The annual Malfoy Winter Ball officially welcomed guests at five P.M. on the last Saturday of December.

But the preparation for such an extravagant party actually took several laborious hours to set-up. At two, the kitchen staff began preparing meals. Juicy hams, glazed with honey and brown sugar, glistened in the oven 's heat. Biscuits were kneaded and proofed several hours in advance. Alcohol was sorted and set, so guests could be served with ease upon arrival. Then at three, the ballroom was cleared. Tables were pushed to the sides, so guests would have room to dance and mingle. By four, the Malfoy family had donned their fanciest robes and pasted on their falsest smiles. Four-thirty had Narcissa Malfoy running their doorman through the guest list for the fourth time in as many hours. At four-forty-five, eager-to-please guests would slowly start to trickle in. Finally, five P.M. struck, and the party began in earnest.