Coup de Foudre [Fred Weasley] [7]

⚡️ Chapter 27 ⚡️

"Together: The Deathly Hallows,"

"But there's no mention of the words 'Deathly Hallows' in the story," Hermione spoke up first, breaking the silence that had descended upon them. Vega stared at the symbol that Mr. Lovegood had drawn, and looked up at him.

"Well, of course not," Xenophilius said, maddeningly smug. "That is a children's tale, told to amuse rather than to instruct. Those of us who understand these matters, however, recognise that the ancient story refers to three objects, or Hallows, which, if united, will make the possessor master of Death,

There was a short silence in which Xenophilius glanced out of the window. Already the sun was low in the sky. Vega eyed his gaze – what was he waiting for? And shouldn't Luna be back inside by now? The Luna she knew would've come rushing to meet them.

"Luna ought to have enough Plimpies soon," Xenophilius said quietly, and for a moment, Vega wondered if he had seen the look on her face but he was still looking outside.

"When you say 'master of Death' –" Ron said.

"Master," Xenophilius said, waving an airy hand. "Conqueror. Vanquisher. Whichever term you prefer,"

"But then... do you mean..." Hermione said slowly, and Vega could tell that she was trying to keep any trace of scepticism out of her voice. "That you believe these objects – these Hallows – really exist?"

Xenophilius raised his eyebrows again as he said flatly, "Well, of course,"

"But," Hermione said, and Vega could hear her restraint starting to crack, "Mr. Lovegood, how can you possibly believe –?"

"Luna has told me all about you, young lady," Xenophilius said. "You are, I gather, not unintelligent, but painfully limited. Narrow. Close-minded,"

"Perhaps you ought to try on the hat, Hermione," Ron said, nodding toward the ludicrous headdress. His voice shook with the strain of not laughing.

"Mr. Lovegood," Hermione began again. "We all know that there are such things as Invisibility Cloaks. They are rare, but they exist. But –"

"Ah, but the Third Hallow is a true Cloak of Invisibility, Miss Granger!" Xenophilius said. "I mean to say, it is not a traveling cloak imbued with a Disillusionment Charm, or carrying a Bedazzling Hex, or else woven from Demiguise hair, which will hide one initially but fade with the years until it turns opaque. We are talking about a cloak that really and truly renders the wearer completely invisible, and endures eternally, giving constant and impenetrable concealment, no matter what spells are cast at it. How many cloaks have you ever seen like that, Miss Granger?"

Hermione opened her mouth to answer, then closed it again, looking more confused than ever. She, Vega, Harry and Ron glanced at one another, and Vega knew that they were all thinking the same thing. It so happened that a cloak exactly like the one Xenophilius had just described was in the room with them at that very moment.

"Exactly," Xenophilius said, as if he had defeated them all in reasoned argument. "None of you have ever seen such a thing. The possessor would be immeasurably rich, would he not?" He glanced out of the window again.

The sky was now tinged with the faintest trace of pink.

"All right," Hermione said, disconcerted. "Say the Cloak existed... what about that stone, Mr. Lovegood? The thing you call the Resurrection Stone?"

"What of it?" Xenophilius said.

"Well, how can that be real?" Hermione said.

"Prove that is not," Xenophilius said.