Hermione danced with Marcus, Rodolphus, Cassius, Lucius, and Adrian before she demanded a rest. She surveyed the ballroom. The decorations looked as horrible as she feared they would. They clashed with each other and the room. Catering staff circulated with fruits and savory snacks to help keep guests sober longer. Rabastan had called it starvation self-defense. She took a small pastry off a passing tray, then collected a glass of champagne.