Babylon had once been the pinnacle of Mesopotamian civilization. Like all ancient civilizations, Babylon had many ornaments with its own distinctive characteristics.
Legend had it that Herod's stepdaughter Salome was skilled in the Dance of the Seven Veils, and many people had wondered exactly how those seven layers of veils were worn. Lucius Malfoy had found a very interesting outfit in the previous tunnel. It was made entirely of gold and jewels, with several layers of gauze as well. Whether it truly had seven layers as the legend claimed was impossible to know, because he had been ambushed by "a Muggle."
Even though the "hostage" had been released by now, he was still indignant. Mrs Norris lay motionless on the ground, looking as if she were resting, but she was actually tense, as though she might leap up and roar at any moment.
Severus had not been listening very attentively to what Lucius was saying.
Lyall Meyer seemed unwilling to believe that someone would take risks for a woman, so he added another layer of restraint.
The Unbreakable Vow he had made with Narcissa Malfoy had already bound him to care for Draco for the rest of his life. This vow had no magic, but it had been sworn in God's name. When plague had broken out in Rome, people had sacrificed cattle to devils—that was, the old god Jupiter. The distinction between gods and devils was sometimes just like that. Swearing in the name of whichever god led to much the same result. However, Lyall had previously told the story of Troy, where the heroes had sworn before the old king of Sparta not to become enemies of Helen's husband.
This could be understood as a covenant. Ordinary people had no need to obey one, like Ron Weasley, Hermione