The unexpected guests immediately captured everyone's attention.
The cheers of celebration subsided significantly as the young wizards turned to look at these individuals, but they only recognized the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge; the others were unfamiliar.
Even Dumbledore on the guest of honor seat paused slightly in surprise.
But he quickly approached them:
"Oh, Dugald, and Cornelius, Pegasus..."
Dumbledore greeted them one by one: "It's so wonderful to see all of you at Hogwarts; I thought you wouldn't arrive until tomorrow."
"Indeed, that's what was planned..."
Dugald McPhail, the old wizard leading the group, smiled and said, "But Nicolas felt that this was a rare opportunity that shouldn't be known to just a few.
Personally, I agree, especially since there's never been a young wizard of twelve awarded the Merlin Order Medal before. This is truly an amazing achievement, and that child has broken the age record by eight years."
"It certainly is worth celebrating," Dumbledore replied with a smile.
"So we sped up a bit to make it before Hogwarts' holiday started."
McPhail smiled, "Completing the award ceremony with everyone at Hogwarts... this will surely mean a great deal to that child."
Upon hearing this, the auditorium fell silent, every eye widened, filled with tentative guesses, yet hesitant to believe.
A twelve-year-old receiving the Merlin Order Medal... how could this be!
Nearby, at the Gryffindor table, Fred stiffened briefly as he glanced at George.
"Twelve years old, that should be second year, right?"
"...Or it could be first year."
George's look was equally unsettled: "Could be Harry, everyone knows he defeated You-Know-Who, getting a Merlin Order Medal wouldn't be strange."
"But... Harry's birthday is in July, meaning he's still eleven."
George was suddenly at a loss for words.
A name popped into his mind, one that Fred must surely be thinking of as well.
"No way..."
"It couldn't be..."
They exchanged a glance, their eyes quickly shifting toward the direction of the Hufflepuff table.
Meanwhile, McPhail, who had come from afar, continued without further pleasantries:
"Shall we begin then, Dumbledore, the youngest member of the Merlin Order... I can hardly wait, and let's not keep the children waiting longer."
"Of course, but are you hosting the ceremony this time?"
McPhail shook his head, "Certainly not, we have a more suitable candidate."
At his words, Cornelius Fudge instinctively cleared his throat, stepped forward slightly, seemingly eager to take on the task.
Yet McPhail carried on as if he hadn't noticed Fudge, saying, "Given that we are at Hogwarts, naturally it should be you, Albus.
And it is your job as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot; you can't keep passing that to me... remember, I've been retired for a long time."
"But you are better suited for the job, Dugald."
Dumbledore chuckled, then turned towards the main guest seats.
"Today is truly a happy occasion," he announced loudly, "Let me proudly introduce these esteemed guests to you..."
"Dugald McPhail, a wise and steady counselor who led the Ministry of Magic through a period of enjoyable calm during evident tumult within that Muggle Council."
McPhail waved to everyone in greeting.
Applause erupted through the auditorium in a warm wave.
"I know him," Hermione said excitedly, "Remember, we saw him when we were researching Nicolas Flamel.
Dugald McPhail served as Minister of Magic in 1858 and was among the most trusted ministers."
"1858?!"
Ron exclaimed incredulously, "He must be over a hundred then!"
"133 years," Harry softly interjected.
"You two..." Hermione frowned, "Should at least say he is 133, obviously he wasn't born as Minister of Magic."
"He really has lived long..." Ron muttered, "I mean, he doesn't have the Elixir of Life, right?"
On stage, Dumbledore moved on to the next introduction.
"And our Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge..."
Fudge removed his hat with a cordial smile.
The applause started again, especially from the Slytherin side, where it was most exuberant.
"And Pegasus Saxia, director of St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, a respected Potion Master..."
"Newt Scamander, renowned Magizoologist and author of 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them...'"
While Dumbledore was introducing these people on stage, Kael's gaze remained fixed on the last two individuals.
They were his parents, Chris and Diana.
But Diana wore a large black hood, concealing herself thoroughly.
Her presence seemed astonishingly low, and if she hadn't stood beside Chris, Kael might not have noticed her.
The feeling was akin to a Muggle Repelling Charm...
Suddenly, Kael felt something unusual in his palm. Reflexively glancing down, he found several small words had appeared on his hand...
"No staring, task!"
Kael twitched the corner of his mouth.
Clearly, his mother must have taken leave during a mission; the nature of the Department of Mysteries mandated discretion from her.
Upon receiving the reminder, Kael nodded lightly and refocused his attention elsewhere.
Just knowing his parents were present was enough.
Without their participation in such an event, Kael sensed something would be amiss.
"Kael, why are you grinning so broadly?"
Cedric looked at him dubiously, then seemed to realize something:
"Wait. Could it be the Merlin Order Medal... is for you?"
Earlier, like George, he assumed it was for Harry Potter.
Kael shrugged without a word, but Cedric's look became increasingly startled.
And there was a touch of disbelief mixed with awe in that surprise.
Soon, Dumbledore finished introducing the final guest.
The inventor of the Wolfsbane Potion, Damocles Belby.
All except Fudge had received Merlin Order Medals, including both first and second degree.
As for Chris and Diana... they casually found seats near the entrance.
And Dumbledore, having noticed something, chose not to mention them.
"You might find it peculiar, curious why such famed wizards have come to Hogwarts..."
Dumbledore stood at the head of the guest table, speaking in a clear, resonant voice, "It's simple... they are here to award a student the Merlin Order Medal."
When Dumbledore confirmed this, the reaction was a swift uproar.
Everyone speculated who this could be..., and Harry Potter was the name most frequently mentioned.
"Harry, is it really you?" Ron asked excitedly.
"No way," Harry shook his head, "I've never heard of it, and I'm not yet twelve, you know that."
"I know, but who else, right? Don't forget you defeated You-Know-Who and saved the magic realm," Ron said, "Maybe they just got your age wrong."
Harry frowned, he found it implausible.
If it was indeed due to the Voldemort incident, why was the award delayed until now, and why leave him at the Dursley house for eleven years?
Had Hagrid not come to take him from that seaside cottage, he might still be unaware of Hogwarts' existence.
The auditorium was in chaos, filled with incessant chatter... everyone debated the identity of the awardee.
But soon, Dumbledore provided them the answer.
"Kael Chopper!" he announced loudly.
The room fell silent as if paused, their gaze instinctively drawn to the Hufflepuff table and Kael who stood there.
"Come here, child," Dumbledore said gently.
Kael approached.
Dumbledore spoke solemnly: "At St Mungo's Hospital, you successfully subdued a rampaging werewolf, saving an entire floor, 57 patients' lives.
To honor your courageous and fearless act at that time, I, Albus Dumbledore, on behalf of the International Confederation of Wizards, Merlin Order, Wizengamot, and members of the magical community, award you the second-degree Merlin Order Medal!"