I guess my give a damn is busted
Summary- over the years that Harry has spent in the wizarding world he eventual had to learn to not care as much, especially after everything that had happened after the war had finally ended. So, when the dead started waking up hungry, and the world quickly went to hell, all he could think was, 'figures.'
Disclaimer- I do not own or make any money off of either Harry Potter or the walking dead.
Chapter three
Harry now found himself regretting the fact he both ignored the world around him while he was traveling, as he spent most of the time in what most would consider the wilds. Away from any real information sources that would let him know what was going currently going on the world around him. And the fact, that when he did decide to finally make his way to civilization, besides the quick stops in stores he had made, that it was Atlanta Georgia of all the places he could have been that he ended up going to.
This was because one, well as it turns out by avoiding being in anything that could even be remotely called a major city, along with all the people in said cities, Harry missed out on some very important, life altering information.
Information which he had quickly found out when he finally made it out of the woods and into Atlanta Georgia. Which also happened to be right around the time it was already too late to really do anything about said information.
Not that Harry was completely sure he would have been able to do much about what he had found out anyway, seeing as no one else seemed to have been able to do anything about it despite the fact a lot of higher ups did have the knowledge about it. But still he could have found a way to be more protect as well as prepared for what was now going on. At least if he had known about what the hell was going on, he could have been.
This was the fact that there was a virus out there that was killing everyone, or at least nearly everyone, and apparently afterword's reanimating those that it did kill to wake up hungry for living human flesh. Which they hunted down in herds and attacked any living being they were able to their undead hands on.
So much like inferius in the wizarding world, only as Harry had checked, without any use of magic to make it possible. Nor did it seem like fire stopped these creatures, like it did Inferius, these creatures seemed to only be taken down by a shot directly to the head to stop them.
Leaving Harry feeling two main emotions, the frustration over the fact that he had never realized what was happening. That he hadn't noticed this coming, or the fact he hadn't noticed whatever the hell this was happen; seeing as it had to have been going on for a while to spread of far as it had.
As well as the utterly confused about how it was happening; as he couldn't think of any other way the dead could come back except for magic. Yet at the same time, knowing that despite the fact there was no magic doing so, that was what was happening.
However even as he realized this, in the back of his mind Harry really wasn't able to stop himself from feeling that it would figure something like this would happen as soon as he was able to feel some sense of peace in his life. That it was just his luck for something like this to happen so soon after he finally got the freedom he had always wanted.
Seeing as that was how his luck usually seemed to turn out, two sided; and usually in the extremes on both sides. Hell, Harry figured his gut feeling must have realized something like this was going to happen at least in some degree. Otherwise why would he have felt the need to collect everything he did, seeing as he knew it wasn't only to screw the wizarding world over. Even if that had been a major part of why he had done everything he had done, in the beginning at least.
At the same time, even if he was happy about all the supplies he had on him, that he had gathered unknowingly over the years. Harry wasn't feeling as smug about the tent he currently had, even if it was still both extremely safe as well as helpful considering just what was going on. Even if it was most likely one of the safest if not the safest shelters in several miles around.
Seeing as even if it did keep what he now found to be called the walking dead, or just the walkers, out, it's kind of stood out on its own. Seeing as he was a rather large tent that when visible to others, looked to be rather flimsy and not nearly as safe as it actually was. Not to mention it looked like something that was more of a hassle to put together then it's worth considering the size of the ten in question. At least to anyone who didn't know about all the magic that went in to, which was now the majority of the world around Harry, that is how it would look.
Added to that the fact that Harry knew he had to be even more careful now getting out of said tent when it came to both humans as well as walkers. Seeing as the wards he had his tent didn't really go out far enough to tell him if anyone was watching him from a distance. And until he found a more permanent place to stay, one where he didn't have to worry about some stranger finding out about him, he really wouldn't be able to put down his own wards that would allow him to do so either.
