"Wizarding History was so long, and the brightest star in it was undoubtedly the legendary wizard Merlin. No one else came close!"
"And the reason wasn't that he was powerful. It was because of his immense influence in the Muggle world—a first in Wizarding History."
Fudge shrugged. "Before him, there were only figures like wicked Queen Witches."
"Merlin was an orphan with a nun for a mother. He had no biological father, and after he was born, he was marked by an evil spirit. His mother sent him to grow up alone in the mountains and forests. From a young age, he could transform into all kinds of animals and talk with them. He also had a powerful gift for Prophecy."
"Later, Merlin followed a fallow deer out of the forest and encountered members of the royal family. They took a liking to him, and from that point on, he served two generations of Kings, until the birth of the third, 'young Arthur.'"
"During Uther's reign, Merlin hid young Arthur away to keep him from falling victim to his enemies, entrusting him to his good friend Anton and Anton's wife to raise."
"Oh, don't look at me like that. Wizarding History records that King Arthur's foster father was Anton, Merlin's friend."
"And you know the rest: the story of King Arthur and the legendary wizard Merlin."
"Because of that experience, Merlin held a position and enjoyed circumstances unlike those of ordinary wizards. He was willing to have wizards protect Muggles, so he founded the 'Order of Merlin.'"
"But as you know, conflict between wizards and Muggles persisted, and the repeated Witch Hunts left the Order of Merlin in an incredibly awkward position. They were caught between both sides."
"They repeatedly clashed with local Wizards' Councils that cared only about protecting