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chapter eight; ghosts and exhaustion
They found the ghost of supposedly was Helena Ravenclaw, floating through an atrium near Ravenclaw Tower after many failed attempts and multiple situations in which they would've been caught if not for Amaya's wards—after all, Regulus was up after curfew, even if he was the Head Boy, and Sirius and Amaya had no place to be there since they weren't even students.
The Gray Lady was a beautiful woman, with long dark hair and olden robes that looked ethereal in ghost form. She had a serene look about her, despite some haughtiness being carried over from the afterlife. And though she found it strange every time she met a ghost, Amaya couldn't help but shiver at the coldness of their magic.
Ghosts were odd beings, not particularly alive but not completely dead either. It was the type of magic that Amaya couldn't quite grasp and so couldn't quite control or modify, but it was fascinating what the touch of death could do to one's magic.
Amaya told the boys to stay hidden under her wards as she slipped out, showing herself to the ghost that startled like a proper lady, only straightening herself and narrowing her eyes. She remained quiet and Amaya sighed, before putting herself in her mother's shoes, in the position of a lady from society with a heart that went out to others (well, aside from their daughters).
"Hello, I was told you were the Gray Lady," Amaya stated, and the ghost merely nodded her head tilting curiously at her. "Helena Ravenclaw?"
"That is correct," she answered coldly, narrowing her eyes at Amay. "Who might you be? You're not a student."
"I'm not." Amaya smiled softly. "I'm just visiting. My name is Maya."
"Well, Maya, enjoy your stay." And she went to leave only Amaya stopped her.
"Please, I wish to speak to you. About your mother's diadem."
The ghost turned back, her shoulders raised, her lips pursed slightly. "I am afraid that I cannot help you."
"I'm afraid you can."
"You are hardly the first person to covet the diadem," she said disdainfully. "Generations of students have badgered me— "
"I hardly need better grades, Helena. I'm not a student, nor am I a moron." Amaya looked at her challengingly, not backing down, and Helena's lips twitched in amusement. "I only wish to defeat Voldemort. Or is that not something you want for the creature who butchered your mother's diadem?"
Her pale cheeks turned darker and more opaque, as if she was blushing and her voice was heated as she replied, "Of course I do. How dare you suggest I'd wish something so vile to walk this Earth?"
"I never said such words, Helena."
"Well, how do you know he butchered my mother's diadem? I didn't give it to him!" she said haughtily.
