20 Questions (Vol. VII)

1.  Is it a tangible object?   Yes
2.  Is it magical?  No
3.  Does it belong to a male?  No, we are not told to whom it belongs.
4.  Do we see it in more than one book?  No, only in one that I know of.
5.  Do we see it at Hogwarts?   Yes
6.  Do we see it in an odd numbered book?  No
7.  Do we see it in a book with of in the title?  No
8.  Do we see it inside the castle?   Yes
9.  Could it be regarded as part of the decoration?  No
10. Do we see it in the Great Hall?   No
11. Is this thing used by teacher?  No
12. Is it used by a student?  Yes
13. Is it used by Harry?   Yes
14. Does Harry use this object during a class?  No
15. Does Harry carry this object from one place to another?  No, not from one place to another, but he does carry it a few feet or less.
16. Does Harry enjoy using this object?  No, we aren't told, but I don't think he enjoyed it.  It was just something he used.
17. Do we see this object in Gryffindor Tower?   If we don't see it in the tower, we see it near there.
18. Do we see Harry use this object only once?  Yes
19. Does Harry find this object near Gryffindor Tower by accident?   Yes, I suppose you could say he does.  He didn't set out looking for it, but it was there when he needed it.
20. Is it reasonable to suppose that it's always there (even if we don't "see" it other times)?  Yes, you could probably say that......maybe.
21. Does Harry use this object before the start of the Christmas holidays in that academic year?   No

22. Does Harry use this object while he is under the influence of Felix Felicis?   No
23. Is Harry alone when he uses this object?   Yes
24. Does Harry use this object at night?   Yes
25. Do we see this thing before chapter 24?  No

26. Do we see it before chapter 27?

1.  Is it a tangible object?   Yes
2.  Is it magical?  No
3.  Does it belong to a male?  No, we are not told to whom it belongs.
4.  Do we see it in more than one book?  No, only in one that I know of.
5.  Do we see it at Hogwarts?   Yes
6.  Do we see it in an odd numbered book?  No
7.  Do we see it in a book with of in the title?  No
8.  Do we see it inside the castle?   Yes
9.  Could it be regarded as part of the decoration?  No
10. Do we see it in the Great Hall?   No
11. Is this thing used by teacher?  No
12. Is it used by a student?  Yes
13. Is it used by Harry?   Yes
14. Does Harry use this object during a class?  No
15. Does Harry carry this object from one place to another?  No, not from one place to another, but he does carry it a few feet or less.
16. Does Harry enjoy using this object?  No, we aren't told, but I don't think he enjoyed it.  It was just something he used.
17. Do we see this object in Gryffindor Tower?   If we don't see it in the tower, we see it near there.
18. Do we see Harry use this object only once?  Yes
19. Does Harry find this object near Gryffindor Tower by accident?   Yes, I suppose you could say he does.  He didn't set out looking for it, but it was there when he needed it.
20. Is it reasonable to suppose that it's always there (even if we don't "see" it other times)?  Yes, you could probably say that......maybe.
21. Does Harry use this object before the start of the Christmas holidays in that academic year?   No
22. Does Harry use this object while he is under the influence of Felix Felicis?   No
23. Is Harry alone when he uses this object?   Yes
24. Does Harry use this object at night?   Yes
25. Do we see this thing before chapter 24?  No
26. Do we see it before chapter 27?  Yes

Ok, this is dragging out a very long time, so perhaps it is time for some hints......?!  As to question #9, I am going to say that even though we are not specifically told, this thing might have been part of the decoration of Hogwarts at one time in it's history......it is possible.  The answer lies somewhere in either chapter 24, 25, or 26.  That should narrow it down nicely and will hopefully stimulate some more guesses.

