In the collection of tales by the poet Beedle, there is a story known as "The Legend of the Three Brothers." Once, three brothers were traveling along a desolate, winding road at twilight. Eventually, they came upon a river, treacherous and deep, impossible to wade or swim across. However, being skilled in magic, they simply waved their wands and conjured a bridge to cross the river. Midway across, they encountered a hooded figure blocking their path—Death himself.
Death was furious, having been cheated of three new victims, as travelers usually perished in the river. Yet, cunning as ever, Death feigned admiration for their magic and offered each brother a prize for their ingenuity in evading him.
The eldest brother, a warrior by nature, requested a wand more powerful than any other, one that could win any duel. Death fashioned a wand from an elder tree branch, creating the Elder Wand, the most powerful wand in existence.
The second brother, driven by arrogance, sought to further mock Death by asking for the power to bring back the dead. Death picked up a stone from the riverbank and presented it to him, claiming it had the power to resurrect the dead. This stone became known as the Resurrection Stone.
The youngest brother, wise and humble, did not trust Death. He asked for something that would allow him to hide from Death himself. Reluctantly, Death handed over his own Invisibility Cloak, thus completing the trio of objects that would come to be known as the Deathly Hallows.
Tragically, the eldest brother was murdered for his wand, and the second brother took his own life, driven to despair by the hollow return of his lost love. Only the youngest brother, shielded by the Invisibility Cloak, lived a full life and eventually greeted Death as an old friend, departing this world peacefully.
As the tale concluded, the narrator revealed himself to be Death, leaving John bewildered. "So, I'm dying?" John asked, peering into the shadow beneath Death's hood, searching for clarity.
Death, amused by John's demeanor, responded affirmatively. John, facing the prospect of death after narrowly escaping the clutches of the White Demon King, found himself resigned. "Saving someone's life, and now this... I feel rather foolish," he admitted, not ready to accept his fate but powerless to change it.
Surprisingly calm, John's attitude took Death aback. "Aren't you afraid?" Death inquired.
John shrugged, a gesture of indifference. "What else can I do? Kill you and run away?" His honesty was stark, for there was no point in pretense.
Death chuckled, intrigued. "You remind me of someone who once faced death with equal frankness."
"You're not ready to die. In fact, I wouldn't be here if not for you," Death explained, revealing that John had inadvertently solved a problem for him. As a reward, Death decided to send John back to the living.
Suddenly, John felt a force pulling him away, and a blinding white light forced his eyes shut. When he opened them again, he was met with the tear-streaked face of Dharma Alex, nearly collapsing onto him in relief.
"Get off!" John pushed Dharma Alex away, disgusted, and quickly checked himself over, as if to ensure he was still intact after his brush with death. Dharma Alex, stunned, could only stare. John, who had been lifeless moments before, was now very much alive, leaving everyone in disbelief at the miraculous turn of events. Just moments ago, John had been on the brink of death, and now, suddenly, he found himself back to life. Overwhelmed with emotion, Alex rushed towards him, unable to contain his excitement. "Stop, I know you're excited, but let's not get ahead of ourselves!" John, finding the situation somewhat overwhelming, urged Alex to calm down. Heeding the warning, Alex managed to pull himself together, and John took a moment to assess his condition.
"Am I really back?" he wondered aloud. The transition from facing death to returning to the living world left him in disbelief. To confirm his reality, he gave his face a reluctant slap, wincing as his cheek swelled. "It seems to be true," he muttered after feeling the sting. Relief washed over him as he realized his return was genuine, though the pain in his body quickly reminded him of his recent ordeal.
John noticed the medicine bottle nearby and realized that Alex must have administered numerous potions in an attempt to save him. The thought made him feel bloated and slightly nauseous. His gaze then shifted to Nagini, who lay on the ground, her soulful eyes wide with surprise. "I'm back, Nagini," John greeted her warmly. "And you're welcome back, too."
As Nagini's soul was restored, she awoke with a groan, blinking away discomfort. Tears formed in her eyes, and as they streamed down her face, a smile broke through her tears. "Thank you, John," she whispered, gratitude evident in her voice.
Reflecting on his near-death experience, John felt a surge of emotion. "Life is precious, and so is love. Shouldn't we strive for freedom to enjoy both?" he pondered. Despite the challenges they faced, he was grateful for the positive outcome. However, Nagini's soul was weakened, leaving her unable to walk. John crafted a wheelchair for her, and she took up residence at Belby Manor. He couldn't help but wonder about the Blood Curse's peculiar side effect of preserving youth, joking that it might have been coveted in the magical world if it didn't involve turning into a snake.
After ensuring that Alex would take care of Nagini, John prepared to return to school. He knew Alex would look after her as if she were his own, especially considering the significance of lifting the Blood Curse—a feat that could earn Alex high honors in the magical community.
Upon completing his task, John received a notification of his achievement and a unique ability that allowed him to navigate the realms of life and death. He then apparated back to Hogsmeade, arriving as the sun began to set. Despite having some time to spare, he wasn't in the mood for leisure. At Honeydukes, he purchased a dozen chocolate bars, hoping to alleviate his pallor and the weakness that made his hands tremble.
Returning to Hogwarts, John knew it would take some time for his hand to recover, but he was grateful he could still use his wand with his left hand. Exhausted, he sought refuge in his lounge, desperate for a good night's sleep.
Waking up past dinner time, John headed to the kitchen, where the house-elves were ready to assist him. He requested a steak, hoping to regain some strength, but as he ate, he realized something was amiss. After finishing the steak and moving on to an apple pie, the truth dawned on him—he had lost his sense of taste. The realization hit him hard, especially since he hadn't noticed it earlier due to his anxiety. John's mouth was devoid of any flavor, the sensation akin to chewing wax. He had mechanically consumed the apple pie, but the aftertaste left him with a sense of shame. The price he had paid to save a life felt exorbitant. It took him a long while, sitting in the common room, to come to terms with his new reality. "To deprive a food lover of his sense of taste, the God of Death has shown no mercy," John muttered, his fists clenched and eyes burning with a newfound resolve.
In that moment of despair, an audacious thought sparked within him. What if he could collect the Deathly Hallows himself and confront the God of Death? The idea of challenging such a formidable entity and reclaiming what he had lost filled him with a mix of fear and excitement.
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If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge