Hey guys, Thanks so much for the continued support! I really appreciate it, and I'm sorry, but not really for the evil cliffy last chapter! And I know one of my readers asked who it was, but You'll have to keep reading to find out.
There will be several spells in this chapter, because Harry doesnt' give a fuck anymore.
Anyway I am so sorry about how long it has taken for me to post this Chapter. After this one though, there is 5 more and an Epilogue.
If someone were to ask how the group had escaped, the teen wouldn't have been able to even guess. He'd been led along by Daryl as they left the ruins and scattered Terminus survivors to the inferi, heading back into the forest cover for safety. Harry really should have been more aware, but he couldn't even summon the energy to care. He was emotionally and physically exhausted. While they were moving around Harry had found out that Lori had shown up at Terminus around the same time that Ricks group had been captured. And she had been killed along with Bob and a woman named Sasha, who had joined the group when they'd fled the Prison. The teen didn't have the stomach to ask how, he could probably guess and even that was enough to make him nauseous.
Even though he knew it wouldn't do any good, Harry wished he could go back to Terminus and burn it to the ground. It was a black stain in their new world, and settlements like that should not be allowed to flourish. He was tired of playing games, it was time he took magical measures to make sure his people were safe. The teen supposed he would need to test various charms and runes to see if they could keep out projectiles, but that would have to wait until everyone was safe and together. He knew that Beth was also missing, having gotten separated from them in the scramble to get out.
Though how that had happened he wasn't sure, but he took some small comfort that they would be able to track her down with the Point Me charm. But it wouldn't work if she was dead, so they would have to search for her quickly. The group was quick to find an abandoned house, miles away from where Terminus had been located. Harry was left in the corner, while the others made sure everything was secure. He didn't care one iota if the group felt uncomfortable with his magic anymore, it was his duty to make sure they were all safe, at least until they could take care of himself, then he'd probably become a drifter. Again.
"Hadrian?" Michonne called softly, waving her hand in his face.
He knew they wanted him to answer, or to reassure them. But he couldn't think about much past the pain and the bone deep exhaustion he felt. Though he could hear how worried Michonne's voice was, even if she seemed calm. He could feel his ribs throbbing in the background of his pounding blood. The teen knew he'd be lucky if Michonne didn't end up skinning him alive for having gotten himself in trouble. Though this time he could at least claim it wasn't his fault.
Said teen just stared at her, grimacing as he tried to get settled in a mildly comfortable position. "Trunk, please."
It came out as a pained mutter, but it had an almost instantaneous response. Everyone scrambled to dig out every trunk that was in their individual back packs, though he was sure Michonne knew what it looked like. Harry would have laughed, had he been able to. But he pushed the other trunks aside until he found his own. Pulling his wand, the teen enlarged his darker trunk and quickly flipped it open.
He knew everyone wanted to talk about a game plan, but he needed potions first, everything else would just have to wait. Once he'd found the wooden box filled with the brewed medicine, he quickly took out several vials before systematically chugging them down, grimacing as they sat heavily in his stomach. He'd always hated taking potions, right from the first time Pomfrey had shoved the first down his throat. He'd had so many, that he couldn't even remember what his first potions was. But he could already feel the pain bleeding away.
"Thanks, for whomever had my trunk." He sighed, sinking back into the corner as his pain quickly subsided. "But right now, our best plan is to eat something filling and then get some rest. And I mean everyone."
"But, we need people on watch, just in-case there are walkers." Oscar protested lightly.
Harry stared at them all, before turning to Michonne, "Did we bring any of those Sentinels we created?"
Though Harry had taken close to six potions, including a pepper-up, he could still feel the bone deep exhaustion pulling on his mind. Pretty soon he'd need to sleep, otherwise he'd end up passing out. Having the sentinels would fix a lot of their problems, even if only for one night. But Harry had an idea to use them to secure the group a new home. Then they'd all be going through rigorous training, himself included, he'd been getting soft the longer he'd stayed with the Quarry group. He needed to get back in shape.
"I'm not sure, I'll check through some of the trunks." She moved away, Andre still strapped to her back sleeping. Harry could only be thankful the toddler hadn't been disturbed in all the commotion.
It would be a big inconvenience if they hadn't been packed, Harry mused, as he would not be able to create more until his magic replenished. But they would be more intimidating as that was how he'd created the original ones. Everyone was just staring at him in trepidation, so Harry shakily pulled himself to his feet as he pulled out his wand. Waving it in slow circular movements, Harry began to summon food and watched as it began preparing itself. It would draw less attention to the group if he did it magically, rather than them making a fire.
