The Walking Death

Fandom: Harry Potter x The Walking Dead

Rating: M

Pairing: Shane/Harry.

Warning: AU, OOC, Slash, angst, violence, gore.

Summary: What would the Master of Death do if the world ended in zombie apocalypse?

Disclaimer: Why do I have to keep writing this? Everyone knows if I own any of these then I wouldn't be here writing fanfics now.

Beta Reader: popupman.

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Chapter 02

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It was the next day when Harry decided to look for the survivors. After he gathered whatever personal things he could carry, he found a pick-up truck he could use to drive in the general direction he saw them go. He gathered some supplies first. In this new, harsh world, it could probably soften the wary survivors enough to accept him if he contributes something to help them. First impression and all.

What? He was supposed to be a Slytherin.

He didn't dare apparate because he didn't know exactly where they went, or the layout of the woods. For the first time in weeks, he opened his senses and felt for any life form he could find. In his mind, he knew this was a stupid idea but he couldn't bear being alone for much longer. He was numb enough as it was. He would go mad if he was alone any longer.

Everyone was there when his truck pulled up near the camp. Immediately, the men approached warily. The tension was thick in the air; there seemed to be some adrenaline in the works.

"Who are you?" A man with dark curly hair asked, almost hostile. His nose was almost as big as Snape's, but not crooked, and in different shape; it actually looked good on him.

Harry opened his mouth only to cough hoarsely. It had been too long since he used his voice.

"Answer him!" Another hostile looking man barked. This one had a pair of cat-like eyes on him.

"Guys, relax," another man, with a smaller build in police uniform, said.

"Harry…" he answered hoarsely, "Harry…Potter-Black. Sorry, it's been a long time since…I've had to use my voice… No one to talk to…"

The expressions on some of the survivors, mostly women, softened at that.

"How did you find us?"

"Saw you in the city…but couldn't call out to you, so I just followed the alarm, but then lost it soon after. So I wandered around for a bit…got lost for a couple of times…then here I am," Harry said, half lying and half telling the truth.

The first man glared at an Asian boy as if it was his fault. His life force felt familiar and Harry recognized him as the one who drove the sports car. He was probably angry because that alarm certainly was an invitation for the zombies to dinner. Or breakfast.

"Who else is with you?" an Africa-American man asked him.

"No one," Harry said, "Told you I didn't have anyone to talk to until now."

"You survived out there alone all this time?" a blonde woman with a ponytail asked impressed.

"Woke up in the hospital almost two months ago to find the world has gone to hell and I'm alone," Harry shrugged.

The officer that looked like he had just recovered from serious sickness looked at him in sympathy. "Yeah, me too," he said, then offered his hand, "I'm Rick Grimes."

"Pleasure," Harry said accepting the handshake.

"This is my partner, Shane Walsh," Rick nodded to Shane.

"Partner?" Harry raised an eyebrow.

Rick blushed and Shane blanched, while some others in the camp smiled amusedly. "Not that kind of partner. We are police and work together," Rick clarified, gesturing at his uniform.

"Ah," Harry nodded.

"I assume you're here to join us?" Shane asked, glaring. Probably because of the 'partner' comment.

"If it's okay with you guys. I just…feel like I'm going crazy being alone out there and…I brought some supplies, if it helps."

"Of course it's okay for you to join us," Rick said.

"Let's see what you brought us," Shane said as he walked past him.

They were impressed with what he brought them. Well, being ignored by zombies really helps with gathering supplies. There was a box of canned foods, varied from soups, beans to sardines. He could only find a box of them because food was one of the first things that people scavenged in order to survive. He also found three gallons of water, some medicine, and some medical kits. What? He was a doctor. There were blankets and a bag of clothes, cleaning supplies like soaps, toothpastes, toothbrushes, kitchen supplies like salt, sugar, pepper, instant coffee and teas, a pot and a pan and some knives.

"Man, this is a gold mine!" the Asian boy exclaimed.

Harry tried to smile, but it came out awkward. It had been awhile since he last needed to use expression after all. The blonde woman in ponytail gasped as she checked the content of one box.

"You got supplies for womanly needs?" she asked incredulously.

Harry didn't even blush. "I told you, I saw you guys yesterday. I knew the women would appreciate it. It's not much, though."

"It's more than enough for now. Thank you," she smiled. "I'm Andrea. This is my sister, Amy."

