Chapter 17
AN: I have decided to try my hand at some riddles. Hope you like.
Hogwarts
Great Hall
There was an air of excitement hanging in the Great hall of Hogwarts. All the students stood in groups of Two 7th year prefects, Two 5th year prefects and a collection of 1st through to 4th year students mixed in.
Everybody was waiting for their clues to the beginning of the very first Treasure Hunt to be held in Hogwarts, which would also spark a tradition for many years to come.
Flitwick: 7th year prefects come and collect your first clue please. You have 10 minutes to discuss what your plan of action will be before you will be allowed to leave and hunt down your second clue and first task.
The prefects stepped forward and collected their clues. Forming small groups along the House tables, they then proceeded to open the first clue and plan their next point of action.
TEAM RAVENCLAW: Clue 1: I sometimes walk like an animal, but watch out for my scratchy personality.
TEAM HUFFLEPUFF: Clue 1: I bubble and boil and brew a stew, look for me and learn something new.
TEAM SLYTHERIN: Clue 1: Green and brown without a frown. Come grow your knowledge.
TEAM GRIFFENDOR: Clue 1: Knowledge is power they say, what makes them say what they say?
Flitwick: Teams, on my whistle you will move as a group onto your next clue. Once there you will have to complete the task to collect the next clue. GOOD LUCK and may you all have fun!
3; 2; 1… frrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt!
The teams moved as one to the massive door and split up as the clues divided them. There was a general shuffle as everybody wanted to see what was happening and be part of the game.
TEAM RAVENCLAW was first to their destination at the Transfiguration class. It was common knowledge for the older students that Professor McGonagall was an Tabby cat Animagus and that she had a very select personality.
WELCOME TO THE TRANSFIGURATION CLASS ROOM. THE TEACHER HERE IS PROFESSOR MINERVA McGONAGALL. SHE ALSO HAPPENS TO BE THE DEPUTY HEAD MISTRESS. WHAT IS SHE ALSO?
The older students kept quiet and allowed the 1st years to guess the answer. Once they were certain of the correct answer, they answered it to the ghost and waited for the next one to be given to them.
1st year: She is also the Head of House for Gryffindor.
Bloody Barron: Correct, now for your TASK. Transfigure this mouse into a tea cup.
4th year: No problem.
Bloody Barron: Correct, you may proceed.
He gave them their next clue and watched as they bundled together to discuss their new plan of action.
TEAM HUFFLEPUFF got to their destination next and stepped into the room for their task.
WELCOME TO THE POITIONS CLASS ROOM. HERE YOU WILL LEARN TO BREW ALL KINDS OF AMAZING POTIONS AND LOTIONS. YOUR PROFESSOR HERE IS PROFESSOR SEVERUS SNAPE. HE IS ALSO THE HEAD OF HOUSE FOR HOUSE SLYTHERIN. WHAT ELSE IS HE?
Again the older students kept quiet to allow the younger student to guess the answer.
2nd year: He is the youngest Potion master in history.
Sir Nic: Correctly identify the following potions.
7th year: That is the Draught of Living Death, that is a common Boil Cure Cream and THAT is Felix Falisidat the Good Luck Potion.
Sir Nic: Very clever there lad, here is your next clue, have fun!
The students once again huddled together to figure out their next clue.
TEAM GRYFFINDOR was the next to come to their destination.
WELCOME TO THE HISTORY OF MAGIC CLASS ROOM. YOUR TEACHER HERE IS PROFESSOR BINNS. WHAT ELSE IS HE?
This time there was no need for waiting as the very informative Ms Granger all but spat out the answer.
Ms Granger: Professor Cuthbert Binns is the only ghost teacher.
The Fat Friar: Your knowledge is vast, yet hold too dear what you think is good and soon it will bring you more heartache than what was needed young lady. Your answer is correct, you may proceed.
As for your task: Who is the current Chief of Gringots and how did he get to that position?
7th year: That would be Chief Ragnarok the 3rd. he received the position right after his father died and right after he battled for position to the death.
The Fat Friar: That is correct, here is your next clue.
The student moved closer together to figure out their next clue. Nobody was impressed with the way Ms Granger just jumped at the answer.
TEAM SLYTHERIN was last only because they had to walk all the way to the green houses.
WELCOME TO THE 1st THROUGH TO 3rd YEAR GREEN HOUSES AND THE HERBOLOGY CLASS ROOMS. YOUR PROFESSOR HERE IS PROFESSOR POMONA SPROUT. WHAT OTHER POSITION DOES SHE HOLD DEAR?
1st year: She loves her plants almost as much as she loves her wards. She is also the Head of House for the Hufflepuffs.
The Grey Lady: Well done and please enjoy the rest of your day. As for your task, you need to re-pot those Mandrakes and successfully let them settle again.
Neville stepped up: May I help with that please? My uncle taught me a trick about them.
And so with little difficulty, Neville simply turned them upside down and slowly removed the old pot. He then gently lowered the Mandrake into its new pot with warmed soil before covering it with a sleeping charm. Not one Mandrake woke up to scream its head off.
The Grey Lady: THAT was very well done and I will be the first to let the teachers know of your efforts young one.
Neville just blushed and re-joined the rest of the students.
The students thanked the ghost and moved together to figure out the next clue.
Down in the great hall there was a score board to keep tabs on all the tasks passed and to see who got to their quests first.
So far it was a close race as all the questions were relative easy.
