BEN II
Ben didn't like the groups. When Phillis had assigned them, Ben was all fine and dandy not being in the same group as Michael or Conner, he didn't really care that much. And even when he was told he'd be in a group with Colin and Brittany, not a tear was shed. But now, after three hours of trailing after the two, he'd wished he'd been told they were dating. He would have begged on his knees for a different group.
They were across the room from him, both looking at the variety of caged owls throughout the Menagerie, hoots and wing flaps echoing throughout the enormous store. Ben was over by the multitude of cats, which were all an array of rainbow colors, as was the wizarding style. Phillis had told them to get a pet after they had finished buying their school supplies, as it was all on the list that was optional.
Conner had immediately begged Phillis for a sparkling purple cat at the first pet shop they visited, but Ben currently had his eyes set on a fluffy black cat. She had bright pink eyes, that the ancient old man behind the counter pointed out glowed in the dark. It sounded cool. The cats were all crawling around him as he lay on the floor. He had originally tried texting, just to see if what Phillis had said was true. Wizards couldn't get bars.
As he put his phone away, he had drawn out his wand. Ben hadn't quite adjusted to the mindset that he was a wizard now. This wand wasn't just a stick, with it, he could cast magical spells. It was just a little much to swallow. Not to mention, he didn't know any spells, and Phillis had thoroughly instructed each and every person before they split that after they received a wand, not a one of them was to go waving it about, as the results could be disastrous.
In fact, Ben was a little jealous of Brittany. Both he and Colin had gotten their wands on the first try, whereas Brittany was forced to go through a variety of wands, flinging them around like a conductor, while little bits and scraps of papers and boxes exploded and flew in the air. She had practically a whirlwind of catastrophe until finally the haggard old man behind the counter handed her a lovely black piece of Walnut wood, emblazoned with a Unicorn's Tail Hair.
He twirled his own wand between his fingers like a drumstick. Hickory Wood, with a Dragon Heartstring for a core. It had a fine handle, well polished leather wrapped around lovely painted wood. The end was decorated with a silver branch-like design, that seemed to glow with light the longer he stared at. What a Dragon's Heartstring was or what it did was more than Ben knew.
He wondered what would happen if he flicked the wand. Just, gave it a little wave. Would something explode? Why? There was so little he understood, and such a long wait until term started, and any of these questions would be answered. Ben's thoughts were interrupted by someone clearing their throat. He looked up, and saw the faces of Colin and Brittany looking down at him.
"You all done?" Colin asked him. It was clear they were ready to go, and no matter what response he gave them, they were going to leave.
"Yeah." Ben muttered, as he stood, flinging a few cats off of him, as they gracefully landed and ran about the pen. He stepped over the gate, and began to follow the two out, when out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the sparkling purple cat. He spun around on his heel, towards the old man at the counter.
"How much for this?" He asked, pointing towards the cat.
"Only a couple sickles, although you'll want food of course." He responded, indicating a few aluminum cans on the counter. He looked back at the cat, and then down at his wallet. Phillis had assured them that since they were old enough to attend Hogsmeade field trips, they would need some money during the school year, but she would be happy to supply them from the MAGES project budget.
"I'll take it." He said, drawing forth a few of the silver coins from the remains of his wallet. The two traded hands, and soon, Ben, Brittany, and Colin all walked out of the Magical Menagerie, with a sparkling purple cat dancing between their legs. At least it would be someone to talk to.
Eventually, the trio found their way to Flourish and Blotts, their established meeting place, where their school books would be purchased. As they made their way through the crowd, they immediately spied Phillis outside, with a concerned Seth & Michael by her side. They were all hunched over, looking at something at their feet, blocked from Ben's view.
As the three approached, Ben realized that it was a person.
"Ah! Ben!" Phillis exclaimed, turning around towards them. As she turned to face him, Ben caught a glimpse of what they were looking at. Conner lay hunched up against the side of the bookstore, his clothes and face drenched in blood pouring from his nose. His trademark beanie was nowhere to be found upon his head, and as Ben looked around, Michael was clutching it in his hands, a concerned look on his face.
"What the heck happened?" Brittany called from over Ben's shoulder, trying to get into their awkward huddle.
"We don't know. He went to go look at some books on the second story, and we found him, crap all kicked outta him." Seth pointed out, gesturing to Conner's crap kicked face, as if it needed very careful explaining.
"Phillis, can't you do magic or something?" Michael said, taking a step forward, still clutching Conner's hat as if it were his purse.
"Well…" Phillis said as she bit her lip.
"I don't know how or why this happened, and if it was done by magic, trying to heal him may result in something disastrous. We should just take him back to the Hotel and leave," She said, making an effort to collect Conner's limp form and carry him off.
"I can carry him," Colin volunteered, moving forwards between Ben and Brittany.
"No, no, you all need to finish buying your wands." Phillis said, struggling with Conner's weight.
"We already got ours." Colin said, brandishing a slick and smooth piece of Rosewood.
"Well, alright then, I suppose." Phillis said, practically dropping Conner into Colin's arms, who was able to carry him no problem. Michael began to awkwardly fidget.
"We haven't picked out our wands yet." Michael whined to Phillis, who seemed incredibly distraught by the whole situation.
"We?" Seth questioned, producing a richly crafted Mahogany wand, decorated with several holes and swirls. Michael groaned.
"I haven't picked out a wand yet." Michael said begrudgingly towards Seth.
"Alright, yes, run along quickly, and meet us all at the Leaky Cauldron when you're done, and I'll apparate us out to our Hotel one at a time." Phillis explained, as she pushed Colin through groups of curious onlookers.
Ben sighed. Not even a day and Conner had already been beaten senseless, and all they had to show for it was a purple cat. This was going to be a long year.