And Harry knew from experience even before whatever this disaster of a virus that called these Walkers, that humans could be the worst sorts of monsters; even more so then the walking dead could ever be. After all these walkers didn't seem to have nearly the necessary skills humans did when it came to thinking, plotting or backstabbing. From what Harry could see the undead where only guided by pure instinct to feed and nothing more. Making the humans that survived both them and the virus the far more dangerous threat to him.
Which was one of the reasons why Harry was rather upset he had found all this out, and had pretty much gotten stranded, in Atlanta Georgia of all places. He knew he wasn't safe and the fact that he hadn't been in Georgia all that long, and therefor didn't know much about it in the long run didn't make Harry feel all that safe in the least bit. Not when you consider the fact, he both didn't know anyone there who could give him the information he wanted, nor did he know where any of the magical centers may be at; on the off chance he decided he needed to go to one.
Not that knowing where the magical centers in the part of the world would that would be much of a help to Harry, seeing as he was currently in America and even Harry knew that the magic in America, particularly where he was currently located at funnily enough, was so wild that not many witches or wizards stayed in the country to begin with. That is not to say magic was impossible to do, just it needed a stronger will to control it; fortunately having a strong will was something Harry never had a problem with. Unlike several other witches or wizards Harry could name just off the top of his head.
This wild magic however did have one benefit that Harry was grateful for and would be using the hell out of for the time being. Which was the face that he wouldn't be very easily tracked down by anyone in the wizarding world; more so now than it has ever been before. Seeing as it was all but impossible to track anyone in the wild magic of America; the wilder it was the more impossible the task in question was.
On the other hand, the wild magic of Georgia wasn't so good for him when it came to Harry getting the answers he wanted about what was going on and if magic could help it in some way; or another. Or if not that, then if magic could help find out what had caused it to happen in the first place. Something Harry wasn't sure about, even if he now knew the walkers themselves weren't running on any magic at all. However, because of how wild the magic was in this place in particular, it was made just that much more difficult, if not outright, impossible to do at the time.
Sighing and knowing that there was no use in kicking up a fuss now seeing as there was nothing he could really do about it. Harry just shifted his bags, making sure they were all in place, and just keep on walking in the directions he had been heading before he had lost himself in his thoughts.
Seeing as he had everything he owned packed up and was currently making his way through yet another one of the forests that seemed to make up the majority of the part of Georgia he was in. Which was something Harry was rather happy about as he would rather be surrounded by forest and nature, then any humans; not to mention being in the forest also gave Harry a chance to hunt for some food he could store away before the walkers eventual made their way here as well.
At the same time Harry was doing this, not only for the opportunity to capture more food as well as other supplies that came from the forest, but because he felt that traveling through the forest and staying away from any cities, unless he had no other choice, would be the safest route for him. At least until he could get some more answers to his questions about just what was going on. And found more ways to destroy the walkers that were the main threats in any city he might travel through, then a simple shot to the head as he could easily get overwhelmed if there were numerous enough if he continued doing it that way.
Because so far Harry hadn't been able to find out much about them, besides the fact destroying the head stops them; and that had only been found out but pure chance after Harry's magic had lashed out. So, until he did know more about whatever was currently going on Harry was going to be sure to stay out of their way.
Or at least not leave himself open to large group attack of these creatures like he would be in any city he went to. Besides no matter what Harry had always felt safer in the woods then he did in any other setting; something that had only gotten stronger since he had gotten his animagus form. Which worst come to worse he could quickly assume and go into the trees for protection; more so then he would be able to as a human.
Harry had been moving constantly for several hours now, keeping a steady pace as he made his way through the woods; not making any sounds or leaving any trail behind him as he did so. Due mainly to both his training as well as his Animagus form; which was a natural hunter in the forest. Something that Harry was proud of, as his form did reflect who he was and his personality as a person.
And to Harry his form being what it was just meant freedom to him, not to mention proved to be helpful in regrades to the hunting he had done so far. Seeing as it allowed him to scent out as well as track down three rather large deer so far. Deer he had managed to store in under several different preservation spells in a special part of his tent, just waiting for him to stop and get some time to take care of them.
