Chapter 115: Awarding the Medal
Chapter 115: Awarding the Medal
Felix curled his lips and walked into the reception hall.
This room was also enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm, making it appear small from the outside but spacious inside, much like a miniature version of the Great Hall at Hogwarts.
The floor was covered with dark, glossy wooden planks, and the blue ceiling was adorned with shimmering golden symbols that continuously moved and changed.
Torch brackets lined the walls, with red flames burning quietly.
There were about twenty people in the reception hall, scattered into seven or eight small groups.
Ministry of Magic Head Cornelius Fudge had the largest crowd around him. He looked exceptionally lively, beaming with a broad smile and a straight, protruding belly, a stark contrast to his demeanor at Hogwarts.
Near the entrance, Snape was conversing with a tall, thin wizard with brown curly hair.
"Severus, you're here too", Felix said as he approached the two.
Snape looked at him with surprise, his eyes fixed on Felix. He whispered, "I didn't expect them to invite you. I don't recall you making any memorable achievements in potion-making."
Felix smiled, "Belby and I are friends, and we often write to each other."
Snape clicked his tongue but remained silent.
Felix turned to the wizard, "Damocles, it's been a long time."
The wizard in front of him was none other than the potion master who invented the Wolfsbane Potion—Damocles Belby.
Belby shook his hand enthusiastically, "Felix, I'm glad you could share in my joy."
He leaned in, speaking in a confidential tone, "I recently saw a Muggle performance, and it was quite fascinating. If you haven't seen it, I strongly recommend it."
"What was it about?"
"A story about a group of cats having a party?" he said uncertainly. "To be honest, I thought it was an opera, but Muggles call it a musical. I can't quite tell the difference."
"Um..." Felix tried to recall.
Snape listened to their conversation with surprise. Even Hogwarts' Muggle Studies professor, Kettleburn, didn't delve much into Muggle life.
Come to think of it, Felix was the one who had led Belby down this path.
Their initial acquaintance began when Belby wrote a letter refuting some of Felix's statements in his book, arguing that they were exaggerated and harsh. At the time, Felix dismissed him as a confused Pureblood, responding with a well-reasoned, data-supported rebuttal that was laced with subtle mockery.
To his surprise, Belby took it seriously and eventually wrote back, admitting his mistake.
Their correspondence increased, and Felix even visited him a few times.
The potion master was introverted and poor at socializing, but he was actually quite sensitive and thoughtful. In his letters, he confided in Felix about his struggles with his family, feeling distant due to his obsession with potion-making.
Felix suggested finding common ground with his family, bridging the gap between his interests and theirs.
Belby chose opera.
Later, Felix learned that Belby had invited his entire family to a famous magical opera during a family gathering. They were surprised but delighted to attend.
Felix had casually mentioned that the Muggle world also had many excellent operas...
During their conversation, Belby introduced someone, "This is my brother, Crist, Crist Belby."
Felix looked at the short man with the same hair color, "Hello, Crist."
"Hello, Mr. Hep", the man said enthusiastically, "Damocles has spoken highly of you. He bought a hundred copies of your book..."
"Cough, cough!" His brother coughed awkwardly.
Felix: "..."
Soon, other wizards in the room noticed Felix and approached to chat.
"Hep, it's been a while. I heard you took a job at Hogwarts."
"That's right, I teach Ancient Runes. Ogden, have things been busy at the Wizengamot lately?"
"Not really, I don't get involved much", the wizard mumbled.
Midway through, Fudge also came over to greet him, hinting at an upcoming private gathering. Felix pretended not to understand and wished him well.
More people arrived in the room over time, mostly potion experts, Wizengamot members, Ministry of Magic staff, and a couple of journalists.
A commotion at the entrance caught Felix's attention. He looked up to see a short, plump witch in a pink dress.
As she passed by, a strong scent of perfume wafted over.
The witch walked straight to Fudge and began speaking to him in a high-pitched voice.
Belby frowned and said, "She's today's host, and that's the only thing I'm unhappy about."
"That's—"
"Dolores Umbridge, the head of the Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, and of course, a member of the Wizengamot. Her reputation at the Ministry of Magic isn't great; she's a very strict person..."
The witch suddenly giggled, and Belby clamped his mouth shut.
Soon, the ceremony officially began.
Umbridge stood on the platform, facing the thirty or so guests below, and flashed a sweet smile.
"As a member of the Wizengamot, I am honored to be here, presiding over this award ceremony. I would like to express my gratitude to the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, for his trust. Without his wise leadership..."
Felix had been listening attentively at first, but after ten minutes, he started to drift off. While he could make small talk with strangers, he had never endured such a lengthy monologue.
By the twenty-minute mark, the murmurs below grew louder. Umbridge had to pull out her wand from her pocket, tap the wooden board in front of her, and quiet the crowd.
Felix's gaze swept over the pink bow in her hair and settled on the wand in her hand—a roughly 8-inch birch wand.
A few minutes later, as the murmurs rose again, Umbridge finally got to the main event.
"Let's welcome today's honoree—Damocles Belby, whose remarkable contribution in inventing the Wolfsbane Potion has earned him the Order of Merlin, Second Class!"
Belby walked up with a blank expression.
"—and our award presenters, Augustus Gray and Minister Cornelius Fudge."
The head of the Wizengamot Administrative Office, an elderly wizard, shakily handed Belby a gilded certificate and was quickly ushered away.
Umbridge then handed Fudge a box, which he opened with a beaming smile. He took out a gold medal with a purple ribbon.
Fudge pinned the Merlin Medal to Belby's chest and shook his hand warmly.
Felix noticed that Belby's smile was rather stiff.
Flashes of cameras and the sound of shutters filled the room below.
Next, Fudge gave an enthusiastic speech, praising "Belby's outstanding contribution, which has eliminated the werewolf threat that has plagued us for centuries, marking a historic step."
Felix cast a Silencing Charm around himself and leaned over to whisper to Snape.
"Where's Dumbledore?"
Snape gritted out, "He rarely participates in these events unless he deems them truly necessary."
"Isn't he the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot?" Felix asked.
"That's an honorary title, Felix. The Wizengamot, aside from trying a batch of Dark Wizards at the end of the war, mostly deals with trivial matters. Do you think Dumbledore would get involved in such things?"
Thanks to Snape's explanation, Felix gained a new understanding of the institution.
The Wizengamot, renowned as the highest court in the wizarding world, functions much like a combination of a court and a parliament. In practice, however, their authority often overlaps with other departments of the Ministry of Magic.
The Wizengamot members can be divided into two groups. Most are distinguished wizards from various fields, invited to join. The other group, the Wizengamot Administrative Office, handles routine management and paperwork.
However, they operate under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Magic.
Ordinary legal cases are handled by this department. Only in high-profile, contentious cases do all Wizengamot members serve as a jury, voting to make a decision.
Even then, the Ministry of Magic often appoints judges directly.
...
As they walked out of the hall, Felix asked Belby, "Any plans for the near future?"
Belby let out a long breath, "I plan to take a break and explore some new things—wasn't that your advice?"
A thought suddenly struck Felix. He sized up Belby, who began to feel uneasy. Finally, Felix spoke—
"Damocles, would you be interested in experiencing some campus life?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
