Grace, or rather Rowena Ravenclaw, would never be a heartless person, yet, since regaining her memories, she had shown no intention of visiting Helena.
The reason was simple - she had been utterly heartbroken.
Though not her biological daughter, Helena was the niece she had raised since childhood, brought up by her own hands—what difference was there from a real daughter?
She had imparted all her knowledge to Helena and never deprived her materially.
Ravenclaw believed she had done more than enough, yet for a single diadem, Helena had succumbed to temptation and secretly stolen it.
She had always kept the diadem under strict guard, even replacing its gemstone. It wasn't that she grudged Helena using it, but that she didn't want the treasure to corrupt her mind. No matter how powerful the diadem was, it was merely wisdom from others.
To master such power, one must first become sufficiently strong oneself - yet Helena failed to understand this simple truth.
What pained Ravenclaw most was that the daughter she had nurtured for so many years had been foolish enough to get herself stabbed to death.
Were you even a witch?!
If this secret were to spread, the greatest shame wouldn't fall upon Helena, but upon Ravenclaw herself!
So in Grace's heart, half was heartbreak over her daughter's actions, and the other half was pure fury.
However, Wayne could understand why Helena was so rebellious, constantly opposing Ravenclaw at every turn.
The old mother's reputation was too formidable, causing everyone to see her as Ravenclaw's daughter rather than as Helena herself.
Wayne had seen this too many times, both in his previous life and now—there were always those second generations with too much time on their hands, constantly trying to prove themselves.
When the methods of parental communication were wrong, it only fueled their rebellious tendencies.
Helena was actually among the better cases - at least from their previous interactions, she deeply admired Ravenclaw and had come to realise her mistakes.
After all, she was, in a sense, his daughter too - he couldn't just let the mother-daughter relationship remain frozen forever.
"Lawrence! Lawrence!"
Helena couldn't take it anymore. Since coming to the rooftop, this Lawrence had remained completely silent, just staring intently at her.
What kind of gaze was that - pity, sympathy, frustration at her failures.
Helena felt the man's eyes were practically theatrical, allowing her to discern so many different emotions, with the most uncomfortable being the kindness mixed within them.
"Lawrence, what exactly do you want to say? Do you have news about my father?" Helena spoke again, finally breaking Wayne's contemplation.
"Indeed, I do. I've already discovered who your father is."
As Wayne finished speaking, Helena visibly grew excited, her silver form becoming more substantial.
"Helena, you should know the history of the Ravenclaw Family, right?" Wayne asked.
"Of course." The female ghost's face showed a proud expression: "The Ravenclaw Family originated in Greece, rising to prominence during the city-state period. Even after moving to the British Isles, they remained an illustrious noble house-"
"Then have you heard Ravenclaw speak of other relatives in your family?"
Helena froze, thinking for a long time before replying in a very soft voice, "I haven't met them, but she mentioned my maternal grandparents when I was young. They died early because of Hansen's disease. I also have an aunt, but I've never met her..."
Hansen's disease, also known as leprosy, was a chronic illness with relatively mild symptoms but capable of triggering various complications. With the medical standards of that time, surviving this disease depended entirely on fate.
Although wizards had researched all sorts of peculiar potions, there were actually very few medicinal potions for treating diseases.
For example, even Dragon Pox currently has only a handful of potions that could cure it. Let alone back then—that period when the wizarding world was experiencing a discontinuity, the modern magical system hadn't fully formed yet, lacking systematic inheritance.
"I'm talking about your aunt." Wayne nodded, relieved to hear this made things easier.
"To be precise, she's your biological mother. Back then, she had a conflict with her family, fled back to Greece, and married a Muggle soldier."
"When she was pregnant with you, war broke out in Greece. Your biological father said, 'I'll retire when I return,' but never came back. Your mother developed various health problems after giving birth to you, and eventually asked Ravenclaw to take care of you."
"To prevent you from overthinking and to ward off other suitors, Ravenclaw raised you as her own daughter."
"The bond of upbringing outweighs that of birth - she treated you no differently than she would her own daughter. As for your father... she didn't know much about him either."
Wayne delivered the truth in the fastest, most direct way possible, while Helena was completely stunned.
She wasn't Ravenclaw's daughter?!
No, rather she wasn't Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter, but another Ravenclaw's?
"Impossible, impossible, you're lying to me, aren't you?"
Helena questioned, collapsed. She had always taken pride in being Ravenclaw's daughter, and now, after all these years dead, someone suddenly tells her this so-called 'truth'.
Anyone would react this way.
"I have no reason to lie to you, and there's evidence too, though it's not convenient to show it now." Wayne remained extremely patient. Grace had agreed to his telling Helena the truth, but hadn't specified when she would come to see this daughter.
He wouldn't presume to set a time himself either.
"Don't worry too much about your origins. Everything is in the past - learn to let go, Helena." After offering this final comfort, Wayne turned and left.
At times like these, saying more was meaningless because he couldn't possibly empathise with Helena's situation - she would have to work through this herself.
Better go back and inform Grace and address the issue with the void.
Hmm, this would also conveniently help him avoid an angry Hermione and Cho, since, because of him, both houses had lost so many points.
Thinking this, Wayne made himself scarce, slipping out of the castle and returning to London.
...
Meanwhile.
The Slytherin Common Room was enveloped in an eerie atmosphere.
Older students stood watching the spectacle, while in the centre were first-year youngsters, with Gabrielle standing on one side and the other newcomers on the other, the two groups confronting each other.
Gabrielle stood with her hands on her hips, completely different from the well-behaved, adorable girl she usually appeared as around Wayne. Her cute face might as well have been stamped with the words arrogant and domineering.
Spoiled by her parents and sister at home, and now with Wayne added to the mix, what was wrong with being a bit arrogant?
"From now on, all of you must listen to me. I'm the first-year boss!"
"Says who?" A girl glared at her with ill-concealed jealousy and anger.
Why was she blessed with such striking beauty and adorable charm?
"Isn't this the Slytherin tradition?" Gabrielle tilted her head, charmingly devastating half the room. "Whoever has the strongest fist gets obeyed. I'm the most powerful first-year, so naturally you should follow me."
"Didn't Brother Wayne conquer the entire house through duelling until no one dared challenge him?"
Many older students' faces darkened, their expressions turning grim.
One shouldn't strike where it hurts most, nor expose others' weaknesses - yet Gabrielle was grinding their dignity into the dust without a second thought.
Gabrielle couldn't care less. She was determined to emulate her most admired Wayne and become the undisputed leader of her house.
But she was still too young - she couldn't afford to provoke the upper years yet, and her elder sisters hadn't graduated. So she'd start with the first year, taking it step by step.
Someday she'd become like Wayne, commanding instant obedience from everyone.
"You're not Headmaster Lawrence," another boy spoke up. "Relying on connections isn't real skill."
"Who says I'm relying on connections?" Gabrielle sniffed displeasedly. "I'm the strongest among you. Anyone who disagrees can challenge me. Otherwise, you'll obey me from now on."
"I'll do it," said the boy who'd just spoken, stepping forward. "I'm Garret Bolesed. I'll be your opponent."
"Go on, Bolesed!"
"You can definitely win! She's just an outsider - don't lose to her!"
Most other first-years cheered him on, subtly revealing their exclusion of Gabrielle.
Pure-bloods generally looked down on half-bloods, let alone a witch-Veela hybrid. Combined with Gabrielle's French background, she didn't belong to their circle.
Though Wayne had eliminated many pure-bloods, numerous slippery families had made early separations - the Death Eater branches died out while other lineages survived, mostly choosing to lay low.
The Boleseds were among them, with Garret's uncle having been a Death Eater.
Gabrielle drew her wand. "You attack first. Otherwise, you'll make excuses after losing."
Bolesed didn't decline. After performing the duelling courtesy, he shouted: "Rictusempra!"
The jinx shot out rapidly but went wide, unexpectedly striking a watching upper-year student whose lips immediately swelled up.
"With skills like these, you dare challenge me?" Gabrielle said disdainfully, hitting him with a Knockback Jinx that sent him flying onto a sofa.
"Anyone else not convinced?"
"I'll go!" Another person stepped forward, but was quickly defeated by Gabrielle.
For first-years, mastering a few spells was impressive enough, let alone duelling techniques. Gabrielle didn't have much technique either, but having used Sunwell water, not only did her magical power far exceed her peers, her reflexes were also significantly sharper.
After two consecutive defeats, the first-years exchanged glances, silently reaching an agreement.
They decided to overwhelm her through numbers - even if they couldn't win, they'd exhaust Gabrielle's magical power. With so many people, they weren't afraid of not draining her completely.
Thus, challengers came one after another, not seeking victory but only hoping to make Gabrielle cast a few more spells.
But until the last person fell, Gabrielle remained radiant and energetic, showing no signs of fatigue.
"Well then, are you convinced?"
Some first-years lowered their heads in shame, but a few looked towards the older students, hoping their elder brothers and sisters would stand up for them.
Yet those older students acted as if they hadn't noticed, offering no response whatsoever.
It was acceptable for first-years to challenge Gabrielle, but if the older students intervened, the situation would change entirely—did they really think Astoria and her sister Daphne were just for show?
Finally, seeing that no one would avenge them, those first-years who still held out hope also yielded.
Gabrielle nodded with satisfaction: "Excellent! From now on, I'll be the first-year's Shadow Prefect!"
"What Shadow Prefect?"
Just then, the common room door swung open, and Snape walked in with a stern expression. Taking in the scene of first-years lying all over the floor and Gabrielle looking immensely pleased with herself, his face darkened further. Suppressing his anger, he demanded in a low voice:
"Would someone care to explain what has been happening here!"
Gabrielle looked at him in confusion: "We're selecting the Shadow Prefect."
Snape nearly choked on his breath: "What Shadow Prefect? Slytherin has never had such a thing!"
"But Wayne said so." Gabrielle frowned: "Wayne wouldn't lie to me. He said whoever becomes the strongest in the year becomes the Shadow Prefect, and all other students have to follow the Prefect's commands."
Snape was now too furious to speak, only one thought running through his mind.
Lawrence truly has found his successor...
Another little hellion has appeared!
What kind of first-year knocks out all their classmates on the very first day of school!