A/N: This story has been written for the Golden Snitch Forum - Ollivander's Wand Challenge.

A/N 2: I do not own Harry Potter. It solely belongs to J.K. Rowling!

School and House: Hogwarts, Slytherin

Prompt: Wand Wood - Yew - Write about Death

Word Count: 644

Death is inevitable. Someone's death can be delayed, yes. But it can never be avoided. It has been one of the primary rules of mother nature, that every creature or being that takes birth, will eventually die. This cycle of life and death is necessary to maintain the balance of the ecosystem.

But many are afraid of death, for it seems to be the end of all the wonderful things that had happened to them. They fear death because it is the crucial reality waiting at the end of the beautiful lie that is 'life'. They are scared of it because death is terrifying, and because they aren't ready to face its consequences.

Once came a boy who considered himself 'special'. He thought he was special when the kids at the orphanage couldn't do things like he would - for example, making the leaves dance, or hurting those who were mean to him. Afterwards, he learnt the reality of his life, and a small fact that turned his world upside down - that he was a wizard and the wonderful things he could do was 'magic'. At Hogwarts too, he was different; unlike from everyone else because of his great heritage, and his rare ability to speak to snakes. So the boy started considering himself as someone even more unique and noteworthy.

However, he was scared of death too - just like many others. In fact, he was petrified of it, so much that he found his own way of immortality and a way to live forever. He was so afraid of death, that he chose the avoid it at the cost of his own soul and sanity. He chose to perform the evilest magic and make Horcruxes, only because he was disgusted by old-age and death. He didn't like the concept of his skin becoming wrinkly, or his body not being strong enough to be fully independent someday. Guess he wasn't so special after all, for he treated 'death' like a hindrance in his great plans.

Then came another boy who considered himself a 'freak'. He thought that he was a freak when the kids at school couldn't do things like he could - for example, making the leaves dance, or protecting himself when the mean kids hurt him. Afterwards, he learnt the reality of his life, and a small fact that turned his world upside down - that he was a wizard and the awful things he could do was 'magic'. At Hogwarts too, he was different; unlike from everyone else because of the lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, and his rare ability to speak to snakes. So, the boy started considering himself as someone incredibly dangerous to his loved ones, as well as unworthy of their trust and affections.

However, he wasn't afraid of death - unlike many others. For the fact, he thought, that death was far better than a life full of pain, torture and tears. He was so pissed with his pathetic excuse of a life, that he always chose others before himself. He always chose to protect others from danger, without any concern for his own self. He considered himself as an ill omen, because he thought he was responsible for all the bad things happening to those surrounding him. But, he'd always been special, for time and again he proved that he would do anything for the people he loved. He was different for he greeted 'death' like an old friend.

These two examples describe that the course of someone's life greatly affects their outlook towards death. Some consider life as a gift, meant to be lived to its fullest. Others aren't fond of the hardships that come along with it and think that dying was the solution to end all problems. All in all, we often forget, that death is nothing but the next great adventure to the chapter of life.