DISCLAIMER: I do not claim any rights on Harry Potter or The Walking Dead.

A/N: I am so happy about all the amazing reviews that I've got for the last chapter, as well as for all those who have put this story on their alert and favorite list. You guys are just awesome and have truly made my day(s)! A special thanks goes also to uoduck and my friend Gavin S., you both are just fantastic!

Chapter 5 - Finding Home

17th May 2011, Jonesville, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, USA

Hermione

"Where y'at, people? If you are driving or are underway, expect to face heavy traffic for several hours. All Interstates are totally blocked, and you should avoid them for today. But those poor guy's out there, don' cha worry, we will keep you entertained. Here is WRKF, 89.3FM!"(*1) The radio reporters voice was replaced with another song.

Annoyed with the news, Hermione leaned back in the car seat and groaned.

"Couldn't you have told me this an hour ago?" Hermione asked annoyed to no one in particular. With a sigh, she looked around and saw a sea of endless cars. Each and everyone of them were completely packed with suitcases or boxes. She had noticed that the radio stations were downplaying the situation, by either avoiding it or giving as little information as possible.

Hermione wondered, how long it would take for her, to finally reach the Alexandria International Airport, in Rapides Parish, Louisiana. She couldn't shake the uneasy feeling of foreboding that she had. An agitation that began to grow left her unsettled, the longer she was stuck in the traffic. Her thoughts constantly drifted towards her friends in England. She hoped that they were fine and not in any danger. She wished she could get her parents somewhere safe, or at least somewhere where they would be protected, even if they didn't know that they had a daughter.

Her eyes fell on the green wristband on her left wrist, before she started to stroke it softly. She silently prayed that they would stay safe until she could find a way to get them to a secure place. The only comfort she had, was that Australia hadn't broadcasted news of outbreaks; hopefully, it would stay that way and they would be able to avoid it completely.

Her thoughts were cut short, as she saw the people on the street, who stood next to their cars, and began to look more nervous as they stared in front of them. Hermione frowned, as she saw more people leaving their cars to see at what was going on. After a few minutes, she grabbed her backpack, left the car, and walked slowly forward until she stood near a family. By now almost everyone had left their cars to see the commotion.

Just as Hermione was about to ask around what was going on, she saw a few people running towards their way, coming from the direction everyone looked at. A father was holding his little girl tightly in his arm, shielding her view from everything, as a woman, probably the wife and mother, was just a step behind them. People were startled at the action and tried to ask the father of what was going on, but he didn't say anything and kept running. Hermione walked to the side, on the grass to have a better look, and what she saw, made her pale instantly.

Dozens, if not more people ran their way. She knew that whatever caused them to react in such fear and panic, wasn't good. She rushed back and said to the small group, "People are running this way. I think it would be for the best to get away. Whatever caused such a panic isn't good."

Some looked at her with wide eyes and realization. Others looked at her with suspicion. But she didn't care. Absently, she touched her wand in her wand holster on her left arm, which was covered under a long sleeve shirt and a thin jacket. Fortunately, the father of the small family acted immediately and got to the car, to take a few things out. And soon, the others followed suit. More people ran past them, filled with panic and deeply frightened. A young woman was successful and got a hold of a teenager, who came from the same direction, and asked him what was going on.

The boy panted, eyes wide with terror. He frantically looked back for a moment, as he tried to catch his breath, and then said to the woman, "They… They are there! Those things, those zombies! They are down there. A horde of them! They… they came from out of nowhere… and they attacked us. They started to eat people and… and someone tried to stop them. He had a gun, but they didn't stop… and… and then they killed him."

"That's where the shots came from," someone concluded, which must have been the reason why people began to get out of their cars in the first place.

"Did he shoot them in the head?" Hermione asked suddenly, ignoring the shocked and horrified eyes on her, as she looked directly at the teenager, who looked back with wide unfocused eyes. Hermione took a step closer to him and said in a calm voice, "Take a deep breath. Come on, take a long deep breath." She demonstrated it and soon the boy calmed down. "Good. Now, can you tell me, if that man shot those things in the head?"

