The Monster of Hexley Hall

Summary: *Based loosely on The Hunchback of Notre Dame.* Cedric is a reclusive sorcerer who was taken in by Grimtrix the Good many years ago, now living within the confines of Hexley Hall and never daring to venture beyond the school grounds. When a newly recruited student named Sofia begins attending the school, Cedric is immediately drawn to her for some reason. In addition, there is a dark secret lurking below the surface of the pristine magical school's exterior: students are getting severely injured, and some have even perished. When Sofia appears to become a target, Cedric will do anything he can to protect her while also trying to solve the mystery of what is happening to the other students. (An AquaMan Production. Read Me a Story format. Takes place 5 years after my "Season 5" stories.)

Disclaimer: I own neither Sofia the First nor The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Tanya and Nana belong to MarionetteJ2X. Serena and Charlie belong to me, and so do a few OCs mentioned in this story.


Chapter 12: Chasing Away the Monsters


"And as it turned out," Cedric finished, smiling at both Serena and Charlie, whose eyes were wide while they held each other's hands and leaned forward to hear the ending of the story, "the real monster of Hexley Hall…was gone for good."

"And true love and friendship conquered in the end," Sofia concluded, brushing her hand through Nana's hair and pressing a soft kiss to her temple. "Grimtrix's evil spells and dark powers didn't hold a candle to the love that countered him. He was the monster, not Cedric; his marks were not his fault, and they didn't keep him from finally living his life with the one he loved. The end."

"Is it just me, or did it feel like it took several days to get through the story?" Tanya asked, yawning and laughing as Cedric playfully nudged her.

"I liked it!" Charlie gushed with a grin. "And even Uncle Greylock showed up in the story! Wow!"

"So, I get the story," Serena informed them, nodding thoughtfully. "Like Papa—or Papa in the story anyway… It's not Nana's fault that she came from bad people and dark stuff. That's not her. She's really nice and pretty and fun!"

Nana blushed modestly, passing her little sister a warm smile.

"And she shares her cupcakes!" Charlie added, his wide eyes filled with glee. "Tanya hides hers!"

"I do not eat cupcakes," Tanya countered with a smirk.

Sofia laughed. "Now that's a lie… I saw you swipe two before supper the other day."

The white-haired teen stared pointedly at her mother before sighing. "Anyway… Would you like me to put the little ones to bed?"

"We've got it, Tanya!" Serena slid off the bed and giggled as Charlie dived into her arms, knocking her over. "Ow!"

Cedric blinked, used to this chaos by now, and deadpanned as he turned to Tanya. "Yes, Tanya, please do…" He chuckled as his oldest daughter guided the younger kids out of the room and down the hallway, and then he sat up, turning to Nana. "I hope this story helps you understand the message we wanted to convey, Nana. Even with a dark start to your life, you're still such a bright light now, just like your Mama."

Sofia smiled, still feeling shy and flattered each time her husband said something so sweet, even after all this time. "Cedric…"

Nana nodded, sighing softly, a little smile on her face.

"You're still our little Strawbaby too," Cedric continued, ruffling her leaf cap as she laughed silently. "And we have no problem handling any bullies. But you just march into that school with your head held high. You're the daughter of Princess Sofia and Cedric the Sensational. You've saved the realm. You're more powerful than most of those kids there. Don't let them get to you, my darling." He smiled as Nana leaned forward and hugged him, and he returned it with a hum. "I love you, Nana. Both your mother and I love you so very much."

She sat back and held her hands to her chest before extending them outward, her way of expressing love ever since she was a little Strawbaby. She then hugged Sofia, enjoying the familiar warmth and vanilla scent that always seemed to follow her.

When Nana finally left, feeling renewed and confident again, Sofia tackled Cedric to the bed, kissing him lovingly.

Cedric laughed when Sofia broke the kiss. "Not that I'm complaining, my love, but… What was that for?"

"I'm just grateful you didn't fulfill Grimtrix's schemes all those years ago," she reminded him. "You learned your lesson, and you've more than made up for that and then some at this point. And you're such a good role model for the kids…"

In fact, the former royal sorcerer had been very open and candid with all four of their children about his past. It showed them that no one was perfect, and everyone had to make a decision on how to live life as well as recognize the difference between right and wrong. There was no sense in hiding the past, because it was clear that many could learn from it.

"Mm, not as good as you are," he whispered, playfully tugging first on her hair and then cradling the amulet in his hand. "No one could outshine my Sofia…"

She leaned down, ghosting her lips across his neck, a nice recall to the prelude of their relationship, giggling as he gasped at the sensitive gesture. She then trailed her lips up to his own, pressing a soft kiss there. "Allow me to thank you for saving me from Grimtrix…again…"

"You did that in the story, my dear," he reminded her, laughing. "Sharing the marks—nice touch, by the way."

"Thanks. I figured it was just sugary sweet and emotional enough to make sense in the dark depths of the story…" She gazed down at him affectionately. "Well… Now that Cedric has won Sofia's heart yet again… What happens next?"

"Oh, don't you know?" He slowly rolled her over, hovering over her, whispering into her ear, "They live happily ever after."

She giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I like the sound of that." With nothing more to say, she sighed happily as he kissed her, the familiarity of his body aligning with hers still sending chills down her spine. 'Love me, Cedric,' she'd told him all those years ago. And he did. He always would.

And any monsters that dared try to tear them apart? They'd be chased away, just like the sunlight chased away the darkness each morning.

The end