The guests were already arriving and were in the process of being escorted into the large dining hall by Pansy and John/Neville, the sudden new addition to the Malfoy manor staff. He was unremarkable looking to the point of invisibility, which worked exactly as Draco had wanted. Nobody gave him more than a passing glance except for Theodore Nott, who eyed him slyly as he was led into the manor. There was an overly long table assembled in the dining hall, and on it were priceless groups of dinnerware. Candles hovered high in the air above their heads, and a smallish orchestra on the opposite side of the great room were gathered in their chairs, blindfolded and quietly preparing their instruments. The singular wide golden throne sat prominently on the dais, unoccupied yet but still intimidating in its emptiness. There was loud chatter and laughter as the guests took their seats and mingled, taking off their black and gold-detailed masks.