"Mother!"
Helena called out, hoping for an explanation, but when she met her mother's detached, imposing gaze, she could only drift outside in dejection.
Shawn did not speak up on her behalf. He already had some idea of what was going on.
Rowena Ravenclaw hardly seemed like a softhearted soul. Since she had been so patient in answering his questions earlier,
there was bound to be some sort of "exchange," perhaps one involving Helena.
Only after Helena left did Rowena speak calmly.
"My current state is very unusual. I am neither a person nor a soul, much less a ghost. At best, I could be considered a special kind of memory.
Do you know what it takes for someone to disappear from the world completely?"
Shawn had just furrowed his brow to think when Rowena continued, giving him no time to answer.
"It happens when every trace of that person disappears from the world, without even the slightest remnant left in the memories of later generations.
As I am now, I actually live in the memories of everyone who still remembers me. Since memories are born of the soul, they naturally carry wondrous magical energy.
And so the space we occupy now is like a thin veil floating through the real world.
It is everywhere, yet entirely disconnected from it.
There is no concept of time or space here. As long as records of me remain in the real world, as long as someone remembers me, I will not disappear.
Of course, not everyone can accomplish such a thing. Not only is the price steep, but the specialized knowledge required is extremely profound.
Moreover, though this may count as another form of immortality, its boundless loneliness and complete absence of desire are more than most people can bear.
Godric, for