Breakfast at Malfoy Manor was a quiet affair, even Lucius was more subdued than normal. The previous day had been a flurry of activity as Lucius had played the angry father, demanding Voldemort attack the Order in an effort to find Draco. After every place associated with the Order had been thoroughly searched Voldemort announced that all they could do was wait for the Order's next move.

Hermione had remained in her room throughout all the activity, only emerging when all the Death Eaters had gone home and it was dinner time. Dinner had also been a subdued affair and Hermione couldn't wait until Draco was back home, the Manor just didn't seem right without him around.

Breakfast was nearly finished when suddenly a distinctive snowy owl flew in through the open windows. The bird landed in front of Lucius, spilling his tea all over the table.

"Hedwig." Hermione cried. "That's Harry's owl." She told Lucius.

"The bird's a menace." Lucius muttered, mopping up his spilt tea before it dripped onto his lap. "It has no table manners."

"It's an owl, Lucius. Owl's don't have table manners." Hermione pointed out.

"Ours do." Lucius retorted. "You wouldn't find a Malfoy owl landing on someone's breakfast table and spilling a man's tea. It just isn't done."

"Forgetting all about our perfectly behaved birds, should we not find out what the Order has to say?" Narcissa joined the conversation, anxious to get her husband to get things moving in regards to getting Draco back home.

"Right, the letter." Lucius tutted, untying the letter that was round Hedwig's ankle.

The minute Lucius had removed the letter Hedwig took off, leaving the room as suddenly as she had entered.

"They're clearly not expecting a response." Narcissa sighed.

"Even if they were I hardly think they're going to instruct Potter's owl to hang around for it." Lucius said. "More than likely they'll expect us to use our own owl or contact them some other way."

"Maybe we can find out, if you open the letter." Hermione said, reminding Lucius yet again that he still hadn't opened the letter.

Muttering about impatience Lucius tore open the letter, causing Draco's ring to fall onto the table in front of him. As Hermione leant over and picked the ring up, confirming it was Draco's, Lucius scanned the brief note. The letter was basically Dumbledore saying the Order had hold of Draco and he would like to discuss swapping him for Hermione. After telling Hermione and Narcissa what the letter said, Lucius stood up and announced he was off to inform Voldemort of what was happening.

"How quickly do you think the exchange will take place?" Hermione asked, twirling Draco's ring in her finger.

"Quite quick, I think." Narcissa replied. "Of course we have to make it believable that Lucius has had enough time to convince The Dark Lord to swap you for Draco. After that I expect thing to be moving along speedily."

"I hope so." Hermione said as she stood up. "Can I hold onto this until Draco returns?" She asked, holding the ring up for Narcissa to see what she was talking about.

"Of course, I'm sure he would like you to keep it for him." Narcissa smiled.

"I'm going back upstairs for a while." Hermione told Narcissa. "Will you keep me updated?"

"Of course." Narcissa reassured Hermione she would know exactly what was happening, before the younger witch left the room.

Instead of heading to her own room Hermione headed into Draco's, where she curled up on his bed and tried to read. She hoped they would have news about the exchange soon, but realistically she knew negotiations could take a while and it could still be a few days until the exchange could take place.

Severus sat in his cottage waiting for Lucius and Dumbledore to arrive. After Lucius had received the letter from the Order that morning he had gone to Voldemort, Voldemort had then called him and plans were made. After waiting a few hours, to make it look as though Lucius was talking Voldemort into the exchange, Severus contacted Dumbledore. He told Dumbledore that he had convinced Voldemort he knew nothing about the plan to snatch Draco, but considering his dual role in the war The Dark Lord had suggested he was the best person to liaise between the two sides as a solution to their problem was reached. Dumbledore bought the story with ease and readily agreed to meet with Lucius, which was why Severus was waiting for both men to arrive.

Lucius was the first to arrive, stepping through the flames he greeted his old friends warmly. The two men settled down with a drink as they waited for Dumbledore to arrive. Dumbledore arrived via the front door, knocking and waiting for Severus to answer before he entered the cottage.

"Lucius." Dumbledore inclined his head, seeing the blond man had arrived before him.

"Where's my son?" Lucius demanded.

"He's safe." Dumbledore said, sitting down but refusing the drink Severus offered him. "In fact I think he's rather enjoying himself winding Mr Potter and Mr Weasley up."

"How nice." Lucius sneered. "Before we go any further I need to see he's safe."

"Fine." Dumbledore nodded. He'd already anticipated Lucius's request and had Arthur waiting in the Gryffindor common room to help him. "But I need the same reassurance about Miss Granger."

"What makes you think we have her?" Lucius raised an eyebrow at Dumbledore. "I asked Severus to arrange this meeting to talk about Draco, I made no mention of the girl."

"Let's not play games, Lucius. We know she's at the Manor, not only have we seen her there but Draco's practically admitted it." Dumbledore said, fixing Lucius with a steely gaze. "So should we forget about the mind games and sort this out like civilised men."

"Civilized went out the window when you kidnapped my son." Lucius snarled.

"That was an act of retaliation." Dumbledore said, defending the decision he had backed. "You struck first by taking Miss Granger."

"Perhaps instead of arguing over what's happened, perhaps you should get back to the point in question." Severus suggested. He'd decided on a whole he would stay out of thing but if he didn't keep things moving they could be here all night.

