About the Horcrux Series
If you haven't heard of Harry Potter, allow me to refer you to a different set of caches: GC2RAD6, GC2TQQP, GC2Z6KE.
This series of caches centers on the final major plot arc in J.K. Rowling's best-selling novels, as Harry and his friends try to locate magical items known as "horcruxes" in order to defeat the evil Lord Voldemort. In this cache-based retelling of the story, however, the seven horcruxes are hidden around central Maryland, and it is up to you to find them!
Knowledge of the Harry Potter story may help you pick up on a few subtle hints here and there (and make the theme more fun!), but is not necessary to solve the puzzle.
Unlike Harry, your assistance is required to just find the horcrux, not to destroy it. Do not subject the cache containers to basilisk venom, fiendfyre, or any other manner of harm.
The seven horcruxes in this series can be found in any order. Look for a secret clue in each cache you may be able to use to defeat the Dark Lord himself in a final cache. Good luck and have fun!
Diary | Ring | Locket | Cup | Diadem | Boy | Snake | Final
[Cache not at listed coordinates. Solve puzzle to determine the actual location of the cache.]
"Ray Rice," you respond absentmindedly, leaning the passenger seat back a little further. You suspect Matthew (or "Coots" as his brothers call him) doesn't really care who your favorite Baltimore Ravens player is, nor are you on the edge of your seat to hear his inevitable response. Yet the two of you have been traveling around the Maryland countryside for so long, looking for the fourth horcrux, that idle sports chatter is the best you have left to keep you awake and still somewhat sane. The month and a half of constant traveling and hunting hasn't been easy, but moreover it is the lack of success that is really wearing on you both.
This latest trip took you deep into what Coots has since dubbed the "stain house," an abandoned cottage grossly tarnished with the leavings of whatever creatures had been calling the place home. The last known resident was Helga Hufflepuff's great-great-great-great-granddaughter, or something like that, and it was the best lead you had towards finding her magical cup, the cup that Voldemort supposedly used to create his next horcrux.
Braving the vile surroundings, there was a point when you and Matt discovered a locked wooden chest bearing the family emblem, and you thought you might have finally found the cup. After you ran to fetch an ax from the garage, you remember Coots shouting "Hew it!" in that ever-so-slightly-maniacal voice born from a combination of excitement and exhaustion. The hinges cleaved off easily enough, but.... The box was empty. Another fruitless venture. Admittedly, this was getting hard.
Back to the present... he doesn't answer. Glancing over you see that Coots is drifting off, both off to sleep and off the road. "Wha?!? Matt! Field!" Your shouts rouse Coots just in time to keep your Explorer from giving the nearest cornfield an early harvest. As he swerves back onto the road, he flashes you a nervous, apologetic smile, and you can't help but laugh. Despite some questionable moments, when it's all said and done Matthew is the best man for the job, and right now that's exactly what you need if you are going to make this work.
It is nearly midnight when you finally reach your destination, a remote location nestled in the woods around Sugarloaf Mountain. Here you are supposed to find the magical portkey that will transport you to the rest of your team. You don't know exactly what they used for the key, but it should be some nondescript item that will not draw muggle attention. "Peer low," you instruct Coots, lowering your wand to ground level as you cast a Lumos charm for a little more visibility.
A quick search of the area reveals two good candidates. A mostly-buried sink protrudes from the dirt, if "sink" is even the right word--it actually looks more like an old-fashioned washbasin. Not far south lie the remains of what might have been a grey T-Bird; you are too tired to tell for sure. Coots asks how many people are coming. "Ten... dull car?" That many travelers likely would warrant a bigger portkey. Together, you walk over to the rusted chassis, take one last look around to make sure no muggles are watching, then touch the car. In a flash, you are gone.
Moments later you find yourselves in an unfamiliar room, though surrounded by familiar faces. It seems that the rest of your team has done well... they have discovered a vault practically overflowing with more cups, chalices, and goblets than you have ever seen! With so many choices, your friends have little more than a sporting chance to figure out which one belonged to Helga Hufflepuff. They turn to you, hoping you have gleaned enough information in your recent travels to figure it out.
Can you locate the horcrux? (Assume N39 and W077.)
