Archive of Riddles

CatherineHermiona - Oct 31, 2006 12:24 pm (#2362 of 2990)

Puck is correct, it's indeed the Mirror of Erised!

Laying beneath a trapdoor,
being somewhere else before.
Mirror of Erised was first in that classroom, and was moved beneath the trapdoor that Fluffy was guarding.
Hiding something just
truly unselfish person
can find.
Mirror is hiding Philosopher's Stone, that only a person that wants to find it, find it, but not use it, can find.

Kate

Puck - Nov 1, 2006 4:06 pm (#2374 of 2990)

Yes! Lina found the correct spell! Tarantallegra is a spell used to make someone dance. (Even if they are lacking in grace or rhythm.)

Nice avatar, by the way, Lina, though it took plenty of squinting to read it.

Lina - Nov 2, 2006 11:37 am (#2414 of 2990)

Well done, Haymoni! The answer is indeed the Riddle's diary. I believe your riddle will be a little bit more challenging.

haymoni - Nov 6, 2006 10:44 am (#2452 of 2990)

And S.E. Jones is the winner!!!

It is indeed, Bertie Botts Every-Flavoured Beans!!

We come in a group, but you can have just one.
(Mine have always come in a little bag.)
We're similar, but different.
(They are all about the same size, but look & taste differently.)
You'll have lots of fun.
(I always have a blast trying to guess what each one will be.)
You must be a Gryffindor to even take part.
(You have to be brave to try them.)
You could be a Slytherin, if you're a friend with no heart.
(You could offer a vomit-flavored one to someone.)
A Ravenclaw would be helpful at a time like this,
(A Ravenclaw may be smart enough to figure which is which.)
But a Hufflepuff would make sure that nothing's amiss.
(The Hufflepuff would certainly warn you about the bogey ones!)
So come on, join the fun!
You might get to boast.
But better choose wisely, or you'll end up toast!
(Toast was one of the flavors that Harry tried.)

S.E. Jones - Nov 14, 2006 4:34 pm (#2575 of 2990)

Phelim Mcintyre --Wow, I got the riddle! That was a totally random guess. I'm still not sure why I'm correct.--

Sorry Phelim, I didn't get a chance to write up my reasoning for the riddle's answer being the golden snitch.

You could put me in your pocket like a little bag of gold.
(The snitch is small enough to fit in a pocket; James kept one in his pocket, which he has after the DADA OWL.)

Keep a sharp eye or, like Leprechaun riches, I'll flitter away.
(Seekers have to keep their eyes open or the Snitch will be gone before they realize it's there.)

Ambitious and keen fortune hunters, they get a firm hold.
(Kinda self-explanatory, I guess.)

For as the saying goes, nothing gold can stay.
(A reference to both the golden snitch's quick speed, as well as a line from one of my favorite Robert Frost poems about the progression of time.)

Phelim Mcintyre - Nov 15, 2006 5:14 am (#2589 of 2990)

Well done Sarah, it is Bellatrix

I'm strong, dignified, self-confident, inconsistent, arrogant, and violent. Well that should be my influence on you anyway.

All these are astrological influences of the star Belatrix, and are a good summary of her character.

Clue 1 - A Western Shoulder. Bellatrix is the Western shoulder of the constellation Orion.

Clue 2 - Orion's Amazonian friend? Bellatrix is translated as the Amazonian or Female Warrior.

Unused clues:
- A hunter’s hand? (Bellatrix is known as the Hunter's Hand in the Middle East)
- Deranged or just strange? (Bella comes across as mad, and her last name is Le Strange)
- A Dark Favourite? (Is Bella the Dark Lord's special Death Eater?)

Over to you S E Jones

S.E. Jones - Nov 20, 2006 10:23 pm (#2671 of 2990)
Edited Nov 20, 2006 11:22 pm

And Puck got the riddle. Yes, the answer is the Sorting Hat and the riddle was in reference to its OP song. Take it away, Puck.

Puck - Nov 22, 2006 8:19 pm (#2707 of 2990)

That was quick!

Yes, Virginia, it is Santa Claus… Phineas Nigellus.

You now have both hangman and the riddle. Good thing you're on break!

virginiaelizabeth - Nov 25, 2006 11:10 am (#2729 of 2990)

You got it Lina! It's "spellotape"!

I can do just about anything,
generally speaking,
but to the dead,
I am of no use.
- A spell is the general term for magic, and can do most things, but it cannot raise the dead.

Next I shall tell you,
when mistakes are made,
I can often be heard
in front of 'No!"
- If you mess up, sometimes you say "Oh no"

Lastly,
I'll stick by your side,
if you should ever find yourself,
in need of a fix!
- If you need a temporary fix, you can use tape. It's also sticky.

What am I?

- Put the 3 together and you get Spell-o-tape!

Clue: It has a Muggle counterpart!

- Muggles use Scotch tape, which is almost the same thing!

Take it way Lina!

Lina - Nov 25, 2006 11:55 pm (#2735 of 2990)

That was fast!

I'm not even sure it needs explanation, but here it is:

Is it fun that you seek?
At your service every week,
- a weekly magazine
I offer you advice
how to spend your time.
You can check your skills
with new recipes.
- Mrs Weasley uses the recipes from it
You can have a rest,
my gossips are the best.
- it published Rita Skeeter's article on Hermione dating with Krum and Harry
I like it when you smile
and award it every year.
- the award Lockhart got.

The riddle is all yours, Kathy, congratulations!

Puck - Nov 29, 2006 11:18 am (#2772 of 2990)

Audrey's got it! It is indeed a Mandrake!

