Grindelwald frowned.
"Judging by the legend, that's the most likely explanation."
"Death might really exist, but almost never shows himself."
Dumbledore pressed the point again.
"But the question is, why did Death suddenly appear, and why was he so determined to kill you?"
Hermione looked up.
"It was probably because of the Deathly Hallows."
Both men turned to look at her.
Hermione gathered her thoughts and said slowly,
"My guess is that the three Deathly Hallows normally function as special alchemical creations, but each one actually has a portion of ancient magic secretly sealed inside it."
"When held separately, those spells don't activate."
"But once all three Hallows are in the same person's hands, they combine, activating the complete sealing and summoning spells."
"The holder's magical power is sealed away instantly, and they're branded with a Link mark that summons this so-called 'Death.'"
Dumbledore's eyes lit up.
"That does make sense."
He thought back to Grindelwald's experience all those years ago, and the more he considered it, the better it fit.
"The shadow set its sights on Gellert the very moment he acquired all three Hallows."
Grindelwald nodded. "Exactly. The timing matches perfectly."
"In other words, the legend that collecting all three Deathly Hallows makes you the master of Death is nothing but a trap."
"Instead of becoming Death's master, you become his prey," Hermione concluded.
Dumbledore pondered for a moment, then frowned again.
"But there's still one question."
"Why would Death do this?"
Hermione raised her head, her gaze inscrutable.
More than his motive, she wanted to know...
Why did this so-called "Death" use ancient magic?
Ancient magic was a wizard's art.
If Death was a god, or some manifestation of a fundamental law, how could he use the ancient magic of human wizards?
Dumbledore and Grindelwald noticed the