After striking enough poses, Roy slowly walked onto the stage to the crowd's cheers and applause.
The members of the Order of Merlin responsible for presenting Roy's award were already standing on the stage. At their head was the elderly woman who had been seated beside Dumbledore earlier.
Holding the medal suspended from a golden ribbon, she stepped to the front of the stage and announced the Order's resolution, just as Dumbledore had done. Then she walked up to Roy and handed him the ribbon and medal.
"It is an honor to meet you, Madam Cassandra."
"The honor is mine, Sir Smee. So young and accomplished. Keep working hard, young man. Dumbledore finally has a proper successor."
"Hm? What successor?"
Roy accepted the ribbon in confusion and turned to look at Dumbledore, who was standing beside him. Dumbledore had obviously heard her words as well. In response to Roy's question, he merely shrugged like a mischievous old child.
"Haha, keep it up."
After handing Roy the medal, the elderly Madam Cassandra returned to her seat amid applause. The many wizards behind her began handing Roy all kinds of items: certificates, medals, and registration books.
Once Roy had awkwardly scribbled his name onto the document held by the last wizard, he officially became a genuine member of the Order of Merlin.
The wizard in charge of the documents raised Roy's award certificate high in the air for all the reporters and students present to see, and thunderous applause erupted once more. Once that was done, everyone on the stage except Roy returned to their seats. Next, it was time for Roy's acceptance speech.
"Cough, cough, cough—"
Roy took a crumpled little note from his pocket and flattened it on the podium. Professor McGonagall had prepared everything written on it for him,