"So we're just going to let him take points?" Ron asked indignantly.
Hermione looked at Ron and Harry and couldn't help but comment.
"If your Potions skills were improved, Professor Snape would not be able to target you…"
"Didn't you notice? Professor Snape hardly ever gives me or Ivan any trouble in class! Just because he knows we're infallible!"
Hermione said that since there was no way to change the situation, she would have to change herself so that Snape would have no reason to attack her.
Harry and Ron, on the other hand, pursed their lips. How could it be so easy to improve on Potions so quickly? They were even prepared to receive an extremely low evaluation in Potions.
The only relief to Harry and Ron was that the next few exams went well.
Whether it was Wednesday afternoon's Herbology Test or Professor Lupin's carefully prepared outdoor exams, they passed easily and passed the week without incident.
By the time the final exam was officially over, it was as if the burden had been lifted from the hearts of the Hogwarts students.
The atmosphere in the castle was no longer as tense as before. Instead, the students were indulging themselves, and there was laughter and laughter everywhere.
As for the announcement of the exam results, that would have to wait, as they still had several days to relax before the final results came out.
It was in this atmosphere that Ivan finally found the day that the Order of Merlin was awarded, as reported in the Daily Prophet.
It was much grander than the last time, with the Great Hall hung with a red lion flag and the ceiling enchanted to play jazz as people walked by, and light of every colour falling from the sky…
By the time Ivan entered the Great Hall, it was packed, with the Order of Merlin and the Ministry of Magic in addition to the young wizards seated at the four University Heads.
The leader, whom Ivan knew well, was Umbridge, the High Inquisitor for the Ministry of Magic.
Umbridge, perhaps sensing Ivan's gaze on her, turned and smiled sweetly at him.
In her opinion, Ivan had a bright future ahead of him if he was awarded the Order of Merlin at such a young age, but she had no idea that this young wizard in front of her had been teasing her time and time again.
Ivan responded with a casual nod. On the surface, he did not have any conflict with the Ministry, other than indirectly slapping them in the face for catching Peter.
Since most of the hatred had been drawn away by Dumbledore, the relationship between the two was not bad.
However, this resulted in the Ministry of Magic and Dumbledore almost falling out with each other, and Umbridge only made small talk with the old professor on the surface, without much enthusiasm.
When everyone was seated, Dumbledore went to the front of the stage, cleared his throat, and began summing up the school year.
As expected, Gryffindor won the House Cup again!
There was a round of applause from the Gryffindor House table, and the young wizards all turned to look at Ivan. They all knew that Gryffindor had only been able to win the House Cup three years in a row because of Ivan's annual bonus points.
The students of the other three academies applauded helplessly. There was no other way. The difference in the score was too great, and the winner of the House Cup was no longer in doubt.
Dumbledore raised his hand, his loud voice drowning out the applause as he looked at Ivan, who was sitting in the front row, and said, "Everyone, please be quiet. I have one more announcement to make!"
"I'm sure you're all aware of Peter Pettigrew's capture a month ago… the Order of Merlin agreed to award Mr. Ivan-Harrs with the Order of Merlin First Class Merlin's Medal for his services!"
When Dumbledore finished speaking, there was a brief silence. Although the Daily Prophet had reported the incident several days earlier, there were not many people interested in reading the newspaper, so most of them were new to the news.
"Is that true?" George asked, looking at Yvonne in amazement.
When Ivan nodded, George shouted, "Jesus, that's a First-Class Merlin!"
"As of today, we are acquainted with some of the most important wizards in the wizarding world!" Fred was equally excited.
Ivan rolled his eyes and ignored them, rising to his feet and heading from the long table to the front of the stage, to applause.
Dumbledore personally took a shiny golden medal from a box handed to him by a wizard and hung it on Ivan's chest.
At the same time, Ivan heard a system prompt in his head, indicating that, rather than a new achievement, he had been promoted a level.
[Legendary Title: Merlin Knight
Legend Level: 2
Legend: Over the years, your contribution to the wizarding community has been acknowledged by many wizards and witches. You are truly a knight of Merlin!
Remark: Your evil ambition is hidden behind a veneer of brilliance, and remains unknown to this day…]
When Ivan saw the description in the Achievement Upgrade Backup column, he wanted to curse, but the words just came out of his mouth in a different manner.
"I would like to thank the professors of Hogwarts in particular for their achievements today…"
From the stage, Ivan gave a well-rehearsed speech, then shook hands warmly with the Order of Merlin and the Ministry of Magic representatives…
As much as Ivan hated formalism, there were times when what had to be done had to be done.
Ivan was relieved when the school year finally came to an end.
"Bad news, Ivan!"
Ivan bade the Order of Merlin farewell and was about to return to the Gryffindor Lounge when Hermione came running to him.
"What's wrong?" Yvonne sounded genuinely confused.
"Malfoy said he was going to tell the Ministry that Professor Lupin was a werewolf!" Hermione exclaimed angrily and anxiously.
Ivan immediately realised the gravity of the situation and asked with a frown, "How did you hear about this, and where is Malfoy?"
"Me, Harry, and Ron, we heard Malfoy and his minions talking about it in the corridor. Let's get over there before they start fighting!" Hermione explained quickly, grabbing Ivan's hand and pulling him away.
Yvonne hurried along the corridor with Hermione.
At this moment, the corridor was empty, but they could hear voices coming from a nearby classroom…