"Deathly Hallows? You mean that symbol stands for the Deathly Hallows?" Anne nearly dropped the dish she was carrying when she heard Harry's words.
She managed to steady the plate, set it carefully on the table, and sat down.
"Anne, you don't actually believe the Deathly Hallows are real, do you?" Hermione asked sharply. She placed four empty plates on the table, sat beside Anne, and ladled a bowl of soup for her.
Anne took a slow sip before replying, then looked at Hermione instead of answering directly. "So you think the Deathly Hallows aren't real? Why?"
Harry and Ron exchanged a hopeful glance. Anne sounded like she was on their side, finally, someone who could talk sense into Hermione.
Hermione sat up straighter, turning toward Anne, her voice firm and precise.
"First, the Tale of the Three Brothers is from a children's storybook, and the symbol was something Dumbledore himself added, it appears at the start of every story. There's no direct logical link between them.
Second, the story's well known; every young wizard's heard it, Ron did as a child. So if the Hallows were real, why would only a handful of people know the symbol's meaning?
Third, Muggles have similar tales, moral fables about death. Structurally and thematically, the story is a lesson about human fear of dying.
And fourth, the biggest flaw in the Hallows myth, one that invalidates all other theories, is that there is no magic capable of truly bringing the dead back to life. You know that, Anne."
"Excellent reasoning. Logical, well constructed," Anne said seriously, nodding.
Hermione lifted her chin slightly, satisfied.
"But, Hermione—" Anne suddenly smiled. "Not everything in the world can be solved by logic alone. For example—"
She reached out, slipped a hand behind Hermione's neck, and kissed her.
Harry and Ron froze in place, forks halfway to their mouths.
Was Anne… arguing with Hermione or distracting her?
"And how," Anne said mischievously when she drew back, "would you explain us with logic?"
Hermione flushed crimson, equal parts embarrassed and indignant. "That's, that's completely irrelevant! A false equivalence!"
"Is it?" Anne teased, still smiling. "Logic is wonderful. But the Deathly Hallows aren't logic, they exist. And I know it."
Before Hermione could interrupt, Anne continued calmly, "You're partly right, though. There's no magic, for wizards or Muggles, that can bring someone back in both body and soul. That kind of resurrection doesn't exist. After death, perhaps a ghost remains, but not the body. And yet, that's still a form of existence, isn't it? The key lies in how you define life and death."
She leaned forward slightly. "You know what a coma is, right? Would you call those Muggles alive or dead? They breathe, their hearts beat, but they don't move, speak, or think. If that's life, it's only half of one. And if that's death, then why do they still feel pain?"
Hermione frowned, but didn't answer.
"See?" Anne said softly. "The magical world has things like the Philosopher's Stone, which grants life; and the Time-Turner, which manipulates time. Very few know of them, maybe one in a hundred wizards. But you do. To most of the wizarding world, those are fairy tales too. Aren't they?"
Hermione bit her lip.
"Alright then," she said at last. "Let's assume the Deathly Hallows are real—"
Harry's face lit up, but he quickly glanced at Ron, and both of them tried to look innocent.
"Let's assume," Hermione repeated, stressing the word, while Anne only smiled faintly, saying nothing.
"If Dumbledore knew about them, if he understood the symbol's meaning, why didn't he tell you? You're the leader of the Order of the Phoenix, aren't you?"
"A fair question," Anne said with a nod. She cut a piece of meat and offered it to Hermione, who reluctantly took a bite.
"I think he made a small mistake," Anne said. "And I made one too. He assumed I knew what the symbol meant, that it represented the Deathly Hallows. But I didn't. I knew the Hallows existed… I just didn't know that symbol stood for them."
"But… how could you know the Hallows exist," Harry asked, puzzled, "without knowing that symbol represents them?"
"That," Anne said lightly, "was my mistake."
The three of them stared, waiting for her to elaborate.
"But it's not a mistake you need to understand," she said with a shrug. "Just know that the Deathly Hallows are real. The question is, does Voldemort know about them?"
"I don't think he does," Harry said quickly. "No one told him fairy tales when he was a kid. And if he did know, he wouldn't stop at just the Elder Wand, he'd want all of them. If he knew of the Hallows, he might never have needed Horcruxes at all! He even had one, the ring, and turned it into a Horcrux! That proves he didn't understand the power he had. That's what Dumbledore left us, isn't it? The real weapon, the Deathly Hallows. The Cloak, and the Stone."
Harry pulled the Golden Snitch from his pocket. "I think Dumbledore hid the Resurrection Stone inside this. 'I open at the close,' he said. The close, the end of life. The Stone can bring someone back."
His eyes were bright with fervor.
