Title: We Carry On

Series: Winter Tidings

Author: Jmaria

Rating: Pg-13

Disclaimer: I don't own Cordelia or The Grey Lady. Joss and J.K. Rowlings owns them. I don't own the title either, Tim McGraw does.

FfA Pairing: #1086 Cordelia / The Gray Lady (Ravenclaw Ghost HP)

A/N: Set after Episode 100.

We Carry On

When you die, you're supposed to go to heaven. Especially if you had a hell-rific life like Cordelia had had. You're not supposed to be a big gray floating blob in some creep-tastic castle in the middle of nowhere! Five minutes ago, she'd been watching Angel get the news of her death. Now she was in some room where someone had gone crazy with blue. A woman with light blue-gray hair, that she assumed was once blond if her own dark blue-gray locks were anything to go by, floated next to her, a shocked look on her face.

"Who are you? Where am I?" Cordelia demanded, trying to get her floating balance. She should be used to this now.

"You're newly deceased, aren't you?" The woman asked gently. "You're a ghost my dear."

"Yeah, I got that. But why am I here? Where is here?" Cordelia snapped.

"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"Ha ha. Real cute, lady. Where am I for real?"

"I spoke the truth." She replied, unblinking. "I am the Ravenclaw ghost, the Gray Lady."

"I'm Cordelia Chase, and that's not a name."

"Yes, I suppose it isn't. I was called Matilda once, but it was a very long time ago. None of the ghosts are called by their proper names, save Sir Nick, the Gryffindor ghost." The Gray Lady smiled. "Why are you here?"
"That's what I asked you."

Just then a real blonde girl walked through the pair of ghosts, a chain of corks on around her throat and radish shaped earrings dangling from her ears. Her eyes were moon-shaped as she cocked her head to the side. What a creepy kid, Cordelia couldn't help thinking.

"Hello Lady Matilda. Who's the new ghost then?"

"Lady Cordelia, Miss Lovegood." The Gray Lady smiled, watching in quiet awe as Cordelia's ghostly form shimmered. She remembered that. "Haven't you class today, Miss Lovegood?"

"No, there were threats issued and classes were cancelled. I'm quite sure Harry Potter is somewhere behind it all."

"Of course. You will do a through research though?" The Gray Lady fought to suppress the smile.

"Yes. It requires immediate research." Luna said in a voice more serious than it had been a moment ago. "I should be off."

"Of course."

Cordelia stared mutely at the girl as she left. Her voice had seemed to freeze up the second the girl had spoken. Of course, she'd just been walked through so that could have had something to do with it. She turned to the Gray Lady, questions bubbling out of her.

"Hush, child." The Gray Lady smiled. "Now the other ghosts, mainly the male ghosts, believe that you become a ghost because at the time of your death you are afraid of what lies behind the veil."

"What does -"

"I said hush." The Gray Lady said sharply. "But some ghosts are made out of necessity. I believe that you are one of those ghosts."

"Why? The Powers have screwed me over tons of times, and now I can't go to heaven? Ever?" Cordelia cried, frustrated.

"No. I'm sure one day they will release you, but it seems that you are much like I."

"How so?" Cordelia said bitterly.

"You are meant to be a guide." The Gray Lady smiled brightly, "And you just met the one you are meant to guide."

"Another champion." Cordelia groaned. The Powers were really pissing her off.