Never female,
No matter my gender. Referring to the first syllable "man"
No flying South. A drake is a male duck.
Reluctantly mend her. Used to revive Hermione and others who were petrified in CoS. I assume they were reluctant, as it meant being chopped to bits

Elanor - Dec 1, 2006 9:21 am (#2800 of 2990)

Congratulations Maria!!! It was Sybill Trelawney indeed!

Here is the explanation of the clues:

Strange days, strange ways, strange says,
Three times the same pattern in the line, as later three times the same kind of line in the end to make one think of "three" for "tre" ("tres", 3 in Latin). Dear Sybill is definitely part of the "strange days" the Wizarding World is living, she is just a tiny bit odd and "strange says" was refering to her prophecies.

When three equals one in the righteous play
Three equals one: "tre"-lawney but one character and "righteous play" was to evoke "law".

Hear me, because I can't
When she makes a real prophecy, she doesn't hear herself doing so.

Hide me, before one has me sunk,
Many people believe that DD finally hired her to "hide" her, to protect her, and it was also a reference to her hiding her empty bottles. "sunk" was both for "to sink in alcoholism" and to say that if Voldemort ever finds out she was the one who made the first prophecy and captures her she will be "sunk", no hope for her! Unless he makes her "sink" in madness, etc...

And believe me, for I shan't.
When, in PoA, Harry tells her about what she has just said about the "Dark Lord" about to rise again she doesn't believe him and says "I would certainly not presume to predict anything quite as far-fetched as that!"

Congratulations again!!! The next riddle is all yours!

HungarianHorntail11 - Dec 3, 2006 4:53 am (#2817 of 2990)

You've got it, Anna! Thank you, I was beginning to think perhaps my riddle was too obscure!

Right on all of your explanations. Just to clarify some things:

The line "Most complete but halfway there" the last part (Books 6 & 7) are halfway there if you take it as two parts of one but the series itself is nearly complete.

Regarding "As I cast my spell", well, you all know what happens when you open an HP book and begin to read it …

I almost added a line saying we will most definitely not see 8, but I didn't want to make it too obvious. As always, maybe it only seems obvious when you know the answer, lol.

Great guessing, Anna - take it away!

(Note: The exact answer is not stated in this post, and the riddle-solver’s explanation was not copied for these archives, unfortunately.)

Anna L. Black - Dec 3, 2006 10:52 am (#2823 of 2990)

Yep, a thestral indeed You're next, Puck!

Riddle #13

[b]Nicholas Schouten - Dec 9, 2006 8:29 pm (#2926 of 2990)

Puck could it be

a troll;

"t" by going to the end of "start";
"r" taken out of "reverse";
"o" as in exclaiming "Oh!"; and
"ll" being the twins in question. ?

What could be worse indeed? And definitely calls for holding one's nose!!!

-Nick

Nicholas Schouten - Dec 12, 2006 6:00 pm (#2953 of 2990)

You are right Elanor! Guess you won't be ruing the day! hehehe

THE RIDDLE:

1. A grave eye have I
Botanical name for ‘Rue’ is Ruta Graveolens

2. Born of earth, to the sky I fly.
Rue is an herb, so grows from the earth; The essence of rue that Ron is given is a distilled in alcohol version, so very volatile, evaporating easily (‘fly’)

3. Historically spirited friend of the Four Thieves-
Although there are a number of recipes attributed to the 4 Thieves, most involve the use of rue in the making of the vinegar that allowed them to rob from those with the plague without catching the plague.

4. But despite my claim, for their sins they did not grieve.
Rue is an herb symbolizing repentance and sorrow

5. Never a wand, but prototype club,
Rue was used at one time as a model for the suit of clubs found in a deck of cards.

6. Best take care where you rub.
Rue is a rubifacient, and those who handle it carelessly can break out in red spots

7. The fire that sedates
Rue turns things red and burns/stings a bit externally, but some herbalists (especially Chinese herbalists) use rue for epilepsy and seizures and as a sedative.

8. Still, for witches and wizards, a strange mate.
Rue was used during the Middle Ages to ward off witches and spells

9. Too late for a hot cauldron
Ron was healed of the love potion in the chocolate cauldrons by the time he took the poisoned mead

10. On time for a cold Ron?
Madame Pomfrey ‘prescribed’ essence of rue for Ron in HBP after the bezoar initially saved his life from the poisoned mead.

Take it away Elanor!

-Nick

Elanor - Dec 14, 2006 10:20 pm (#2989 of 2990)
Edited by Kip Carter Dec 14, 2006 11:29 pm

They know the centaur is on his way...

Congratulations Nick, it was indeed the scene in which Trelawney is fired and DD comes back to the castle with Firenze!

Teachers roasting on an open fire
Was for Trelawney and the other teachers in that scene, plus the idea of "firing" and "open fire" because the firing happens in the open.
Ugly Toad nipping at their nose
For Umbridge's behavior in that scene.
Tears and threats being sent, so dire,
And folks squeezed up like Eskimos.
Lots of threats and tears in that scene in front of a crowd of students.
Everybody knows flames
and the beginning of the end
Very bad pun on "Firenze": flames for "fire", beginning of the end for "en" and the end is "z" (I know should be ashamed! )
Help to make the twilight bright
The scene happens at twilight and bright to remind one of "Mars is bright tonight"
Giggling ones with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
For the girls who finds Firenze so handsome when he arrives at Hogwarts.
As for the "You're walking on a solid ground here!" hint, it was because Firenze will teach on the ground/first floor (sorry, used the British version of the book! The ground/first floor difference didn't came to my mind!), also because DD comes from the Hogwarts grounds in that scene and because your ground was solid indeed: you were searching in the right book!

Congratulations again Nick! The Crumple-Horned Snorkacks will regret you! That was a noble cause...