"Nice to meet you," Harry said.

"No weapons? How did you survive without weapons?" Shane asked suspiciously.

"I have a gun," Harry showed him, "And a lot of bullets. I don't know how to use most firearms, so I just have this one, which I know how to use. Oh, I also have a machete in the truck."

"That means we still have to go to the city for the guns," Shane said.

"We're going back for my brother y'all left behind anyway!" the hostile man from earlier snapped at them.

"Daryl, calm down. We'll get your brother back," Rick promised.

After everyone introduced themselves, they helped him unload the supplies while some of the men prepared to go back to the city. Harry realized that it was stupid of him to not think about grabbing a tent. It just didn't cross his mind that these survivors lived in a camp instead of an abandoned house or something. At least he had a sleeping bag.

"Ah, let me handle those," Harry said as Amy carried the medical supplies.

"Why?" she asked confused.

"I'm a physician. I think it's best if I'm the one responsible for those, huh?" he said.

"You're a doctor?"Andrea asked, "Wow, we're in luck."

"Yeah, we could use a doctor around just in case," Dale said.

"You look really young to be a doctor," Jim commented.

"Now that he said it, Jim's right. You don't look that much older than Glenn," Dale said.

"Yeah, I got that a lot," Harry replied.

"So, where are you from, Harry? I couldn't place your accent," Andrea asked.

"Well, I grew up in Surrey, England. Went to a private boarding school in Scotland since eleven. Then I travelled a bit around the globe for three years before coming here to get my M.D. So I guess my accent got a bit wonky because of it," Harry told them.

"Yeah, well, I'm off. Got something to do." With that, Jim left taking a shovel with him.

"Hey, guys! You finished there?" Jacqui called out to them she walked by with Carol, baskets of laundry in their hands, "Come on! It's laundry time!"

"Ah, wait! I'm coming with you. Got some laundry to do as well," Harry said.

"Well then give it to us," Amy told him.

"What? No! It's my laundry. I'll do it. Besides, you girls have enough as it is," Harry eyed the baskets full of dirty clothes that were loaded in the car Ed prepared.

"If only all of the men in this camp were a gentlemanly Brit like you," Andrea sighed.

Amy laughed and Dale chuckled, shaking his head. Harry smirked as he went to get his stuff. Ten minutes later, they were down at the stream. Harry had a feeling that none of the women liked Ed; from the impression he got, the man was a bastard. Maybe even an abusive bastard, but he hadn't done anything since Harry arrived.

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Dale was keeping watch on the top of the RV like usual, but this time he was more on guard. After all, a walker managed to find it's way to them this morning, before the new guy arrived. God knows how many others were on their way.

"Dale!" The old man turned around to see Lori looking up at him. "Have you seen Carl?"

"Shane took him down the quarry. There was some mighty bold talk about catching frogs," Dale informed her.

Lori looked around. She walked to the edge of the cliff to see her son with Shane down at the stream. Anger flashed in her eyes.

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Harry saw Shane and Carl were already in the water on the other side, trying to catch some fish maybe. Looking at the women unloading the baskets, he was thankful he only had to wash two shirts and a pair of jeans, underwear and socks. He was in the middle of washing when things picked up at Shane and Carl's side. It seemed that they were trying to catch frogs instead of fishes.

"I'm beginning to question the division of labor here," Jacqui said as she watched them playing more than working. "Can someone explain to me how the women wound up doing all the Hattie McDaniel work?"

Harry coughed. The women smiled amusedly at him.

"You don't count, honey," Jacqui said. "Besides, you only wash your own laundry."

He smirked.

"Well?"

"The world ended. Didn't you get the memo?" Amy said.

Carol looked over at her husband before handing Jacqui some of the washed clothes. "It's just the way it is," she said resignedly.

They worked in silence. But soon it got boring.

"I do miss my Maytag," Carol said suddenly.

"I miss my Benz, my SatNav," Andrea said.

"I miss my coffeemaker with that dual-drip filter and built-in grinder, honey," Jacqui added longingly.

"My computer and texting," Amy sighed.

Everyone looked at him. He raised an eyebrow.

"What about you?" Amy asked. Harry shrugged. "What? There must be something you miss."

"Yeah. My friends and family. My godson. My life the way it was," Harry said.

Everyone was silent.

"What a way to break the mood, huh?" Harry said again.

"Ya think?"

