Magical announcement

[Amy Z]

June wrote:

> I hereby nominate you for the Order of Merlin (First Class) 
> 
> and I hope that is unanimous.

Unanimity is hard to come by in the magical world, but the Awards, 
Honors, and Christmas Crackers Subcommittee of the Indoor Games 
Council of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, which awards 
the Order of Merlin, has concluded its annual meeting in the basement 
of the Hogs Head, and as soon as the subcommittee members showered 
off the goat smell they enclosed their choices for this year's Os of 
M in the traditional topaz-yellow sealed envelopes.  (And when they 
seal them, they really seal them.  In a daring robbery, daring 
robbers once stole the envelopes as they were being transported from 
Hogsmeade to the Ministry of Magic.  The one who tried to remove the 
charm on the first envelope is now performing five nights a week in a 
very enlightened circus, and can balance the ball on his nose almost 
every time even when not offered fish in exchange.)

The long-awaited evening has arrived, and Miss Use of Muggle 
Artifacts and Billy Crystal are poised to announce the newest members 
of the esteemed Order of Merlin.  However, one *is* required to wear 
clothes to the ceremony.  House-elves used to be eligible until a 
very embarrassing incident involving a potholder with an 
unfortunately placed burn hole, and the awarding of the Os of M is 
now considered, if not a black tie affair, at least clothing-non-
optional.  Mr. Rumgo, could you describe your new apparel for us, 
please?  

Amy Z