The boy took a moment and then shook his head. "No, ma'am. He didn't. He shot him first in the leg and then chest, but not the head."

Hermione nodded and then said, "That's why they didn't stop or couldn't be stopped. In order to defeat those turned people, you need to destroy the brain. Nothing else will work and they will keep attacking you."

"How do you know that?" a man asked surprised.

"I came face to face with them in a hospital, a few days ago. The situation was becoming out of control and we figured out how to put them down permanently."

"You are a doctor?"

"Why hasn't that been brought in the news?"

"I told you that the government was hiding things from us."

"That means that they aren't just sick people?"

Hermione chose to answer the more important question, "No, they aren't sick. The examination showed that they aren't alive anymore. They don't have a beating heart, or blood flow, and their cells began to decay the moment they become those things. They are highly contagious. Their bite, or any type of inflicted wounds, caused by them is absolutely fatal and death is guaranteed. After the death, for some unknown reason, they reanimate and turn into those things."

A small family with a boy, around the age of fourteen, rushed towards the teenager. The family looked him up and down frantically, and after they saw that he was not injured or hurt in any way, pulled him into a tight hug.

Suddenly, Hermione heard something all too familiar that chilled her blood. She looked quickly in the direction of the sound, which was the way the family came from, and walked closer. Then she saw four of those things eight cars away, shuffling towards them.

"We need to go! Now!" Hermione spoke frantically. Everyone grabbed a few things and took off. She made sure that everyone put some distance between them and then once they were well away, cast several nonverbally Expelliarmus spells at those things, creating further distance between them. She could have killed them easily, but she didn't want to risk exposure and confusion on how she had managed to kill them, without a weapon at hand.

Hermione watched as the people took off, either on to other streets or into the buildings nearby. The young family and that of the teenage boy gestured for her to come over.

"Come, it's safer here," a woman called out.

"No, I need to go. I have to reach the airport," Hermione said.

They nodded with understanding, not hiding their worry. "Alright, you take care then," said the father of the teenager.

Hermione gave them a small smile and watched as they closed the door behind them. She looked around to assure herself that no one saw her, then she cast a quick, strengthening spell on the door of the building. With a last glance at the building and hoping that they would be alright, she walked away. She could hear the moans of the things behind her and at first she thought to leave them behind, but then she remembered the families hidden in the building or those on the run. Making a decision, Hermione stood behind a tree, hidden from any prying eyes, as she cast from a great distance one quick Sectumrecta after another, killing all the creatures swiftly. Hermione lost count of how many she killed and after no other creature came, Hermione cast an Invisibility Spell on herself, not wanting to risk anyone seeing her, and quickly walked away.

Hermione didn't know how long she had been walking, towards the train station that she had located on the map, when she saw the news broadcasting from the TVs of an electronic shop's window. She stood still and her eyes widened at the news she read on the information banner below. She finally cancelled the Invisibility Spell and rushed into the shop. People were standing around the TVs and listened intently.

"Two days after the United Nations confirmed that these infection attacks have reached a global outbreak, the President of the United States declares that all air, ships, and train transportations to be cancelled effective immediately. Many countries in Europe have followed the example, as did several other countries in Asia. No incoming or out coming transportations are allowed…." (*2)

Hermione stared, shocked, at the TV, as the reporter continued with the news, which Hermione couldn't seem to hear anymore. It was too late, she wouldn't be able to get home anymore. Tears began to well in her eyes as the situation became more hopeless.

An elderly couple must have noticed her emotional state, as they approached her.

"You're alright, dear?" the elderly woman asked kindly, with a heavy southern accent.

Hermione blinked her tears away, and opened her mouth to reply, but nothing would come out. She took a deep breath, to calm herself as much as she could and then said with a quivering voice, "I was supposed to fly back home today. Now, I…I don't know what to do," Hermione confessed, as the tears threaten to fall again.