"Sorry," Harry grinned sheepishly.

"I miss my vibrator," Andrea said suddenly.

Harry snorted while Jacqui ooh-ed at her. They all giggled as Amy exclaimed in disbelief.

"Oh my God!"

Carol looked at her husband before whispered carefully, "Me too."

Everyone burst out laughing at the confession, even Harry. Ed looked at them suspiciously and walked over to them.

"What's so funny?" he asked in that annoying way that made Harry wanted to punch him.

"Just swapping war stories, Ed," Andrea replied.

"Yeah."

The man kept walking to them, eyeing them in the way that made the women's skins crawled. Harry narrowed his eyes.

"Problem, Ed?" he asked.

"Nothin' that concerns you, sissy boy," he sneered, "And you ought to focus on your work. This ain't no comedy club."

Harry's glare was menacing enough that Ed took a step back unconsciously. Hey, he learnt from the Master of Glares, Severus Snape. Andrea huffed at the coward.

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"Hey, Carl," Lori called out. The boy was taking a break, sitting on a big stone with Shane. "What did I tell you about not leaving Dale's sight?"

"But Shane said we could catch frogs, remember?" Carl said.

"It doesn't matter what Shane says. It matters what I say. Go on back to camp," Lori ordered, motioning with her hand.

The boy sighed and got up reluctantly.

"I'll be right behind you," she promised.

"I gotta tell you," Shane said when the boy was out of hearing distance. "I do not think you should be taking this out on him."

"You don't tell me what to do. You lost that privilege," Lori said without looking back.

"Lori, could you just wait up a sec? I think we should talk," Shane made to follow her. "We haven't had a chance…"

"No," Lori shook her head. "No no…that's over too. You can tell that to the frogs."

"Damn it, Lori. Look, I don't know how it appears to you or what you think…"

"How it appears to me?" She cut him off. "I'm sorry. Is there a gray area here? Let me dispel it. You stay away from me. You stay away from my son. You don't look at him. You don't talk to him. From now on, my family is off-limits to you."

Shane looked at her.

"Lori, I don't think that's fair…"

"Shane, shut up. Don't!" She strode to him in anger. "My husband is back. He is alive."

"He's my best friend. Do you think I'm not happy about that?" Shane asked.

"How dare you? Why would you be? You're the one that told me he died! You son of a bitch!" she hissed.

Shane stood there in silence. He didn't know what to say. All he knew was what he was feeling, confusion and anger.

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A few minutes later, Harry was finished with his laundry. He noticed something from the corner of his eyes. Lori was approaching Shane and Carl, who were sitting on a stone in the water shore. She talked a little and took her son away with her. Shane was just sitting there looking at them. He got up and he must be saying something because Lori turned around to face him. Looked like there was an argument. And then Lori left the man to stew on whatever she chewed him out for.

Harry saw Shane's shoulders slump a bit. He picked up his tools and followed Lori and Carl who were already far ahead of him.

"Ed, tell you what…" Andrea said suddenly. Harry turned to see what was going on. "You don't like how your laundry is done, you are welcome to pitch in and do it yourself. Here."

She threw a wet shirt at him, which was thrown back at her face.

"Oh!"

"Ain't my job, Missy," he sneered.

Harry got up with the others.

"Andrea, don't," Amy told her.

"What is your job, Ed? Sitting on your ass smoking cigarettes?" Andrea mocked.

"Well, it sure as hell ain't listening to some uppity smart-mouthed bitch. Tell you what…" Ed motioned to Carol. "Come on. Let's go."

Harry said, "I don't think she needs to go anywhere with you, Ed."

"And I say it's none of your business, Sissy," Ed spat, and told his wife, "Come on now. You heard me."

"Carol…" Andrea moved to stop her. She clearly looked worried for her.

"Andrea, please. It doesn't matter," Carol said softly.

"Hey, don't think I won't knock you on your ass just 'cause you're some college-educated cooze. Alright?" Ed said, earning a gasp from Andrea. "Now you come on now, or you're gonna regret it later."

"So she can show up with fresh bruises later, Ed? Yeah, we've seen them," Jacqui glared at him.

Ed laughed at her.

"Hey, why don't you leave the ladies alone and face a man for once?" Harry challenged.

"Stay out of this," Ed warned him. "Now come on! You know what? This ain't none of y'all's business. You don't want to keep prodding the bull here, okay? Now I'm done talking. Come on!"

