Ravenclaw's Diadem

From UnknowableWiki

Ravenclaw's diadem was a legendary diadem that belonged to Rowena Ravenclaw. It had the inscription "Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure" engraved on it. The relic was said to grant great knowledge to the person who wore it; it was reputed lost for many centuries (DH29).

In truth, the diadem was stolen by Helena Ravenclaw, daughter of Rowena, who fled to Albania with it. The Bloody Baron met and murdered her there, committing suicide shortly afterwards. The diadem was hidden in a hollow tree.

Years later, the charming Tom Marvolo Riddle fooled Helena—then known as the Grey Lady, the resident Ravenclaw ghost—into telling him her entire story, including the current whereabouts of the diadem. He then pursued the item, turning it into a Horcrux (DH31). He hid it at Hogwarts, in the Room of Requirement, when he went to school to ask Dumbledore for a job (HBP20).

Xenophilius Lovegood attempted to build a replica of the diadem using, among other materials, billywig propellers, Wrackspurt siphons and orange radishes (DH20).

Hours before the demise of Voldemort, Helena told Harry Potter the same story, which led him to conclude that Riddle had hidden Ravenclaw's diadem at Hogwarts. He eventually realised its location, and the Horcrux was destroyed (DH31).