After History of Magic,
3:15 PM

Past the Defense and History classrooms, past the blue couches with mist and set just before the old Infirmary was a study hall, mostly filled with the members of the 2nd Year class. On Wednesdays History was the last class of the day (as there was no Astronomy theory) but Professor Jowd had advised them to use their open time wisely, in lieu of the weekly year study halls.

"You've got a big project coming up, Professor Jowd had said, "and starting to brainstorm ideas now will give you plenty of time to work out the means of an interview. Some of our greatest insights into the past are from those who lived in those times. But don't anymore. So for your research paper you have to have a key interview with a..."

"Ghosts!"[1] Obderedria proclaimed. She sat at a table of tight knit students. "I've seen them in the Great Hall during the holidays, but I didn't know there were that many coming it and out of Hogwarts. And we each have to find one to interview." The project sounded exciting but challenging.

Heliotrope stared unblinkingly at her while a few seats away Philo was scribbling hastily on loose parchment. "Merpeople don't have ghosts, do they?" Obderedria asked.

"I have not seen a merperson ghost," Heliotrope replied.

"Who are we supposed to talk to?" Obderedria thought aloud. "We can't all do a report on the Fat Friar!"

She turned to another student. "Which ghost would you meet?"

1.	Project explained here and here. Great time to thread out your approach IC!

Erik wasn't really doing anything for class or thinking much about their History of Magic assignment. The Gryffindor, instead, laid out on a few chairs as he stared at the passing ghosts. At Drea's question the Bloody Baron flew by and Erik replied in a serious and unwavering tone, "The crew of the Flying Dutchman."

The boy then sat up from his resting place as he looked around at his classmates with his more casual and upbeat voice, "You think any are here? Would that defy the whole not setting port anywhere deal?" Erik scratched his short brunette mane as he looked at the stringy-haired mer-Huflepuff,"Have you seen the ship before, Helio?"

Then he remembered all the different kinds of merpeople that were in the world, and realized Helio might never have traversed the oceans looking for ghost ships, "...or are you not a saltwater person?"