I don't have the time to start a new thread now (time to go to work!), would someone else mind doing it?

I removed Elanor's last edit because I deleted the post she referred. That post did not follow my instructions. This thread still has another post available. - Kip

Nicholas Schouten - Dec 16, 2006 10:25 pm (#36 of 2986)

Virginiaelizabeth, it is not the Quibbler Interview. Geauxtigers, it is not Madame Pince nor DD's death! But no more clues! See reasoning below!

Elanor, it IS AUGUSTA LONGBOTTOM! (Yes, when these clues started getting voluminous, I did already start the explanations! ROFL!)

Explanation for The ‘Augusta Longbottom’ Riddle:

First, I was and am before and after the seventh dying; Augusta was born before Harry and August comes after the seventh month’s dying.

Second consists of two words; Augusta Longbottom (and the last name is a compound of two words: Long and bottom).

Third is second word of three parts, the last part being shorter than the first part; ‘Tom’ of ‘bot-tom’ is SHORTER (hehehe) than LONG.

Next, a Slytherin’s flight presaged? When Neville’s Ridikulus spell counteracts the Boggart-Snape, the Boggart-Snape is then dressed in Augusta’s clothes with the stuffed vulture on Snape’s head, perhaps a foreshadowing of Snape’s eventual flight!.

Fifth, a corporael work of mercy fulfilled; We see Augusta visiting the sick at St. Mungo’s: namely her son and her daughter-in-law; visiting the sick is one of the corporeal works of mercy.

Sixth and finally in this series of clues, a librarian’s historical associate? This was a bit of a stretch, but given her age, if Madam Pince is Mrs. Snape, then they would be about the right ages to have gone to Hogwarts together; also works if Madam Pince is the age of Augusta.

Who or what am I?

Clue No. 1: I find green very becoming. Augusta is frequently see wearing green robes.

Clue No. 2: I find it handy to have red around. Augusta has a red hand bag.

Clue No. 3: The First line refers to the relevant seventh dying. That would be July.

Clue No. 4: The answer to this riddle consists of two words, although more might be found in the last word. Augusta Longbottom; long-bottom.

Clue No. 5: I have provided the inspiration for the relief of fear(s). Neville dressed his boggart of Snape as Augusta.

Clue No. 6: Some people think that I was not charming, as if! Minerva McGonagall informs Neville in HPB that Augusta failed her O.W.L. in Charms.

Clue No. 7: I don’t mean to brag, but I can be found at times in the company of the wea folk. Augusta is a friend of Griselda Marchbanks, a member of the Wizarding Examinations Authority [‘WEA’]. (All right, all right, so I "forgot" to capitalize the acronym!" lol!

Clue No. 9: With all these clues, people are going to need something to help them remember the clues! I better get working! Augusta Longbottom sent Neville the Rembrall to help him not forget things!

Informal clues

1. Hail Elanor and Chemyst, well met! ‘Hail’ was a clue to the phrase ‘Hail Caesar!’ which would lead one to July and August, months named after the first two Caesars.

2. However it appears the riddle has left Elanor in a weak-end state and Chemyst ‘booking’ on the past, present and future! The thought of Augusta also inspires fear in Neville (leaving him feeling inferior and/or weak); Augusta has appeared or been referenced in one manner or another in every book.

3. I’ll have to be careful in giving clues so as to not let the vulture out of the bag! Hah! Augusta wears a vulture hat and carries a red handbag, rather as signature marks, at least to the reader.

4. As you may have gathered, neither ‘patronus’ nor Professor Severus Snape is quite right, but both could be said to be in the right neighborhood- Neville’s Boggart-Snape ended up dressed as Augusta; Lupin taught the Riddikulus spell and he also taught the Patronus spell.

5. There is a "trick" to the third line of the riddle (okay, and maybe the first, and the fourth… and possibly the sixth lines also; hehehe). The ‘trick’ was that ‘short’ was to help make one think of its opposite, ‘Long’ as in ‘Longbottom’.

6. But, fear not! Three new clues are given - I must be in the Christmas spirit! (Note that at the time only two new formal clues were given) ‘Fear not’ went to the Riddikulus Spell in dealing with the Boggart; the second informal clue here was ‘Christmas spirit’ as we see Augusta visiting St. Mungo’s in the Chapter entitled ‘Christmas on the Closed Ward’. There were in fact only two formal clues given, which was meant to force one to look for another clue, leading to the "Christmas" clue!

7. It is not Tom Riddle/Voldemort, but I must say that Tom may be lurking around ‘tom’ and in Longbot-tom’.

8. In truth before and after July 31st may be similar and yet not! The similarity being between the person born before that July 31, namely Augusta, and the name of the following month being August; the ‘not’ part being that one is a person (a ‘who’) and the other a month (a ‘what’).

9. Hang in there, the answer will be darn close to ribbitting!!! (hehehe). Trevor belongs to Neville, Neville lives with Augusta, so Trevor who as a frog ‘ribbitts’ lives near (darn close) to Augusta when Neville is at home!

10. The long and short of it is that everybody should read the next clue! (hehehe) (Which was formal Clue No. 8.) ‘Long’ was a clue to ‘Longbottom’!

Guessed: Patronus, Professor Severus Snape, The Boggart in the Wardrobe, Tom Riddle/Voldemort, Felix Summerbee, Prince Charming , Helen Prince, Trevor, a basilisk, Quibbler Interview Madame Pince and DD’s death.

-Nick

(The pleasure has been mine! Hehehe!)

Congrats to all who were guessing so well!

Elanor - Dec 20, 2006 9:47 pm (#80 of 2986)

Congratulations Nick, it was Norbert indeed!

