A/N: Okay so sorry about the delay... to make up for it I'm posting 2 chapters, so continue on after this.
I think my story has officially entered AU territory what with today's episode of "Cedric Be Good" but hey AU is all the better, right? I hope you're able to enjoy nonetheless. I feel like this chapter kind of sucks... and the next one is depressing and I apologize for that... I've had some heartbreak of my own lately. Hopefully I'll update again soon after this... but we'll see. Well, read (And if you review I love you all the more) and enjoy!

The sense of exhilaration and freedom continued. Long forgotten was the voice that rang through the hall and the knocking. She could go far away, much farther than she'd ever dared to imagine, to the hanging Gardens of Tangu, to the center of the city where all roads meet, to the highest mountain, to the depths of the deepest sea there she could go. Free and unfettered by her physical form,then return in less than a moment.

She could escape all the things that were weighing upon her, the expectations placed upon her. Somedays she wished she could go back to her care free days in the village, she could be free. Free from duty, free from heartache. She could escape, but escape isn't always a good thing, you can't hide from your mind no matter how much you try, try, try. She didn't think of this though. She merely enjoyed feeling like a leaf on a windy day. How long, however, would the wind blow?

That first night of attempting these travels was long, she only so often returned to her body, to flutter her eyes open, but then left it again. This was no different than sleep after all.

She didn't return to her corporeal form for good until she felt an insistent tugging, pulling her from where she sat by the edge of the sea on some distant beach in a far away kingdom. She heard a voice calling her again, "Sofia! Sofia! Wake up!" she felt herself falling and slowly she fluttered her eyes open.

Amber stood up above her looking mildly concerned.

"Amber?"
"Finally, you're awake. You slept like the dead! We are all worried about you. You slept through dinner last night and breakfast this morning!"
"Breakfast?!" Sofia cried sitting up. "What time is it now?"
"Nearly a quarter to eleven."
"Oh no…" Sofia groaned. She hadn't meant to be away that long. It hadn't seemed that long.

"I'm sorry… I guess I was just really tired." it wasn't a lie. Her body was rested. She still felt slightly ill though.

"Dreaming about your mystery man again?" asked Amber, giving her a knowing smirk.

Sofia flushed slightly. "No… nothing like that. Just of a beach…"

"Oh." Amber replied seeming a bit disappointed that Sofia hadn't any stories of romance to tell.

"Well, are you sure you're alright? You look awfully pale. What happened to you yesterday? Baileywick said you'd injured yourself, but didn't want to be disturbed."

"Yes, I'm fine. I cut my hand on some thorny rose branches yesterday. I didn't realize how badly till I got to my room. I was able to heal it myself. It was fine. I just wanted to sleep. I was tired."
"Well, that's a relief. We all thought it might be something worse. Mother checked in on you after dinner, but you were fast asleep. It was strange. She seemed to feel your presence during the meal and insisted she see you." that was interesting to hear. Her mother had sensed her, but not seen her when she had astral projected to that room.
"And mother wasn't the only one worried. Cedric was lurking outside your door for quite a while."
Sofia's eyes widened at this and she felt that flutter in her heart.

"He- he was?" That arguing she'd heard, it had been Cedric asking to see her. He must have found the rose and been worried, and then… someone calling to her… someone worried. It had been Cedric. He did care. She regretted not returning, not opening the door, she'd missed an opportunity. She had to see him and soon.
"Yes, whatever for, I haven't a clue. Baileywick and Daddy gave him a stern talking to. He was the first one to see you were hurt and didn't do a thing! Typical Cedric!"
Sofia's heart sank. Oh no, he'd be upset… she had to see him, now!
"It wasn't his fault. Sofia murmured. "He didn't notice I was hurt til later. I didn't give him a chance to."
Amber shrugged. "Well, he must have felt guilty or something."
Sofia nodded. She didn't want to make small talk anymore. She had to see the Sorcerer. Now.
"Well Amber, lunch is about an hour away, now isn't it? I'd best get ready. I wouldn't want to miss all three meals!"
"Do you want me to send for Violet to come help you dress?"
"Oh, no that's not necessary." the brunette said with a smile, knowing it would take up more time.
Amber raised an eyebrow at her, but shrugged her shoulders.

"Suit yourself. I'll see you at lunch, Sofia! And remember we still have ball plans to discuss!"
"Of course!" and Amber was gone. Sofia scrambled to dress as quickly as she could. She pulled a comb through her hair and she raced out of the room, in pursuit of her Sorcerer. The search was underway.

