Houses Competition. Head of House, Ravenclaw, Additional, 607-670 words, must be about a character from the Tales of Beedle the Bard, WC: 670
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Ignotus Peverell sighed into the rushing wind. Another of his brothers was dead, and he was certain it had to do with the request the three of them had made of Death not more than six months ago. His oldest brother, Antioch, had asked for a powerful wand, and perished within a week. His second oldest brother, Cadmus, had asked for a way to bring back the dead.
This was understandable. Dear Cadmus had lost his beautiful bride mere days before their happy wedding day. He had wanted to bring her back more than anything.
It was a sad tale.
But he, Ignotus, had asked for an item to help him hide from death. The invisibility cloak had served him so well. Death had evaded him, despite the demise of his two other brothers. He had thought, for a time, that their deaths were punishment for their asking a favour of such a powerful being.
It would make sense, for Death would surely not forgive such favours so quickly. He was surely teaching them all a lesson - that you should not cheat him.
Karma, it seemed, was in play as well.
Ignotus tore up the letter informing him of Cadmus' departing. This would serve as nothing more than a reminder that he should, and could, cheat Death. He would do this for his brothers, and for his children. His children would be protected once he'd made an ally of Death himself.
He wore the cloak as often as he could, avoiding Death's keen eyes every time they glanced in his direction. He hid from Death, but not from life. His children grew, and he grew in age. His hair greyed, eyes wrinkled, and still Death had not claimed him.
He loved his children, and his wife, and their grandchildren. He loved being with his family, but he so dearly missed his brothers. He missed their eternal bravado, their confidence, and their brilliance in the magical arts. They had been exceptional wizards, and would always entertain. In dark times as these, Ignotus wished his brothers and he had not ventured across that ancient bridge and asked for those items, because then they would be here with him, laughing together, and performing odd tricks for their children.
Smiling, he pondered what Antioch's children might have been like.
Probably just as complicatedly arrogant and brilliant as their father.
Ignotus aged, and he aged well - well into his seventies, far older than most people lived to. His wife was long gone, and his heart ached to see her again, even in death. He knew it was time to go.
"Child," he beckoned his oldest son to him. Benedictus Peverell frowned and moved to his father's side, concerned. "I am old, as you might notice." Ignotus coughed for effect, making his son laugh. "This is no laughing matter, my son. I am to die soon."
"Father, you are immortal, I am convinced," Benedictus smiled, kneeling down to be at level with his father's rocking chair. "We have agreed on this. You will outlive us all."
Ignotus smiled back. "Perhaps."
"Well, there -"
"However," he interrupted his son, "I have chosen to not do so. You see, I was gifted a cloak many, many years ago, by an extraordinarily powerful being. It has kept me safe all this time while my kin have died around me. Once I give this cloak over, it can no longer keep me from Death, but I must pass it on."
"What in Merlin's name are you talking about?" Benedictus asked.
From his shoulders, Ignotus pulled the invisibility cloak, in its shimmering glory.
"This cloak, Benedictus, will make you invisible. It will keep you from Death, for as long as you want or need." Benedictus looked at his father, now convinced he was mad as well as immortal. "Trust me. Take it."
He took the cloak, confused.
Slowly, surely, his father stood before him and went to the front door of their small house.
And Death greeted him like an old friend.
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