"I'm sorry, dear. Well, I don't know if it will help ya, but before they said about all transportations being cancelled, the Alexandria International Airport had already cancelled several flights but assured the people that they would take off as soon as possible. Those who couldn't fly were provided with rooms at the airfield hotels. Don't think they would kick those people out there, who planned to fly home."

"On the news, we saw police and even a military car stationed at the airport," the elderly man cut in and reassured Hermione kindly. "I'm sure once this whole thing gets under control they will clear the airfield again."

Hermione nodded and gave them a small smile. "I hope so. I think I should get going then. Thank you very much for your help."

"Good luck, dear," the elderly woman said and returned her smile.

Hermione turned around and went out off the store. Lost in thoughts, she walked aimlessly on the streets, until she noticed a silvery shape in the distance approaching her. She quickly rushed into a small alley, cast a Muggle Repelling Spell and Disillusionment Charm, concealed the area and herself, just as Harry's Patronus stood before her.

It opened its snout and Harry's voice spoke, "Hermione I hope you've reached the airport by now and are on your way here. Go to my place as soon as you arrive, but be careful. A few of those turned people have appeared on the streets in the Muggle World. This morning, Kingsley declared the State of Emergency over the British Magical Community…you know what this means, don't you. Anyway, my team and I took charge over Hogsmeade, to evacuate, get the people to safety, seal the apparation points, and all public fireplaces."

He sighed deeply, before he continued, "Things didn't turn out well, Hermione. We had an outbreak in Hogsmeade. Nine of my Aurors, and … too many civilians died. The Weasley's were there as well and they are all ok…but Charlie… no Patronus can eliver a message to him." He paused again for a moment. "However, those we could save we brought them to Hogwarts and erected the wards. We were just in time, Mione. Those creatures or whatever they are, arrived just as we finished with the spells. Anyway, we are safe. So don't worry. Mr and Mrs Weasley, as well as Ginny, George, Angelina, Lee Jordan, Verity, Mr. Ollivander, Madame Rosmerta, Aberforth, a couple and one of my Auror in training are here with me. Ron is with Bill and his family, Percy with the Minister at Neville's ancestral home. Don't know how long I will stay here. So, don't worry about us, just get here, as soon as possible, and then we can figure out what the bloody hell is going on here. Stay safe, Mione and send me a Patronus. We miss you." Harry's voice faded away, along with his Patronus.

Hermione collapsed on the ground and leaned against the wall of the building, and finally let her tears fall. Her mind ran wild trying to come out with a solution and yet no useful idea came to her. She didn't know what she should do. To return to the Lincoln's would be the easy way out and logical approach, but to what end? Going home was became more of an impossibility.

What could she do now? The thought repeated itself over and over again.

The only option she had was to accept the situation she was in, which meant to stay in America and do what she could do best, to help the people, by finding a solution.

She made up her mind, brushed her tears away, pulled out her phone from her backpack, and dialed Dr. Scott McMillan number, her friend and a virologist at the WHO in England. But no one was picking up. It kept ringing until an electronic voicemail spoke, advising to call later. After the fifth try, Hermione closed the phone and tried his private number, but to no avail. She pushed the feeling of dread away, and intended to try again later.

Hermione took a deep breath, as she stood up, and cast her Patronus. Her little otter flowed around for a moment before it stood before her.

She kneeled down and said, "Harry, I'm so glad that all of you are safe and that you thought of the children at Hogwarts. I don't want to imagine what could have happened if you hadn't been there. Anyway… I don't know if you have heard it yet, but the United States shut down all public transportations. I…I can't come home, Harry." Her voice began to shake and she took a moment to calm down, before she added, "But don't worry. There are police officers and probably soldiers stationed at the airports, to where I will be heading now. I hope that once I'm there that I will be able to find someone to get me to the closest CDC facility here. Since I don't think I will be able to leave, until this mess is solved, I will try to help figure out how to stop this. So, don't worry, I'm fine. I will send a Patronus, once I reach the airport. Say hello to everyone and stay safe." Hermione ended the recording and send the Patronus to Harry.

