The Three Sacred Artifacts of Death
Hog's Head Inn.
Dumbledore laid his wand horizontally on the table. The strangely shaped wand gleamed dimly in the light, its segmented protrusions resembling the joints of some ancient vine.
"Lucien, have you read the story of Death and the Peverell Brothers in the Tales of Beedle the Bard?"
Lucien nodded. That was one of the most famous fables in the wizarding world.
Once upon a time, three brothers were traveling when they came to a great river. The three brothers were not Muggle, so they used magic to build a bridge. But before they reached the other side, Death suddenly appeared and blocked their way.
Death was furious; he had lost three new sacrifices, for travelers usually drowned in this river. But Death was cunning; he pretended to praise the three brothers' magical skills, saying that they had cleverly escaped death and each would receive a reward.
The eldest brother was warlike; he wanted the most powerful wand in the world, a wand that would always help its master win in duels. Death came to an Elder Wood tree, made a wand from a hanging branch, and gave it to the eldest brother.
The second son was arrogant; he decided to continue humiliating Death, wanting the ability to resurrect the dead. Death picked up a stone and gave it to the second son, telling him that the stone had the power to bring the dead back to life.
Finally, Death asked the youngest of the three brothers what he wanted.
The third brother, the most humble and intelligent, didn't believe in Death. So he asked for something that Death could never find. Death had no choice but to give him his Invisibility Cloak.
The three brothers then split up and continued their journey, carrying the gift of death.
The eldest son arrived in a small village and fought with a wizard, winning with his Elder Wand Elder Wood. That night, he got drunk in a tavern, loudly boasting of his power. That very night, another wizard stole his wand and slit his throat.
The second son returned home, took out the stone, and spun it three times. The girl he longed to marry, who had died young, appeared before him. But she was sorrowful and indifferent, as if separated by a veil. She didn't truly belong here; she was in great pain. The second son was eventually driven mad by the torment and, in order to truly be with her, committed suicide.
The third son lived to a very old age before taking off his Invisibility Cloak, handing it over to his son, and then welcoming death as if meeting an old friend, happily leaving the world with him as an equal.
"The Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Invisibility Cloak in the story," Dumbledore, extending a finger and gently touching the surface of the wand, "Are known as the Deathly Hallows."
"This is the Elder Wand. It can also be called the Elder Wand." His tone was flat, not at all like he was describing a legendary item. "It's the most disloyal wand, only following powerful and warlike wizard masters. However, the Elder Wand must be quite unhappy with me as its master. Since obtaining it, I've rarely used it in battle."
Lucien: "Legend has it that if you collect Deathly Hallows, you can become the master of Death. Perhaps... you can even 'truly' resurrect the dead?"
The question was asked softly, but it was unusually clear in the quiet Hog's Head Inn.
Aberforth was behind the counter, looked up at them, then quickly looked down again.
Dumbledore did not answer immediately. His gaze fell on the Elder Wand. He remained silent for a moment, then slowly exhaled.
The sigh was soft, tinged with self-mockery.
Yes, he truly held onto a sliver of hope. What if? What if he could see his sister Ariana again? What if he could atone for the sins of his youth...?
This might be one of the reasons why he was so unable to resist the temptation when faced with the Resurrection Stone.