The Boy Who Fought: OC X Hermione

The Tale of Three Brothers

Hermione opened her book and started reading the story. Carson, Ron, Harry, and Lovegood all listened intently.

"There were once three brothers who were traveling along a lonely, winding road at twilight..."

"Midnight. Mum always said midnight." Ron interrupted, Hermione glaring at him, "But twilight's fine. Better actually."

"In time, the brothers reached a river too treacherous to pass...But being taught in the magical arts, the three brothers simply waved their wands and made a bridge. They were halfway across it when they found their path blocked by a hooded figure." Hermione read, as Lovegood nodded along.

"It was Death and he felt cheated, for travelers usually drowned in the river. But Death was cunning. He granted each brother a wish for their cleverness. The oldest, who was a combative man, asked for a wand more powerful than any in existence. So Death fashioned one from an elder tree on the banks of the river." Hermione continued, Harry looking intrigued.

"The second brother, who was an arrogant man, asked for the power to recall others from Death. So Death plucked a stone from the river. Finally Death turned to the third brother. A humble man, he asked for something that would make him disappear. And so it was that Death handed over his own Cloak of Invisibility. Death then stepped aside and the brothers went their separate ways..."

"The first brother traveled to a distant village where, with Elder Wand in hand, he killed a wizard with whom he had once quarreled. Proceeding to an Inn, he bragged of his invincibility. But that very night..."

"... another wizard crept upon him as he lay sleeping. He took the Elder Wand... and slit the brother's throat for good measure. And so Death took the first brother for his own..."

"Meanwhile, the second brother journeyed to his home, where he took out the stone and turned it thrice in hand. To his delight, the girl he had once hoped to marry before her untimely death appeared before him. Yet soon she turned sad and cold, for she did not belong in the mortal world. Driven mad with hopeless longing, the second brother killed himself so as to join her. And so Death took the second brother..."

"As for the third brother, Death searched for many years but was never able to find him. Only when he had attained a great age did the youngest brother shed the Cloak of Invisibility and give it to his son. He then greeted Death as an old friend and went with him gladly, departing this life as equals..."

"Well, there you are. Those are the Deathly Hallows." Lovegood stated, looking out the window.

"Sorry... I still don't really understand..."

Lovegood took a quill and parchment and drew it out. "The Elder Wand..." as he drew a line, "The Resurrection Stone..." While drawing a circle, "The Cloak of Invisibility. Together... They make the Deathly Hallows. Together... they make one master of Death." Lovegood drawing a triangle around both shapes.

"Mr. Lovegood, does the Peverell family have anything to do with the Deathly Hallows?" Hermione asked, looking at Harry, Carson, and Ron. "That was the name on the grave with the mark on it in Godric's Hollow. Ignotus Peverell."

"Ignotus and his brothers Cadmus and Antioch are thought to be the original owners of the Hallows and therefore the inspiration for the story." Lovegood states, before losing his focus as his eyes falter, before quickly regaining himself.

"Ah, but your tea's grown cold. Excuse me, I'll be right back." Lovegood told them, leaving the room.

"Let's get out of here once he's back. I'm not touching this stuff, hot or cold."

"Which one would you choose if you could? Of the Deathly Hallows?"

"It's obvious isn't it?" Hermione asked him, as they all shared at the same time.

"The wand." Ron said.

"The stone." Harry said.

"The cloak." Hermione and Carson said.

"You're supposed to say the Cloak, but who wants to spend all day being invisible. Dead boring if you ask me. But an unbeatable wand!"

"Its owner grew drunk with power and was murdered." Carson pointed out.

"Yeah, but imagine what a short wicked life you'd lead."

"Why the Stone, Harry?" Hermione asked him.

"Well, you could bring people back, couldn't you? Mad-Eye. Dumbledore. Sirius. Steven. Anybody."

"But according to the story they don't want to come back. It's all rubbish anyway. There's no such thing as the Deathly Hallows."

"But I have one. The Invisibility Cloak my father left me."

"Not like Harry's. I've seen a fair few. Dad used to bring home the ones the Ministry confiscated from petty thieves and the like. They always got holes or tears. Harry's is different. It's perfect."

"And I think I've actually held the Resurrection Stone in my hands, that night in Dumbledore's office when he showed me the ring he'd destroyed, the Horcrux. It had a symbol on it. Now I think it was the mark of the Hallows."

"Mr. Lovegood. Thank you, sir" Hermione thanked him, as he emerged again.

"You forgot the water sir." Carson pointed out.

"The water?"

"For the tea?"

"Did, didn't I? How silly of me." Lovegood dismissed.

"No matter, sir. We really ought to be going..." Hermione started, Lovegood cutting her off.

"No, you mustn't!"

"Sir?"

"You're my only hope. They were angry, you see, about what I'd been writing, so they took her. They took my Luna." Lovegood rambled and looked at Harry, "But it's really you they want."

"Who took her, sir?"

"Him. Surely you call him You-KnowWho. But his real name of course is... Voldemort."

"No!"

Instantly, out the window, death eaters on brooms appear in the sky, jetting directly toward the house. As Harry, Ron, Carson and Hermione hit the floor, streaks of light ricochet off the windowsill.

"Stop! I've got him!" Lovegood yelled, getting hit with a stunning spell.

Lovegood is blasted off his feet by the Stunning Spell so powerful the necklace flies across the room and settles at Harry's feet. Harry glances down, watches the symbol of the Deathly Hallows dissolve like mercury, then looks up, sees Lovegood streak out the door.

"Ron! Carson! Harry! Take my hand!" Hermione shouted, grabbing Carson. They all stagger to her and grab her hand.

Then, a teapot hit the erumpent Horn and exploded. The house explodes, as the four fall and disapparate away just in time.