Ed pulled Carol to him. Everything happened too fast. The women tried to stop Ed and there was shouting. Harry moved before he realized it. He ended up receiving the slap that was meant for Carol. Everyone gasped and looked at him in surprise. Harry glared at the larger man coldly. He saw Shane coming up to them and immediately kicked Ed to him as hard as he could. Shane caught the bastard and dragged him away; Ed grunted as Shane threw him to the ground and began to beat the life out of him. Carol made a frightened sound.

"It's okay. It's okay," Amy reassured her.

"No!"

Harry watched the show with satisfaction. Shane still had some anger and frustration from whatever he was fighting about with Lori earlier, and he took it all out on Ed. Harry let him while the women tried to tell him to stop. Finally, when Shane stopped, Ed was almost unrecognizable. Shane pulled him closer with the collar of his shirt.

"You put your hands on your wife, your little girl or anybody else in this camp one more time, I will not stop next time. Do you hear me?" Shane said dangerously. "Do you hear me?!"

"Yes," Ed slurred weakly.

"I'll beat you to death, Ed," Shane punched and kicked him one more time before really stopping.

Shane stepped away from the man as a crying Carol went to her husband's side, saying sorry over and over again. She really was abused badly if she felt it was her fault he got beaten. Shane panted as he looked at them all. The women didn't know what to say and just stared at Shane. Harry nodded at him. Shane ran his hand over his head as he walked away.

Harry watched the older man leaving. He turned to Andrea, "I'm going to talk to Shane."

She nodded as Harry grabbed his laundry basket, before following the other man's track. He found Shane near the woods. The man clearly was in hurry or maybe he just vented the rest of his frustration by walking quickly.

"Shane!" Harry called him.

The man turned around and looked at him. He didn't exactly glare but it was close. Then he must've seen something because the look in his eyes softened a bit.

"How's your face?" he asked.

"What? Oh, it's nothing. Ed hit like a woman. I barely felt anything," Harry waved off his concern.

Shane snorted. "Yeah, tell that to your reddening cheek," he said.

Harry looked at him. "I saw your fight with Lori."

The look in Shane's eyes turned cold. "We're not fighting."

"Argument, then," Harry said, "And you beat Ed up more for your frustration than anything."

"You're the one who kicked him to me," Shane shot back.

"Yeah, well, I thought you would appreciate the chance. You were so tense I was almost sure you were a statue. In fact, you still are."

Shane didn't reply.

"Wanna talk about it?" Harry asked.

"There's nothing to talk about!" Shane snapped.

"Well, you've been really tense and angry since I met you. Your hostility when I arrived here has more to do with your anger and frustration at something, than wariness towards a stranger. And it got worse after your argument with Lori. I think keeping all of that anger inside isn't good for you."

"What do you know? You don't know anything!"

"You're right. But isn't it easier to talk to a stranger than to someone you know, and who knows you in return? Keeping all of that anger inside could get you and everyone else killed, especially with the way the world is now. Believe me, I know. I've been there. In fact, I got my godfather killed because of that," Harry added softly.

Shane looked at him in surprise.

"It's not the zombies, don't you worry about that. It's a long time ago. Look, I don't know what is it between you and Lori but if you want to talk to someone…you know…I won't judge you."

With that, Harry walked past him back to the camp. He could feel Shane staring at his back all the way up.

-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-

Rick and the others arrived at the city. They stopped the truck just at the outside of it on train tracks; they were going to have to walk their way from there, Glenn insisted and he was the one who knew the layout of the city the most.

They discussed about which to get first, the weapons bag or Merle, to Daryl's anger. Glenn suggested going to Merle first since he was closest. They reached the department store with no problem, but they kept up their guard because the last time they were there, the walkers had already managed to break their way in. They saw a walker on the ground floor, which Daryl shot with his crossbow without hesitation.

They slowly made their way up the building, without encountering any more walkers.

When they reached the rooftop, though, they frowned as the door wasn't chained and locked like T-Dog said. Rick pushed it open. Merle wasn't anywhere in sight.

"Merle! Merle!" Daryl called loudly.

The rooftop was empty.

And there on the ground near the place Rick cuffed the man to, the handcuff was still there and under it was a cut off hand. The implication of the scene sank into their minds. Everyone watched with guilt as Daryl screamed his denial.

"NO!"

~ To be continued ~