Benjamin still contemplated his dilemma during lunch. As he ate strips of chicken legs and sipped grape-flavored mermaid tears, he stared at his sphere in distraught.

“Did you figure anything out yet?” Harry piped up, resting near the tray.

“No, not even close,” Benjamin replied sourly. “I mean, it doesn’t make any sense! How did she do it!?”

Benjamin laid his head down on his folded arms as he rested atop the table. The crystal sphere rested so perfectly translucent, yet if he stared hard enough, he felt as if there was an endless depth to it and would reach out and swallow him whole. It was mesmerizing to look at.

“Well gee, that sure looks impossible.” Harry glanced from the sphere to the wand and back at Benjamin.

“At least it’s all pretty and shiny~!” Chi-Chi chimed in, trying to lighten the somber mood that took over the table’s atmosphere.

“I know, right?” Benjamin replied, distractedly.

“Who were you replying to?” Harry questioned, confused.

Did he agree with Chi-Chi’s remark or his? Before he got the chance to repeat his question, Benjamin got up to leave the table.

His loyal familiars may look like small animals, but their abilities were far-reaching. Benjamin didn’t even take notice that they instinctively knew what he was going to do next. It was as if they could predict his movements. His attention was elsewhere in the cafeteria.

Benjamin absentmindedly commented. “Don’t eat my food while I’m gone.”

“We won’t,” Chi-Chi reassured her master.

“Good luck,” Harry whispered.

.-.-.-.

Not knowing what to do next, Benjamin went to check up on one of his classmates, wanting to see how their progress was going. His pet sidekicks stayed behind to look after the sphere while he was away.

Benjamin walked over to Bridget’s table to see how her progress went. As he approached the table, he soon noticed her walking off to throw her tray away and called out her name. Unfortunately, the cafeteria was so loud and noisy that she couldn’t hear him at all. Benjamin picked up his speed as he tried to catch up to her.

Benjamin passed by Sebastian’s table as he ran to catch Bridget’s attention.

He appeared to be talking to himself as his ‘friend’ Troy showed up carrying a mud-flavored popsicle in one hand and a carton of potion milk for Sebastian in the other.

Benjamin shot a nasty glare at Sebastian, as he passed, who noticed and glared back at him. The two always acted like bitter rivals towards one another. Sebastian was almost as big at bragging about his abilities as Benjamin. They disagreed over who the superior one was, which would always lead to a lot of arguments and non-physical fights.

The two glared at one another for what felt like hours; Troy left again to get another carton for himself. Benjamin jolted back to reality and realized that he had almost forgotten about his original objective - Bridget. As he walked away, Benjamin failed to notice spilled milk potion on the floor and stepped in the puddle. He slipped and fell to the ground. The entire cafeteria went quiet; everyone seemed genuinely concerned about the spectacle.

“WHOOOOAAAAA!!” Benjamin screamed as his feet flew out from beneath him.

Luckily he didn’t fall or get hurt, but he still got his favorite outfit all covered in juice-flavored potion milk.

Phew, that was a close call, but now I have to clean this up. Benjamin thought as he stared down at his now ruined clothes.

“Hey Benny, orange and white look pretty good on you. Maybe you should wear it more often,” Sebastian sneered as he yelled across the crowded cafeteria. “and also watch where you’re stepping, of course,” He added, in a more serious tone.

Why that son of a banshee... Benjamin glared as he stormed over to Sebastian’s table, all soaking wet.

“Hey, you, why’d you put your drink over there to trip me up and ruin my outfit?!”

“What? I would never do such a thing!” Sebastian raised a hand to his chest as a sarcastic plead to his innocence.

“Hey, I’m back.” Benjamin’s loud and sudden accusation cut Troy’s words off.

“You liar!”

“What? How dare you call me a liar! My drink is still right here!” Sebastian retorted, slamming his fist on the table. He motioned his drink, still intact on the table in front of him.

“Oh yeah? Prove it!” Benjamin countered. He stood straighter so that he could make himself appear taller. He leaned forward to try and intimidate Sebastian. To a bystander, they looked more like theater performers acting out a bad play.

Neither appeared very menacing from across the room.

“What-? I just did you, peasant!” Sebastian raised his arms over his head in desperation.

“Then if you didn’t do it, who the devil did?” Benjamin glanced around the room for another suspicious character to blame. His gaze caught Troy’s.

Troy shuffled nervously at Benjamin’s excusing glare. “Um, I just remembered I forgot my book. Be right back.”

“How should I know!?” Sebastian answered with annoyed sarcasm.

“Let me think.” Benjamin rubbed his chin for added effect.

“Well, gee, that’s new.” Sebastian continued his sarcasm. He couldn’t resist an opportunity to jag insults at his classmate.

“That’s it. You are going down!” Shouted Benjamin as he took out his wand and aimed it at Sebastian. Sebastian, shocked and in fear of Benjamin’s intentions, instinctively raised his hands in defense. The cafeteria became quiet once more at the show of a bouquet abruptly popping out of his wand’s end, hanging off in such a pitiable display.

“Really?” Sebastian chuckled in surprise.

“Oh, sh-shut up!” Benjamin stuttered, his face glowing red.

As they still argued, Bridget walked back to her table, passing in front of them, and interrupting them. She held a cup of Pegasus pudding in one hand and a fancy-looking spoon in the other. The two briefly stopped and turned to face her.