27. Do we see it in chapter 25?

1.  Is it a tangible object?   Yes
2.  Is it magical?  No
3.  Does it belong to a male?  No, we are not told to whom it belongs.
4.  Do we see it in more than one book?  No, only in one that I know of.
5.  Do we see it at Hogwarts?   Yes
6.  Do we see it in an odd numbered book?  No
7.  Do we see it in a book with of in the title?  No
8.  Do we see it inside the castle?   Yes
9.  Could it be regarded as part of the decoration?  No
10. Do we see it in the Great Hall?   No
11. Is this thing used by teacher?  No
12. Is it used by a student?  Yes
13. Is it used by Harry?   Yes
14. Does Harry use this object during a class?  No
15. Does Harry carry this object from one place to another?  No, not from one place to another, but he does carry it a few feet or less.
16. Does Harry enjoy using this object?  No, we aren't told, but I don't think he enjoyed it.  It was just something he used.
17. Do we see this object in Gryffindor Tower?   If we don't see it in the tower, we see it near there.
18. Do we see Harry use this object only once?  Yes
19. Does Harry find this object near Gryffindor Tower by accident?   Yes, I suppose you could say he does.  He didn't set out looking for it, but it was there when he needed it.
20. Is it reasonable to suppose that it's always there (even if we don't "see" it other times)?  Yes, you could probably say that......maybe.
21. Does Harry use this object before the start of the Christmas holidays in that academic year?   No
22. Does Harry use this object while he is under the influence of Felix Felicis?   No
23. Is Harry alone when he uses this object?   Yes
24. Does Harry use this object at night?   Yes
25. Do we see this thing before chapter 24?  No
26. Do we see it before chapter 27?  Yes
27. Do we see it in chapter 25?  No


Ok, this is dragging out a very long time, so perhaps it is time for some hints......?!  As to question #9, I am going to say that even though we are not specifically told, this thing might have been part of the decoration of Hogwarts at one time in it's history......it is possible.  The answer lies somewhere in either chapter 24, 25, or 26.  That should narrow it down nicely and will hopefully stimulate some more guesses.

Since there have been no guesses since Sunday, and if there are no guesses tomorrow, I will reveal the answer on Friday.

Choices, could you wait until later during the weekend, please? I have been awfully busy lately, working from early morning till late in the evening, but I kind of hope for some free time at the weekend.    I'm interested in your puzzle, but I need some time to relax and to think.

Julia, I will gladly wait. I just thought nobody was interested any longer - I guess everyone is just going through a busy streak. Hopefully things will settle down soon.   

OK, I've consulted the books. It seems the thing has to be either in Chapter 24 or in Chapter 26. (Chapter 25 is excluded by Q27.) Now, Chapter 26 takes place in the Cave, so there are no Hogwarts scenes in it. That narrows it down to Chapter 24, in which I haven't been able to find a real night scene yet, although that may be my fault. But then the Sectumsempra incident happens at dinner time, so perhaps that can be considered a night scene. Anyway, my question is: 

28. Does Harry find this object in the Room of Requirement?

1.  Is it a tangible object?   Yes
2.  Is it magical?  No
3.  Does it belong to a male?  No, we are not told to whom it belongs.
4.  Do we see it in more than one book?  No, only in one that I know of.
5.  Do we see it at Hogwarts?   Yes
6.  Do we see it in an odd numbered book?  No
7.  Do we see it in a book with of in the title?  No
8.  Do we see it inside the castle?   Yes
9.  Could it be regarded as part of the decoration?  No
10. Do we see it in the Great Hall?   No
11. Is this thing used by teacher?  No
12. Is it used by a student?  Yes
13. Is it used by Harry?   Yes
14. Does Harry use this object during a class?  No
15. Does Harry carry this object from one place to another?  No, not from one place to another, but he does carry it a few feet or less.
16. Does Harry enjoy using this object?  No, we aren't told, but I don't think he enjoyed it.  It was just something he used.
17. Do we see this object in Gryffindor Tower?   If we don't see it in the tower, we see it near there.
18. Do we see Harry use this object only once?  Yes
19. Does Harry find this object near Gryffindor Tower by accident?   Yes, I suppose you could say he does.  He didn't set out looking for it, but it was there when he needed it.
20. Is it reasonable to suppose that it's always there (even if we don't "see" it other times)?  Yes, you could probably say that......maybe.
21. Does Harry use this object before the start of the Christmas holidays in that academic year?   No
22. Does Harry use this object while he is under the influence of Felix Felicis?   No
23. Is Harry alone when he uses this object?   Yes
24. Does Harry use this object at night?   Yes
25. Do we see this thing before chapter 24?  No
26. Do we see it before chapter 27?  Yes
27. Do we see it in chapter 25?  No
28. Does Harry find this object in the Room of Requirement? Yes!  

