บท 143: We All Did!
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While the event had always been competitive, the essence of unity it was fostering this year was something both Flitwick and McGonagall hadn't anticipated. The laughter and shared frustration over the riddles, the collective groans when an egg's clue proved particularly challenging, and the cheers that erupted with each discovery were evidence of a changing Hogwarts—one that was slowly but surely knitting itself back together, house by house.
Away from the faculty's watchful eyes, the students continued their spirited search. The Great Hall had become a central hub of activity, with groups huddled around tables, whispering and debating over the clues. Despite the competition, there was an undeniable sense of community among them. Harry, with Tracey and Daphne by his side, navigated through the bustling hall, his eyes scanning the room, soaking in the vibrant scene before him.
Nigel, who had been quietly observing the developments, couldn't resist commenting on the unexpected turn of events. "Ah, to think that all it took was a bunch of cryptically hidden eggs to bring the houses together. Perhaps we should suggest a scavenger hunt for world peace next?"
Harry chuckled softly at Nigel's remark. "I'll draft the proposal tonight," he whispered back, amusement evident in his voice.
The day continued with much of the same lively atmosphere. Each clue solved was a victory celebrated not just by the finders but by onlookers as well. As the afternoon sun began to wane, the number of eggs yet to be found dwindled to a mere handful. The final, most challenging eggs had been cleverly hidden, their clues requiring a depth of Hogwarts lore that tested even the most knowledgeable students.
Fred and George, having momentarily abandoned their impersonations, now threw themselves wholeheartedly into deciphering a particularly perplexing riddle. Hermione, Ron, and even Neville found themselves stumped by a clue that seemed to reference an obscure moment in Hogwarts history.
As the sun began to set on Hogwarts, casting a golden glow over the castle, the Great Hall buzzed with a mix of anticipation and frustration. All four houses had managed to find 25 eggs each, leading to an unexpected tie. Despite their best efforts, the elusive final egg remained hidden, the victory and the 50 house points hanging in the balance. The students gathered around the Great Hall, their eyes fixed on the riddle that had just materialized in the center of the room on a banner, projected in shimmering letters:
Where serpents slither without a sound,
In shadows' whisper and the lion's roar,
The loyalty of the badger's found,
Beneath the eagle's flight is the door.
The riddle that now held the attention of the entire Great Hall was a poetic puzzle that seemed to weave together the essence of all four Hogwarts houses. The faculty, understanding its simplicity immediately, watched with a mix of amusement and anticipation as students from every house huddled together, trying to crack the code. Yet, despite the clarity of the riddle to the professors, the students, eager to claim the final egg and the 50 house points it represented, found themselves entangled in its mystery.
Malfoy, standing amidst his fellow Slytherins, read the riddle aloud. His voice carried over the group, each word prompting nods and murmurs of agreement. Yet, the solution seemed to dance just out of reach.
Tracey, always one to throw herself into a mystery, tapped her finger against her chin. "It's like it's describing the entire castle... but what's this about a door?"
Daphne, her eyes lighting up, suggested, "Could it be metaphorical? Like, it's not about finding a physical door.
The same wave of excitement and confusion that swept through the Slytherin table was mirrored across the Great Hall. Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws alike huddled together, their heads bent over the cryptic riddle that now held the key to the final Easter egg and the chance to secure fifty house points for their house. Despite their combined efforts and the pooling of their considerable knowledge about Hogwarts and its many secrets, the solution to the riddle eluded them.
In every group, the discussion was animated, with theories being proposed and dismissed at a rapid pace. Yet, amidst the frenetic brainstorming, Selena Rosier from Slytherin and a handful of students from the other houses seemed to grasp the underlying meaning of the riddle. However, they chose to remain silent, their expressions thoughtful but inscrutable. The energy in the room was electric, with every student too caught up in the thrill of the hunt to consider the possibility that they might be approaching the riddle from the wrong angle.
