Chapter 168: The Youngest Recipient of the Medal of Bravery
Three days later, at the French Ministry of Magic headquarters...
George and Amy stood on the awards podium.
Below them were Aurors and staff from the French Ministry, along with reporters from magical newspapers across Europe—including the famed Daily Prophet.
The French Minister of Magic stepped forward, pinning the Medal of Bravery onto both George and Amy before handing each a pouch containing a thousand Galleons.
"On behalf of the French Ministry of Magic, I present these honors to George and Amy for their extraordinary contributions in capturing the dark wizard Rodolphus Maddox. Thank you for your service to France's wizarding community. You are always welcome here!"
As the Minister's voice faded, George and Amy bowed. Thunderous applause erupted, punctuated by the rapid clicks of magical cameras.
After the ceremony, Lina grinned at George, eyeing his medal.
"George, you're probably the youngest recipient of France's Medal of Bravery in history!"
"But well-deserved. Though I'd say I piggybacked on Amy's reputation," George chuckled, hefting his heavy coin pouch.
Amy, clutching her own bag of Galleons, was practically glowing.
"Dinner's on me tonight—best tavern in the magical district!"
"I thought you were returning to Britain?" George raised an eyebrow. "That Auror captain mentioned he'd forwarded One-Eye's confession to the British Ministry. They've reinstated your Auror status."
Amy straightened, chin high.
"Oh, it's not just reinstatement. They've promoted me to Deputy Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation! But I've requested to assume the role after summer. I promised to teach you, didn't I?"
"Now that's what I call a proper teacher—finishing what you start. Respect." George gave her a thumbs-up.
Amy's promotion meant she'd likely rise to Department Head within years—even if Barty Crouch Sr. (her eventual superior) wasn't ousted by his son, he'd retire soon enough.
This was perfect. George's Ministry connections were growing:
- Magical Law Enforcement: Tonks and her colleagues.
- Magical Games and Sports: Ludo Bagman, who'd invited him to Quidditch tryouts.
- Now International Magical Cooperation: A Deputy Head who owed him her life.
Not bad for a rising second-year.
---
Meanwhile, in the Marvel Universe...
George sat cross-legged on the school lawn, eyes closed, attuning himself to the natural energies around him—mimicking the ancient magic's principles.
Suddenly, Professor X approached.
"George, I've located the friend you asked me to find."
"Guess we're getting a new teacher soon." George opened his eyes, smirking inwardly.
And my wand's getting a new core.
Pulling out his phone, he scrolled through recent news. Between managing three world's worth of and magical research, he'd been isolated for weeks—even ignoring S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra developments.
Headlines flooded his screen:
- "Pepper Potts Appointed Stark Industries CEO—Beginning of the End for Stark Empire?"
- "Tony Stark Attacked at Monaco Grand Prix, Subdues Assailant" (Photo: Iron Man's retractable claws shredding weapons.)
- "Tony Stark's Mansion Parties Spark Mental Health Concerns"
He skimmed past the Iron Man drama. Nick Fury would handle that. Even if Hydra kept S.H.I.E.L.D. busy, a quick tip about Howard Stark's vibranium research could solve Tony's palladium poisoning.
Then he found it—the Hulk news.
"Green Monster Terrorizes Culver University, Military Forces Overwhelmed"
An attached video showed the Hulk smashing jeeps into soldiers.
The comments? Priceless. Most dismissed it as CGI, with self-proclaimed "experts" dissecting "flaws." Even eyewitness accounts from students were mocked.
Just like UFO sightings or "dragon whirlwinds" back on Earth—unless it was a full-scale New York alien invasion, governments could suppress anything.
"Where is he now?" George pocketed his phone.
After this battle with General Ross, Bruce Banner typically headed to New York seeking Dr. Samuel Sterns—hoping to "cure" his Hulk DNA. But which university housed Sterns' lab?
"Manhattan. Grayburn University," Professor X replied. "His mind harbors a slumbering rage. Shall I assist?"
George had briefed him on Banner. Using Cerebro, Xavier had even glimpsed the Hulk's psychic presence.
"Where's Steve? Haven't seen him lately." George deflected.
"Visiting a friend over the weekend. Returns tomorrow."
Steve Rogers—aka Captain America—had taken leave after Natasha Romanoff revealed Peggy Carter was alive (though hospitalized).
"If Steve's out, you should stay. I'll handle Banner alone—it's manageable."
With Wolverine's lax security, the school needed at least one of them present.
(End of Chapter)