She had searched the halls high and low, not yet ready to go to his tower. She knew logically, that's where he would be, but for some reason there was still an element of fear in seeing him. She didn't want to bother him and if he was around the halls then it would be more by chance than an intrusion on his time. She had almost given up hope of running into him that afternoon until she came toward the Throne room and turned and to spy the object of her desires coming toward her. Her heart leapt in her chest, and she forced a smile. "Mr. Cedric!" she called softly.

He glanced in her direction but didn't stop walking.
"Princess." he said curtly in greeting, as he continued his walk to the throne room. Leaving poor, bewildered Sofia behind him. She stared at his retreating form feeling the hurt well up inside her.

She thought things would be alright. That he would at least stop and talk to her for a moment, but he still seemed angry. She was too stunned and somewhat nervous to say anything or to follow after him. She just stood there for a moment thinking "He probably didn't mean anything by it…" but she was upset. She lingered there for a few minutes longer until with a heavy sigh she headed to the dining hall.

Lunch was spent with Sofia assuring her family she was fine and then small talk with Amber about the last minute preparations for the Ball. The whole time she sat there thinking of a way she could go to Cedric and talk to him. She needed to let him know how sorry she was… for surely he must have been angry to treat her as he had, after he'd been worried about her only hours before. She was so confused. He seemed to care, but then he acted otherwise. She couldn't bear it anymore. The old her, would have confronted him. Well, not confronted him perhaps, but would have had no fear in approaching him. But things had changed between them. She had changed. And not for the better.

She soon came up with an idea. She would write him a letter asking him to meet her somewhere and then maybe they could finally have a dialogue about all that was going on between them. Yes, that is what she would do.

Once Lunch ended Sofia stayed with Amber a little longer making small talk, until the Blonde Princess had to depart to look at Tiara's to wear with her new gown. She's insisted Sofia come, but the darker haired girl had claimed she was feeling slightly shaky and ill and needed to rest and Amber obliged her wishes, although a bit begrudgingly, and now free Sofia rushed to her room and began writing a short note to leave for Cedric. She read it over.

Cedric, I'm sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean to cause any trouble for you. I hope you aren't too angry. I need to talk to you. About… everything that has been going on. It's important. Please meet me at 4:00 in the gardens. I'll be waiting by the Rose Bushes.

Sofia

She frowned it wasn't all she wanted to convey, but it would have to Suffice. With a deep breath, she climbed the steps to his tower and stood outside the door. She'd done it so many times before, but it was different now. She caressed the wood of the door and closed her eyes knowing he was there behind it. Her heart pounded and slowly she knelt and slipped the letter beneath his door. She waited for a moment until she ran down the steps hoping that he would come.

She'd come to the meeting place early and paced around looking at the roses, her memories overwhelming her. She waited and waited and waited, but the minutes passed and he didn't come. She felt her poor heart break, but then reminded herself, he could become so enrapt in whatever task he was undertaking there, was very well a chance he hadn't even noticed the letter lying right in front of the door. She wished there was a way she could find out. It dawned on her then, she could. She could astral project. After all, wasn't that one of the main reasons she had learned the skill, to see what he was hiding from her?
She felt a twinge of guilt at the thought of spying on him, but decided she really did need to know whether or not he was going to meet her. She walked to the nearby tree and she lay beneath it, closing her eyes and picturing herself being taken away by the breeze. She felt that tingling as she left her corporeal form and she pictured where she wished to go. To Cedric's workshop.

An instant later she was there in the room, her back facing the door. She glanced down to where the letter had been. It wasn't there. She felt a great deal of pain and then looked about the room. There was Cedric at his workbench. Seated on a stool. His shoulders slouched, his head in his hands. He was leaning over parchments. She could see her letter at his side the paper twisted… he'd seen it. He'd read it. He still hadn't come. The revelation hurt the poor girl even more. She stood there watching him. He seemed so tired and she cautiously came closer to him. He stiffened and his head perked up slightly.
"Who's there?!" he cried! He could sense her presence. Like her mother had. The fact he was skilled in the ways of magic too, made her realize that he could probably see her in her astral form. She panicked and just as Cedric began to turn around she returned to her body.

