Just over a week after school had finished for the year, Hogwarts was a hive of activity as the Order settled into the vast castle. While all of the castle was free to use the main activity was situated up in Gryffindor Tower and Ravenclaw Tower, which was where the majority of people were concentrating their living area.
Harry, Ron and Neville were currently settling back into their dorm room as discussions took place down in the Gryffindor common room for what was about to happen in Hogsmeade. The exact timing of the Death Eaters attack was unknown, all Snape had been able to tell them was afternoon. As such it was planned that the Order would head to Hogsmeade just before lunch as they prepared to wait to ambush the Death Eaters and hopefully capture Malfoy.
"Are you sure Malfoy has to sleep in here?" Ron asked Harry, looking at the two empty beds.
The beds normally belonged to Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan but for the next few days one of them would have a Slytherin in residence. It was Harry's idea to make Malfoy sleep in with them but Ron still failed to see where his friend's idea had come from. Dumbledore had already enchanted the entrance to the common room so that Malfoy couldn't leave without Dumbledore himself being present, so Ron didn't see why they all had to share a room.
"It's easier." Harry replied. "I know we can put him in another dorm, but this way we can keep an eye on him."
"What's he going to be able to do?" Neville asked. "He can't leave the Tower and he'll have no way of contacting his family so what harm can he do in his own dorm?"
"Better safe than sorry." Harry said. "Anyway the decisions been made, I've already told Dumbledore he'll be in here with us."
Realising there was no point protesting any further Ron and Neville waited for Harry to pull his jumper on before the three boys headed down into the common room. Once in the common room they found Dumbledore, Sirius and Arthur discussing what was about to happen. Apart from them the common room was empty, the other people staying in Gryffindor Tower were clearly elsewhere in the vast castle or in Molly's case at St Mungo's. Molly still wasn't happy with the plan so she had arranged to go and sit with Bill at the hospital, taking Ginny and Luna with her.
"Are you ready for our guest to arrive?" Sirius asked, looking up and grinning at the approaching teenagers.
"Yeah, I'm sure he'll love it here." Harry smirked at his godfather. "Plenty of red and gold to remind him exactly where he is."
"Just remember that he's not to be hurt." Dumbledore told the teenagers. "This is a last resort to get Hermione back, things could escalate quickly if Draco comes to any harm while in our care."
"Don't worry, we won't touch him." Harry said. "So when are you leaving?"
"In a few minutes." Arthur replied. "We need to make sure everyone is in place before the Death Eaters arrive, we can't run the risk of them getting suspicious and leaving again if they see something strange."
"So what do we do until you return?" Ron asked.
"Nothing, you just wait." Sirius told the boys. "There's nothing you can do."
"When are we getting in touch to say we have Malfoy?" Harry inquired.
"Let's wait until he's here, shall we." Dumbledore chuckled as he stood up. "I need to go and speak to the others. Sirius, Arthur, we'll meet in the entrance hall in half an hour."
"When do you think we'll get in touch?" Harry asked his godfather.
"I'm guessing tomorrow, let them stew overnight." Sirius said with a grin.
"Hopefully things will then progress quickly and we'll have Hermione back where she belongs, with us." Arthur added.
"I hope so." Harry sighed. "I hate to think what she's going through at the Manor."
Hermione moaned loudly and threw her head back, Draco's name falling from her lips as she neared her climax. Hermione's nails were digging into Draco's shoulders, leaving red marks and indentations on his pale, flawless skin. His hands were on her hips as she rode him and his fingers were digging into her skin so hard Hermione guessed she would have the bruises to show for their mid-morning frolic.
Not that Hermione or Draco cared about the marks they were leaving on each other, all they were concerned about was each other and the pleasure they were creating. The previous night the couple had made love for hours but their current session was rough and demanding as they shagged furiously as a way to forget they would be parted in a few hours.
Removing one of her hands from Draco's shoulder, Hermione yanked on his blond hair and pulled his mouth away from her chest. Draco smirked at Hermione as he pulled her into a steamy kiss, one of his hand leaving her hip to snake in between her legs. Hermione moaned loudly into Draco's mouth and a couple of hard thrusts from below combined with Draco's fingers had her screaming her climax. Draco's climax followed directly after Hermione's and the couple slumped back onto the bed.
Draco gently ran his fingers through Hermione's curls as she lay on top of him, her head buried in the crook of his neck. "I love you." He whispered into her ear.
Draco felt Hermione smile against his skin as she returned the sentiment. The couple had first uttered the words the previous night, although they both already knew how the other felt. They had loved each other all their lives and had been in love with each other for a few years before they got together.
