Andres woke in his still trashed room. Looking to the window, the sun barely started to break through the horizon. Groaning in discomfort, the most uncomfortable pain resided in the lower part of his spine. Getting up, he attempted to crack his back but failed miserably, hurting his wrists in the process. 

"Mateo?"

The small white rat crept cautiously from the wall. 

"Hey buddy. Want to join me for a walk outside?"

A squeak sounded from the small rodent. After spelling his clothes into a pair of black shorts held up by a neon sash and a white t-shirt. Slipping on his brown sandals, he held out his hand for Mateo. 

"Hide in the sleeve buddy. Don't want Tia Abuela Pepa to see you."

Agreeing with the human boy, Mateo hid his tail in the sleeve, but rested on top of his shoulder. His white fur blended with the shirt just enough to not be noticed in a quick glance. Andres held the rat there securely before locking his door as soon as he left it. At top speed, he ran into the kitchen, stole a small basket of empanadas, and ran outside. Once in the forest, Andres stopped running to let Mateo hid in the basket. 

"Sorry buddy. I know you don't like the wind."

Andres held the basket close to his chest, and continued running to the forests behind the Encanto's mountain range. His gift ceased to function once he was a mile away from the mountain and Encanto. 

"Okay Mateo, come on out lil' buddy."

Andres lifted the rat out of the basket and gave him an empanada to eat. Andres himself sat, lounging against a large tree snacking on his own empanada. 

"I can hear little hands and little teeth. Who's there?"

Andres froze as a young girl, half his age, jumped through a shrub. She wore a bright green dress with a thin pair of glasses. She had bright, platinum hair, dark brown skin, and bright periwinkle eyes. 

"Hello, mister. I am a weary traveler -"

"What life are you on?"

"Very astute of you. Not all Witches can discern a witch after their first life. I am on my fifth life. I can sense you are only on your first. What is your name young man?"

"Andres Calderis."

"Calderis? Are you related to a Damian Calderis?"

"He's my dad."

"Hello, sweet one! I'm Sofia Calderis! I'm your Granny!"

Andres sent an incredulous look at her. 

"What do believe me?"

"It's not that. I've seen picture of you and Dad. I get you're on another lifetime, but in this body, your half my age."

"I see your point. One second."

Sofia tapped her foot and she looked like her old again.

"This better dear?"

"How'd you do that?"

"The Melody affinity is a tricky one.  Good thing I had three lifetimes to master it. I tuned the frequency my body produces naturally to make you mind perceive me as my last form. I can modify my current body actual appearance if that would be more convenient?" 

"Not just yet. I think it'd be easier to meet your grandchildren as a seven year old. Less questions that way."'And more time with me.'

"That a smart idea, Andres. My grandbaby's so smart."

Sofia stopped the sound adjustment to reveal her tiny seven year body. 

"Lead the way Andres."

"Okay."

Sofia held Andres's hand, but he lifted her into his arms.

"Hold on tight Granny."

Andres sped into the Encano, stopping at the bridge to let Sofia down.

"Sorry, was that to fast? Are you okay?"

"Don't worry about me sweetie. This old hag's a lot more durable than she appears." 

She held Andres's hand once again and pulled him through the village. She marveled at all the humans being so kind to one another.

"I've never seen such well mannered humans. Are they okay?"

"Uh, yeah. These humans are different than those outside the Encanto."

After making their way through town, they finally made it to Casita.

"Hola Casita."

Casita's floor panels went wild with Andres's return. 

"Granny, this is Casita, Casita this is Granny Sofia."

"Fascinating. Is the house powered by Witches?"

"No. Bisabuelo Pedro died and gave Bisabuela Alma the Encanto. I think it's an Ancient Magic only obtained through a dying human's wishes."

"I have heard of such things happening through history, but it's more interesting to see in person."

Andres led her through her through Casita.

"Andres!"

Alejandro tore through the sitting room to show off an animal from Tio Antonio's room. Bruno right behind him, eyeing Sofia with a calculating stare. 

"Andres. Do tell, who's your new friend. I've never seen you in the Encanto."

"My name is Sofia. Nice to meet you!"

"I was outside the Encanto when I found her. She was by herself so I brought her here. Why are you curious Bruno?"

"Oh, no reason. It'd be a right shame if Tios' Camilo and Damien found out you left the Encanto."

Bitter resentment climbed down Andres's throat, before he could stop the bitter retort. 

"I doubt they'll care. Like how they didn't care yesterday."

Bruno's calm facade broke for a brief moment, conveying the pure confusion he felt. Andres, almost slapped himself for his outburst. 

"Sorry Bruno. I didn't mean to snap at you like that. I'll go to my room now."

Whenever Andres snapped at somebody, seemingly out of nowhere, he was always sent to his room until dinner. Alejandro and Bruno watched Andres as he made his way to the staircase with Sofia. 

"That was Tias' Valeria and Mirabel's kids Alejandro and Bruno II. My siblings should be up here somewhere. Oh, and I apologize for my outburst. You shouldn't have seen that."

"Andres -"

"Andres! Look!"

Faye and Cadence ran at him excitedly showing off the new dresses Tia Mirabel made them for their birthday. 

"They're beautiful. You pull them off well. Faye Cadence, his is Sofia, Sofia, these are my sisters, Faye and Cadence." 

Faye scooped up Sofia quickly and hugged her tightly. Cadence made a copy of herself to hugged them on either side. 

"You're so cute! Tia Abuela Pepa will love you!"

"Found you!"

Faye and Cadence froze, dropped Sofia, and jumped out the nearest window. Azule ran to the window scowling, their hair now violent puke green with blue skin. 

"Another potion?"

"Yeah. I attempted it again, and they threw one of Tia Isa's cacti into my cauldron!"

"Papa, can help you keep them at bay. Hey Azule, this is Sofia. Sofia this is my oldest sibling, Azule?"

"It's very nice to meet you Mx Azule."

"Mx?" 

Andres and Azule stared at Sofia in blatant confusion. 

"Was I wrong in assuming you don't identify with being a boy or a girl?"

"No, your correct, but I've never heard that term before."

"I didn't want to call you Miss or Mister, so I combined them to suit you. Do you not like it?"

"No, I do like it. It was very nice to meet you Sofia. Andres, sorry again on that raincheck. How about we reschedule it for tomorrow?"

"Sounds good. I look forward to it. Have fun with your lessons."

Azule smiled and ruffled Andres's hair lovingly before rushing to Damien and Camilo's room. 

"Tia Abuela Julieta might be in the kitchen. We'll go there next, but first."

Andres opened the door closest to him and slammed his hand between the door and the frame. Sofia and Casita both freaked out. 

"Why on earth would you do that?!"

"Just roll with it. Follow me."

Sofia was unnerved that her grandbaby could break his hand and act so calmly about it. 

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Next chapter release date : G AC BB 

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