At the moment though, Harry knew that he would have to stop and get ready to rest soon. At least he would if he wanted to recover his energy enough to leave as early as he usually did in the mornings; because Harry knew there was a reason there was the saying the earlier bird got the worm. And it had nothing to do with actual worms; or at least when Harry worked with it, it didn't.
But at the same time before he did this Harry decided that since he was in a forest now, he was going to do a little more hunting done before he decided to rest. Especially as something was telling Harry that whatever this thing that was going on wasn't going to stop anytime soon. No if anything everything in him was telling Harry things were going to get a lot worse before they ever got any better, and he would need all the supplies he currently had in the future. And at the moment even with the three deer he just got, and all the other supplies he still didn't feel secure enough even think about stopping stocking up with supplies.
Not to mention Harry had seen these walkers attacking anything that moved, including several cats or dogs in the city, so he knew that they would do the same to whatever the found in the forest when the eventually made their way to it. Which Harry knew was going to happen a lot sooner than he would like.
Which turn meant that it would be best for Harry to get as much hunting done as he could before that happened. After all, with his magic, and all the spells he had in or on his tent, it wasn't like any meat, food or otherwise, that went into his tent would go bad any time soon.
Nor was it like the Walking dead really needed anything they did kill, unlike Harry and any other survivors that may be out there. Who really could use any meat or food that could be out there, especially if they already had it safely at hand instead of having to risk going out and looking for it, when things get that much more dangerous.
Not to mention Harry at the same time wasn't planning on actually killing everything he caught. No, know that he thought about it, and thought about everything he had in his tent Harry was also planning a little bit for the future. Which included capturing several smaller animals, such rabbits, turkey, chickens, and other such animals of both genders and placing them is a sort of status so that if worse came to worse he could find some place to breed them for more food if he had to.
Hell, if he had to he could turn where he flew into a little sanctuary for different animals; maybe even add a several deer and hogs in there once he got it all set up so they couldn't escape. Maybe even go to the abandon farms and get some of the cows and other animals that could be there. Or if not, that get some of the farm equipment, so he could use part of the field as a sort of farming lands of sorts. Seeing as even with preservation charms the food he had wouldn't last forever as it wasn't an unlimited amount of food, and sooner or later he would need a way to replace said food. Something having animals on hand, as well as a garden of some sort would do.
That is if he was able to get enough time to do all that he had planned, which in turn would mean finding a place where he felt safe enough to stay in one place long enough to get it all settled down the way it would need to be. And know that he was thinking about it there was a lot of different things he could do, and the skills and place necessary to do them with, if he could get the time and felt safe enough to get it all done.
However, at the same time, Harry knew that now wasn't the current time he could do anything, as rushing into anything like what he was planning wasn't something that would help him in the least bit. So, for now he'd do more of the basics until he could sit down and plan a little more successfully before he did anything else.
Until he could find somewhere he felt safe enough to let his guard down far enough to let himself just sit and plan what he'd need to do to survive as long as he could. Something he knew would eventual mean including other people as well; something Harry really didn't want to think about at the moment. Which meant that at the moment instead of thinking on that, he was going to instead think of a shorter-term plan of hunting down some food. Maybe even get several herbs and other plants for his potions while he as at it.
Knowing this and knowing that he would want to stock up on as much food as he possible could at the time being, be it meat from the food he hunted down to the different herbs that he knew that could be found in the forests around him, he just needed to get started.
This in mind Harry grabbed out his bow and arrow set. It was time to get to hunting once more. Knowing deep within his heart of hearts that whatever this virus was, that was making there 'walkers' was going to last a lot long than anyone thought; even if from what he heard it had only been going on for about maybe two weeks so far. At least as far as everyone's knowledge about it went at least. Harry wouldn't be surprised if certain people knew all about it before the really outbreak got noticed by everyone else. Considering the same could be said about how the wizarding world was hidden; the highest of the high did know about it after all.