She opened her eyes and felt tears springing to them. He didn't care enough to come and talk with her to work out the problems between them. She was sorely disappointed. She was tempted to go back to the castle, since he wouldn't be coming anyway. She sighed. If only she could go somewhere she'd been happy. The field in her dreams, she'd been happy there. But it wasn't real. Or was it? She supposed she could find out and see. She closed her eyes and pictured it. The long grass, the ash tree… and then she was there. It looked different. Larger, the field led to a meadow with a small stream and the sky was blue, not the ever present grey of her dreams. There were wildflowers growing about. She wandered about the place, but gravitated to the large ash tree, half expecting to find her Sorcerer on the other side. He wasn't there of course. She sighed. Wishing she was truly here body and soul. It was beautiful and her spirits were lifted.

She stood there beneath the sun pierced leaves of the tree wishing for answers and that's when she heard it, the flapping of wings. She looked up and there was a blackbird. Her heart stopped. She watched as the bird gazed at her. "Will I know soon? Whether his love is false or true?" she thought to herself. It was unspoken, and the bird may have been just a bird, but it almost seemed to nod. Frightened she left the place following the silver cord back to where her body lay. Still alone. He hadn't come. She would find out his secrets tonight. While he hopefully slept.

The evening passed uneventfully, and Sofia once she retired in her room lay awake until the wee hours of the morning. If Cedric was asleep it might be now. He'd seemed so weary earlier. Slowly she closed her eyes and pictured herself once again in his workshop. It was dark except for a small light and the Sorcerer was nowhere to be seen. Even Wormwood was asleep at his perch. She walked about the room, there on his work table lay some parchments and a spell book. She remembered he had been very secretive over what had fallen on the floor. Surely he wouldn't have carelessly left them out? She walked over and though she was unable to move them, she could still read the titles.
"Spell for Achieving Your Heart's Desire." , "Dream Manipulation" and a third old parchment, with a familiar jewel on it "The Amulet of Avalor" she felt an unpleasant sensation in her chest. Had he been manipulating her dreams? Was he the one who was causing her to go mad? And the Amulet… he'd always taken a special interest in it when she was younger, constantly trying to have her take it off, but that had stopped after a while. Why did he have these parchments? She was brought out of her thoughts, when she heard, whimpering and cursing coming from the Sorcerer's bedchamber. Without thinking she pictured herself next to the Sorcerer and in an instant was at his bedside. He was asleep, dreaming. In the throes of what seemed to be a nightmare. The room was dark, but bathed by moonlight from the small window above his bed. The Sorcerer tossed and turned, muttering unintelligibly in his sleep… sweat glistened on his forehead. Sofia instinctively wanted to comfort him, without remembering she couldn't physically touch him, she ran a hand over the Man's forehead. Something strange happened, a bright light seemed to envelop her and suddenly she was somewhere else.

No longer was she at the Sorcerer's bedside, she was in a room that was darkened but oddly familiar, The throne room. Her family was around her, but no this wasn't right… they were all bowing? But to who? She looked up and there stood Cedric. But not her Cedric. He smiled cruelly down at the royals. A crown on his head, and a look of utter contempt on his face. She realized she was in his dream. But why would he dream such a thing? She looked and around his neck was a glowing purple jewel. Her amulet.
"Mr. Cedric?!" she cried out. This seemed to catch him off guard.
"Oh does the dear little Princess wish to speak?" he asked mockingly.

"What are you doing?!" she cried. "Mr. Cedric! This isn't you! Stop!"

something in his face twitched.
"Do you dare tell me what to do?! I think not. Not anymore!" he dragged her toward him, suddenly with his wand, dangling her in the air, but to where she was facing him. Sofia was terrified and kept reminding herself this wasn't real… it was a dream, but the fact he was dreaming this was all the more terrifying.
"Mr. Cedric, please stop! It's me… I'm your friend!" his face seemed to soften…. a look of lucidity coming into his eyes. "S-Sofia?"
"Yes! Please, you're dreaming! Please wake up… Please don't hurt me…"
He brought her down… everything else faded away… just the two of them facing one another.
He seemed to be confused… "I'd… I'd never hurt you Sofia…" he looked terrified and suddenly a look of relization came to his face.

"This… you're here aren't you? You know. Oh Merlin, No…" and suddenly she was back where she had been at his bedside… his eyes shot open and he looked her. He could see her.
"Sofia…" he whispered. He looked terrified and hurt and angry. She was overwhelmed and wanted nothing more than to return to her own room. She closed her eyes and felt herself fall back.

She was in her bed. She tried to convince herself it was all a dream of her own. But she knew that was untrue. She had seen Cedric's secrets as she wanted to. Anger and hurt filled her. She felt the need to confront him, grabbing her wand from her bedside table, she pointed it at herself and yelled out the spell: "Transporto!"