The Ghost Roads

ChapterOne

The Thunder Rolls

Disclaimer: Read carefully, because I constantly forget these and am expecting this one to do unless I borrow something else. The Harry Potter books belong to J. K. Rowling, and this includes all characters and settings mentioned in the series. I am not affiliated with the film-version of the plot, either. I DO OWN my plot and my original characters, which will be introduced later.

Author's Note: Okay, I'm nervous! I just finished HBP, in which the going-ons about knocked me out of my chair (honestly, can we say SHOCKING?) And left me aching for more, and a remedy to the biggest problem. And the biggest problem IS, you ask? NO SIRIUS! SERIOUSLY EVIL DRACO! I am a firm believer that Sirius's gorgeous presence should no longer be deprived from his fans, and that Draco should be REFORMED, which we all know he considered it. So I'm writing them a fic, in which a large, post-sixth year rescue mission takes place. I am going to finish out HBP in my own way, and send the Trio off with a few new friends... or tolerated individuals. Hope you enjoy!

The lightening struck the tower,

But the thunder still rolled...

-X-

Scene- The tower, with Harry under the Full-Body Bind and hidden with his Invisibility Cloak. Malfoy is facing Dumbledore, wand out, intending to kill the defenseless Headmaster. Albus is attempting to reason with the young man, and this is where we come in.

"... I can help you, Draco."

"No, you can't," said Malfoy, his wand hand shaking very badly indeed. "Nobody can. He told me to do it or he'd kill me. I've got no choice."

"He cannot kill you if you are already dead. Come over to the right side, Draco, and we can hide you more completely than you can possibly imagine. What is more, I can send members of the Order to your mother tonight to hide her likewise. Nobody would be surprised that you had died in your attempt to kill me- forgive me, but Lord Voldemort probably expects it. Nor would the Death Eaters be surprised that we captured and killed your mother- it is what they would do themselves, after all. Your father is safe at the moment in Azkaban... When the time comes, we can protect him, too. Come to the right side, Draco... you are not a killer..."

Malfoy stared at Dumbledore.

"But I got this far, didn't I?" He said slowly. "They thought I'd die in the attempt, but I'm here... You're at my mercy..."

"No Draco, it is my mercy, not your's, that matters now."

Malfoy's cold gray eyes flashed in anger. "I am afraid I don't see the situation as you do, Professor."

But Harry noticed the fear and hesitation in the boy's face from his place under the Invisibility Cloak, and felt his heart leap in hope. Was there a chance that Malfoy had lost what little nerve he'd possessed in the beginning of his project?

"And I, Draco, am sorry to hear that. However, I suggest that you make your final decision quickly. The Barrier Charm you placed on the archway is starting to wear thin, and your accomplices, along with mine, will be here soon," Dumbledore explained.

The blonde boy surveyed his Headmaster in a cold and appraising manner, then tossed a look at the doorway. Harry prayed with every fiber of his being that the boy used the limited intelligence he was privy to and set Dumbledore free. He held his breath as Malfoy turned to Dumbledore, seeming to have made his conclusion.

"I reveal nothing I am uncomfortable with. I make no promises, save not to reveal your headquarters. And I will not, I repeat, not, join your little army of blood-traitors and filth in their paltry fight," Malfoy bargained.

Dumbledore nodded. "Of course, of course. Only to be expected, Mr. Malfoy. Do we have a deal?"

Malfoy eyed the uninjured, outstretched hand in a dry assessment, then offered his own to Dumbledore. They shook tersely, and Malfoy handed the Headmaster his wand. Dumbledore wasted no time in lifting his jinx from Harry.

"Thanks, Professor!" Harry said gratefully. He shot Malfoy what he hoped was a withering glare, which was returned with an intimidating snarl.

"Potter!" Malfoy spat in disgust.

"Malfoy," Harry replied coldly.

"Excuse me?" Dumbledore asked for attention mildly. "I must ask that you two take these brooms back to the Three Broomsticks and wait. Harry, you acquire a room from Madam Rosmerta while Draco waits hidden under the Invisibility Cloak. I must wake Severus for the antidote to the potion."

"But, Professor! Snape and Malfoy have been in together the entire time! You've got to believe me, I've heard them talking about it!" Harry protested. He turned to Malfoy, then bit out an order. "Tell him!"

Malfoy considered this for a moment, then rolled his eyes. "Fine, he's right. Snape's working against you, Dumbledore. He's been trying to steal my glory the entire time. And when he finds that I've died," he drawled, then continued. "He will continue with my work."

Harry bit his tongue to prevent a disrespectful, 'I told you so!' to escape his lips. He stole a glance at the Headmaster, whom was looking more crestfallen than shocked. His expression was replaced with concern as heavy footsteps sounded from the staircase.

"Harry, take Draco and run!" Dumbledore ordered.

"But, Professor-" he protested. He wanted to fight, wanted to make Snape pay for every wrong he had done, against Harry, against Ron and Hermione, against his parents... and Sirius...

"Harry!" The powerful wizard silenced him.

Harry sighed and grabbed a broom, tossing another at Malfoy. The blonde caught it easily, and they mounted quickly. Harry threw the Cloak at him, and Malfoy covered himself. As they soared into the air, a dozen Death Eaters poured from the tower, Severus Snape among them.