Not to mention, to Harry's utter confusion, everyone seemed to believe that whatever it was that was currently gong on would be fixed soon, or that the military was going to save them all from what was going on. Something that Harry himself didn't believe in the least bit and became even more determined to stay in the forest instead of going into town because of this.
Seeing as he had learned from experience what the so-called leaders would do when they were terrified or panicked about the horror that was going on in the world around them. And that was only one panicked government not several different ones that all thought they were right; like what was currently going on.
So yeah Harry, really wasn't looking forward to just what the government was planning on doing to 'fix' the disaster that was currently happening. Something told him it wasn't going to be anything that was considered good for the general public, nor did he think the higher up would be putting their lives on the line to be doing anything; if they had lived through the virus to begin with.
Shaking his head, at the disaster he knew that was going to cause, Harry instead brought his focus back to the forest around him. It was the safer, saner path to look down. After all he was trying to hunt at the moment, and that did need all his focus. At least it did if Harry wanted to actual capture something and not scare it off. Seeing as with everything that was going on the animals in the forest had to be hyperaware of the danger they were in. Something Harry knew was true as his own animal form had been feeling warier for reasons Harry hadn't been able to figure out until more recently.
Besides he also needed to be alert for these so-called Walker, on the chance that there were some in the forest, instead of still in the City. Something Harry wasn't so sure about considering, no matter how sick some people may think his thoughts to be, the walkers main 'food' source was still heavily located in said cities; and there wouldn't be nearly as much of it in the forest. Which meant that said walkers really weren't likely to leave the cities in questions until all the remaining human is said places also left; or had become walkers themselves. That until the remain food source was gone the Walkers wouldn't leave quite yet; like any other predator in the wild when it came to their food sources.
Which by that time Harry was already planning on having left this location anyway; not wanting to be near any city once they started emptying out. And if he had it his way by the time that did happen Harry would have been able to set up a permeant safe location for himself. Because with all the magic he had learned over the last couple of years Harry knew he could surely make a safe place for himself.
Not to mention Harry knew that there were not plenty of abandoned building around here; all he had to do was clear on out and set up everything else afterwards. But that was plans for later on, once he felt more ready to settle down and found just the right location to do so at first. Preferable one that had walls around it and didn't have any other groups set up around it either.
For now, though, Harry needed to pay attention to what he was currently doing before he decided anything else. Seeing as currently no matter how much he wanted to plan for the future, he needed to pay more attention to the present, at least until he got into a safer place; like inside his tent. Considering at the time the present was what was the most dangerous at the moment.
It was because Harry was aware of his surround as he was, that several different things that happened once he brought himself back to the present. One he was able to hunt down, as well as safely store in his tents, two medium sized stags, four rabbits, as well as several different birds; including a wild turkey of all things.
All of which were actually hunted down, killed and stored in his tent ready to be prepared for any upcoming meals he might want, opposed to being put in any type of status, like he was planning on doing at a later date; once he had everything set up for it. So, it could be said that he had a very successful hunting trip, one that due to his magic nothing would go to waste; unlike how it may have without the use of magic.
However, it was after he had gotten these, and had them stored away and under all the perseveration spells he could think of, that Harry, who still had his weapon out and who was now seriously debating stopping hunting for the night, heard something. The sounds of very faint footsteps coming in his direction, footsteps that if Harry was honest with himself, he most likely wouldn't have heard if he hadn't both been straining his ears and had the Animagus form he did have.
Hearing this Harry didn't hesitate for a second and quickly spun himself around with his bow and Arrow up, aimed directly at where the sounds of footsteps had been coming from. Only to be greeted by the sound of a gun cocking after doing so. It seemed that the person who had been coming up from behind him was just as armed as he was and wasn't afraid to show it. Making Harry that much wearier about who it was, seeing as that wasn't a reaction most people had; at least it hadn't been in most people he had met so far. It was more of a reaction that Harry himself would have had if he had been in the other persons shoes.