Just as she was about to cancel the charms on herself, she decided against it and put an additional Invisibility Spell, replacing her Disillusionment Charm. Hermione then took a different path, offside of the road. Even though, she was aware that it would take much longer, probably one or two days, without a car to reach her destination, she decided to walk instead of taking a car. The roads were completely blocked and to remain in one place was too dangerous. She would be much faster and safer on foot.

Walking through the streets had been dreadful. People began to loot the stores, damage the properties, and tried to leave the city in their cars. She encountered several of those things on her way, which she swiftly took care of, helping the Muggles from afar, as much as she could. Since no one could see her, it gave Hermione an advance to help and protect the people by killing those things.

By nightfall, she reached the forest of Dewey W. Wills Wildlife. She made sure that no one was around and began to cast the same protection spells, she had used, while Harry, Ron, and herself were on the run and hunting the Horcruxes. She created a little fire, as she leaned against a tree with a transfigured T-Shirt as a blanket to keep her warm. She felt exhausted and tired, and yet, she couldn't find sleep. Any noise the woods made woke her up and all the time, she kept her wand tightly in her hand.

19th May 2011, Rapides Parish, Louisiana, USA

Hermione

It had taken Hermione two days, to finally reach the city. The woods had been surprisingly safe compared to the populated areas. Hermione used the time of safety to collect all information she had on those things and wrote them in one of her notebooks; especially, their behavior, reactions, and their physical resistance, or the lack of it.

Meanwhile, she had been in contact with Harry and Ron, letting them know how she was holding up and in return, they kept her informed of the situation in the wizarding world. She was relieved that everyone was alright. She wondered often and silently prayed that her parents were safe in Australia. She caught herself several times glancing at the green wristband that monitored both her parents' situation and life status.

The peace and even the silence had been left behind, as soon as she had arrived in a larger populated area. There she was met with utter chaos. Terrified people were trying to leave the city, running for their lives, while taking anything they could carry. And after a few hours, she came face to face with those things, again. Even with her magic, the situation was too much for her and she couldn't handle everything on her own. She also felt tired, due to the constant use of Concealing and Protection spells on herself, as well as other spells she had cast to defend or protect others and herself. It didn't help that Hermione wasn't eating properly.

As if someone had heard her thoughts, she found a grocery store, with broken windows and door. Tentatively, she walked into the store, over the shattered glass, as the lights flickered ominously. Hermione watched as the people grabbed anything they could carry and left the shop hurriedly. She moved along the aisle and grabbed a few cereal bars, bread, canned food, and water, enough to last for a few days, before she walked out of the store.

She swiftly moved past the roadblocks, people, and police officers. Unseen by anyone and yet, for some strange reason she noticed that if they got close enough to her, that they could sense her. She didn't know if it was because of the sounds she made, or smell, but maybe it was something entirely. Because one of those things had a missing nose, his face had been half gone and he could still sense her. She noticed that they could detect her, if they were around three to four feet away. Hermione wrote those observations down into her notebook, whenever she rested a safe distance away.

At nightfall, Hermione finally reached the city Alexandria and the situation was far worse than the previous smaller cities. Police officers were stationed everywhere; occasionally, military cars and soldiers were positioned at the main streets, not letting any cars through the major roads. People began to get upset and angry about the situation and openly attacked several police officers. Hermione moved between the barricades and walked down the dark street, which was barely lit. It raised the hairs on the back of her neck. She decided to get out of the streets and instead to walk through the park that should lead her away from the roadblocks and towards the airport.

Just as she spotted the bridge from afar, she noticed something that stopped her breath. Her heart beat in her chest furiously, as she fell on her knees, not able to hold herself up anymore, while her eyes looked intently at her wristband. It had turned from green to completely black. Not half of the wristband, but completely. The only reason this would happen was if both her parents had died. Tears began to fall heavily as she stared unblinkingly at the wristband, willing it to turn back to green. But it didn't change back. No matter how long she stared at it or how much she wished it differently, it stayed the same. She closed her eyes and let herself fall to the ground, letting the grief consume her. Hermione's body shook with heavy sobs at the loss of her parents. She wished she could have had one more moment with them, being remembered as their daughter, loved, and embraced as one. A dream that had followed her for years, as she hoped for a miracle.