Harry watched over his shoulder as the Death Eaters conversed, and Snape raised his wand. Harry swooped around on his broom, pulling his wand, then stopped at a flash of bright green light. He watched in horror as the frail looking wizard crumpled and fall from the tower. With a burst of speed, he caught his Headmaster's limp body before it reached the ground.

"Professor?" He shook Dumbledore. "Wake up! Wake up, dammit!"

"Potter, you half-wit, he's dead," Malfoy said in a bored voice, landing on the ground and pulling the Cloak from his pale face.

Harry ignored him. "Professor? Sir? Get up! Please! Ennervete!"

"He hasn't been stunned, Potter. It was Avada Kedavra, and it was cast by a powerful wizard at that. It worked, and your beloved Headmaster is gone. He can't weasel his way around a killing curse, even if 'The Chosen One' could," Malfoy patronized.

Harry realized, with a stab of revulsion, that Malfoy was right. Dumbledore couldn't survive the Killing Curse, especially when he was weakened from whatever he had ingested earlier. It was a lost cause- he was gone.

With that final, four-lettered word ringing in his ears, he glowered at Malfoy wildly. It was as if he had just noticed the vindictive boy was there, probably silently rejoicing that their Professor was dead. How dare he stand there, revealing his face to Harry (his body was still invisible, mind you) with that smug look.

"This is all your fault. You and Snape!" He sat the name angrily, feeling a hatred so strong it matched his feeling for Bellatrix and Voldemort himself.

Malfoy's eyes flashed once again, but this time the emotion was more difficult to place. Harry stood slowly, not daring to suspect it was regret.

"That may be true, Potter," he spat. "But believe it or not I had no other choice."

"If that's your story," Harry snorted in doubt. He sent Malfoy a look of pure disgust and tightened his grip on his wand.

"It is! You heard it. I never wanted to murder the old man, alright?" Malfoy shouted in regret, then continued coolly. "Besides, it's a sodding shame. Now, none of us are safe, not even you and your precious Order."

Harry felt a fire burn in his chest, flames that had smouldered for a long, long time. Voldemort, Snape, Wormtail, the Lestranges... these few had taken loved ones from Harry, and how many others? Harry would not allow it to happen to anyone else he cared for. Not on his life.

"Go to Hogsmeade, Malfoy," He ordered, deadly calm and quiet. "And if you aren't there when I come for you, you needn't worry about Voldemort killing you. I'll do it first."

And with that, he turned and ran after Snape.

-X-

The book progresses with Harry and Snape's confrontation in which we find that Snape is indeed the Half-Blood Prince, and then with Dumbledore's funeral. The Trio discuss their plans for the next year, and the book closes. We pick up only a few days later, soon after Harry, Tonks, and Lupin return to the Three Broomsticks to collect Draco, when the Order meets at the Burrow.

"The treachery of Severus Snape has cost the Order a sense of security, a great amount of information, and most importantly, our leader. The Order of the Phoenix is greatly troubled, and we need everyone's cooperation in order to mend these chasms," Remus Lupin spoke quietly, but managed to captivate each eye in the small, crowded kitchen.

Fluer Delacour spoke up from her place at the table, sitting next to a half-healed Bill Weasley. "What can we do, zough, Meester Lupin? Professair Dumbledore eez gone! We 'ave no directions!"

Many members of the Order mumbled their agreement, but quieted as Mad-Eye Moody responded from the head of the table, across from Lupin. "Of course we've got instructions, Delacour! We wage war on the filth called Death Eaters! We defend the defenseless! We use constant vigilance to beat back the scum of the Earth!"

Lupin cleared his throat. "Moody is correct. We continue to thwart each plan of Voldemort (everyone winced, and Lee Jordan dropped his Butterbeer on Fred Weasley's foot) that we discover. We investigate every tip, and guard weapons and those that are important to our cause."

"However, the aim of this meeting is to discuss the location of our headquarters. Grimmauld Place is now unaccessible due to the passing of Professor Dumbledore," Lupin hung his head.

"What about Hogwarts?" Kingsley Shacklebolt suggested. Professor McGonagall had chosen to postpone the opening of the school for at least a year, so the building would be nearly vacant.

"A possibility," Lupin agreed. "However, I fear it would be too obvious."

A murmur of agreement sounded from the patrons. "Why not... Why not Godric's Hollow?" Harry called, hesitantly.

Lupin looked up, surprised, and dozens of pairs of eyes mirrored his move. "Godric's Hollow?"

"Yes. My parents had a house there, you know," Harry added, unnecessarily.

"Yes, I know, but Voldemort knows the location," Remus pointed out.

"But the house was destroyed!" Hermione exclaimed eagerly. "If a new home is built and made Unplottable, and we get a Secret Keeper for it, then we could use it for headquarters!"

Lupin considered the point.

"I suppose that's true," he said slowly. "And the Death Eaters would have no idea of the home even being there."

"But who would build it? And who would fund it?" Arthur inquired.

"Muggle builders, and I'm sure I can afford to build a decent sized house..." Harry informed the room sheepishly.

"I believe... that this would work," Lupin said slowly. "All in favor?"

Nearly each hand rose.

"Motion passed."

-X-

Okay, CUT! End chapter one! This was just setting the scene, basically. Next chapter, we meet the mysterious R. A. B., find out who they are, and The Trio and some other receive an exclusive assignment. So please, please, please, please, please review!