Chapter Three
Helena traveled far from her home, to a country now known as Albania. Everywhere she went, she became known as the Intelligent Woman. She offered to help others, but only if they had payment for her in return. In this way, she found herself wealthier and more well-known than ever before. In many of the places she traveled to, none even knew her mother's name.
She was living the life that Rowena had always wanted, but abusing it all the way.
While Helena spent her time in Albania, the Baron was steadily tracking her all throughout Europe. A trace like hers was easy to detect, if you knew what to look for. Slytherin already knew the diadem had been stolen, and he knew who had stolen it. He shared much of his revelations with his pupil, and so the Baron came to know how to find Helena the fastest.
He followed the stories of the Intelligent Woman through countries and kingdoms. He asked everyone he met if they had been given wisdom by the Intelligent One. Most of them said yes, the rest of them knew of someone who did.
It was in Albania that the Baron finally found his beloved.
xxx
Just as the Baron had his sources, so did Helena. She got wind of the Baron's arrival in Albania, and quickly found a sufficient hiding spot for her diadem. Once the Baron left her to go back to Hogwarts, she would bring the diadem back out and use it once again.
She hid it in a hollow tree, deep in the woods of Albania. No one was likely to stumble upon it. No one would ever find it, unless she told.
Helena knew she would never tell. Even if she died, she would never let anyone know where the diadem was. If she couldn't use it for herself, then no one else was allowed to use it. It was no longer her mother's; it was hers now, and she controlled it.
Helena was sitting in her room, calm as the ocean on a low tide day. When a maid-servant entered the room and announced the arrival of the Royal Baron, no expression crossed Helena's face. She patiently waited for the Baron to arrive.
"Helena, my love" he greeted her, kissing her hand.
"What a pleasant surprise, Baron"
"Ah, I know it is no surprise to you, my dear. You are intelligent enough and most well connected that you knew of my arrival before it even occurred, I am sure"
"You are no ignorant man yourself, kind sir. But you are right; I knew of your arrival beforehand. I will make this quick for you" Helena's voice took a serious tone. "I do not intend to give my mother back the diadem. It is mine now, and I will keep it for myself. I will not go back to Hogwarts; I have enjoyed traveling and I will continue to do so. You may pay my respects to my mother, but our relationship was long since over. I suggest you go back and leave me be"
"I cannot, my dear. I have struck a tremendously good deal by bringing you back. In fact, you will benefit from this compromise, too. Come back and we shall be wed; never to part, forever and forever"
The Baron made an attempt to kiss Helena, but Helena fought it.
"I am not going to marry you!" Helena exclaimed, almost laughing.
"Your mother has promised your hand" The Baron replied, more forcefully than before.
"My mother does not make decisions for me anymore; you of all people should know that. You are one of the very few who know I have the diadem. I do not follow her orders, I follow my own. Whatever she has promised you is of no importance; I refuse to accept your offer"
"You must accept it!" The Baron shouted.
"I suggest you leave this instant. I will not marry you! I do not understand what ever made you think I desired to"
"I am not leaving until you accept my proposal! You will come back with me"
"You do not control me anymore than my mother does" Helena snapped. "I am appalled at your audacity. Leave now, I have business to attend to"
The Baron had soon lost hold on reality. He swiftly pulled out a dagger and in a fit of rage, plunged it into the beating heart of his beloved. He watched as her body crumpled to the floor.
He stood, rooted to the spot, panting like a dog. Finally, sanity filled his eyes and mind once more, and he looked down at the damage he had done. His only love was dead, and by his own hand.
The Baron trembled with anger, at himself, and fear of what would become of his heart. How could he bear to live in a world without Helena? How could he go on? The gleaming metal of the dagger caught the Baron's eye.
One might say the insanity came back to him, as he lunged for the dagger and plunged it deep into his own chest.
As his blood stained the carpet, his last thought was of his beloved, and how he had been the ruin of her.
xxx
Days later, Rowena learned of the Baron's death, along wit her own daughter. The news was such a shock - more brutal than learning her daughter had run away - that she died, too.
It is this reason why many say Rowena Ravenclaw died of a broken heart.