"Choices..." said Dumbledore...
Yet, hesitate as much as I may,
No choice is the right one for me.
These three lines were to make one think of the word "nor" and Norbert is a matter of "choices" too, for Hagrid, for the trio too!

But heavy rain may fall - I'm ready.
The first time Harry sees Norbert, he thinks he looks like an umbrella. (I know, I know, I should be ashamed!)

Fire, breaks, death of innocents...
Fire was for the dragon, "breaks" because of the hatching and because of the damage Norbert is making to Hagrid's hut afterwards, "death of innocents" for the poor chicken sacrificed for his "baby's bottle"... (should I be ashamed of that one too? Probably...)

The well known grim song...
The song is to remind one of the lullaby Hagrid is singing to Norbert, as says Ron after
Norbert bit him: "grim" song indeed!!

But in the end, I'll shed my blood
And will wash it all away,
By all the odds.
These three lines were referring to "Dragon's Blood", "in the end" because if seen as the alchemical principal, it happens at the end of the Great Work and also because I imagine it must not be that easy to take some blood from a dragon, LOL! The last two lines were referring to the 12th use of Dragon's blood: oven cleaner! (Ok, ok, should be ashamed of that one too...)

As for the hints:

First hint: Not Fawkes, however there are a few common points between my answer and Dumbledore's pet...
Fire, flying, the phoenix refers to the end of the Great Work, just like dragon's blood, and I used the word "pet" on purpose since they are both unusual pets of Harry's mentors, even if not for long for Norbert.

Second hint: Search for the hidden light.
Norbert comes from "nor"/north and "berth"/light

Third hint: **Itsy, bitsy spider....** Nice thinking on the riddle Nick! Yet, though you're definitely following the right thread, you've not reached the twelfth step yet...(yes, this IS a clue! )
The children song because Hagrid sings a lullaby to Norbert, and 12 for the 12 uses of dragon's blood and "steps" for the staircase going to the top of the tower from which Charlie's friends brought Norbert away.

Fourth hint: Nice thread Nick but not the right one yet! The answer is not this spider nor any other spider of the series (you won't say I don't give crystal clear clues!!!) but, as one say "you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs"! (and yes, this is a clue too! )
I use the word "nor" which is what the first 3 lines of the riddle are about and "breaking eggs" to make one think of Norbert's birth.

Fifth hint: It is the Games thread all right Finn, but the answer is not Sirius, nor is it the Basilisk Nick, though my answer, just like the Basilisk, has fangs, and uses them...

I'm using the same word "nor" and Norbert does have fangs, just ask Ron, and Hagrid! "just playin'! He's a baby!"

Do remember me when the burning will come

Because of the 12th use of Dragon's blood again, the oven cleaner one.

Congratulations again Nick, your turn!

Nicholas Schouten - Dec 23, 2006 9:03 am (#149 of 2986)

Correct Elanor!!! Good memory!

Explanation of ‘A Sluggish Memory’ Riddle

1: Despite all the current hype,
(A line to emphasize the following line and to call attention to the past aspect of the riddle.)

2: I’m a very ‘retro’ type.
(Short answer, it’s retrospective because it’s a memory of the past; Long answer, in terms of cognitive psychology, there are number of memory ‘types’, including episodic memory, and the emphasis on the past makes it retrospective episodic memory.)

3: Perhaps because I precede myself by quite a bit,
(This clue works on two levels: the chapter entitled A Sluggish Memory precedes the revelation of what the unaltered memory is by quite a few pages; in addition, of course, the actual event preceded the altered memory by quite a bit - assuming Slughorn didn’t alter the memory until he was being pestered by DD about Tom Riddle’s past actions.)

4: Fated is the chip, chip chipping away at it,
(Two clues here: First, Harry had to keep ‘trying’ to get past the Sluggish Memory to get to the unaltered one; Second (get ready) ah, yes: the old MEMORY CHIP, chip being a hint to lead to ‘memory’, hehehe. )

5: But all I ask for is that quiet respite.
(Slughorn wanted this memory to stay ‘quiet’ and to have other let this sleeping dragon/dog lie! )

6: Though performing slowly
(A reference to ‘sluggish’.)

7: (Perhaps because I’m not whole
[Slughorn has modified the memory and in fact the visual aspect is absent twice, obviously because it would not match the altered audio dubbed in by Slughorn.]

8: Nor hallowed nor holy)
(Couldn’t resist a line nodding towards the title of Book 7; also as the subject of the memory is Horcrux, this is a far cry from being either hallowed or holy!)

9: Should tears pay this toll?
(The opportunity for Harry to get past the Sluggish Memory and to get to the unaltered memory comes at the funeral of Aragog, where Hagrid cries up a storm and Slughorn tears up over Lily’s death, see After the Burial. )

10: A reprieve is all I ask
(DD says Slughorn is feeling guilty over the acts this memory portrays; so if Slughorn knew he had a full reprieve from others and himself, there would have been no need to alter the memory.)

11: Before you embark upon the task.
(Harry sees the Sluggish Memory before he ‘starts’ his program to achieve its unaltered portrayal.)

Who or what am I?

Clue No. 1: I am not St. Nick! (Okay, that was a ‘gimme’, hehehe!) (A line to be thrown away, hence why it was "free", hehehe.)

Clue No. 2: Three exact words are the answer, one is very short. (‘A Sluggish Memory’.)

Clue No. 3: In me lies not the true me! But when the ground is hallowed, there will I truly be. (In the chapter entitled A Sluggish Memory’, we see a false portrayal of what the memory really contains and as an additional play on words, it [the altered memory] was a ‘lie’; at the Burial of Aragog, the ground is hallowed vis-‡-vis the burial procedure and that is when Harry obtains the unaltered memory.)