29. Is it something that is described as chipped?

1.  Is it a tangible object?   Yes
2.  Is it magical?  No
3.  Does it belong to a male?  No, we are not told to whom it belongs.
4.  Do we see it in more than one book?  No, only in one that I know of.
5.  Do we see it at Hogwarts?   Yes
6.  Do we see it in an odd numbered book?  No
7.  Do we see it in a book with of in the title?  No
8.  Do we see it inside the castle?   Yes
9.  Could it be regarded as part of the decoration?  No
10. Do we see it in the Great Hall?   No
11. Is this thing used by teacher?  No
12. Is it used by a student?  Yes
13. Is it used by Harry?   Yes
14. Does Harry use this object during a class?  No
15. Does Harry carry this object from one place to another?  No, not from one place to another, but he does carry it a few feet or less.
16. Does Harry enjoy using this object?  No, we aren't told, but I don't think he enjoyed it.  It was just something he used.
17. Do we see this object in Gryffindor Tower?   If we don't see it in the tower, we see it near there.
18. Do we see Harry use this object only once?  Yes
19. Does Harry find this object near Gryffindor Tower by accident?   Yes, I suppose you could say he does.  He didn't set out looking for it, but it was there when he needed it.
20. Is it reasonable to suppose that it's always there (even if we don't "see" it other times)?  Yes, you could probably say that......maybe.
21. Does Harry use this object before the start of the Christmas holidays in that academic year?   No
22. Does Harry use this object while he is under the influence of Felix Felicis?   No
23. Is Harry alone when he uses this object?   Yes
24. Does Harry use this object at night?   Yes
25. Do we see this thing before chapter 24?  No
26. Do we see it before chapter 27?   No
27. Do we see it in chapter 25?  No
28. Does Harry find this object in the Room of Requirement? Yes!
29. Is it something that is described as chipped?   Yes!

30. Aaah! So is it the chipped bust of an ugly old warlock?

You know, I completely misunderstood when you said it was near Gryffindor Tower. I was trying to think of something Harry picked up just outside the entrance, in the corridor, and I couldn't recall anything like that.  

1.  Is it a tangible object?   Yes
2.  Is it magical?  No
3.  Does it belong to a male?  No, we are not told to whom it belongs.
4.  Do we see it in more than one book?  No, only in one that I know of.
5.  Do we see it at Hogwarts?   Yes
6.  Do we see it in an odd numbered book?  No
7.  Do we see it in a book with of in the title?  No
8.  Do we see it inside the castle?   Yes
9.  Could it be regarded as part of the decoration?  No
10. Do we see it in the Great Hall?   No
11. Is this thing used by teacher?  No
12. Is it used by a student?  Yes
13. Is it used by Harry?   Yes
14. Does Harry use this object during a class?  No
15. Does Harry carry this object from one place to another?  No, not from one place to another, but he does carry it a few feet or less.
16. Does Harry enjoy using this object?  No, we aren't told, but I don't think he enjoyed it.  It was just something he used.
17. Do we see this object in Gryffindor Tower?   If we don't see it in the tower, we see it near there.
18. Do we see Harry use this object only once?  Yes
19. Does Harry find this object near Gryffindor Tower by accident?   Yes, I suppose you could say he does.  He didn't set out looking for it, but it was there when he needed it.
20. Is it reasonable to suppose that it's always there (even if we don't "see" it other times)?  Yes, you could probably say that......maybe.
21. Does Harry use this object before the start of the Christmas holidays in that academic year?   No
22. Does Harry use this object while he is under the influence of Felix Felicis?   No
23. Is Harry alone when he uses this object?   Yes
24. Does Harry use this object at night?   Yes
25. Do we see this thing before chapter 24?  No
26. Do we see it before chapter 27?   No
27. Do we see it in chapter 25?  No
28. Does Harry find this object in the Room of Requirement? Yes!
29. Is it something that is described as chipped?   Yes!
30. Aaah! So is it the chipped bust of an ugly old warlock?  Yes!  

Well, at this particular time the Room of Requirement was located on the 7th floor corridor near a tapestry of dancing trolls. Since Harry got there very quickly from the Gryffindor common room, I figured it had to be near, if not in, Gryffindor Tower. He is desperate to hide the half blood prince's potion book and he uses the bust to mark the spot. Well done, Julia.    The next puzzle is yours.

Julia H. wrote:You know, I completely misunderstood when you said it was near Gryffindor Tower. I was trying to think of something Harry picked up just outside the entrance, in the corridor, and I couldn't recall anything like that.  

Ditto! That's exactly where I was stuck. Congratulations on figuring it out.

I'm sorry if that was misleading. It said Harry grabbed his book bag and sprinted out of the common room and off along the 7th floor corridor. He came to a tapestry of dancing trolls and opened the Room of Requirement. It was on the same floor as the entrance to Gryffindor Tower/common room, so I figured it couldn't be too far to the RoR from the Gryffindor dorms.

Thanks, Choices!    Let the new game begin!

1. Is it a thing?

2. Is it magical?

3. Is it tangible?

4. Do we see it in more than one book?

5. Is it something that is sometimes there and sometimes not?