"Right." Lucius nodded. "As I was saying, I want proof Draco is alright before we proceed any further."

"Understandably." Dumbledore nodded. "If it's agreeable to Severus I can floo where he's staying and arrange for him to speak briefly with you. Of course I expect the same courtesy regarding Miss Granger."

"Fine, get on with it then." Lucius snapped, already getting sick of Dumbledore's ramblings.

"May I?" Dumbledore asked Severus, gesturing to the fire.

"Of course."

With Severus's permission Dumbledore placed a floo call to Gryffindor Tower. Arthur was sitting waiting for the call and after a brief conversation he went in search of Draco. After informing Draco what was happening, Dumbledore pulled his head back from the fire.

"I think it's better if you don't see where Draco is so I've arranged for him to call back." Dumbledore said, seconds before Draco's head appeared in the flames.

"Draco." Lucius got down near the fire to speak to Draco. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just bored stupid." Draco retorted. "How's everything at home?"

"We're all fine." Lucius told his son. He knew by talking in a broader sense they were able to include Hermione without arousing Dumbledore's suspicions. "We're looking forward to having you home."

"I'm looking forward to coming home." Draco said as he turned his head slightly, getting distracted by something on his side of the floo connection. "Apparently I have to go, see you soon."

"Bye, son." Lucius said, standing up as Draco's head disappeared.

"I believe it's my turn now." Dumbledore said.

Nodding Lucius connected the floo to the Manor and made a call to Narcissa. Being careful as to what he was saying, Dumbledore could probably make out most of what he said, Lucius managed to convey to Narcissa that Dumbledore needed to speak to Hermione. Like what Dumbledore had done with Draco, Lucius ended the call with the promise that Hermione would make an appearance moment later. Sure enough seconds after he made the promise Hermione's head appeared in the flames.

"Miss Granger, are you alright?" Dumbledore asked, kneeling down beside the fire.

"Professor Dumbledore." Hermione smiled at the sight of the Headmaster, he didn't realise it was fake. "I'm fine."

"You haven't been mistreated in any way have you?" Dumbledore asked.

"No." Hermione replied. "I've got a nice room and can pretty much go wherever I like."

"Well, you'll soon be home dear." Dumbledore said, convinced the young witch was putting on a brave face. "We're working on sorting things right now."

"Thank you Professor." Hermione said. "I have to go now, but thank you for everything you're doing."

"Satisfied?" Lucius asked as Dumbledore slowly pulled his aged body from the floor.

"I'm satisfied she's unharmed. What about you?"

"Yes, I'm satisfied Draco's fine." Lucius said. "Now, shall we discuss terms."

"I'm not here to bargain." Dumbledore shook his head. "I'm here to arrange a straight forward exchange. You hand over Miss Granger, we hand over Draco. No terms, no conditions, just a straight swop."

"That's all we want." Lucius replied smoothly.

"Good, I was thinking we need to meet somewhere neutral." Dumbledore said. "And only a few people."

"Hogwarts." Lucius suggested, smirking as Dumbledore looked slightly taken aback. "I assume that's easier for you, considering that's where you are."

"How…" Dumbledore trailed off and his eyes flicked over to Severus.

"Severus hasn't told us anything, it's merely logic." Lucius told Dumbledore. "Yesterday we hit every Order property we know of and found no sign of anyone, that indicates a mass evacuation and you wouldn't have had time to do it after Draco was taken. Granted there might be a location we know nothing of but Hogwarts is perfect for you lot, it's large and nigh on impenetrable."

"Impressive." Dumbledore murmured, conceding the dark side were brighter than he had given them credit for. "But I'm not sure it's the best place for a handover."

"Why not, you'll have the entire Order to back you up." Lucius said.

"You would agree to everyone being there?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes, it's not as if I'd be coming alone." Lucius replied. "But we both agree everyone stays back. Narcissa and I will come forward to hand the girl over and you and one other person can bring Draco. Once the exchange is complete and we're both satisfied, we all leave."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that."

"When do you want to do it?" Dumbledore asked.

"As soon as possible." Lucius answered. "Narcissa isn't coping very well, she needs Draco back home."

"Tomorrow at noon?" Dumbledore suggested. "How about we meet in the courtyard?"

"That's fine, tomorrow it is then." Lucius nodded.

"Very well, I'll be off now." Dumbledore said, rising from his seat. "I hope tomorrow runs smoothly, I'm trusting you to deliver."

"Don't worry, I promise you'll have the girl in your hands tomorrow afternoon." Lucius said.

Dumbledore nodded and after saying goodbye to Severus he departed.

"Was that wise promising him that he would have Hermione tomorrow?" Severus asked.

"I said he would have her in his hands, I didn't say she would stay there." Lucius chuckled. "Speaking of Hermione, I best get back home and fill her and Narcissa in on what's been happening. I'll also be talking to The Dark Lord so don't be surprised if he summons you later, we all need to make sure tomorrow runs perfectly."

"I'm sure it will." Severus told his friend. "The plan so far is going pretty good."

"Wait until you hear the rest of it." Lucius smirked. "The Order's not going to know what's hit them tomorrow."

Still smirking Lucius flooed home where he proceeded to inform Hermione and Narcissa of what was going on. He then spoke to Voldemort, who gathered the small circle of people who were in on the plan to discuss the following day. The meeting went on long into the night as the group ran over every scenario possibly, planning every little thing down to the last detail.