Chapter 92: The Maze

For the third and final task, the entire Hogwarts Quidditch field was blocked off from any students especiaally the champions, as there was a maze being grown there the maze had giant hedges that twist and turn in a confusing way.

Draco and other students tried to fly over the maze on several occasions to see if they can figure out a way to make the path clear but Moody didn't make things easy as anything flying over the maze would be shot down by branches.

Madam Pomfrey had gotten a room full of students with twisted ankles, sprained arms there were even some with broken bones, Draco had gotten off easy with a few splinters by being able to dodge most of the attacks. After the injury of students, Dumbledore made it clear anyone going near the maze would have points deducted and detention.

Even with all the injury and points being deducted the twins and Draco still wanted to map out the maze for Edwin. Luckily Theodore and Edwin stepped in and stopped their idea of using the map before anyone could find out what they were up to.

"I'm still saying we should have used the map" Draco hissed as he stuffed his face with food" we could have sent Dippy in and no one would find out"

"Moody is in charge and not some hack teacher" Theodore retorted "that bastard is even changing the maze every week"

"How do you know that "Draco questioned knowing that no one would know that without being there.

"Dippy, but he almost got caught" Edwin stated avoiding everyone's gaze, as he was the one who told them not to look into the maze.

"You could have asked us for help," Isabella said" I would have gladly helped"

"it doesn't matter anymore the third task is tomorrow," Daphne said going closer to everyone" what did you find out"

"We know as much as you do "Theodore stated looking away from everyone" which is very little"

With Moody guarding and changing the Maze it was difficult getting information even with the help of Dippy who could apparate. The reason Edwin wanted to know what the maze hold is because he's not sure how to pass it and the only thing he knows to be true is the random creatures he and the other champion have to face but everyone had already figured that out.

On the day of the third task, everyone waited by the maze to see the contestant enter," everyone the final task is here" Dumbledore announced instead of Ludo" the task is to find the cup, oh find the cup if you can, you might just lose yourself along the way"

"Now as Viktor and Edwin are tied in points they will be entering first" Dumbledore stated bringing out Edwin and Viktor, the crowd started to cheer.

"Good luck," Edwin said looking at Viktor.

"Good luck to you too" Viktor replied walking up to the entrance" Let's let what happen in the Maze stay in the Maze"

"No hard feeling" Edwin replied with a smirk

When Ludo shouted" Begin" Edwin and rushed into the different entrance of the maze that twist and turn, after a short while Fleur run into the other entrance that the two didn't go through.

Edwin rushed along the path of the maze before he met a turn and used the four-point charm to see where he is going, seeing which path is due north he ran along with it with his wand on his palm acting as a compass.

While Edwin was running along the path something grabbed his foot and started to wrap around his body as he started to struggle to escape" Devil snare" Edwin said as he recognized the pant trying to strangle him.

Calming down Edwin relaxed his body which sopped the devil snare movement for a while and then he summons light from the tip of his wand pushing the devil snare back in its dark corner, after dealing with the devil snare Edwin started to be more careful where he is running which made him go slightly slower.

But it paid off as there were more devil snare on the path he took if they weren't hiding underground they were in the magical hedges that couldn't be cut or burn with normal spells.

Edwin easily dealt with the devil snare and quickly moved along the maze heading north, Edwin didn't know if it was his good luck or the spell but he rarely runs into dead ends but when he did he would simply turn around and find the right path.

Down one of the paths pointing north, there was golden mist covering a large section of and the other path had marks of creature's or damages to the hedges which confused as the only spell Edwin could think of that would damage the hedges would be fiendfyre or Snape's spell.

Not wanting to find out what caused the damages to the hedge Edwin walked into the mist knowing its effects, Edwin was sent flying in the air as the golden mist effect is to switch the gravity of the person or thing inside of it.

Edwin walked in the air as he exited the golden mist, to avoid falling on his head Edwin jumped the moment he exited only to fall on his bottom," I got an idea" Edwin said out loud with a smirk on his face.

Edwin then transfigured the ground into a gourd and then tore his clothes to tie the gourd onto his back, he then carefully used magic to put all of the golden mist inside of the gourd. The gourd caused Edwin to gain extra weight while running but he was sure that carrying it would pay off.

With the slightly heavy gourd on his back, Edwin started to walk so he can catch his breath when a creature walked in front of him, the creature has a body of an overgrown lion that was standing quite large Edwin was sure that it would be taller or similar high to Murcus.

The lion had a beautiful human face on instead of a vicious lion even with the beautiful face Edwin didn't dare underestimate the Sphinx as one look at its massive razor-sharp claws that is digging into the ground would tell anyone not to mess with it.

"Sphinx, would you care to move?" Edwin asked as politely as possible but the Sphinx didn't respond" do you have a riddle for me?" Edwin asked with a calm expression as he secretly prepares to attack if things go wrong.

"Curious little human… You're seeking out riddles from me" The Sphinx said with a prideful tone "I'm sure you cannot even answer my simplest of riddles"

"What makes you so sure?" Edwin asked slightly irritated" what if I ask you riddle that you cannot solve"

The Sphinx didn't answer for a while before coming to a decision" that would be amusing to see what riddle you have for me?" The Sphinx walked closer to Edwin with an evil looking smirk" But you must know if I can answer it you shall die"

Edwin was silent for a moment before giving the Sphinx an answer" but what If you cannot answer it in five minutes … what will I get other than your shame"

"What" The Sphinx shout and a small roar came out" Five minutes, five minutes I doubt I Would need so much but if I cannot solve the riddle I would let you pass"

"I rather kill you" Edwin blankly stated knowing that it will take up more time than he has, the only reason he mentioned five minutes was to hurt the Sphinx pride, and hopefully she would drop the time.

"Is it that you don't know any riddles?" The Sphinx asked with a smirk not feeling any treat from Edwin.

"I know riddles but I'm on a time limit and I'm already wasting time here" Edwin started taking off the gourd" how about we make it more interesting If you solve the riddle you can eat me but if you cannot you shall help me complete my task"

The Sphinx broke out in a hysterical laughter" state your riddle foolish one"

Edwin started to think for a while before getting a riddle that relates to him, he then tried to make it sound confusing while the answer is simple.

I no flesh but bare bones

I don't have a heart but it still beats

I don't have an eye but yet I can still see

Oh no there gonna kill me but I'm already dead Yohohoho.

I can tell jokes but what kind

they just roll off of my head.

"What," The sphinx asked in confusion, and Edwin repeated the riddle.

Edwin knew that the Sphinx couldn't understand the riddle as no one for the next few years could get it, the sphinx went back and forward trying to understand the riddle but she could understand what kind of joke the dead could tell.

When the five minutes were over the Sphinx answer was "they cannot tell jokes"

"Wrong" Edwin simply replied and the Sphinx shouted in anger and rushed towards Edwin.

"You tricked me there is no answer" The sphinx hissed and Edwin could smell her foul breath.

"No the answer is Skull Jokes" Edwin replied which caused the Sphinx to be confused" If you had used the first sentence clue and the last hint you would have gotten a skull since he doesn't have flesh and you would have just combine skull with joke"

"Now are you going to let me ride you?" Edwin asked taking out his wand preparing to attack if things goes south.

" I can only take you to the end" The Sphinx state allowing Edwin to get on her back