It was dark and cool at the centre of the stone rings. The air hummed with a barely audible touch of sound, and Narcissa extended her hand to Hermione, beckoning her to stand at her side. Then Narcissa directed the other witches into a circle around them, into places marked out for the purpose of this ritual. When they were in position, evenly spaced, Narcissa carefully placed the candelabra at her feet and turned to the others.