Lucius lifted a brow as he took her in. "Sufficient."

She glowered and gestured to his tuxedo. "I suppose this will do as well."

His lips quirked and, to her surprise, he offered her his elbow. She blinked before accepting, and he slowly led them down the hallway.

"You will not leave my side. You will not speak unless spoken to. And I assume you know how to respond when spoken to."

She nodded, her pulse quickening with each step. "How is he?"

"He sends his regards."

They reached the top of the stairs, and she found Narcissa standing below in white, waiting near the front doors to the Manor. She didn't smile at them, but her eyes sparkled. Hermione had the strangest sensation as they started to descend. In another life, she might have belonged to their world. Or at least tried to. She might have danced like a pureblood girl and known the names and uses of every one of Lucius Malfoy's utensils.

The noise of voices in the drawing room startled her from her thoughts — there were already guests mingling. Lucius released her elbow as they swept across the marble, and Narcissa greeted him with a kiss to his cheek. She said nothing to Hermione, pointedly turning her back on her. Hermione blinked, then quickly moved to stand behind them. Her eyes widened when she glanced out the front doors. The long driveway was lined with gilded archways, the intertwined fairy lights hovering in a golden glow to welcome the guests.

"The elves did a lovely job, dear, as usual." Lucius straightened his black bowtie.

"Hix is testing all the warming charms now," said Narcissa lightly. "It's a shame not to use the Floo."

"I know, but times being what they are…"

There was a flurry of movement outside, but Narcissa's shoulder had shifted, obscuring Hermione's view. Hermione fiddled with the skirt of her dress as the sound of chatter from the grounds grew louder and louder, floating through the open doors. It sounded as though everyone had arrived at once.

A man and woman stepped into the entry hall, and Hermione had to stop herself from peering around Lucius' shoulders to get a better look. She was the Malfoys' trophy tonight — it was their choice to decide when to display her.

Narcissa greeted them with ease, and Hermione blinked at the marble as she heard Narcissa say their names and kiss their cheeks. She did the same for the next couple, and the next, and Hermione realized that she might have been reciting names for Lucius's benefit.

A line began gathering outside of the doors, and as the din grew louder, Hermione felt safe enough to lift her head. The array of new faces was overwhelming, but she caught a few familiar ones. Some stood and shook Lucius's hand and asked about Switzerland, and some held Narcissa's wrist and pouted that Draco couldn't be there. Most of them ignored her, but it was interesting to see which men she recognized from Edinburgh. Which ones leered and which ones averted their eyes quickly, turning back to their wives.