"As for the judges..."
Douglas's gaze moved between Sirius and Cedric.
"I suggest inviting Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall."
"If the three headmasters have time, they can take part too!"
The more he spoke, the more excited he became, a complete blueprint rapidly taking shape beneath his wand.
"We can even set up a points system! Each school will send out students from different years every day for three matches!"
"The winners earn three points for their school, a draw earns one point each, and the losers get none!"
"We'll tally the scores at the end of the month, and the winning school will receive..."
Douglas paused and blinked.
"A crate of assorted Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, personally signed by Professor Holmes. How does that sound?"
Cedric stood there, listening as Douglas turned his still somewhat rough proposal into a complete plan with rigorous rules, clear rewards and penalties, and even a touch of mischievous humor in just a few minutes.
Cedric left the Defense Against Dark Magic office with that promise.
His steps were light, his chest filled with the pride of having accomplished something great for Hogwarts.
Click.
The heavy wooden door closed gently behind him.
The door shut out the light from the corridor, along with the simple enthusiasm of youth outside.
The office instantly grew dim.
The warm, enthusiastic smile on Sirius's face vanished in an instant.
In its place was a peculiar expression of extreme confusion, mixed with three parts wariness and seven parts suspicion.
He said nothing.
He merely stretched out his long legs, his frame six feet tall, and began pacing in circles around Douglas, who was leisurely holding his cup of milk tea.
His gaze was like a Probe Charm.
Carefully, inch by inch, it swept over Douglas's entire body.
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