the hallows - f. weasley

- c h a p t e r - f i f t e e n -

 Gemma blinked in surprise at the name as Harry looked at her, Hermione, and Ron before looking back at Mr. Lovegood–repeating, "The Deathly Hallows?"

"That's right," Mr. Lovegood bobbed his head–wringing his fingers. He looked at Gemma–licking his lips nervously, "From your reaction, I think you have heard of them?"

Gemma felt the eyes of her friends/siblings on her as she bobbed her head, "I've heard the name–Luna's briefly mentioned it. And I've come across the name in my—" She paused, catching herself before she slipped up, "In the library at school, but I didn't know it was related to that symbol."

Mr. Lovegood just gazed at her–looking like he wanted to say something, but instead, he turned his eyes back to Harry, Hermione, and Ron, "You haven't heard of them? I'm not surprised. Very, very few wizards believe. Witness that knuckleheaded young man at your brother's wedding," He nodded at Ron, "who attacked me for sporting the symbol of a well-known Dark wizard! Such ignorance. There is nothing Dark about the Hallows—at least, not in that crude sense. One simply uses the symbol to reveal oneself to other believers, in the hope that they might help one with the Quest."

Hermione, Ron, and Harry looked at Gemma for answers but she just shrugged–literally not knowing anything but the name.

"I'm sorry," Harry turned–trying not to look frustrated. "I still don't really understand."

Then, as if he remembered he had it, Harry took a sip of his tea, and Gemma bit the inside of her lip at his reaction–trying not to laugh.

"Well, you see, believers seek the Deathly Hallows," Mr. Lovegood said–licking his lips in delight at his Gurdyroot infusion.

"But what are the Deathly Hallows?" Hermione questioned–her brows drawing together.

Mr. Lovegood put his teacup on the tray, "I assume that you are all familiar with 'The Tale of the Three Brothers'?"

A no and three yeses filled the air.

Harry looked frustrated—the odd one out of the four of them—as Mr. Lovegood nodded solemnly, "Well, well, Mr. Potter, the whole thing starts with 'The Tale of the Three Brothers'...I have a copy somewhere..."

His eyes fluttered around the crowded room–probably looking for the book itself, but Hermione announced, "I've got a copy, Mr. Lovegood, I've got it right here."

Hermione pulled the book from her beaded bag and Gemma's frown deepened as Mr. Lovegood inhaled sharply, "The original?" Hermione bobbed her head before the older wizard said, "Well then, why don't you read it aloud? Much the best way to make sure we all understand."

"Er...all right," Hermione agreed nervously. She cracked the cover–staring down at it briefly before coughing and starting to read. "'There were once three brothers who were travelling along a lonely, winding road at twilight—'"

"Midnight, our mum always told us," Ron interrupted as he stretched his arms and locked them behind his head as he listened. When Hermione gave him an annoyed look, he defended himself, "Sorry, I just think it's a bit spookier if it's midnight!"

"Yeah, because we really need a bit more fear in our lives," Harry snapped at Ron a little rudely. "Go on, Hermione."

Hermione glanced at Gemma, who nodded once before she started again: "'In time, the brothers reached a river too deep to wade through and too dangerous to swim across. However, these brothers were learned in the magical arts, and so they simply waved their wands and made a bridge appear across the treacherous water. They were halfway across it when they found their path blocked by a hooded figure. And Death spoke to them—'"