Harry hearing this and knowing just how dangerous guns could be, having seen firsthand the damages they could do to the human body, was ready to raise up a shielding spell around him. One that he knew would be able to help protect him some from the bullet in said gun. Or at least enough so that he could get the hell out of dodge from said gun; seeing as the shield could only hold up so long under gun fire. Only to be stopped before he could actual get the shield in question up, by a voice coming from the direction he was still aiming his bow and arrow at.
"Drop ya weapon, and I'll do the same for ya. Otherwise we're gonna see if you can aim that thing nearly as well with a bullet in ya head." Hearing this Harry tightened his grip on his bow and before he could stop himself spoke out; unwilling to drop his weapon when he wasn't sure the other person would do the same.
"Only if you come out so I can see just who was trying to sneak up on me." Surprisingly instead of hearing a gun go off or feeling any pain from a bullet being lodge into him, as he didn't have his shield up yet, Harry was great with a short laugh before the voice from before began to speak once more. This time with footsteps once more starting up and breaking through the bush that had been behind Harry.
"Well, at least ya got some guts. Gonna need them now that the worlds gone to hell like it has. But get things right, we weren't tryin to sneak up on anybody. Just hunting, like it looks like ya were yourself."
As this was said Harry could now see that the voice in question was coming from one of the two people that were now standing in front of Harry. The one that was holding what looked like a rife gun pointed firmly at Harry's head.
Seeing this and remembering just what the man in question had said to him, not moments ago, Harry reluctantly lowed his weapon. Hoping he wasn't making a serious mistake as he did so. Because there were some people out there that would simply shot Harry in the head after he had lowered his weapon. People that Harry knew survived, because people like that always seemed to survive; like a cockroach.
Fortunately, it seemed that he hadn't as the man also lowed his gun and took his finger off the trigger. Giving Harry a better chance to see the two other survivors that were now in front of him, taking in all the details he could about them, just as Harry knew they were doing the same for him.
What Harry saw as he did this was, the one who had been speak to him since the beginning, and the one who had been threatening to shoot him, was an older looking man. One that screamed to Harry that he was someone who could take care of himself and could be dangerous to anyone who angered him. Something that was proven to Harry by the fact he had just been threatening to shoot Harry not moments ago.
This man had light blond nearly grey looking blond harry and steeling grey-blue eyes. He as also had a fighter's build and looked to a little over six feet tall; all and all he looked like someone that you wouldn't want to cross. Which Harry was sure he'd do anyway at one point or another.
The second one, was obviously the younger of the two and looked to either be just a little older than Harry himself or about his age. He had a grip on a much loved and obviously well taken care of bow with the arrows for it slung a crossed his back. And Harry just knew the man in question really knew how to use that weapon; most likely better the Harry could at that.
Like the man with him, whom Harry was guess was his brother seeing as they did look related to each other, he too looked like he could take care of himself and could be very dangerous if angered. And like his brother this man was around six feet tall and had a build of a fight; though he was a bit leaner than his brother and reminded Harry of a panther for some reason. This man in question had darker hair and bright blue eyes opposed to the steely blue eyes of the other.
Harry looked at the two he assumed where brothers and felt that he needed to be both cautious around them, while at the same time showing that he wasn't afraid of them or allow himself to be pushed around by them.
Harry was feeling this way because his inner animal was reaction the same way to the both of them, and that was like how a predator would react to another equal predator standing in front of it; something which reinsured Harry's believe the two in front of him could be very dangerous if provoked any way.
And at the same time made Harry wonder if perhaps he wanted these two on his sides during that ever the hell was currently going on, as he felt that having people like those two would help anyone's chances of survival.
There was a deep silence that cloaked the area the three where in as they all looked over the others and as the took in everything they could about the ones who stood opposite of them; looking for any weakness or strengths they could see. Or at least they were until the older looking one, who had the gun, spoke up.
"Name's Merle, this is my brother Daryl, looks like ya had a similar idea as we did."