Now, it was too late. Never would she be able to see them again, even if it had been from afar, letting them live their life without her. All that had mattered to Hermione was that they were safe and now she had failed to even do this. They died because she was not able to protect them.

Hermione laid there on the ground, invisible to everyone, and not caring for anything for once. She heard those things again, but she didn't move, as she kept staring at the stars. For a moment, she lost all will and strength. Lost in memories of the life she once had with her parents. She wished that she had done things differently. Nonetheless, it was too late. Maybe it had been too late ever since she chose to erase their memories, to ensure their protection. She wished that she would wake up and none of this would have happened. She wished that this was just a horrible nightmare and nothing else. A wish that was in vain.

Hermione took a deep breath and brushed her tears away, before she sat up. Her gaze fell on the black wristband.

"I'm sorry, mum and dad. I wish I could have been there to protect you both. I only wanted to keep you safe. I hope you can forgive me, wherever you are. I love you both so much," Hermione's voice broke, as a new wave of tears fell from her eyes.

Her grief was interrupted, as one of those things appeared a few feet before her. Apparently, the thing had heard or sensed her and now was rushing towards her. Hermione was suddenly filled with so much white-hot anger, that she jumped to her feet and cast a silent cutting spellat the thing, which fell lifeless to the ground. But Hermione wasn't done with it. She kept casting the spell over and over again, until there was nothing left of the head anymore. These were those things that probably had killed her parents, Charlie, and so many other people.

With a newfound determination, she made her way towards the bridge. She noticed more people on the streets, even at night, people were on the move, trying to leave on foot. The roads were filled with motionless cars, not able to drive due to the roadblocks.

Upon walking towards the bridge, that would lead her to the airport, Hermione noticed that it was also completely shut down. Instead of roadblocks, there stood military cars along with two police cars. People wanted to go past the bridge, but armed officers and soldier didn't budge.

Hermione moved behind an alley and made sure that no one was there and then cancelled the spell. At the last moment, she put a mild Muggle Repelling Charm on herself, to be able to move between the crowds. She slowly walked back to the bridge, pushing gently people away, until she reached a police officer. He looked surprised at her sudden appearance, after Hermione cancelled the spell.

"Ma'am, the bridge is closed. Please return back to your home."

Hermione had rummaged through her backpack and pulled out her identification cards. "I'm Dr. Hermione Granger. I work for the WHO and as an advisor for the CDC. I need help to get to the closest facility," Hermione explained in a loud voice, in order to be heard over the noise.

The police officer's eyes widened as he took her identification cards and inspected them thoroughly, before he grabbed his walkie-talkie on the shoulder and spoke into it. Hermione couldn't hear what was said, but a moment later the officer gave her the ID's back and gestured for her to move in. Several people got upset about this and the officer shouted over the commotion, and explained why she had been let through, which calmed them down slightly.

Hermione slipped her wand back into her wand holster as she walked tentatively between the military cars, not knowing where to go. Two fully armed soldiers suddenly moved towards her.

"Please identify yourself, ma'am," one of the soldiers ordered in a clipped voice. Hermione wordlessly held out her cards to them, which the soldier took and said, "Follow me, please."

The soldier, who held her identification cards, moved before them, while the second soldier, who still hadn't said anything, walked next to her. Hermione glanced at his name on his chest, which read J. Fuller.

She silently followed the two soldiers, as they reached a military tent. Inside, it was filled with computers and soldiers, talking and what appeared to be coordinating their work. They walked directly towards a middle aged uniformed man, who bore different insignia, and was looking through different files and maps.

Both soldiers stood on each side of Hermione and saluted together, before the one, who was holding Hermione' ID cards said, "Staff Sergeant, we have a civilian who asserts that she is a scientist at the WHO and advisor at the CDC. We have her identifications cards, sir."

