie burst into tears, crumpling to the ground.

"She scares me!"

"I know but don't let her," Christina picked her up.

"I don't wanna go to sleep now,"

"Then how about we go to my room and I'll read you a story?"

"Okay,"

…...


Christina carried the shaking girl into her room, gently setting her on the bed and pulling the covers snug around her before retrieving the fairy tale book from the dresser across the room.

"Did you hurt yourself?" Sophie suddenly asked as Christina settled into bed, book in hand.

Glancing at herself, Christina noticed the scar on her chest was fully visible.

"No, just a scar. What story would you like to hear?"

"I like Sleeping Beauty,"

"Me too, all cozy?"

"Yes,"

"Okay then. Once Upon a Time..."

Sophie was out before the story was even over.

…...


The weekend brought even more new students. First was Webbigale, Gil's baby sister now twelve and looking remarkably like her brother. As usual, Sophie hid and stayed hidden until Dani dragged her from her hiding place to meet her newest classmate.

Saturday, when the girls were sent outside to play the final student, arrived. Sophie watched from the swing as she arrived. A red and gold werewolf hybrid who was instantly swept into a conversation with the other girls while her parents, a pretty werewolf and what Sophie guessed was a dragon stepped inside to speak with Miss Grimwood leaving the girl's brother to look around.

It was right about this time that Valerie looked up from her fashion magazine.

"Hell-lo! Hottie Alert!", Valerie said, her blood-red eyes blazing with desire as she took in the dark reptile. "Winnie! Who is THAT?"

"Which one? They're my cousins Drake and Lupa, twin kids of my cousin Clawdeen."

"Drake~", the vampire cooed. "You WILL be mine, my Prince!"

In a flash, Valerie was up in Drake's grill, surprising both him and Lupa! Winnie face-palmed as she groaned, "Uh oh."

"Hi there, Drake~. I'm Valerie~", she purred, her hands going to his chest to caress his collarbone then up to his chin. Taken aback by the rather forward vampire, he tried to back away, but she stayed right with him until she had him pinned against a tree, blushing furiously.

"Um Hi, Valerie", Drake replied nervously. Ghouls had flirted with him before but not like this! "I-I-I guess you're going to be one of my sister's classmates, huh?"

"Yes, I'm sure we'll be best friends,"

"Valerie," Christina called from the doorway, "You've got a video chat,"

"DADDY!" Valerie flew inside.

"Thanks, Aunt Christy," Drake sighed.

"Anything for my favorite Godson," Christina smiled, "There's a steak in the kitchen if you want it,"

"I'm your only godson and yes please,"

"Good, that thing is on the verge of being charcoal," Winnie snorted.

"Come on, let's get your sister settled in first," Christina decided, "There's ice cream afterward,"

Everyone rushed past in a blur making Christina smile.

…...


I figure that's a good stopping place for now. All the characters are in place so let's do this thing.

Also, any guesses as to who Sophie's parents are.

You'll find out next chapter (Maybe)