At ten minutes to midnight, house elves circulated with champagne flutes. Lucius toasted to a bright new year. Marcus hugged Hermione tightly. "May this new year end as it began, you and me, here, together." She nodded, clinking her glass with his and drinking to both toasts. She met his lips in a chaste midnight kiss. She happily noted Esme and Percy removing the masks and making plans to meet the next day after they introduced themselves.