Bella resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Beautiful evening? That was all he could think to say? Instead of berate him, however, she made an impatient noise in her throat and banged the door knocker again. Where was that bloody house-elf?

Turning, she eyed Lucius coolly. "I value the Dark Lord's plans more than social conventions," she said, giving him a challenging look, but her excitement soon got the better of her annoyance. "I take it you've read the Daily Prophet today, as well?"