Perhaps, the Merlin Band has nothing to do with Merlin.

But it is undoubtedly the most prestigious award in the British wizarding world, and almost every wizard dreams of getting it.

"Are they going to give me a prize?" Harry inquired.

Dumbledore nodded. "An Order of Merlin, Second Class."

"Level 2?" Harry repeated the words.

Dumbledore nodded again.

Harry said calmly, "Albus, you know me. I don't think much of this kind of thing, but... Cornelius Fudge has a first-class medal."

He laughed, his expression somewhat sarcastic.

Dumbledore felt helpless; he couldn't refute what Harry said.

The Merlin Band has a high status, but it is not that high and mighty.

When they are fair, like now, they give awards to people who have made contributions.

There are also times of injustice.

As Harry had said, Cornelius Fudge had an OBE, First Class.

The reason for awarding him this badge was to recognize his great contribution to the peace of the wizarding world during his tenure, as well as his outstanding and wise policies. Dumbledore remembered very clearly that when Fudge was awarded the first-class medal, the entire Wizengamot was trying to hold back their laughter.

Even the Wizengamot didn't believe Fudge's nonsense.

Ever since he received the first-level badge, almost everyone, except those who fawned on power like Umbridge, questioned his "honor".

Even now, with Fudge out of office, calls are growing louder for the abolition of Fudge's first-class medal.

Fudge had done nothing, but he had done nothing wrong either.

Anyone with eyes could see that Mr. Porter didn't like the former minister very much.

Harry looked at Dumbledore.

Hermione would often mention the Order of Merlin, and Ron would occasionally count on his fingers to figure out how many levels of the Order of Merlin he should get.

I also know something about the evaluation criteria for awarding medals of the Order of Merlin.

Only those who have made great contributions to the wizarding world can get the first-class medal - like Dumbledore who repelled Grindelwald and saved the wizarding world, or Peter Pettigrew before the truth was revealed. His contribution was not a great contribution, but he sacrificed for it. The living will always be more tolerant of the dead, so he also got the first-class medal.

The second-level medal is awarded to outstanding talents in the industry, or people with extraordinary achievements and who have made certain contributions to the magical world.

A relatively well-known recipient is the Master of Magical Creatures, Newt Scamander. His second-class medal is used to recognize his contributions to the study of magical creatures, namely magic zoology. Professor Slughorn also has one.

Professor Snape doesn't have one yet, but when he lives to be eighty or ninety, he will get one.

For the value of this potion.

Solving the werewolf problem that has plagued the wizarding world for years can be regarded as a huge contribution to the wizarding world and deserves a first-class medal.

but……

Normal wizards discriminate against werewolves, and this discrimination is far greater than the discrimination of pure-bloods against ordinary people.

Protecting and respecting ordinary people is at least the correct understanding of the magical world. For example, the original intention of the establishment of the Order of Merlin was to "advocate the use of laws to protect Muggles and safeguard their rights."

But there has never been a person or an organization that says it is "dedicated to protecting werewolves through magic."

Therefore, in the eyes of most wizards, this potion is just a breakthrough in the potion industry, a trivial but long-standing problem has been solved.

Harry picked up the teacup and took a sip: "That kind of thing has no meaning to me."

"Please help me decline it."

"I still have to go to the Ministry of Magic. It's quite troublesome."

"Although I wrote the paper, we all know that Professor Snape is the one who should really get the credit."

Dumbledore nodded, not at all surprised by Harry's answer.

If I ask politely myself, I can also give Sir Merlin's group an answer.

"So that's why you called me here?" Harry looked at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore shook his head: "There is one more thing. The owner of Chocolate Frog wrote to me and asked me to help consult if you are willing to become a card now."

His expression was serious and extremely earnest, much more serious than when he talked about Merlin's Band.

Harry looked oddly.

"Harry, you haven't eaten a chocolate frog before?" Dumbledore asked in surprise.

Harry shook his head: "No, you look like you care about this matter?"

"Of course." Dumbledore nodded. He smiled and said softly, "There are two things I care about most."

"One is Hogwarts. I want to die in Hogwarts even if I die."

"The other thing is the Chocolate Frog card."

Harry asked, "What about Grindelwald?"

Dumbledore's expression froze.

"I'll have to write a complaint," Harry teased.

Dumbledore shook his head and said nothing.

"Forget about the card." Harry stood up and shook his head. "It's really weird to be printed on it."

