Basic Level - Lesson 7

Abbey thought about the question. What could fly when it was on and float when it was off? Abbey knew there was a numerous amount of things that could do that. Why if it was light enough a toy airplane could fly when it was on and float on water when it was off. But she knew a sphinx was a tricky creature, so the answer to the riddle had to be much more complicated and logical than that. 'Flies, flies, anything that flies', Abbey thought to herself. 'A plane, a jet, a...bird!' "I know the answer Professor!" Abbey exclaimed. "It's a bird's feather! When on a bird it can fly, but if it falls off the bird's wing, it floats, like on water." she explained.

Andrew hated being stumped. It was the whole bloody principle of the thing. He wasn't going to let some catlike creature beat him, no matter what. He didn't know how many chances he really got before she fried him, but he was going to try again. He spent some deep thought before responding. It surely would have to be something relatively abstract, and that opened a whole realm of possibilities for him. He spent time ruling more things out as possible answers than ruling them in.

He finally raised his hand again, "Professor, is the answer to my riddle Temperature? As far as I can see, it has no length, no width, and no height. But it can be measured."

He really was fascinated by the sphinx. He wanted to meet her, and he could already tell that she behaved like a cat, but thought and felt like a woman. And from what he had observed from some of the women his father had hung out with, sometimes those two things were not so far apart anyway. That fascinated him.

''Miss Dawn, brilliantly done. And yet, another 50 points for Hufflepuff and an O for you. Diamond, regarding you... this time, it is correct. It is, indeed, temperature. Another 50 points for my House and an O for you too. Now, the only one left is our little philosopher... who is going to be ripped in pieces if he does not defend himself.'', he replied.

Abbey smiled, glad she had gotten a good grade and earned her house points.

(NOTE: Deadline - tonight)

Cecilia rushed into the classroom, obviously late. "I am so sorry for my tardiness, Professor. I ensure you that it won't happen again." She said in a soft tone. Cecilia was always soft-spoken and very smart, and many people would make-fun of her about it, but she didn't care; she was the one who was going to be successful. She took a seat and looked up to see what her task was for the class. "Sir," She raised her hand, "may I ask what we are to be doing today?"

Wilson burst out laughing. ''I cannot believe it. Krum, you seem to burst in at the same moment I am planning to dismiss the class. But then, I have a riddle for you. As you can see, we are dealing with the Sphinx... and your job is to solve a riddle... or else. Your riddle goes as following: Born at the same time as the world, destined to live as long as the world, and yet never five weeks old. What is it?'', he asked.