Sugar : Fred Weasley

63: Taken

[victoria's pov]

December 28th, 1997

The Lovegood home was as peculiar as it was cluttered, its walls adorned with vibrant, if somewhat bizarre, posters from The Quibbler and shelves overflowing with odd trinkets. Xenophilius Lovegood greeted us with an almost palpable anxiety as he ushered us into his living room.

"Mr. Lovegood," Harry began, "we need to talk about the Deathly Hallows. We saw the symbol in The Quibbler. What does it mean?"

Xenophilius's eyes lit up with a mix of excitement and apprehension. "Ah, the Deathly Hallows. You've come at an opportune time. Please, let me explain."

He motioned us to sit around a cluttered table, upon which lay an old, well-worn book. Xenophilius's voice took on a reverent tone as he began.

"The Deathly Hallows are three of the most powerful magical objects ever known. The legend tells of three brothers who, while journeying, encountered a perilous river. Using their magic, they conjured a bridge to cross it. Death, angered at being cheated, appeared before them. The oldest brother requested the most powerful wand, which he believed would make him unbeatable. This wand became known as the Elder Wand. The second brother asked for a stone that could bring back the dead, which we call the Resurrection Stone. The youngest brother asked for a cloak that made him invisible, a cloak that would help him evade Death's grasp."

Harry's brow furrowed. "So, these objects... how do they make someone a Master of Death?"

Xenophilius's expression grew solemn. "The idea of the Master of Death is that possessing all three Hallows would make one invincible to Death itself. The Elder Wand would give its master unmatched power in duels. The Resurrection Stone could bring back those who have died, although it's said that the dead are not truly alive. The Invisibility Cloak would make its wearer invisible, allowing them to escape Death's clutches."

Hermione leaned in, her face thoughtful. "So, it's not that someone becomes literally immortal, but rather, they have the means to avoid or combat Death in different ways."

"Yes, exactly," Xenophilius confirmed. "Voldemort's quest for the Elder Wand is part of his larger obsession with conquering death. He's seeking ultimate power to ensure his own invincibility, which is why the Hallows are so significant to him."

A heavy silence fell over the room as we absorbed the gravity of what Xenophilius had shared. The Deathly Hallows weren't just mythical objects—they were central to Voldemort's quest for dominance and immortality.

As Xenophilius continued to explain the implications, the urgency in the room grew. We needed to act, and soon. But just as we were preparing to leave, the door burst open.

Death Eaters poured into the room, their wands raised menacingly. Panic surged through me as the full impact of Xenophilius's betrayal hit me.

"Mr. Lovegood!" I shouted, my voice filled with a mix of confusion and anger. "What's going on?"

"I'm so sorry," Xenophilius said, his face ashen. "They took Luna after I published that article in The Quibbler. I had no choice but to betray you to save her."

Ron's face was a mix of betrayal and fury. "Betrayal! We trusted you!"

The room erupted into chaos. Stones fell, separating me from the other three.

"No!" Hermione screamed as I was forced back.

"Go!" I demanded. "Now, Harry! Please!"

Hermione's eyes watered as the three held each other. I saw the three disappear and felt slight relief.

Dark curses flew through the air, and I spotted Mattheo among the Death Eaters. His gaze locked onto me, and before I could react, he grabbed me.

"Victoria!" he called out, his voice cold and unyielding.

Before I could scream or fight back, Mattheo disappeared. The world spun violently as we were transported to a new location. I struggled against his grip, but he held on tightly.

"Let me go!" I demanded, my voice trembling.

Mattheo's face was impassive. "You've been quite a thorn in our side. This is just a temporary setback."

We materialised in a dim, unfamiliar room. The walls were stone, and the only light came from a flickering torch in the corner. Mattheo threw me into a corner roughly.

"What are you going to do with me?" I asked, trying to steady my voice despite my fear.

Mattheo's eyes were steely. "For now, you're to stay here. We can't afford to let you interfere."

As he turned and walked out, I was left alone in the dark room. My thoughts raced, filled with worry for Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They had escaped, but I was now isolated from them, and Mattheo's words left me with a gnawing dread about what was to come.

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