The Staff Sergeant put the files away, looked at the IDs and said, "Please confirm the identity, private." He returned the cards to the soldier, who took it.

"Yes, sir," he said, saluted, and left.

"Dr….?" the Staff Sergeant addressed Hermione, giving her a calculated look.

"Dr. Hermione Granger, sir." Hermione couldn't hide her nervousness at his hard look in his eyes.

"Tell me about yourself. Why are you here in Louisiana? From your accent I can tell that you are British."

Hermione nodded at his observation. "I met a few friends Jonesville," she lied a little, since she couldn't well say that she had been at a magical conference in New Orleans and ended up coming here to Alexandria, without sounding like a lunatic.

"How did you get from Jonesville to here? All the roads have been blocked for days."

"At first, I did try to drive, but I had to leave the car behind after an encounter with those things. After that I decided to walk here."

He raised an eyebrow and looked at her with suspicion. "And all the way here, you didn't stumble against a few more of those, as you put it, things? How did you defend yourself against them, or haven't you been attacked by them?"

Hermione's eyes narrowed at the Sergeant, as she straightened herself. "After witnessing and observing those things intently, I came to the conclusion that they couldn't be alive, yet they still keep walking, and attacking people. Spreading the unknown virus or bacteria fast and ensuring an absolute mortality rate. Therefore, I handled the situation as I would have with any other decontaminated objects that threatened to expose anyone or that threatened to infect others."

The Sergeant looked at her with an unreadable expression, but Hermione didn't waver from his gaze, nor did she show any fear. If it should come to the point where they arrested her, she could easily apparate away among the chaos. No one would be able to find her with all the mess going on, but it would make things difficult for her, if they mentioned something like in the database in the CDC or other health organizations.

"How did you decontaminate the situation, Dr. Granger?"

"By destroying the brain. I have witnessed injuries and shots at those turned people, which would have easily killed any other living being, but not them. Only a shot to the head, or anything else that would damage the brain, ensures that they cannot pose a threat anymore. Not with an attack anyway," Hermione explained with a direct voice, not really caring of the consequences it could bring. As long as they knew how to eliminate those things, she would be fine.

The previous soldier returned with her ID's, and said after saluting again, "Sir, the identification came out positive. Dr. Hermione Granger is a British citizen, who works for the WHO in England. She is one of the leading scientist in Toxicology, and also a scientist in Molecular Biology, specialized in Genetics."

"Genetic Engineering," Hermione corrected, still looking directly at the Staff Sergeant, daring him to arrest her for saving her and other lives, which he wasn't aware of.

"Sorry, ma'am," the soldier said, in a slightly gentler voice and continued telling the sergeant about Hermione's job.

"Dr. Granger has been working since 2007 at the WHO and has been an advisor for the CDC. It would explain why she had two credentials, sir."

"Thank you, Private Keller," he said before turning to Hermione, and holding out his hand, which she took gingerly.

"It's good to have you here, Dr. Granger. We have currently a small field team of CDC scientists from Baton Rouge, here who examines those infected. I'm sure that they will appreciate your help. Private Keller, Private Fuller, you are assigned to Dr. Granger from now on."

"Yes, sir!" both chorused and saluted before they led Hermione out of the tent, who looked momentarily surprised. She actually believed that he would have had arrested her for the things she had admitted.

"Don't worry, Dr. Granger. Staff Sergeant Smith is a hard man to everyone," Private Fuller said with a gentle voice, which caused Keller to look at him confused. Hermione only nodded silently and followed the two soldiers.

23rd May 2011, Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana, USA

Hermione

It had been several days, since Hermione arrived at the compound, stationed near the sealed off airport at Alexandria. During her stay, she had been briefed in Project Wildfire, a program run by the CDC and US Military, to erase and solve this disease, as soon as possible.