Clue No. 4: London’s recent fog has nothing on me! (The alteration inserted into the memory is described by saying that the scene is filled with ‘a dense fog’.)

Clue No. 5:

-- Don’t blame me! -- Kin were deceased before I was released, (Harry was shown Tom Riddle killing the Riddle family and blaming Morphin before the Sluggish Memory was seen.)

-- In point of fact, -- Before I was seen, many wished to become unseen; (The sign up for apparition lessons was posted before Harry was shown the Sluggish Memory.)

Clue No. 6: Rumors of my ‘disguise’ are vile lies, I just hope that any ‘reprise’ doesn’t lead to an early demise!!! (Slughorn tried to pass off the altered/disguised memory as the real one; ‘vile’ was a phonetic play on phial - where the memory was kept by DD and where the real memory was subsequently inserted (the ‘reprise’); his own demise is what Slughorn is worried about with regard to even having this memory!)

Clue No. 7:

-- Don’t blame me for the company in which I am found! (This was to indicate that the following lines reference other actions in the chapter ‘A Sluggish Memory’.)

-- Kin were deceased before I was released, -- In point of fact, -- Before I was seen, many wished to become unseen;

-- Oh if only the wishers could have been there and not here! (This was to emphasize the Apparition Lessons being signed up for in the prior line.)

Informal clues

1. It is not the flute Hagrid offered Harry in PS/SS, in fact I’m hoping no one can make me sing! Bwah, hah, hah!! (To force someone to ‘sing’ is to make them ‘snitch’ and tell the truth; Slughorn hopes that no one can make him tell the truth about that fateful Slug Club meeting with Tom Riddle.)

2. It is not Witherwings the Hippogriff but he certainly might have been around for the subsequent ‘hallowing’. (Witherwings the Hippogriff was living with Hagrid at the time of the Aragog Burial, that is at the time the ground where Aragog was buried was made hallowed by the acts of Hagrid, Slughorn, and Harry.)

3. It is not the chapter, ‘Silver and Opals’. Everyone is getting closer. But, hang it all, John Bumbledore was almost there and then he had to go and go on holiday! (John noticed I was giving clues to the hangman before Anna’s; the phrase used there was from a scene between Harry and Rufus in the Weasley garden at Christmas, which takes place just before the chapter ‘A Sluggish Memory’! lol!)

4. The answer to one hangman was ‘They laid him to rest with his hat inside out and his wand snapped in two which was sad’. BTW, do you think that singing a dirge at a burial would "hallow" the ground? Hmmmm....(Aragog’s Burial is where the true memory comes out! Using ‘hallow’ here was to cause one to refer back to where it showed up in the riddle.)

5. It is amazing sometimes how the hangmans (hangmen? hanged men?) and the riddles can run in pairs at times! lol! Oh to keep such company! (The answer to Anna’s Hangman was the dirge sang at Aragog’s funeral, again where the real memory came out!)

Guessed: the flute Hagrid offered Harry in PS/SS; Harry’s wand, Witherwings the Hippogriff, Hagrid being born on St Nick's day, Hagrid's ‘umbrella", something to do with Grimmauld Place, the chapter Silver and Opals, Aragog’s Burial.

-Nick

Elanor - Dec 12, 2006 7:38 pm (#185 of 2986)
Edited Dec 26, 2006 11:26 am

So! Here are the explanations of the clues!

Dear Santa,

First, it was a letter to Santa and Hagrid was born on St Nicholas' day (as was mentioned a few days ago on this thread). Hagrid is also one of the few characters writing letters (which are shown to the reader) in the series.

I have nothing some say, yet I am richer than the richest one can be.
Some people, like the Malfoys, despise Hagrid because he is quite poor, yet, when it comes to the heart, he is "richer than the richest" because he truly has a pure and golden heart.

Some need a vault for their gold, not me. Of what use could it be? One can't take my gold from me.
Hagrid needs no vault because his true gold - his heart / love for every living creature- is some not something material, so no-one can take it from him.

It's flowing like water and yet the more I give, the richer I am.
"flowing like water" (like the "gold led me to fountains" clue) was a reference to the "water of life"/ eau de vie / alcohol Hagrid is very often seen drinking, and also to the numerous times we see him crying ("like a fountain") --the two being often linked-- because of his emotional/ golden heart side. And the more love he gives, the "richer" he is indeed!

Gold led me to fountains, gold led me to fire, and made me fear neither air nor earth.
Gold, that is his heart/love, led Hagrid to "fountains", referring also to the MoM's fountain and Buckbeak's hearing, "to fire", that is to battle (and there is also his house burning at the end of the HBP), it made him not fear "air" since he rescued Harry twice flying, first on Sirius' motorcycle and then when he reaches the shack out at sea in PS, nor "earth" because his heart made him follow DD's orders till the mountains when the giants were.

Gold is but my past, present and future.
In the past, his heart made him expelled as he wanted to protect Aragog, we've seen numerous proofs of his golden heart in the series and this will definitely be the case too in book 7 (IMO).

Dear Santa, I need nothing except you thinking of my friends as much as I think of them.
Hagrid is ready to do anything for his friends: "I would trust Hagrid with my life" even said DD, but we rarely see him ask something for himself.

As for the clues:

Clue 1: In my book, "friend" does not mean "friendly"...
Not all of Hagrid's friends are what I'd call "friendly", are they? The "in my book" was a reference to the "Monsnter Book of Monsters" to make one think of those "not friendly friends".

