SOURCE: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling (2000) .

DESCRIPTION: "It was a sphinx. It had the body of an overlarge lion; great clawed paws,and a long yellowish tail ending in a brown tuft. Its head, however, was that of a woman. She turned her long, almond-shaped eyes upon Harry as he approached." (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling)

NOTES: The Sphinx in the Third Task Maze of the Triward Tourniment blocks Harry's run to the final prize. To pass her he must answer the following riddle:

'First think of the person who lives in disguise,

Who deals in secrets and tells naught but lies.

Next, tell me what's always the last thing to mend,

The middle of middle and end of end?

And finally give me the sound often heard

During the search for a had-to-find word.

Now string them together, and answer me this,

Which creature would you be unwilling to kiss?'

If you don't know the answer, I'm not going to tell.

HISTORY: The sphinx's riddle is from classic literature but it is also reminiscent of Gollum's riddle contest. Rowling's sphinx doesn't have wings as many of them do.

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