Chapter 133: Special Award!

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Harry snorts. "Good luck with that question," he mutters to himself, then, louder, "I think she'll be fine to join us, William, but not Gabrielle."

"No," the three of us say at the same time, with varying degrees of vehemence.

"Very good," Harry says, canceling the privacy charm. Fleur and her father look around as the buzzing lifts.

"Sorry, Mrs. Delacour, Gabrielle," Harry says. "We're finished now."

"The two of you know very interesting magic for such young students, M. Potter," the mother says. Her usually sultry voice is tight, probably with concern and suspicion.

"Apolline, Mssrs. Lerner and Potter have requested that you join Fleur and I for our discussion," the father says quickly. I smile at his little white lie to help smooth over any insult she may have taken. 

She blinks in surprise, then nods uncertainly while her husband continues speaking. "When and where shall we meet?"

Harry clears his throat. "We have a Hogsmeade weekend coming up this Saturday."

Mr. Delacour nods. "That would allow Apolline and I to leave the grounds and avoid the trouble of getting back in. Is that enough time for you to prepare?"

I nod and smile in what I hope is a reassuring way. "That should be fine."

"I would suggest the Three Broomsticks," Harry says. "We can have lunch at noon and then adjourn to a private room."

Mrs. Delacour raises an eyebrow at the mention of a private room, but Fleur's father nods. A polite knock at the door expedites our goodbyes. "Very well, M. Potter, M. Lerner. This has been a most...unexpected experience." He shakes my hand and gestures Gabrielle over. 

The door opens just as I receive her hug and quick pecks on the cheek. Fleur and then her mother follow with more forceful hugs and kisses, all of which are repeated with Harry, though he gets a much better hug and kisses from Gabrielle than I do. 

I smile at how cute it is...another poor girl rescued by and enamored with the Boy-Who-Lived.

The newcomers, Hermione in front with Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall behind her, wait patiently to the side of the exit. 

Both Hermione's and Professor McGonagall's lips are drawn into an almost identical thin line as they watch the exchange of kisses, which makes me have to stifle a chuckle. 

Dumbledore simply smiles, blue eyes twinkling as he watches us over his half-moon spectacles.

The Delacours exchange quick greetings with the newcomers as they pass, and I note the Delacours are quite warm toward Hermione as well. 

"I'm pleased to find you in good spirits, Mr. Lerner," Dumbledore says. "I must say you gave us quite a fright."

In a rare show of emotion, the Transfiguration professor sniffles. "I've been waiting for you to wake to share this, Mr. Lerner. I'm not one to show favoritism, but I have never been more proud of my Lions than I am of you three."

"Your actions showed the resourcefulness of Slytherins, the intelligence of Ravenclaws, and the loyalty of Hufflepuffs, but I must admit I am most pleased that the courage of Gryffindors won out at the Sorting. Frankly, House Points are not even close to being a suitable reward for any of you."

"Be that as it may, I still reward Gryffindor one hundred points each for your actions," Professor Dumbledore says. Hermione's knees buckle and Harry catches her. 

"Further, all three of you shall receive a Special Award for Services to the School. Harry, I don't believe anyone has ever received two such awards by their Fourth Year, congratulations."

"Lastly, upon their request I have assisted the Delacours with nominating you, Harry, and you, William, for an Order of Merlin, Third Class with the British Ministry, and a Chevalier d'Orleans with the French Ministry. Of course, those will be dependent upon approval by those governing bodies."

I'm completely floored. "A Knight of Orleans?" I ask. I think my voice would be hoarse even without the five days of unconsciousness preceding this one. 

Also, thank you, video games, for preparing me for this moment by providing me the knowledge of what chevalier means. Somehow I doubt that we'll receive such an honor just for saving their daughter, but...

"Indeed, Mr. Lerner," Dumbledore says, glancing at Hermione, but she looks too shell-shocked to say anything. "Since Ms. Granger is otherwise occupied, I will provide a bit of background. Obviously this honor is similar to the British Order of Merlin. The French magical government renamed it over five centuries ago when the third of five Regius Eques was awarded to Joan of Arc."

"Among the Muggles she was nicknamed La Pucelle d'Orleans – the Maid of Orleans – but her magical title is Grand-Croix d'Orleans. – the Grand Cross of Orleans. Think of it as an Order of Merlin, First Class, but even higher. The former names were Regius Eques Karolingi – Carolingian Royal Knight, and before that, Regius Eques Merovingi – Merovingian Royal Knight."

"Merovech was the only one of the latter, and Charlemagne was awarded the former. Legend says it was Charlemagne who ordered Beauxbatons to be built, but it wasn't until his last descendants, Odo the Insane and his sister Adelaide, that it was built and the French magical realm began to separate from the Muggle."

"Odo the Insane?" Harry asks.

"The first headmaster of Beauxbatons," Hermione says immediately.

Dumbledore smiles. "Yes, and he was quite a character, supposedly. Olympe tells me that his portrait claims he came up with the epithet himself. His sister remained on the Muggle side to assist with the separation until her slowed aging became too apparent, after which she finally left for the magical world."

"But why wasn't he made a Royal Knight?" Hermione asks. "Surely being such a key figure in the establishment of the magical realm deserved that, even if the Carolingian Dynasty had ended and Capetian Kings were in power by then?"

Dumbledore's eyes twinkle at Hermione's show of knowledge. "You've answered your own question. I suppose they could have awarded it posthumously, but unlike England they originally cut themselves off completely from the Muggle government. It wasn't until Joan of Arc left Beauxbatons early to offer her services to the crown that their relationship was reestablished."

"In France the Muggle government was the only one able to bestow the Royal Knighthood, despite the fact that it is a magical award. In any event, you must excuse this old man for rambling...it is not often I get to teach anymore. Suffice it to say you three have been nominated for a great honor."

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