Analyzing the Peverell Brothers: The Paradox of Longevity

Reflections of reality in The Deathly Hallows.

The Tale of the Three Brothers is a short story appearing in the compilation of fairy tales penned by Beedle the Bard in the wizarding world of Harry Potter. In canon, the story serves as a significant plot point to introduce the Deathly Hallows to the audience — three powerful magical artefacts said to grant the wielder mastery over death when possessed simultaneously.

The short story revolves around three wizard brothers travelling at twilight. They come across a deep river with choppy currents, and so they conjure a bridge to proceed safely. However, midway across the bridge, the brothers encounter the Grim Reaper, who seems impressed at their evasion of him and offers each of them a prize.

The first brother, designated Antioch in the books, asks for a wand of immeasurable power that empowers him to win every battle. Thus, the Grim Reaper fashions for him the Elder Wand. The second brother, Cadmus, desiring to further humiliate the Grim Reaper by despoiling him of the souls he claimed back to the world, is gifted the Resurrection Stone.

The third brother, Ignotus, suspicious of the Grim Reaper, requests the ability to depart from his presence without being stalked. The Grim Reaper reluctantly hands him a fragment of his robe, designated as the Invisibility Cloak. The brothers go their separate ways.