In the middle of all the drama in Eric's life, he was trying to work on his term papers, developing subjects and outlines. Professor Frugilagus promised that he wouldn't require such work, but his methods weren't any less difficult. The Dark Arts were intricate, and required a thorough understanding of the forces involved. Failure to take every detail into account resulted in unpredictable consequences, an aspect which explained why most Dark Wizards had serpent eyes or other unpleasant features. These weren't deliberate, but the results of mistakes made over one too many attempts to gain power.

With all of his class load swirling in his head, it was no wonder that Eric was far too distracted during one climb of the stairs, resulting in a collision with Katie Bell. "Oh, dreadfully sorry!"

As always, Katie was more than just nice. "Please, it's no trouble. How have you been?"

He blushed slightly at this. "Keeping busy. I suppose you're disappointed about the Inter-house Cup?"

She smiled. "Actually, Angelina's taken it much harder than the rest of us. She's next up to be captain, and it's going to be a whole year before the team re-forms. We're going to be out of practice, and she's at least as driven as Oliver ever was."

Eric could hardly imagine such a thing. Oliver Wood was the most obsessive team captain that Hogwarts had ever seen. "Can't you just practice?"

She sank back. "With who? The rest of the school is all wrapped up in the Tri-Wizard Tournament. No one wants to play."

Eric was undeterred – he finally had a chance to repay the Gryffindor team for their kindness. "Let me see what I can do."

It wasn't as hard as he expected to get a team together. Sheena and Dorian were especially keen on being beaters, while Tylena and Naomi took roles as chasers with Neville Longbottom. Although he protested quite strongly about not being able to play, Eric was insistent. "You don't have to be good – we have two other chasers already, and this is just about keeping the Gryffindor team fit. You want that, don't you?"

Naomi was unimpressed. "What about a Seeker?"

It took a moment for an answer. "Mary Zefer."

Dorian turned to him. "Who?"

"She's a second-year Hufflepuff. Her eyes might not be the best, but she's fast on a broom. Besides, that would make the team totally even: we'd have players from every house in the school." His enthusiasm was infectious, and soon the rest of the group was smiling. Once Mary agreed, the Interhouse Irregulars were formed.

They practiced for a few weeks, getting their patterns together. Sheena took over as captain, stating very clearly that being totally outmatched was no reason not to seek a personal best. Neville actually played fairly well if the team kept him busy. It was when he had time to think that his flying became shaky. Naomi and Tylena took turns buzzing about him to keep him distracted, passing the quaffle back and forth. Dorian and Sheena were murderous when it came to bludgers – each would focus on keeping one or the other off the field. Mary was only mediocre as a seeker, but the rest of the team was more than supportive. This was, after all, just about having fun, and after a while she got to the point that she could retrieve the snitch in short order, once she caught sight of it.

Finally, the team took on the Gryffindors on the first weekend in October. The crowd that gathered was small, but that suited both teams. Everyone, including the Irregulars, were sure this would be a massacre; and the fewer witnesses the better.

Although the game ended in a dismal score of sixty to three-hundred and forty, Eric actually managed fairly well as a Keeper, blocking about a third of the shots taken. Having lost their Keeper without replacing him, the Gryffindors evened the game by playing without. Still, their Chasers kept all but a quarter of the Irregulars' attempts from actually scoring. This, however, gained them thanks from Angelina Johnson, who came to realize that it would be helpful to learn how to play with the team short key elements.

The most entertaining part of the game was Sheena and George Weasley. They had managed to tie up a bludger between them for nearly the entire game, and had begun to spin slowly about each other as they knocked it back and forth. As he put the equipment away, Eric noted that the bludger in question seemed somewhat subdued. He wondered if an enchanted iron ball could become dizzy.

After the game, everyone came out to shake hands. Angelina was bubbling with joy. "It really was a lot of fun. We'll do it a couple more times this year?" The Irregulars agreed, weather permitting. As everyone packed up, Sheena drew George aside, apparently talking tactics. As odd as it was to see a Weasley talking to anyone from Slytherin house, it was amusing to watch Sheena actually seem embarrassed while talking to someone.

Once Eric had the Quidditch equipment stowed, he started to make his way to the library. He needed to follow up on some research. His path, however, was blocked by Hermoine Granger. "Excuse me, you're Eric Sable, right?"

He sighed deeply inside. Every time somebody knew his name, his life became more complicated. "That's right."

"Are you aware that there are hundreds of slaves currently maintaining this school, with hundreds more throughout the world trapped in bonded servitude?"

He suddenly felt a headache growing. "Um, I lived here for eleven years. I've never seen anyone have to do anything against their will – with the usual exception of the students."

"What about the enslaved creatures that maintain the castle, set out the food, and perform all the chores of the school without compensation or thanks?" She was clearly quite serious.

It took him a moment to figure out what she was talking about. "Ok, you're talking about the house elves, right?"

A huge smile broke out on her face. "That's right! Hundreds of creatures locked into servitude. All because unjust wizards wish to maintain a place of dominance in the world."

Eric's headache was beginning to grow. "Hermoine, have you ever spoken to any of the elves?"

"Only one or two. They seem dreadfully misguided."

"Well, if they are misguided, they are pretty much stuck there. If you try to talk them out of their servitude, they get, well, rather upset." He began to make his way up the hallway.

"So you believe in this slavery?"

He turned back to her. "There is no slavery. It's the way they are. Their whole mindset and sense of worth is based in the service of others – a school, a family, or a person. I mean, they should be treated with as much kindness as we can offer them, since they are completely giving. But, as far as freeing them, they'd be without purpose, which totally ruins their lives."

"But you believe they should be treated well?" She began to smile.

Eric could sense a trap, but not avoid it. "Well, yes – we should treat all beings and creatures with regard."

She whipped out a large button. "So, you'd be willing to join S.P.E.W.?"

He was suddenly very annoyed. "Spew?"

Her face wrinkled up. "S.P.E.W.: The Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare!"

He began to rub his temples. "I don't suppose you could make that name any more comically disgusting?"

"Well!" She turned on her heels and stomped away. Eric felt really sorry for offending her, but he was just too tired to be more careful with his words; having suddenly become aware that, before he could go near any group of people, he really needed a shower.