Pottermore's Twelfth Christmas Pays Tribute To Albus Dumbledore, Order Of Merlin

Today is Pottermore's last day of Christmas surprises. For its twelfth Christmas, Harry Potter fans can attend Albus Dumbledore's funeral and access new writing from J.K. Rowling.

"In our final Moment from Half-Blood Prince join students, teachers and magical creatures and say farewell to the beloved Professor Dumbledore in the Moment 'The Funeral'," said Pottermore's official website. "In honour of the much-loved Headmaster, today's surprise celebrates one of the many achievements of this great man - the Order of Merlin.

Discover more about this award's most prestigious [and some less salubrious] recipients in one more piece of new writing by J.K. Rowling."

Let's start with our last riddle: "The funeral of a beloved Headmaster and teacher brought tears of sadness from each man and creature, but can you recall as best as you can the first name of this great man?"

Our answer: Albus. It is fitting that after twelve days of celebration we end it commemorating the life of one of the best wizards in history. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is not only a Headmaster of Hogwarts, but he also holds titles of Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards.

He also was awarded the Order of Merlin First Class. Talk about an awesome resume.

When answered correctly Harry Potter fans are taken to a new moment called, "The Funeral" where users can listen to the reader narrate a portion of the Half-Blood Prince. We see a crowd of people sitting in rows at the funeral, and can even spot the Weasley's and Rita Skeeter scribbling on her notepad.

If you hover over the lake, you can hear the merpeople's song commemorating our beloved Professor Dumbledore.

In J.K. Rowling's new writing, "Order of Merlin," we learn that the award is given to witches and wizards who have achieved great things in their lifetime. There are three levels to the award: First Class, Second Class, and Third Class.

"The Order of Merlin [sometimes abbreviated to O.M.] is awarded by the Wizengamot, an organisation that predates the Ministry of Magic and nowadays functions as a combination of court and parliament," Rowling said.

"The Order comprises a handsome golden medal on a green ribbon [First Class], purple ribbon [Second Class] or white ribbon [Third Class]."

Rowling said that Dumbledore was awarded the First Class Order which goes to those who have committed 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 many 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 Grindelwald, 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 that many considered less than distinguished. Other less worthy recipients of the highest class of order include Arcturus Black, Sirius Black's grandfather, who was widely believed to have bought it by loaning the Ministry a large amount of gold."

What a run. This was definitely a much brighter and exciting Christmas thanks to J.K. Rowling. Now I will say what all Harry Potter fans are thinking: Now what?