Additionally, Hermione made sure that the scientists discovered the truth and that they began to realize that these turned people weren't simply infected or some sort of mutated variation of a rabies infescted victims. They were dead, not alive in any way. With the help of the soldiers, Hermione showed them some footages of fights, confrontations, and the physical injuries of those things, which proved in itself that they could never be alive. Soon, they accepted the situation as it was and began to move forward. Together they strategized the approach they would take to find a solution, a cure for this unknown disease, which was the essential part of Project Wildfire. In addition to that, they worked in their free time, on theories of possible explanations for this plague that killed thousands, if not millions of people.

The CDC team had a little makeshift lab, in where they tested and examined the blood and tissue samples. It wasn't enough and they knew that they would need a full functional lab, in order to finally understand with what they were dealing with. And that's where they were heading today. After having enough samples, they would begin to work at the CDC, located at Baton Rouge and hopefully, find a cure.

Her thoughts drifted towards Harry, Ron, and all her friends and colleagues. Several times, she had tried to call the WHO in England, but to no avail. No one was picking up the phone. Not even Dr. Scott McMillan, a virologist and close friend of hers, had answered her calls and after the next day, his phone stopped ringing at all. Hermione ask the two soldiers, if they could get information about the WHO in England, and unfortunately, due to the difficult connection and communication link, they couldn't reach them. Hermione didn't want to think about the reason why they weren't taking her calls, but with each passing day, she knew that he had probably not survived.

With the new information the CDC team had gathered, and the help that had Hermione provided, they needed to return back to the CDC in Baton Rouge, today. There they had planned to begin their work on Project Wildfire and inform the other CDC facilities, as well as other Health Organizations, of their findings. This would save them precious time and many lives. They assume that by informing the necessary organizations and beginning the purge phase, that they could at least defend and protect the people properly, until they figured out what was going on.

Suddenly, shots rang out, which put everyone on high alert. The second in command soldier shouted into the mic, "STATUS! SOMEONE GIVE ME STATUS NOW! OVER!"

More shots came out, but then the a panicked voice spoke, "SIR, THEY BROKE THROUGH THE AIRPORT BARRICADES. THE INFECTED PEOPLE ATTACK US. THERE ARE FORTY OR FIFTY HEADING FROM THE WEST SIDE. WE CAN'T STOP THEM!"

The staff sergeant walked into the tent and immediately asked in an angry voice, "What the hell is going on? Who authorized the attack?"

"Sir, the airport barricades have been breached by the infected."

"Do we have a visual?" the Staff Seargent asked the people in the control room. Several of the soldiers were typing furiously and suddenly, the screens showed live footage of the breached area. Hermione gasped in shock and horror at what she saw. Hundreds of them were walking towards them. The soldiers were shooting with their weapons, while screaming commands to one another, but there were too many of those things. Even she knew that they wouldn't be able to contain such a situation again.

The soldiers in the tent had a similar reaction. Shock, anger, disbelief, and fear, were written all over their faces.

"Initiate phase BLACK FIRE. Activate the Alpha and Bravo teams. The operation begins in five minutes."

Hermione must have looked confused, because Pvt. Fuller leaned closer and explained quietly, "The Sergeant ordered the evacuation and full attack on the enemy, from the ground and air attack."

Hermione nodded in thanks and watched the Sergeant give out orders to anyone who was close to him. He looked, so sure of himself. Not even a trace of worry or fear could be seen on his hardened face.

"Show me the CDC area!"

Someone typed furiously on the keyboard, until one screen showed the CDC truck and tent. At the sight of it, Hermione's hand flew to her mouth in horror. Most of the scientists lay unmoving on the ground, as several of those undead things were feasted on them. Two others tried to defend themselves with, what she recognized to be medical equipments. But before anyone could say something, or order someone to get them out there, five more of these things attacked and bit them, while they screamed in agony.

Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes at the terrified sight in front of her. Even after the screen was turned to something else, Hermione couldn't stop the tears from falling.

"Private Keller, Fuller, take Dr. Granger and get her out of here. Miller, can you get me a live footage from Baton Rouge?"

