Death (Part 2)

Faced with the threat of death, Lin An's expression remained calm.

That composure was almost inhuman. Even Death itself showed a trace of confusion—this wizard had remained rational even as he watched his parents be consumed by flames.

"If you continue this," Lin An said evenly, "you will regret it."

A deep laugh came from the darkness. "Mortal, you dare threaten me? Do you truly think you can harm Death?"

"Of course not," Lin An replied calmly. "I am not foolish enough to defy the laws of the world. But I can do something you would never wish to see—

I can make all my research on death public, teach every wizard how to interfere with souls, and bring the order of life and death across the entire world to ruin."

The voice suddenly fell silent, and the darkness seemed to freeze.

Lin An continued, "Over the years, I have repeatedly attempted to summon back the souls of the dead. Whether my parents or Lily Potter, all were ultimately stopped by some force.

I know it was your intervention.

You have been watching me, and you have also been secretly obstructing Snape's research with me.

But if I obtain the Resurrection Stone, you will no longer be able to interfere."

He raised his eyes, his gaze sharp. "Imagine it: if wizards all over the world learned that 'the dead can return,' they would all attempt to resurrect their loved ones and delay death,

then the cycle of souls would be thrown into complete chaos.

The laws of death would lose their balance, and life and death would no longer be distinct. You—the embodiment of those laws—would never know peace again."

A long silence followed.

Death looked down at him, black mist churning, but said nothing more.

Lin An smiled faintly. "This is not a threat. It is a fact. If order collapses, you will cease to exist as well."

After a long while, a cold snort came from the depths of the shadows.

"...Foolish humans. You will never understand what fire you are playing with."

Before the words faded, the white light around them abruptly shattered, and the flames and shadows vanished together.

The figures of Lin An's parents gradually faded within the light, no longer consumed by flames.

He heard that voice echo one last time. "I will watch over them. And you will remain silent."

A violent tremor struck. The world shattered.

When Lin An opened his eyes again, he found himself still in the Hogwarts classroom, with the familiar mirror before him.

Reflected in the Mirror of Erised were him and Harry Potter.

"Professor, are you saying... Death truly exists? That it rules the world after death?"

Harry's voice trembled slightly.

Lin An nodded. "Precisely."

"Then my parents are there too?"

"If mine are there, I imagine yours are as well," he answered calmly.

The boy fell silent for a moment, then asked softly, "Then... what is Death like?"

Lin An recalled it for a moment, speaking slowly. "In appearance, it resembles a tall Dementor.

"As for the experience—Dumbledore once told me, 'Death is but another great adventure.'

"I once believed that was merely comfort, but now it seems he was right."

"A Dementor?" Harry repeated in confusion.

"You will encounter those creatures someday." Lin An smiled faintly. "They are terrifying, yet strangely fascinating beings."

Together, they silently gazed at the mirror. Time flowed slowly between them.

Several minutes later, Lin An suddenly said, "Mr. Potter, if you do not mind, lend me that Invisibility Cloak for a while."

"No problem, Professor... but is something wrong with the cloak?"

"No. It is simply that, from an alchemist's perspective, I can sense that its structure differs from ordinary Invisibility Cloaks. I would like to study it. I will return it soon."

Harry hesitantly removed the cloak and handed it over. Lin An took it, his fingertips brushing the fabric as he felt the deep patterns of magical power within—

They were exactly the same as the runes in his memory: one of the Deathly Hallows, the Invisibility Cloak.

Thoughtfully, he paused, then took another cloak from his robes—

It was an improved Invisibility Cloak he had crafted himself, inlaid with a rune array and an Extension Charm that could expand its range without limit.

"Use this one for now," he said with a smile. "Consider it a Christmas gift."

Harry was overwhelmed. "Th-this is far too precious!"

"It is not a gift, but an exchange. True knowledge always requires an equivalent price."

The boy finally nodded, accepted the silver-gray cloak with both hands, and turned to leave.

Watching his back disappear beyond the door, Lin An murmured, "Two of the three Deathly Hallows have appeared... Everything is proceeding according to plan."

He lowered his gaze and looked at his reflection in the mirror.

That face was still there in the mirror—Death.

Silent and formless, yet still watching him.

Lin An smiled faintly.

"Do not worry. I will keep our agreement. But once I complete the World Gate, you will no longer be the only other shore."

Wind swept past the window lattice, and the candlelight flickered.

The shadow in the mirror swayed slightly, as if in response—or perhaps in a cold laugh.

Lin An turned and left, his footsteps echoing at the end of the corridor.

Night covered Hogwarts, and snowflakes drifted down.

A distant bell rang. The new year was about to arrive.

—and he had already stepped onto a path that not even Death could bind.