The Grey Lady, also know as Helena Ravenclaw,  was born into the Ravenclaw family, to Rowena Ravenclaw, no earlier than 982 somewhere in the British Isles.

At the age of eleven, Helena became part of one of the first generations of students at Hogwarts School, which was still being run by original Founders. She was sorted into Ravenclaw House and was educated in the magical arts by her mother during the seven years that followed.

During her time at Hogwarts, she met the Baron of Slytherin house. He fell in love with her, though she always rejected his advances.Helena never found true love as she never found a man that lived up to her standards

Helena always wanted to be wiser than her mother. At some point, she stole her mother's diadem and ran away to Albania. Rowena became fatally ill, and hoping to see her daughter one last time, sent the Bloody baron, a man who harboured an unrequited love for Helena, to find her. The Baron killed Helena when she refused to return with him, before killing himself out of regret for what he had done. She and the Baron eventually returned as ghosts to Hogwarts Castle, where Helena became and continues to be the Ghost of Ravenclaw House.