Clue 2: But Harry is wrong, he is not alone, as the answer to the riddle should remind him...
Harry is not alone indeed! He can count on Hagrid and if "love" is Harry's weapon, then Hagrid is the right person to help him using it in book 7! (IMO again)

Clue 3: May I suggest you look a bit more at the riddle... The way it looks like is another clue...
The riddle was written in red (rubeus) and with BIG letters! ;-) (BTW, first tried "ruby" as a font color and it turned out to be green, LOL!).

In the very first post about the riddle, I also mentioned the "spirit" of the season, which was another alcohol reference!

Audrey

Nicholas Schouten - Dec 28, 2006 2:22 pm (#228 of 2986)

EXPLANATION OF THE QUIBBLER RIDDLE

Elanor, it is not the day on which Harry told the story of what happened in the graveyard to Rita Skeeter (Valentine's day)

BUT it is "The Quibbler" HOORAY and CONGRATS!!!

The Riddle

Keys to my life:

1: Love’s sweet cut; ( Mr. Lovegoood, Luna’s father is the editor of The Quibbler; editing frequently consists of cutting extraneous material.)

2: Sorrow’s hidden truth; (‘Sorrow’ is a translation for ‘Dolores’; Dolores Umbridge, among others, tried very hard to keep Harry’s version of the Graveyard ‘resurrection’ of LV from being accepted as true; in addition, Dolores Umbridge also tried to ban from Hogwarts the March edition of The Quibbler, the one which revealed the truth told by Harry. )

3: Honor’s toil; (Luna tells Hermione, Harry and Rita Skeeter that writers write for The Quibbler, not for money but for honor and in order to see their names in print.)

4: Vanity’s pleasure; (Luna tells Hermione, Harry and Rita Skeeter that writers write for The Quibbler, not for money but for honor and in order to see their names in print; emphasis on the latter surely a sign of vanity press. Hehehe.)

5: Head’s ache; (Two heads are referred to here: First, ‘Head’ refers to PM Fudge, who is the constant target of the magazine The Quibbler and its stories, including being called ‘Goblin Crusher’; second, the Head who aches is again Dolores Umbridge who at one time considered herself Headmistress of Hogwarts and she had earlier tried to ban that magazine.)

6: Heart’s tale; (Harry tells all of what happened at the Graveyard of LV’s ‘resurrection’ to Rita Skeeter on Valentine’s Day in Hogsmeade.)

7: Mars’ Triumph; (Harry’s tale is published in March, a month named after Mars; it is a triumph in many ways. )

8: Life regenerated. (Three lives could be said to be involved in ‘regeneration’: the Life of LV, the story of which is told in The Quibbler; the life of Harry, whose reputation is ‘salvaged’ by the truth being widely told; the life of The Quibbler, who saw sales skyrocket.)

Who or what am I?

Clue No. 1: All things being equal, I’m just a little less equal! (‘Quibble’ is believed to be a dimunitive form of ‘equivocation’)

Clue No. 2: Thank goodness it will all balance out, everything ruined is topsy-turvy! (We are first introduced to The Quibbler when Harry sees Luna reading it upside down, which we later learn is because, according to the article, if you turn runes upside down, they reveal a spell to use on your enemies (creating a balance/justice ñ at least in your mind, hehehe! ‘Ruined’ is a play of words on ‘runes’ )

Clue No. 3: Distinctions make the difference (now that’s tautological, isn’t it? Hehehe!) (‘To quibble’ is to evade the truth or importance of something by trivial raising distinctions and objections. )

Clue No. 4: ‘That’s Irrelevant!!!’ ---- or not! ((‘To quibble’ is to evade the truth or importance of something by trivial raising distinctions and objections; the ‘or not’ refers to the fact that the key publication is in effect the very relevant truth of LV’s return! )

Clue No. 5: Love’s sweet cut is all for the good; of course the appropriate insertion wouldn’t be all bad either! (Mr. Lovegood’s edits are to improve the quality of the article, ostensibly at least; not all edits are deletions. )

Clue No. 6: Sorrow’s hidden truth precedes the advance of a dark shadow. (The publication of the LV’s graveyard return precedes both the advance of Dolores Umbrage (which surname refers to the darkest part of the shadow) to acting Headmistress of Hogwarts and of LV’s public coming out (an ominous advance indeed) (albeit unplanned) at the DoM )

Clue No. 7: Seriously, you can paint me black! But, will Harry believe it ñ after all this is no fly and sale! (One of the first articles Harry reads in Luna’s Quibbler is about Sirius Black and Stubby Boardman - the title references how Sirius has been ‘painted black’ by the MoM; ‘Will Harry believe it’ is a reference to Hermione telling Harry not to believe those things printed in the Quibbler; ‘No fly and sale’ is a reference to Rita Skeeter’s derogatory remark just prior to being forced to interview Harry for an article to be published in The Quibbler.)

Clue No. 8: I have a storied past! (The Quibbler publishes ‘news stories’, among other ‘stories’!)

Clue No. 9: Instead of "Keys" to my life, maybe it would be better to say "Key events in my life". (As outlined above, many of those stories and editing are the key events of a magazine.)

Clue No. 10: The Heart’s tale was not told to Venus’ progeny but if angels had ears and followed our hero, perhaps more winged beings would be in on a key event! Regardless of outcome, the moon still shines on the job of love’s sweet cut. (Venus was to get you to think of Valentine’s Day, when the ball was set rolling; but there were no Cupids in Madame Puddifoots with Harry and Cho Chang, BUT there were Cherubs; if the Cherubs, a type of angel, had followed Harry, they would have followed him to the interview that ended up being in the Quibbler! The moon still shines refers to Luna (moon) liking her dad and his job of editing. )

Informal clues

1. Lately Harry plays a prominent part in this ‘life’. (The story of Harry in the LV graveyard scene results in huge sales for The Quibbler.)

