The sky outside had gone completely dark.
In England at the end of August, the sun did not truly set until after nine in the evening, when night swallowed the last streak of orange-red on the horizon.
The lawns and lavender fields outside Malfoy Manor sank into blue-gray twilight. The white peacocks had returned to their roosts at some point.
Nearly all the Death Eaters had left. Within half an hour of Rook being taken away, they had almost completely dispersed.
Everyone knew that tonight's gathering had taken a different turn.
Most of the cold dishes had been cleared from the long table. A few bottles of wine remained, with glasses scattered here and there.
Those in the inner circle also began taking their leave. Evan Rosier left first, shaking Regulus's hand without saying much, then giving his arm a pat before going.
Theodore Nott said goodbye with a stern face. Before leaving, Veronica exchanged a few words with Narcissa, then gave Regulus a beguiling smile and turned to go.
Adrian Selwyn left last, shaking Lucius's hand several times and repeatedly saying what an honor tonight had been, before Lucius finally escorted him out with impeccable courtesy.
Crabbe and Goyle had spent the entire evening trailing Lucius. Crabbe pumped Regulus's hand several times, his expression earnest, as though he wanted to confirm the matter of teaching the children once more. Goyle stood beside him, nodding along.
Lucius watched from the side, a vein beginning to show faintly on his forehead again.
The young people from the Parkinson family and the Shafiq family left as well.
Lucretius was the second-to-last to leave, chatting with Regulus for a while longer in a corner of the main hall.
For those who had attended, tonight's banquet had not been a wasted trip. The shrewd