Applause and cheers rang through the Great Hall as the guests turned their attention to the front row.
Harley rose to her feet and walked steadily toward the podium.
She wasn't wearing her Hogwarts uniform today. Instead, she had chosen a formal robe in Gryffindor's gold and red.
On her hands, Harley wore the white silk gloves that were a Sealed Artifact; on her feet were stockings and high heels in the same color.
Her black hair was tied back in a ponytail, and she wore light makeup, giving her a more dashing air than usual.
Professor Dumbledore smiled as he took the Order of Merlin, First Class from an exquisite box, holding the ribbon attached to the medal in both hands.
He personally draped the ribbon around Harley's shoulders. The green ribbon ran diagonally across her, from her left shoulder to her right hip.
The heavy Order of Merlin, First Class medal rested on Harley's chest, gleaming gold in the light.
The Order of Merlin, First Class was a grand gold medal with a green ribbon.
The ribbons on medals of different classes came in different colors: purple for Second Class and white for Third Class.
Slytherins had always claimed that the ribbon on the First Class medal was green because Merlin had graduated from Slytherin House, and that it was a tribute to him.
Whether that counted as false advertising was anyone's guess. The Slytherins believed it was true, and that was all that mattered.
"Thank you, Professor." Harley shook Professor Dumbledore's hand as camera flashes went off like crazy at the back of the Great Hall.
The atmosphere reached its peak, and the applause and cheers grew even louder.
As the only wizard to receive the Order of Merlin this time—and a minor, no less—Harley had to