2. Not Little Hangleton, but your analysis of that clue is headed in the right direction, so to speak. (‘Topsy-turvy’ and ‘upside-down’ for the ruins/runes in the magazine article read by Luna. )

3. (But I will add that the "equal" clue is a little old for some!) (‘Quibble’ is believed to be a dimunitive form of ‘equivocation’, and that usage is very archaic.)

4. I am sad to report that it is neither Tom Marvolo Riddle...also known as Lord Voldemort, and/or his horcruxes; and it is not the "Fountain of Magical Brethen" (The clue here was the word ‘report’, which was to make one think of ‘reporter’, people who write for newpapers and newsmagazines, including but not limited to Rita Skeeter. )

5. I know you were hoping to be marching in triumph, but it is not Lupin. (‘Triumph’ was designed to make one think of the clue ‘Mars’ Triumph’, so that the connection between Mars and March could be made.)

6. This cut is given by Love-. (Mr. Lovegood does the editing, which includes cutting portions of articles; the ellipses after the work ‘Love’ was a sneaky way to indicate the word continued, as in ‘Lovegood’! )

7. Stay tuned for the riddle’s next periodic installment, hehehe. (The word ‘periodic’ was a clue to the fact that this was a magazine, so it was a periodical.)

8. It is not Sirius offering the Firebolt to Harry; this involves a much more public offering. (The more public offering being of course the sales of The Quibbler and especially the sales involving Harry’s tale of the LV ‘resurrection’.)

9. Btw, ‘tautological’ was only added to draw attention away from the key word: ‘distinctions’, but let’s not be petty about it!!! ) (The definition of ‘Quibble’ includes ‘To evade the truth or importance of an issue by raising trivial distinctions and objections’

Elanor - Jan 1, 2007 10:10 am (#286 of 2986)

Thanks Nick!

Here is the explanation of the riddle and clues:

The Crumple-Horned Snorkack Riddle

Please, don't seek me!
The CHS is "shy" and "elusive"
I'm pigheaded you see,
According to the Lexicon, "snork" means pig, so the CHS may have a pig-ish head.
When I say I'm not ready,
Do believe me!
Again a hint about the CHS being shy and elusive and making one think it is something we have not seen yet but may see before the end of the series.
One day, my time will come.
Same as above
Nestled in my crystalline setting,
"crystalline" was to make you think of "ice" because the CHS is supposed to live in Sweden.
In a swirl of wonder,
The Lexicon says that "crumple-horned" means "horns curl in spiral", hence the "swirl" clue, and "wonder" because Luna would probably be lost in wonder if she found some and also because the others "wonder" about the CHS's existence.
If you can see - you'll find me!
Was to make one think that there are some animals some people can see and some can't, as the Thestrals, and thus think of Luna who tries and find them. Also because if one can "see" them, I'd bet my first cauldron it will be her!

The clues

Clue 1: I don't want to leave you all in the fog, so here is a clue: my answer has more common points than one could think at first sight with a very famous Quidditch player...

The "fog" part of the clue is to make one think of a "foghorn", the Quidditch player is Viktor Krum because "crumple" comes from the German "Krumm" (crooked), Viktor has a wand made of hornbeam. He is also a seeker and the Snorkack is "seeked" by many included Luna and her father. "at first sight" was also a reference to the fact no-one has even seen the CHS yet!

Clue 2: Not a prophecy either Kneazle! But we've got used to have plenty of clues so here is another one: no prophecy involved but my answer has been foreshadowed... And yes, there are plenty of clues in this clue!

Accent put on the word "plenty" to make one think of the "horn of plenty", and my answer has been foreshadowed because we won't be surprised if a real CHS appears in the DH: Luna has talked about it twice already!

Clue 3: The answer isn't Snape or the Snitch though your line of thinking is very good Tori! Maybe the trick is to have the right glasses! (Yes, this is a clue! ) A reference to Luna's "special" glasses we often see her wear and to the horn-rimmed glasses Percy is wearing.

Clue 4: Ginny, the Quidditch player I was referring to is indeed Viktor Krum but the answer has nothing to do with the World Cup I'm afraid! It is not Harry catching the Snitch either and the glasses I'm thinking of are very special - maybe you need to be Headboy to appreciate them?

See previous clues for Viktor Krum. The clue meant to lead to Percy and his horn-rimmed glasses.

Clue 5: Anna, it isn't Slughorn's memory, or any other "bottled" memory BTW, and the "crystalline" part of the riddle isn't connected to pineapples either, though, on a second thought, the kind of "crystal" the riddle is referring to may be greatly appreciated when it comes to bottles...

The crystal was referring to "ice", because the CHS is to be found in Sweden according to Luna.

Clue 6: As for Percy, he is the one the clue was referring to but he is not the answer. Reading the riddle through his eyes will definitely help though...

Again, to make one think of his "horn-rimmed" glasses.

Clue 7: Skeeters and the answer... interesting idea Nick! One which would be worth studying but I'm afraid Rita Skeeter won't lead you to the seeked prize...

We have no idea what the CHS's favorite food is, and "skeeters" may be a piece of choice for it as far as we know! It would be worth "studying" because I assume the wizard who finds the CHS will definitely try and study it a bit! "Study" and "seeked prize" are also meant to make one think of the Nobel Prize which is given each year in Sweden.

Clue 8: The answer is not Arthur nor any other Weasley, nor is it Penelope Clearwater! As for the prize, if I were to bet, I'd bet on Newt Scamander winning it...

To make you think of "FB".

