Spells and Visions; A Harry Potter story

Chapter 9: Lost and Found

We stood still to stop our dizzyness, and then I whispered: "Okay, lead me to the tower."
"Alright."
Michael took us, still both under the cloak, to the Ravenclaw Tower. I looked up to the stairs.
"You sure she's there?" I asked.
"Hardly ever see her around somewhere else."
I nodded and sighed.
"Wait here, I can't see you if you're under there."

I got out from under the cloak, glanced at the empty spot where Michael stood, smoothed out my hair, which probably looked like a mess, and went upstairs. I had never been here before.
I saw indeed something transparent floating about.
"Hi," I said carefully, not knowing how she would respond. The ghost turned her head towards me.
"I'm Jynx. You're the Grey Lady?"
She nodded, and came a bit closer.
"I need to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"Do you know anything about a lost diadem?"
"That's been lost for centuries."
"I know. That's why I came to you. Please, if you know anything about it, tell me. It's urgent."
"I've heard that before."
I was slightly confused. Then I remembered. Of course, Voldemort already had taken it to hide it somewhere. He had met her before.

"No, it's different," I tried. "I don't want to keep it. It was Tom Riddle, wasn't it? Who asked for it?"
She nodded.
"Why do you want it?"
"Do you want to see You-Know-Who destroyed?"
"Of course I do."
"Then I need to find the diadem. And destroy it." I realised how that sounded.
"I know it's a bit harsh," I added. "To ask for something to destroy it, but trust me, it will help to destroy Riddle."
"How do I know I can trust you? You're a non-Ravenclaw, all the way up here. How do I know you do not have the same intentions as him?"
I didn't answer immediately.

"You don't," I said. "I will not try to persuade you, because I can't, really. But if you want You-Know-Who gone, you need to help me. Do you know where it is?"
The Grey Lady sighed.
"I stole it. Long ago." With hesitation she added: "From my mother."
"Your mother?" I said confused. "But that was- you're Rowena's daughter?"
"Helena Ravenclaw, yes. I was, at least. I was jealous of my mother's wisdom, and the diadem bestows wisdom, so I ran away with it."
"Where did you take it?"
"To a forest in Albania. I hid there, too. My mother became really ill, and wanted to see me one last time, so she sent someone who loved me for a long time. I refused to return with him, he became violent, and stabbed me." She showed a dark wound in her chest.
"The Baron saw what he had done, and used the weapon to kill himself. He still wears his chains... as he should."
"Baron?" I said.
"The Bloody Baron, yes."
"He's still here at Hogwarts," I said, more as a question, though I had seen him multiple times.
Helena nodded.
"Where is the diadem now?" I said.
"I hid it in a hollow tree, there in Albania, and there it remained for a long time. Until a young man came to me, asking for it. He was so... flattering... he seemed to understand..."

"He deceived you," I said softly.
"Yes."
"Why do you trust me to tell me this story?" I asked.
"You are not like him. And-"
She looked me in the eyes.
"I thought I recognised you. But it's because, years ago, I saw your father wander outside, with his friends. Sirius Black, wasn't it?"
I nodded.
"What became of him?"
"He- er- died. Killed, by Bellatrix Lestrange. I saw it happen. We were fighting You-Know-Who. And we're doing it again now. If I find that diadem, we have a chance to get rid of him. Forever."
There was a short silence.
"I hope I'm right to trust you," Helena said then. "But I do not know where in the castle he hid the diadem. I suppose, somewhere where all lost things are hidden."
I did not know what she meant, but she was clearly done talking.
"Thank you, I promise, you will not regret it."
Helena gave a short nod, and floated off.

I walked back to where Michael was waiting, deep in thought. Where were all lost things hidden?
"Michael?" I asked. Legs appeared not far from me, and a body, and then a face.
"Did it work? I didn't overhear it, but you look puzzled."
"The diadem is here, in the castle, in a place where all lost things are. Does that make sense to you?"
"Not yet, but there's some logic behind it, I think. We better get back, though."
We got under the cloak, and I Apparated to the door of the Room of Requirement. Suddenly, it came to me.
I gasped.
"What?"
"It must be here! The Room of Requirement! Things here are hidden, right?"
"Yeah, that could be it."
We got inside, and everyone seemed to have gone to sleep in the meantime, so they didn't notice us. I put the cloak back, and saw that Neville was still awake.