After hearing Shawn out, the Grey Lady gradually calmed down, and her haughty expression softened a little.
"Was this why you approached me in the courtyard last time?"
Shawn had little experience soothing girls. After considering his words, he could only make his expression even warmer and more courteous.
"Yes. My lady, you were far too sensitive and withdrawn."
Withdrawn though the Grey Lady was, she was still well bred. She lightly lifted her skirts and performed a flawless noblewoman's curtsy.
"My deepest apologies. Over the past thousand years, far too many ill-intentioned wizards have tried to coax the Diadem's whereabouts out of me. I thought you were just like them. I never imagined you were a true gentleman who would actually recover the Diadem for me. Thank you so very much."
Shawn bowed slightly in return and said with impeccable grace,
"The Diadem is Ravenclaw's legacy. As a Hogwarts student, it was only right that I return it after finding it."
The Grey Lady gave Shawn an appreciative look. She reached out her transparent hand to touch the Diadem again, then spoke after a moment's thought.
"You can place the Diadem on my mother's statue. The Castle's magic will protect it, and it will never be lost again."
Shawn raised his eyebrows slightly and studied the white stone statue. He had felt something was very strange about it last time, and now it seemed even more familiar.
It was very similar to Salazar's enormous statue in the Chamber of Secrets.
Not in material or workmanship, but in a certain quality they shared. It was as though something invisible was constantly flowing into both statues, lending them a faint, elusive haze.
Shawn's thoughts raced.
He had not really come to return the Diadem, nor did he want to activate any