On the day of the briefing, the Great Hall was once again packed.
The atmosphere was even tenser and more solemn than it had been at the opening of the Second Task.
The Ministry of Magic had even sent several junior officials from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, who sat at the end of the staff table to observe.
This felt less like a briefing than the final round of an academic debate-or a public trial.
Douglas calmly stepped up to the podium, while Moody unceremoniously claimed the seat in the very center of the front row.
The briefing had barely begun when Moody rose, leaning on his walking stick, before Douglas could speak.
"Professor Holmes."
His magically amplified voice seized the initiative as he appointed himself chief questioner.
"Before you begin that dazzling sales pitch of yours, I would like to ask a few technical questions on behalf of all the staff and students concerned about student safety."
His time in the Academic Affairs Office that term had not been wasted.
Sitting in while Sirius handled official business had taught him a great deal of Holmes's Muggle-style logic and terminology.
Now, he would defeat his opponent with the very weapon his opponent wielded best.
"First question: please quantify the acceptable casualty risk you have set for the Third Task. What exactly is it? Zero point one percent, or zero point one per thousand?"
"Second question: what contingency plan do you have for the chain reactions of magical resonance that spells of mass destruction might trigger in the maze's complex environment? Be specific about activation times and response procedures."
"Third question."
His magical eye locked onto Douglas as he delivered his most lethal blow.
"Does your so-called Marauders Power Company have a comprehensive program for assessing, treating, and monitoring