Receiving the box had put most of my thoughts about the previous night out of my brain. Not wanting to have a repeat, I proceeded carefully to all my classes making sure I always traveled with Alice or Frank. Both of them picked up on my nervousness, but did not ask. Fortunately, I had yet to see Snape, and I was hoping my luck would hold out. Also, I had still barely registered the fact that I kissed Potter not to mention called him by his first name. Not wanting to question my motives, I focused on the mystery of Rye's story box.
"Why did she send it to me? Did she know she was going to die?" I had muttered these questions and many more while I walked to my first class. Nobody, but me knew that I had the box. It was currently hidden underneath my side table with a very strong invisibility spell, an equally well-executed notice-me-not charm, and Cave Inimicum, which kept enemies away. With my extreme proficiency in charms, I was sure no one would ever find it.
I had transfiguration and potions before lunch. After those classes, I ate quickly and then hurried back to the Gryffindor tower. Making sure I was alone, I removed the charms on Rye's story box and started going through the box for clues to answer my earlier questions. Inside were two completed stories and one that would forever be in progress. Last night, I added the chapter that was in my possession to the story. It was devastating to look at the story Rye would never finish. Wiping away tears, I spread the stories around on my bed. I checked to make sure I had not left any stray papers in the box when a small chip in the wood at the bottom caught my attention.
My fingers grazed the indent, and a surprisingly sharp edge cut my index finger. I let out a small "ow" even though I was more startled than hurt. A small bead of blood had gathered at the tip of my finger, and I stuck it in my mouth. Ignoring the slight metallic taste, I watched shocked as the bottom of the box opened to reveal a hidden compartment.
I reached in and pulled out an envelope with my name on it. Barely containing my excitement, I ripped open the letter and began to read it.
Dear Lils-"It's Rye's handwriting," I said aloud before continue with the body of the letter.
Dear Lils,
I am sure by now that you have received the news of the attack on my family. I am so sorry I cannot be there to give this to you in person. I know you will take great care of not only my stories, but the treasures hidden away in this bottom compartment.
I stopped my reading to look in the hidden bottom again and saw two objects. The first was a silvery cloak, and the second was a ring with a weird pictograph that I did not recognize. It was a triangle that had a circle inside. Through the circle, going from top to bottom, was a single line. Hoping that she would explain more, I returned to Rye's letter.
I do not know if you have ever read the fable called 'The Tale of the Three Brothers', so I will take a few seconds to explain the background of these two artifacts. The legend begins with three brothers: Antioch, Cadmus, and Ignotus Peverell. They were traveling when they encountered a river that was too dangerous to try to swim or wade across. Since the brothers were magical, they created a bridge and restarted their journey. Halfway across the bridge, they were greeted by Death. Angry about losing the three brothers' souls, Death developed a cunning plan; His plan started by Death saying the Peverell brothers deserved a prize for being able to evade him.
Antioch was the eldest brother and a very confrontational man. He asked Death for a wand that always won the duel for its owner. Creating the wand from an elder tree branch, Death gave Antioch what he asked for.
Cadmus, a conceited man, was the middle brother. He wanted to humiliate Death further, so he asked for the ability to bring people back from Death. Giving him what he wanted, Death picked up a stone and handed it to Cadmus.
Finally, Death approached the youngest brother. Ignotus was wiser and more humble than either Antioch or Cadmus. He did not trust Death, so he asked for a way to travel without Death being able to follow. Reluctantly, Death gave Ignotus his Invisibility Cloak.
As time went on, Antioch and Cadmus lost their lives because of the gifts they received from Death. Because of his intelligence and modesty, Ignotus lived a long time before he removed his Cloak and gave it to his son. Then, he addressed Death as a friend, and together, they departed from life as equals.
I know this seems like an old wise tale, but in all actuality it is a true story. The symbol on the ring represents the three gifts. The line in the circle is the Elder wand. The circle is the Resurrection Stone, and the triangle represents the Invisibility Cloak. In entirety, the pictograph is the symbol for the Deathly Hallows.
My father was a Quester, a person who searches for the Deathly Hallows. He had the Resurrection Stone in his possession for most of his life. He received it from his father, who received it from his father and so on. The ring in this box was fashioned from the Resurrection Stone Cadmus received and still holds the power to recall the dead.
Continuing his search, my father discovered the Invisibility Cloak when we lived in England. The cloak in the box is the same cloak Death gave to Ignotus. It had been passed down from generation to generation in the Potter family, my relatives in England that I told you about, just like the Resurrection Stone had done in ours.
I'm going to divulge a family secret as to why we had a falling out with my relatives in England that ultimately lead to us moving to America. Soon after I was born, my father stole the cloak from my cousin, James Potter.
"Potter?" I gasped. In my mind, I knew they were related, but it seemed an odd coincidence that I would end up having the stolen possession.
My uncle had given it to James on his christening. James does not know what happened to the cloak, and for the moment, I would like you to keep these events to yourself.
As you have noticed, you now own two of the Deathly Hallows. Professor Dumbledore has the Elder wand. The only way to get the final one is for you to defeat Dumbledore in a duel or steal it from him. I, by no means, want you to do either. I just figured you would want to know all of the information.
Now that you are caught up, I feel you should know why my family was attacked. When one person has all three Deathly Hallows, he or she masters Death. Voldemort wants this power and he will do anything to get his hands on it.
I'm sorry to put you in harm's way, but I trust you more than anyone else. I suggest you do not use the Resurrection Stone since it seems to destroy those who do. The Invisibility Cloak, on the other hand, I feel will be very beneficial for you if you chose to use it. Also, the secret compartment in my box will only open to those I choose by taking a small prick of blood for identification. It is one of the strongest binding charms I know.
Thanks for everything. You will always be a sister to me.
Love,
Rye
I reread the letter two more times, soaking in all the information. After my analytical personality sifted through Rye's words, my emotional side kicked in. I kept wondering why, if Rye had enough time to write this letter and send the box to me, she could not have saved herself from Voldemort's wrath.
Not coming up with an answer, I began looking at the Invisibility Cloak and the Resurrection Stone. I tried on the Cloak and looked in the mirror as I saw my body disappear. From a homework assignment I had in Charms fifth year, I knew all about invisibility cloaks. People were known to use Disillusionment Charms, Bedazzling Hexes, or woven Demiguise hair to create these cloaks. None of these attempts ever made lasting invisibility cloaks, so I was slightly hesitant to believe in the power of the Deathly Hallows. But after watching myself disappear, I could not help the small sliver of hope that the Resurrection Stone actually worked, too.
Even though my mind was reminding me of Rye's warning about the Stone, I grabbed the ring and slipped it onto my finger. Closing my eyes, I let images and memories of Rye flooded my mind. I almost choked on the sad desperation I felt when I reencountered the things I worked so hard to keep at bay. I stopped on the memory of the first time I had met Ryndon. I mumbled a small wish to the stone and, then, opened my eyes.
Glancing around the room, I was hoping beyond hope that Rye would appear in front of me. I was severely disappointed to see that I was still by myself. It did not work. The stupid Resurrection Stone from the Deathly Hallows was nothing more than an ugly ring. Disregarding all of the papers and the fact I was still wearing the Invisibility Cloak, I threw myself on my bed and cried.
