DH21: The Tale of the Three Brothers (chapter)

"Many of Questers believe that the Peverells have everything - everything! - to do with the Hallows!"
-- Xenophilius Lovegood

Xenophilius Lovegood explains that the mark is the symbol of the Deathly Hallows. The origin of the story is The Tale of the Three Brothers, which Hermione then reads aloud. Xenophilius then explains the symbolism of the mark and discusses the Hallows. Harry, wandering around the house, notices that there is no sign of Luna having been present for weeks. He confronts Xenophilius, who then reveals that the Death Eaters took his daughter, and he plans to hold Harry, Ron and Hermione until they arrive so that he can trade them for her. They manage to escape while allowing the arriving Death Eaters to catch of glimpse of them, which will prove that Xenophilius wasn’t lying to them and consequently suffer for it.

Calendar and Dates

Begins immediately after the previous chapter, on the same day (28 December 1997).

Interesting facts and notes

"And then he greeted Death as an old friend, and went with him gladly, and, equals, they departed this life."

Ignotus Peverell is a true master of death

"Luna had decorated her bedroom ceiling with five beautifully painted faces: Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville [...] Harry realised that the chains were actually one word, repeated a thousand times in golden ink: friends ... friends ... friends ... Harry felt a great rush of affection for Luna"

All readers felt a "rush of affection" for Luna when reading this passage. It seems like Luna must have had a lonely life after her mother died until she came to Hogwarts and met Ginny.

"Luna looked rather better-groomed in this picture than Harry had ever seen her in life."

We can assume then that Luna's mother was the tidy one in the family and she kept Luna looking orderly.

Exceptional character moments

Xeno being willing to sell out Harry in order to trade him for Luna.

Memorable lines

"Everybody always requests our recipe for Freshwater Plimpy soup."
"Probably to show the Poisoning Department at St. Mungo's," said Ron under his breath.

"One of those superstitions, isn't it? 'May-born witches will marry Muggles.' 'Jinx by twilight, undone by midnight.' 'Wand of elder, never prosper.' You might have heard them. My mum's full of them."

The three of them spoke at the same time; Hermione said, "the Cloak", Ron said, "the wand", and Harry said, "the stone".