Temporary authority! Hermione held the token of authority, and every school Prefect answered to her!

Sirius took the handsomely bound proposal, running his fingers lightly over its gold-stamped title.

He did not give his verdict immediately.

His gray eyes, usually touched with a certain rebelliousness, sharpened as though he were scrutinizing a confidential document from the Ministry of Magic.

He leaned back in his chair, interlacing his fingers as his gaze moved slowly from Professor Sprout to Hermione's face.

"A fine idea, Miss Granger."

His tone was calm, yet carried a pressure that could not be ignored.

"But ideas are the cheapest things of all."

He posed his first question, as sharp as a scalpel.

"What happens if you go over budget? The Hogwarts Kitchen isn't Gringotts. It doesn't have unlimited Galleons for you to squander."

Hermione was not intimidated in the slightest and answered without hesitation.

"We've set aside a fifteen-percent contingency fund specifically for unexpected situations. All ingredient purchases will involve three price comparisons to ensure the best cost. The detailed budget is in appendix three of the proposal."

Sirius nodded and posed his second question.

"People are more complicated than accounts. If students, particularly those from the other two schools, are dissatisfied with the judging results and publicly challenge them, how will you handle it?"

"All scoring criteria will be posted on the three schools' noticeboards in four languages three days in advance."

Hermione did not speak quickly, but every word rang with conviction.

"The judges will score anonymously, and the final results will be calculated and sealed using a Magical Notarization Charm to ensure absolute fairness. The detailed scoring rules are in appendix five."

"Very good." At last, an almost imperceptible smile curved Sirius's lips. "One final question. How will you ensure that bored students, such as certain people who enjoy throwing fireworks into other people's cauldrons, don't turn up to