Updated: Fans get a history of the Order of Merlin.
J.K. Rowling has posted new Harry Potter writing on her website, Pottermore, for the last time this year.
In the 12 days leading up to Christmas Eve, new Harry Potter content has been released daily on the site, hidden behind a Riddle wall, which fans must solve.
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Here's the final riddle:
Brian?
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The Order of Merlin is awarded by the Wizengamot, an organisation that predates the Ministry of Magic and nowadays functions as a combination of court and parliament.
The Order of Merlin, commemorating the most famous wizard of his time, has been given since the fifteenth century. Legend says that the green ribbon, on which the First Class Order hangs, is to reflect Merlin's Hogwarts house.
The First Class Order is awarded 'for acts of outstanding bravery or distinction' in magic, the Second Class is awarded for 'achievement or endeavour beyond the ordinary' and the Third Class is given to those who 'have made a contribution to our store of knowledge or entertainment.'
While nobody argued when Albus Dumbledore received his O.M. (First Class) for defeating the Dark Wizard Grindlewald, there was a good deal of muttering in the wizarding community when Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic, awarded himself an O.M. (First Class) for a career many considered less than distinguished.
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You can read the whole thing by logging into Pottermore, and solving the riddle.
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