It was the very next morning when a large abundance of owls swooped in carrying large envelopes and headed directly for the Slytherin table. Particularly, towards one skinny blonde male teenager.
Harry glanced at both girls and said, "You're grinning too much. He'll know it was us if he looks this way."
Luna cocked an eyebrow at them before she looked towards the Slytherin table, herself. She was just in time to watch as Malfoy began to loudly berate the owls as they all tried to get to him at once. His dorm and House mates began to shy away from him as more owls flocked in.
The sheer number of owls, of course, quickly had the attention of everyone in the Hall.
As Malfoy tried as quickly as he could to shed the owls of their loads, everyone watched as Goyle opened one of the envelopes. In full view of everyone, he pulled out a magazine with a picture of a half-naked man on the cover.
This had the whole Hall gawking as both Professor Snape and McGonagall swooped down upon them.
Before they got there, though, Goyle had already opened another and pulled a similar magazine from within, unconcernedly holding it up.
The three bondmates were trying their hardest to stifle their laughter as Professor McGonagall practically snatched the latest magazine out of Goyle's hand, and looked at it.
The Professor took a long moment to read the cover before she rounded on Malfoy and practically screeched, "Mister Malfoy! What is the meaning of this?" As she waved the magazine almost under the boy's nose.
That started the Hall snickering, at first, before they began to laugh. That allowed the three bondmates to finally release their own laughter.
A very red faced Malfoy was spluttering, "I don't know, Professor! This has nothing to do with me!"
That brought the Headmaster down to find out what was going on.
"Well, they have your name on them, Mister Malfoy!" she shot right back. "Or, should I be calling you, Draco Teddybear Malfoy?"
That was it for the student population. Just about every student began almost howling with laughter. Some of the staff was trying to look appalled but were failing miserably with grins on their faces.
By then, Professor McGonagall realised what was going on and was trying her best to ensure she didn't so much as smile. However, the twinkling in her eyes showed her own mirth.
Meanwhile, Professor Snape was scowling at his godson, one moment; and doing his best to vanish the loads of magazines as they were released from the owls, the next.
The rest of Slytherin House were trying their damnedest to slide along the benches as far away from Malfoy as possible. The table almost appeared to be of two smaller Houses with Malfoy sitting between them. Even Goyle eventually saw the wisdom of that, though not Crabbe.
"It appears Mister Malfoy has been the victim of a well-executed prank, Minerva," said Dumbledore.
"You think?" she shot back. In a clear voice she exclaimed, "I don't think Mister Teddybear... sorry, Malfoy... would be so foolish as to subscribe to a magazine called 'Your Wizard'... which is clearly of nude men... and have it delivered in the Great Hall at breakfast!"
Professor Flitwick, bless him, fell off his chair and to the floor, where he proceeded to roll back and forth while howling with laughter. Professor Sprout was attempting to simultaneously berate her colleague while also laughing her head off at the table. Other students were matching him roll for roll. Of course, the sheer amount of noise was also upsetting the owls who were still trying to deliver their loads. They were flying about above the scene while hooting, screeching and barking their displeasure.
As other students began leaving, Harry snuck the three of them and Luna out of the Great Hall, lest it give someone ideas they had something to do with it.
The next morning, Harry received a letter from the Minister's own office. It was even signed by him.
"Hmm," he muttered, flipping it over to open it.
A quick read through and he handed it off to Daphne, as Hermione was looking far too eager to read it. The girl still needed to curb her demands to know information.
"Nice," said Daphne, staring at Hermione for her eagerness. Once Hermione backed off, she then handed her the letter.
"It's about time," said Daphne.
Once Hermione practically devoured it with her eyes, she let out a bit of squeal and hugged Harry.
"So, next weekend," said Harry. "The Minister, himself, wants to award me the Order of Merlin in the Atrium of the Ministry at 10:00am, sharp, Saturday."
"Uh-hmm," she said. Looking at Hermione, she asked, "And what shall we dress him in?"
"Huh?" asked Harry. "I think that might depend on what the colour of the ribbon is," said Hermione, thinking about it.
"Crimson," replied Daphne. "And the medal is gold."
"Greens to contrast, or compliment?" asked Hermione.
Reds
to
"Reds," said Daphne. "We don't want it to look like he deliberately dressed to make the Order stand out. Besides, he's an heir of Gryffindor, and he used the Gryffindor sword at the time."
"Reds it is," agreed Hermione.
"Do I get a say in this?" he asked, a little affronted.
"No; not for something this important," disagreed Hermione. "If you could, you'd turn up in jeans and a pullover. And claim that you'd dressed 'neatly'."
Harry rolled his eyes as Luna tittered at his antics. "Well, I would have; wouldn't I?"
During the lunch break, the girls sent out owls to Sirius, Remus, Matthias and Deece, and Ant and Cele letting them know of the award 'ceremony'.
Then, over the next few days, they co-ordinated with the families to get the Grangers in to witness the event; and planned Harry's outfit. They chose a crimson so dark as to almost appear black. With shirt to complement and match.
On the Saturday morning Harry was dressed in his dark crimson robes with black under robes and pale, almost pink, shirt underneath. He also wore a black cape to take care of the chill in the air.
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