Charlie had fallen into this state.
In the morning, he was dragged out of his sweet dreams by Grandma White's roar.
"Charlie, the Owl outside is about to break the window! If you keep sleeping, I'll stew it!"
Charlie groggily got up.
He rubbed his eyes and walked to the window, seeing a grey Owl pecking at the glass with its beak.
"Alright, alright, stop pecking."
Charlie opened the window, letting the Owl fly in.
This Owl was a Ministry of Magic official Owl, with a small badge clipped to its leg.
It landed on Charlie's desk and extended its leg for Charlie to take the letter.
Charlie casually pulled a piece of dried meat from the drawer; this was Storm's snack.
"You worked hard, have something good to eat."
The Owl's eyes lit up, and it was about to take the dried meat to feast on, when it suddenly felt a cold stare.
It stiffly turned its head and saw Storm standing on the windowsill, its eagle eyes full of menace.
The official Owl cowered, grudgingly pushed the dried meat in front of Storm, then shrank its neck and waited for Charlie to read the letter.
Charlie didn't notice this little interlude; he tore open the envelope, inside was a gilded invitation.
"Mr. Charlie White, in recognition of your outstanding service in researching and publicly releasing the Healing Potion, all members of the Wizengamot have unanimously decided to award you the Order of Merlin, Second Class. Please report to the Ministry of Magic at 10 AM on July 10th for the investiture ceremony."
At the end of the letter was a handwritten postscript from Dumbledore.
"I will pick you up on July 10th. Remember to dress formally. — Albus Dumbledore"
Charlie finished reading the letter, not surprised.
With Dumbledore as his guarantor, plus his own contributions, passing the review was a foregone conclusion, wasn't it?
The time came to July 10th.
Charlie put on the formal robes he bought at Madam Malkin's.
Just as he finished getting ready, there was a knock at the door.
Charlie went downstairs to open the door; Dumbledore stood outside, today he was wearing a deep purple Wizard robe, with various medals pinned to his chest, looking particularly solemn.
"Good morning, Charlie. Are you ready?"
"I'm ready, Professor Dumbledore."
Dumbledore nodded with satisfaction.
"Very good, you look very spirited. Let's go, we can't be late."
The two walked into a secluded alley, and Dumbledore pulled out his wand.
"Grab my arm, we're going to Apparate."
Charlie grabbed Dumbledore's arm, and the next second he felt a dizzying sensation.
When he came to his senses, he was already standing on a bustling street in central London.
"Where is this?" Charlie looked around, seeing only Muggle shops and office buildings.
"The entrance to the Ministry of Magic is right here." Dumbledore pointed to a red telephone booth ahead.
"Follow me."
The two walked into the telephone booth, and Dumbledore dialed a number.
"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic, please state your name and purpose of visit."
A female voice came from the phone.
"Albus Dumbledore, accompanying Charlie White to attend the investiture ceremony."
"Identity confirmed, please wear your visitor's badge."
Two silver badges dropped out of the telephone, with their names and purpose of visit written on them.
Dumbledore handed one of them to Charlie.
"Put it on, and then we can go down."
The telephone booth suddenly began to descend, like an elevator.
Charlie looked through the glass at the scene outside; there was a world of its own underground.
Not long after, the telephone booth stopped, and the door opened automatically.
"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic."
Charlie stepped out of the telephone booth.
This was a huge underground hall, with a ceiling so high it couldn't be seen.
People in various colored Wizard robes were coming and going everywhere, some carrying briefcases, others holding stacks of documents.
In the center of the hall was a huge fountain, carved with various magical creatures.
"Stay close to me, don't get lost." Dumbledore reminded.
The two walked through the crowd to a row of elevators.
"We're going to the eighth floor, that's the main hall of the Ministry of Magic, where large events are held."
The elevator was crowded, and Charlie heard people talking about work.
"We've been searching for Dark Arts artifacts for so long, those people must have hidden everything by now, what else can we find?"
"Shh, keep your voice down, this is the Minister's decision, he's not in a good mood lately, be careful."
The elevator stopped and started, finally reaching the eighth floor.
Dumbledore led Charlie out of the elevator and to a huge oak door.
"Are you ready?" Dumbledore asked.
Charlie took a deep breath and nodded.
"Then let's go in."
Dumbledore pushed open the door, revealing a circular hall inside, with many observing Wizards scattered throughout.
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