Xiaomi stood in the middle, not a trace of nervousness left in his eyes.
He watched the two young wizards use the magic they had learned to give wings to his traditional craft, his enormous eyes shining as never before.
Their theme was "Memories of the first afternoon tea shared in the Hogwarts Kitchens."
Their creation was "Osmanthus sugar cakes and Earl Grey tea jelly," a dish that combined Chinese delicacy with British flavours.
The entire process was filled with the clash of knowledge and the blending of cultures.
The team led by Binns, the master of classical French sauces, presented a very different scene.
Conflict had erupted from the very first second of the competition.
"I told you, the sage must go in at the ninth second of the butter melting! You were half a second early!"
Binns's voice was shrill and stubborn. Like a tyrant, he demanded that his two assistants become nothing more than extensions of his hands.
"But, sir!"
The outstanding Herbology student from Hufflepuff held up a plant with a completely different scent, refusing to give ground.
"This Dragon's-Breath Thyme can bring out the caramel finish in your memory much better! I have data in my paper to support it!"
"I don't need data! I need replication!" Even Binns's ears had turned red with anger.
The other student, a Gryffindor who preferred action, tapped impatiently on the chopping board.
"Can we hurry up? The flames next door are almost reaching the ceiling! Our soup is still simmering away at a snail's pace!"
At their workstation, authority and innovation, rigour and efficiency tore savagely at one another like two invisible beasts.
The most unnerving team was that of Tip, the Nordic smoking master.
Extremely efficient.
No internal friction.
Not even any verbal communication.
Their collaboration was