RAVENCLAW
HUFFLEPUFF
GRYFFINDOR
SLYTHERIN
Most of the teachers were having a good time just relaxing and making bets on who would be next to their task.
One in particular was most upset with the whole idea of allowing the students to bond like this, but he kept quiet for now. His voice would have begged too many questions if he was to have declined the little get together.
Dumbledore was not a happy camper right now and he wished to get back to his office and his lovely Lemon Drops.
The tasks followed smoothly and the kids had all manner of fun. Every task got more and more difficult, but it remained fun none the less.
Question: Zip Zap. Flip Flam. Fix you up Spic and Span.
Answer: The infirmary, Madame Poppy Pomfrey
Task: Correctly set the broken bone.
Question: Blink and I am gone, stare and maybe you will see me again.
Answer: The Astronomy tower, Professor Aurora Sinistra
Task: Which constellation am I pointing at?
Question: Not all of us can scare you, but some of don't need to…
Answer: Care of Magical Creatures, Professor Silvanus Kettleburn
Task: Approach the box and identify the animal inside.
Question: High and low. Fast or slow. Where shall we go?
Answer: The Quidditch Field, Professor Rolanda Hooch, Flying Instructor.
Task: Mount the broom and perform a figure EIGHT.
Question: I am the last one to see the last left overs you had.
Answer: The Kitchens, The Castle Elves.
Task: What is the relationship between elves and wizards?
Question: Shuffle me here and shuffle me there. I will find you and get you sent to detention.
Answer: Mr Argus Filch, Caretaker of Hogwarts, has a cat familiar.
Task: Why is it dangerous to use spells in the hallways between classes?
Question: It may look like chicken scratches now, but give me a spark and I will make you go WOW!
Answer: Ancient runes classroom, Professor Bathsheda Babbling
Task: Correctly identify the following runes, arrange them in the correct order and power up the rune.
Question: Right next door or just down the street, somewhere along the line of time, we WILL meet.
Answer: Muggle Studies classroom,ProfessorCharity Burbage
Task: Correctly identify the following items.
The students were having a blast. They greeted each other as they passed in the hallways and exchanged riddles and tasks they already did.
But the hunt was on for FIRST PLACE and the grand prise of 50 House points.
Question: My charm is not the only one I have.
Answer: Charms classroom, Professor Filius Flitwick, Duel Champion and Instructor
Task: Perform the Colour changing charm, from red to blue.
Question: Ask and your answer shall be looked for.
Answer: Irma Prince, School librarian.
Task: Why is it considered rude to make noise in the library?
Question: The future holds many ways to a different path. Will you walk it or have you already walked it?
Answer: Professor Sybill Trelawney, Seer and Divination teacher.
Task: Correctly predict who would be next to enter here.
Question: I give those who seek more than what they have a way to look at what they have in a seeking manner.
Answer: Professor Septima Vector, Arithmancy classroom.
Task: According to the equation before you, what will happen to the end result if you add one more day?
The student laughed and made fun of each other but it was always in good humour. Nobody got hurt and everybody had a good time.
The race was now on to see who would be the first to enter the great hall and finish off with 50 House points.
There was some noise coming from outside the grand doors and soon there was an explosion of faces as a bunch of kids ran into the hall.
FIRST PLACE GOES TO HUFFLEPUFF TEAM 3.
SECOND PLACE GOES TO SLYTHERIN TEAM 2.
THIRD PLACE GOES TO SLYTHERIN TEAM 4.
FOURTH GOES TO RAVENCLAW TEAM 1.
FITH GOES TO HUFFLEPUFF TEAM 1.
SIXTH GOES TO GRYFFINDOR TEAM 2.
SEVENTH GOES TO GRYFFINDOR TEAM 4.
EIGHTH GOES TO SLYTHERIN TEAM 1.
NINTH GOES TO HUFFLEPUFF TEAM 4.
TENTH GOES TO RAVENCLAW TEAM 3.
ELEVENTH GOES TO RAVENCLAW TEAM 4.
TWELTH PLACE GOES TO HUFFLEPUFF TEAM 2 AND THAT MAKES THEM THE OVER ALL WINNERS!
THIRTEENTH PLACE GOES TO SLYTHERIN TEAM 3 AND MAKES THEM SECOND OVER ALL.
FOURTEENTH PLACE GOES TO GRYFFINDOR TEAM 1.
FIFTEENTH PLACE GOES TO RAVENCLAW TEAM 2 MAKING THEM THIRD OVER ALL.
SIXTEENTH PLACE GOES TO GRYFFINDOR TEAM 3 PLACING THEM IN FOURTH OVER ALL.
Flitwick: Well done to everybody who finished the race, you all did amazingly well in all your tasks and helped those in your group when needed. I commend you all for sportsmanship and a game well played.
Time to calculate your scores:
Hufflepuff: 50 - 5 – 5 – 5 – 50 = 115
Slytherin: 25 – 5 – 5 – 5 -25 = 65
Ravenclaw: 10 – 5 – 5 – 5 – 10 = 35
Gryffindor: 5 – 5 – 5 – 5 – 5 = 25
As soon as the professor stopped speaking there was a massive roar of thunderous applause. Everybody was on their feet congratulating the next person. Good jibes were made for Better Luck Next Time and Next Time We Will Win.
The teachers were shocked and pleased at the show of sportsmanship and inter house companionship.
If only they knew then that it was merely the beginning of the changes that would affect the whole wizarding word for the rest of their lives.