"If Voldemort hasn't found the Elder Wand yet, then if we find it first, we'll have all three Hallows! We could end him! Just think—"
"It's a wand that can't be beaten!" Ron jumped in, excitement matching Harry's. "He's right, Hermione, it makes sense!"
"We have to destroy the Horcruxes before we can kill Voldem, I mean, You-Know-Who!" Hermione slammed her hand on the table. "There are still three left! You two are chasing fantasies while forgetting Dumbledore's actual mission for us!"
"But you can't deny the clues!" Harry insisted. "He gave you the storybook with the symbol, and he left me the Stone! He already knew I had the Cloak, maybe he wanted us to gather the Hallows and finish what he started!"
"You don't know the Stone is in that Snitch!" Hermione shouted back. "That message could mean anything! You can't even open it!"
"You're the one who's stubborn, Hermione!" Harry snapped, his temper rising. "You refuse to believe what's right in front of you! I will open it!"
"Harry Potter!" Anne's voice cut sharply through the room. She set down her knife and fork, eyes narrowing. "That's enough."
Hermione looked furious, pushing her plate aside and standing up, but Anne caught her hand before she could leave.
"Sorry—" Harry exhaled shakily, forcing the word out.
Hermione only gave a cold, dismissive huff, refusing to meet his eyes.
Ron jumped up quickly, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "Alright, alright, no more arguing. Even if the Snitch does have the Stone, the Elder Wand's long gone, yeah? Even he hasn't found it. So what's the point in—"
"I know where the Elder Wand is," Anne said suddenly. "And yes, it's very possible the Snitch holds the Stone."
The room went dead silent.
Anne frowned slightly. "Dumbledore's wand, the Elder Wand, was buried with him, in his tomb at Hogwarts. So, Harry… are you sure you still want to go after it?"
"I'm sure," Harry said, standing now, his voice eerily calm. "If that's what Dumbledore wanted, if he wanted us to understand the sign and find the Hallows, then I'll go."
Ron gaped, speechless.
Hermione yanked her hand free of Anne's grip, leaning over the table, her voice trembling with anger.
"I never thought I'd see the day, Harry. You, breaking into Dumbledore's grave."
"I won't be part of this," she said flatly. "Not this. I'm not going."
Then she turned and stormed out of the room.
"Hermione—" Anne called after her, standing, but Hermione didn't look back.
The door slammed, and Harry sank into his seat, shoulders heavy. He looked up at Anne, eyes full of conflict.
"You know… if it's what Dumbledore wanted, I have to do it. Like that night at the sea cave. He told me to make him drink that potion, I did. He told me to run, I ran. When he gives an order, I follow. I don't have a choice."
Ron laid a hand on his shoulder.
Anne sighed softly. "I understand. For reasons I can't fully explain, I think you'll end up with the Hallows in the end anyway. I'll find a way to get you into Hogwarts safely, it won't be easy, but I'll try."
"Thank you," Harry murmured. "Tell Hermione I'm sorry."
"She wouldn't hear it now," Anne said with a small, tired smile. "Just… don't forget the Horcruxes, Harry. That part of the mission still stands."
"I have a feeling," Harry said quietly, "that one of them's at Hogwarts."
"A feeling?"
He nodded. "That place meant everything to him, his first real home. It makes sense."
Anne smiled faintly. "You know, in some ways, Hermione and I are alike, we both love logic. But your intuition… might be worth following. Remember Dumbledore's words: Follow your heart. It will never lead you astray."
Harry nodded.
Anne caught Ron's reassuring glance, then stood, pushing her plate aside. "I'll be in my room."
She walked down the hall to the master bedroom. The door was shut.
With a quiet sigh, she turned the handle and stepped inside.
Hermione sat at the desk with her back to the door, a book open before her, though she clearly wasn't reading. Pages flipped restlessly under her fingers.
Anne closed the door softly and walked over, wrapping her arms around Hermione's shoulders from behind.
"That poor book," she teased gently. "It hasn't done anything wrong."
"Hmph." Hermione huffed, snapping it shut.
She stood and turned to face Anne, her expression still hard.
Anne's hands slipped from her shoulders to her waist, and she smiled. "You're not mad at me, are you?"
Hermione didn't answer, but she leaned forward suddenly, resting her head against Anne's neck. "The Order's helping him, aren't they?"
It wasn't a question, it was a statement.
"You know we have to, if he asks," Anne said softly.
"I'm not going," Hermione whispered. Then, firmer, "I'm not helping Harry break into Dumbledore's tomb for a cursed wand."
"That's alright," Anne murmured, stroking her back. "You don't have to. I'll support you."
"I promised to help find the Horcruxes, to destroy Voldemort, not chase after some legend. I can't. I won't." Her voice trembled slightly. "That wand has caused enough bloodshed through history. It's not salvation, it's ruin."
"It's okay," Anne said gently. "You're right to stand by your principles."
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