The riddle, seemingly a poetic homage to the four houses of Hogwarts, suggested a unity that transcended the traditional rivalries and competition that characterized the school. "Where serpents slither without a sound, In shadows' whisper and the lion's roar, The loyalty of the badger's found, Beneath the eagle's flight is the door." This was not merely a clue to a physical location within the castle but a call to recognize the strengths and virtues of each house and how they complemented each other.
Harry, observing the scene with a mixture of amusement and anticipation, knew that the real challenge was not finding the egg itself but understanding the message behind the riddle. The final egg, a product of his collaboration with Professor Flitwick, was designed to be a test of insight rather than a mere physical search.
Nigel, watching the proceedings unfold through Harry's eyes, commented on the situation. "Ah, to see the finest minds of Hogwarts brought to a standstill by a few lines of poetry. It's almost poetic justice, wouldn't you say, Master Harry? Maybe you should give them a hint. Or would that spoil the fun?"
Harry smirked at Nigel's suggestion, shaking his head to the irony of the situation. "I think they'll figure it out eventually. It's more fun to watch them squirm a bit longer."
As time passed, the initial buzz of excitement began to give way to a sense of frustration among the students. The clue, which had at first seemed an exciting challenge, now felt like an insurmountable barrier standing between them and victory.
Marcus Flint, reflecting the growing impatience among the Slytherins, suggested a more proactive approach. "We're getting nowhere sitting here. Let's split up and search the castle. Someone might stumble upon it by chance."
Harry, overhearing the plan, knew it was futile. The egg was not hidden in a place that could be found through random searching. It required a deeper understanding of the riddle and what it represented.
Across the room, similar plans were being formed by the other houses. Students prepared to scour the castle, determined to uncover the hidden egg.As the students from the four houses dispersed from the Great Hall in pursuit of the final Easter egg, only a select few remained. Among them, some had already deciphered the true meaning of the riddle – it was a call for unity. Despite their reluctance, they gathered together, hoping to uncover the clue. Marcus Flint, Slytherin's Quidditch captain and often seen as a rival to many, approached Oliver Wood, Gryffindor's Quidditch captain. "It seems like the riddle requires different perspectives. We can work together," Marcus said, his eyes shining with a blend of cunning and determination. Oliver, ever cautious but understanding the necessity of collaboration, nodded in agreement, albeit with plans of his own. Penelope Clearwater of Ravenclaw, along with Cedric Diggory and a few other Hufflepuffs, joined this unlikely alliance. However, as they shared ideas, their efforts remained fruitless, for the riddle demanded not just a gathering of houses but a unity of spirit devoid of ulterior motives.
In contrast, Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis from Slytherin, Neville Longbottom and Hermione Granger from Gryffindor, Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott from Hufflepuff, and Cho Chang and Padma Patil from Ravenclaw formed another group. This assembly was different; there were no hidden agendas or thoughts of rivalry. Thanks largely to Harry, these students had already forged a bond across house lines, united by a genuine thirst for knowledge and adventure.
As they convened and read the riddle together, a miraculous event unfolded. The banner displaying the riddle transformed, or rather, reverse-transfigured into a magnificent egg. The egg was a masterpiece, adorned with motifs representing Hogwarts and each of the four houses. Slytherin's serpent, Gryffindor's lion, Hufflepuff's badger, and Ravenclaw's eagle were all beautifully depicted, intertwined with the castle's silhouette and other magical elements. It was a symbol of unity and the collective strength of Hogwarts' students, a fitting treasure for those who had deciphered the true essence of the riddle.
The egg floated down towards the group, and as it landed amongst them, Daphne and the others couldn't hide their surprise or their happiness. "Who won?" Marcus Flint asked, a rare moment of unity breaking through his usual competitive demeanor. Professor Flitwick, ever the source of wisdom and joy in Hogwarts, chuckled softly, a twinkle in his eyes as he stood. "We all did," he announced.
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