Clue 9: Good thinking but no right guess yet! My answer may be as elusive as the Golden Snitch, but its "pig-headedness" is not to be taken too literally, or on the contrary, has to be taken very literally... It is not the Goblet of Fire either and is not linked to it. Let's say I was more thinking in terms of field studies...

The Lexicon describes the CHS as being "elusive" and says "snork" means "pig" so the CHS's head may be "pig-ish". "Field studies" was to make you think of Luna going to try and find some during the holidays.

Clue 10: No right guess yet but I'd say Nick is the closest to the answer, definitely the right field to explore! My answer is not mentioned in the current and 52nd edition of FB, but may well be in the 53rd, or 54th...

Again to make you think of FB and going "on the field" to search for them. I SO hope we'll see some CHS in book7!! It would be great for next edition of FB then, wouldn't it?

Edit: Almost forgot! Happy New Year to all!!

Phelim Mcintyre - Jan 2, 2007 11:17 am (#301 of 2986)

And I thought this would be a difficult one. Nicholas is right that it is a basilisk.

The crown refers to the crest on the Basilisk's head. Basilisk is Greek for little king. Sirius is used as Regulus' (his Death Eater brother's) name also means little king. Switzerland is because the basilisk is the emblem of the city of Berne. Mirto refers to Moaning Myrtle, pipes to the Hogwarts plumbing and morning cry to the cock’s crow which is supposed to be fatal to basilisks.

Take it away Nick. Oh yes Audrey, I love your answer too.

Nicholas Schouten - Jan 4, 2007 10:48 am (#356 of 2986)

EXPLANATION OF 'LIGHTNING STRUCK TOWER' RIDDLE

The Riddle

1: My connection to the stars may tell my true story, (The Astronomy Tower is the highest Tower, and Professor Sinistra teaches Astronomy; possibly her name was chosen simply because of her astronomical significance. Her namesake star is located where the tail of the Serpent constellation meets the body of the Serpent Handler Constellation (also known as the 'Serpent Tamer') [see No. 4 of riddle], also known as the Healer. The head of the Serpent Handler is placed head to head next to the head of Hercules (Greek for Hero ). The Hero is fighting Cerberus (not only a three headed dog BUT a dog with a serpent tail and with serpent manes!. Sliding down from the North polar region is Constellation Draco, nipping at the heals of the Hero, known mythologically as either the 100 headed dragon that guards the golden apples, which Hercules kills, or as the dragon guarding the Golden Fleece (among other myths). Snakes and dragons abound in this area and there is a Serpent Tamer and Hercules and Draco, whether DD and Harry are the Serpent Tamer and Hercules or vice versa, much of the story is written in the stars!)

2: But you must be instructed on that path; (A reference to Professor Sinistra who teaches astronomy on the Tower.)

3: For I came before the stars and the moon-- (In the Tarot Deck, the Lightning Struck Tower precedes the Tarot cards 'Star' and 'Moon'.)

4: Look for where the tail of the snake meets the body; (In the constellations Serpens [divided into two, Serpens Cauda (tail) and Serpens Caput (head) and Serpentarius [also known as Ophiuchus, the Serpent Handler ] the star named Sinistra is located where the tail of the snake meets the body of the Serpent Handler.)

5: I know a place where the highest are brought low, (DD is cursed over the ramparts of the Tower - and lands on the ground way below; this type of picture is also depicted on the tarot "Lightning Struck Tower" card.)

6: Where places dark are made for plotting, (Constellations [stars found in the dark, dark night] are plotted from the top of the Tower - Harry, et al. have their astronomy practical O.W.L. there in OotP.)

7: And where disturbing visions frequent. (From the top of the Tower, Harry sees Umbridge go after Hagrid, sees Fang injured defending Hagrid, sees Hagrid run away, and sees McGonagall stunned by MoM Aurors; he also sees the Dark Mark posted above the Tower; and finally he sees Snape AK DD on the Tower.)

8: Two names now have I, only one will suffice. (Two names: Astronomy Tower and Lightning Struck Tower, only the later is the answer.)

Who or what am I?

Clue No. 1: A place where the past is seen as if new. (Because of the time is takes starlight to travel from the constellations, our today’s starlight actually left the stars many years ago.)

Clue No. 2: For telling the best stories, I can give foretelling a run for the money! (See the tales told as 'disturbing visions', nothing predicted (foretold) matches the drama.)

Clue No. 3: Block upon block, clue upon clue, have I been built up, only to mark the downfall! ('Block upon block' was meant to help visualize the big building blocks of the castle and its Tower; now the Tower stands as THE SPOT where DD was AK'd.)

Clue No. 4: Where places dark are made for plotting, lasting aspirations are marked by the dark. ('Aspire' comes more recently from the Latin word "aspirare;" the Oxford Latin Dictionary gives many meanings for "aspirare" including 'to emit air or breath', 'to instill, infuse (an emotion or quality) into a person or thing'... 'the lasting emission of breath was DD's; it was Snape who was infused with an emotion; the whole event was permanent - very lasting; the Dark Mark was above it all.)

Clue No. 5: Visions disturbing involve light's glare twice. (The lights of the stunning spells and the light of the AK.)

Clue No. 6: Where the tail of the snake meets the body, there can be found the teacher. (A more direct clue to the fact that Sinistra is the teacher being referred to.)

Clue No. 7: Arms were meant to go through, not over! (Arms, specifically archery weapons, were meant to go through the crenellations on the Tower, instead DD's arms go up and over the crenellations.)

The rest continues on next post. (First clue took way too long! Hehehe!)

-Nick

(NOTE: The rest that Nick refers to was not copied. I made an executive decision as an archivist that there was enough posted already. ~ Potteraholic.)