By the time they sat to eat, Hermione wished she'd taken Marcus on a shopping spree at Weasley Wizarding Wheezes. Simon Mehville, Esme's beau, made Percy Weasley look relaxed and reckless. Before dinner, he droned on and on about his position in the Department of Magical Transportation. Hermione tried to inquire about the recent legislation proposed to allow flying carpets, only to have Simon dismiss her out of hand, and continue about his own importance.