After a moment of more typing, the screen showed a satellite feed of the current situation of the city, which showed street fights, riots, shots against those things, the roads were completely blocked by cars, and everywhere were those things.

"Show me Port Folk with a five miles radius, outside the compound."

Another footage displayed moments later, which showed a much quieter area with barely any of those things. He addressed the two soldiers, who stood next to Hermione and said, "Get her to Fort Polk, as fast as possible. I will inform the General of the package."

"Sir, yes, sir!" they saluted before, and with a nod towards Hermione, he returned back to his men and gave out orders for an immediate evacuation.

"Listen up, everyone! I want the breached area damage controlled by seven hundred. Get to work!"

"SIR, YES, SIR!" Everyone shouted and went to either work on the computers, talk on the phones, or leave the tent.

"Dr. Granger, do you have anything?" Fuller asked and got her attention.

Hermione shook her head and said in a shaken voice, "My backpack is still in the tent."

"Alright, let's go."

It took them a few minutes to reach the tent and get everything ready. Luckily, Hermione had already packed everything the same morning her.

Just as they reached the military vehicle, at the parking area, two of those things came towards them. Hermione instinctively rushed to take out her wand, but stopped as she saw both soldiers pulling out their guns and aiming it at them. They shot in the chest first, until Hermione shouted, "THE HEAD! YOU HAVE TO SHOOT THEIR HEAD!" Both soldiers, followed the command immediately, and watched as those two things fell unmoving to the ground.

They were ready to go to their cars, when seven of those things came from a direction. Both soldiers immediately put Hermione behind and between themselves, as they moved towards the cars, while shooting at the things. Even though they shot them in the head, more came from behind. Hermione pulled out her wand, making sure both soldiers couldn't see it, and started to cast nonverbal cutting hexes at those things closer to her. The soldiers didn't even look up at the flash of lights, probably believing that it was from a gun, shot by someone else.

They reached the first car available that had the keys in the slot, as they ushered Hermione into the car's backseat. Fuller was about to open his passenger seat when suddenly someone bit down on his forearm. Hermione screamed in shock, which was overturned by the painful loud scream of the soldier. Keller shot the thing in the head, and forgot to pay attention to his own safety, as he suddenly screamed and looked down. Hermione looked out the window and one of those things that had apparently slithered its way across the pavement and bit into the soldier's calf. Keller furiously shot at the thing several times before he shut the door, without climbing in. Fuller followed his example and Hermione looked at the two soldiers confused.

"You need to drive this way down, until you see the North Checkpoint sign and get out of the city. In the glove box you will find a map, got directly to Fort Polk. They will help you there," Keller said.

"But-"

Her words were cut off by another series of shots until Keller said, "We are infected, doc; don't need to explain to you what this means. If we stay with you, we would become a threat to your life at some point."

Tears began to fall, as Hermione looked at them both. She knew they were right but it was still unfair.

"Go, Dr. Granger," Fuller said, smiling sadly.

Hermione nodded as she climbed into the driver's seat and turned on the engine.

"Here take this," Keller said, as he holds out a gun for her. She shook her head, refusing to take a weapon from the still fighting man. She wasn't defenseless; they just didn't know it.

"I can't shoot. Don't know how they work. Would only cause more harm than good, if I take one of those."

After a moment, the soldier nodded and more of those things suddenly came the same direction, and both began to shoot furiously.

"GO!"

With one last glance at the brave soldiers, Hermione pushed down onto the pedal, before she took a full turn and drove off. A glance in her rearview mirror, showed both soldiers standing in front of those creatures and killing each one of them with one well aimed shot.

She wiped the ongoing tears fast away. After a few minutes she reached the exit point. Suddenly, shots came from everywhere, and some of the bullets came against the door and window, without breaching the car. Hermione sighed in relief, as she kept driving outside the city, as she heard bombs going off. She looked with wide eyes into the rearview she saw flames and flashing lights filling the darkening day.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

*1) the Radio station exists (googled it) but never listed to it before, therefore, I apologize in advance for any mistakes, I've made.

*2) from the Prologue