"We should get up." Hermione muttered reluctantly as she lifted her head and looked at Draco. "We don't want anyone coming looking for us."
"I guess not." Draco replied as they began to unscramble themselves from each other.
Once they were out of Draco's bed, Hermione pulled on the shirt she was wearing the previous night and headed to her own bedroom to get ready. Hermione could have easily had a shower and got dressed in Draco's room but they both knew that would lead to them getting distracted and ending up being late for the meeting with Voldemort.
Half an hour later the couple met outside of their bedrooms so they could head downstairs together. Arriving in the front room they found everyone was already present. Lucius and Narcissa were sitting on the large sofa while Bellatrix and Severus were in chairs, leaving the smaller sofa available for Hermione and Draco to sit on. Voldemort was standing in front of the fire and didn't seem at all bothered that the teenagers had only just arrived in time for the meeting to begin.
"Now we're all here, I think it's time we run through the plan one final time." Voldemort said. "Draco, are you clear on what you're doing?"
"Yes." Draco nodded. "When we arrive at Hogsmeade I give the orders and stand back, I don't get involved in any fighting until the Order make themselves known."
"Good." Voldemort nodded, before turning to his favourite follower. "Bella?"
"Once the Order are there I 'accidentally' make sure Draco loses his mask. I also keep the others from trying to save Draco." Bellatrix said, reciting her part in the plan.
"Excellent, don't forget that no-one can see you do any of this. This has to appear genuine, no-one apart from us knows of the plan and no-one will know that Draco's capture was planned until just before the exchange." Voldemort said. "And Draco, don't forget to make it look good with the Order. Fight back but eventually let them subdue you."
Bellatrix and Draco both nodded. For the last couple of days the pair had been working on their plan and they were confident they could carry it out without anyone ever realising what they were doing.
"After the raid, it's up to Lucius and Narcissa to play their part." Voldemort turned to the couple sitting side by side on the sofa. "You have to behave as though this is real. Lucius you're going to demand action and Narcissa you're going to appear devastated."
"That won't involve much acting." Narcissa sighed. She was deeply disturbed by the plan and any worry or upset shown on her part would undoubtedly be real.
"Don't worry, Cissa, it'll be fine." Lucius reassured his wife before turning back to Voldemort. "Don't worry, we know exactly what to do."
"Good." Voldemort nodded again, satisfied that everyone seemed to be on top of the plan. "Severus, will the Order expect to see you after this?"
"I don't think so." Severus replied. "Dumbledore expects you to question me about giving information to the Order, but I've convinced him I can assure you that I didn't know of the plans. After all, apart from the initial meeting I've deliberately stayed away so I don't know the finer details."
"That's good." Voldemort mused. "We might have to use you as the go between to arrange the exchange. That will work fine if Dumbledore believes you've convinced me you knew nothing of the plan."
"What do I do, stay out of sight until the exchange?" Hermione asked, sighing in frustration. It was hard to hear all the plans being made and having no solid part to play in them.
"Yes." Voldemort shot Hermione an understanding look, he could just imagine how hard she was finding it being in the background. "You're also going to have to be careful around the Manor as well. We don't want any of the Death Eaters seeing you and realising you're not a prisoner. I'm afraid until the exchange is done there's going to be a fair bit of coming and going in the Manor."
"Its fine, I can stay in my room for the most part." Hermione shrugged. "Although I want to be kept informed."
"Of course." Voldemort nodded. "But for now it might be best if you leave, the Death Eaters involved in the raid will be here in less than ten minutes."
Hermione nodded as she stood up and left the room. Draco also went with her and when they were in the hallway he pulled her into the nearby library.
"Are you okay?" He asked, wrapping his arms around Hermione's waist.
"I'm fine." Hermione smiled weakly. "I just want this all to be over with now."
"Me, too." Draco admitted. "But in a few days this will be over and things can get back to normal."
"Be careful." Hermione told Draco, brushing his blond hair out of his eyes. "I don't think anyone will try to hurt you, but still be wary of them."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Draco smiled and briefly brushed his lips over Hermione's cheek. "I'll be back to annoy you before you know it."
"I'll hold you to that." Hermione said, before pressing her lips firmly against Draco's.
Before the kiss could get too heated both Draco and Hermione pulled back. Sharing a last hug the couple then stepped out of the other's arms and headed back into the hallway. In the hallway Narcissa was waiting for Draco, after giving her son a hug she sent him back into the front room. Hermione and Narcissa watched the door close before they turned and headed off upstairs, both hoping they would see Draco again and the plan wasn't about to fail spectacularly.