"You really won't consider it?" Dumbledore continued trying, his voice full of temptation, "Chocolate Frog Card, just a photo will do."

"A picture of him wearing the Sorting Hat and holding the Sword of Gryffindor."

Harry turned around and glanced at him with disdain: "You are so enthusiastic. I doubt whether Chocolate Frog has given you shares."

"I really hope so." Dumbledore grumbled, "Their product is interesting, but the taste is average, not sweet enough, and the chocolate is too hard. They should adjust the formula."

Harry sighed, "I should ask Professor Snape to come over and fix your brain."

Dumbledore laughed: "Severus is now the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Harry nodded. "Maybe I'll find some undiscovered dark magic creatures in your mind."

"Harassment Fly?" Dumbledore smiled even more happily. "Oh, in that case, I can come up with new designs for my cards."

Harry turned away with even more contempt.

Dumbledore sighed, regretting this.

Sir Merlin's group was even more regretful. They couldn't understand why Mr. Potter had no interest in the Medal of Honor at all.

but……

Harry doesn't need these extravagant honors, but Merlin's group needs Harry.

On the first day of December.

At the Friday dinner.

The students were discussing enthusiastically tomorrow's Quidditch match.

The castle gate was suddenly pushed open.

A group of wizards in red clothes walked in, their steps were dignified and serious. The wizard in the lead was holding a red box in his hand.

The students looked sideways.

"Who are they?" someone asked.

This group of red wizards all looked quite old, all of them were old men, with their faces full of traces of time. But unlike those old men who had experienced the vicissitudes of life, they had a kind of aura that only Dumbledore and Slughorn had - the kind of aura that came from living in a mild environment and being extremely well maintained.

"It's the Wizengamot." The person next to him explained to him.

The famous Wizengamot.

How come they are here and look so solemn?

"Something's happening at the Ministry of Magic again?" Ron muttered as he munched on a lamb chop.

Harry shook his head, "I'm afraid he's here to find me."

Ron was stunned, biting his meat and staring at Harry.

Hermione reacted and said in surprise: "Is it the Order of Merlin?"

Harry nodded.

"But don't we usually go to the Ministry of Magic to collect our awards?" muttered Ron.

Harry put down his knife and fork and stared at the Wizengamot people. "I thought it was troublesome to go to the Ministry of Magic, and rituals are very complicated, so I asked Professor Dumbledore to refuse for me."

The wizards of the Wizengamot felt Harry's gaze and quickened their pace to come over.

The leading wizard placed the box in front of Harry.

"Mr. Potter, in gratitude for your contribution to the wizarding world, the Order of Merlin presents you with the Second Class Medal of Honor." He began, speaking softly.

Harry nodded.

They didn't stay for too long, nor did they exchange pleasantries. Dumbledore had told them that Harry didn't like things that were too troublesome or tedious.

After simply handing over the box, they continued walking towards the teacher's seat.

When the students from the other three houses saw the group of red-robed wizards stay in front of Harry for a moment, they vaguely guessed what had happened. The Gryffindor table witnessed it with their own eyes and was in an uproar.

"The Order of Merlin!" Neville stared at the box and exclaimed in a low voice.

Hermione looked at Harry, and when he nodded, she opened the box.

A gold badge in the shape of a four-leaf clover, with a majestic oak tree growing in the center, and a purple ribbon strung under the badge.

"They came here in person to present the award to you." The envy in Seamus' tone overflowed and floated on the table.

Harry shook his head, looked at the medal Hermione was playing with, and said softly, "I don't really want it."

“But I didn’t expect them to deliver it personally.”

The little lions held their breath and looked at what was said...

The wizards of the Wizengamot walked up to the teachers' seats amid the envy and admiration of the Gryffindors.

The leading wizard greeted Dumbledore, turned around, waved his wand, and chanted a spell for his throat: "Magic is wonderful, and wizards are just like magic, full of miracles."

"Hogwarts has produced an extremely outstanding student who is still in school and has made great contributions to the wizarding world."

"He solved the curse that had troubled all wizards for thousands of years. From then on, the problem of werewolves was no longer unsolvable."

"All members of the Order of Merlin agree that the Wizengamot will present the Order of Merlin, Second Class Medal of Honor to Mr. Harry Potter in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of potions and his outstanding contributions to peace in the wizarding world."

Students from the other three colleges became excited and lively.

It’s true!

They were absolutely right.

"As expected of Potter!"

"God, I would be satisfied if I could get a third-level medal in my lifetime."

"That's what I want."