"Alright everyone, when Michonne is done searching for the Sentinels, we will have protection enough for everyone to sleep." Harry stated, grabbing their attention. "What this group really needs right now, it to rest, eat and recuperate. I mean it, I do not want to find any of you awake and on watch."
Everyone began murmuring to themselves, but quieted as Michonne approached the teen, "These were the only five i could find."
The group looked at the miniature figurines in trepidation as the Samurai set them up. Their protectors consisted of a blackish grey wolf-like creature, a large feline with a spiky mane, a Chimera, a Manticore with a devilish looking face, a three headed serpent with fierce markings, a half eagle and half horse creature and finally a bird-like serpent. Harry sighed, they were all his magical creatures and were sure to be a spectacle, but they needed to rest tonight. So they would have to do, and he would need to have another conversation with the group about his magic. They probably hadn't paid that much attention last time, given everything that had happened.
"Engorio," Harry muttered, watching as the seven creatures grew to a bit over six feet in size. Causing most of the group to shriek and move away from the inanimate larger figurines. "Piertotum Locomotor."
The creatures moved to stand before Harry, which admittedly creeped several of the group out. But Daryl, Merle, and Michonne couldn't help be be intrigued by them. Michonne vaguely recalled what Harry had called each of them, but the Dixon's were both interested to know what the obviously magical creatures were. Even Andre was reaching for the creatures, though they weren't something Harry wanted the toddler to play with, not at their current size anyway. It did however give the teen an idea to make toddler side body guards for the boy. But the teen just sighed, before standing in front of the group. Harry sent his intentions into the creatures, before sending them outside the house. That would keep them busy and everyone else secure.
"There, now everyone can sleep tonight. The Sentinels will keep anything and everyone outside. They wont let anyone in, so there is no need for a watch." The teen sighed, he was so tired. "Just don't go outside without alerting me. But other than that, they are completely safe."
"So, your just gonna use your magic for everything now?" Rick asked, though his expression showed how smug he was feeling.
It made the teen bristle, but he just took a calming breathe, "Not at all. But I need everyone to be well rested tomorrow, so that we can get a new game plan together."
"So you admit, that you need our help. Perhaps you aren't the best leader for this group." Rick said more smug than Harry remembered seeing the man.
Harry was simply too tired to deal with Rick and his attitude, but he would not allow this ex-cop to debase him like this. "This is a group, Rick. One that works well together, it does not need wankers acting like they are better than everyone else. We, Me and Michonne, listen to every suggestion that anyone has before we make a decision. That's how you lead a group successfully, not being an imagined-know-it-all and putting everyone in danger."
The teen mentally slapped himself. He reminded himself so strongly of Professor Snape saying something eerily similar to him and his friends after one of their dangerous adventures. But the man had always been there to give them a snide and snarky bit of advice, before giving them detentions. Not that those had been fun by any means, but now that he was in a similar position, he could see how reckless the ex-sheriff actually was.
Michonne stepped up beside him. "Let's just get some rest, everyone is wound up. Come one Hadrian, let's get you checked over."
Much to the teens horror, Michonne proceeded to drag him back to the same corner, no matter how much he protested. It was utterly humiliating how she'd stripped him, put salve on the open wounds, and then had him summon the bandages that she then wrapped him in. He was too tired to put up much of a fuss, so he allowed his friend to bundle him and allowed himself to drift off. He could hear the conversation around him getting duller, but he would address their concerns tomorrow. He'd done his part and they would be fine until he was fully healed.
When Harry woke again, he felt like his old self. He knew instinctively that his wounds had all healed while he'd been asleep, thanks to the potions and his magic. Which just made him all the more determined to brew more. Because he knew that it would benefit the group and not just himself. He stretched slowly, grunting as his back popped a few times, before standing. But before he could do much else, the teen found himself surrounded with irritated people.
"Err, Good Morning," He said sheepishly. Surely they weren't still upset about last night. "Look, I know we left things unsettled last night, but you don't need to glare at me."
Harry was even more confused when he saw the same look cross everyone else's face. Surely they hadn't forgotten that he said they'd be coming up with a new plan today. Did they honestly think he'd forget after only one night? He hoped that they knew him a little better than that. He never said anything he didn't mean. It was something he'd have to add to his never ending list to go over with the group. Sometime he felt like he was dealing with children.
Michonne just knocked his shoulder, "They are just going stir crazy, you were asleep for nearly two days Hadrian. You must have really over done it the last week or so."
Groaning, Harry shrugged, "Probably, i felt like death had beat me up, but now i feel normal again. But lets get some chow going and then come up with a plan."
Not a moment after he'd spoken, a plate of still warm food was thrust into his hands by Carol. "We just got done eating when you woke. We've been saving you a plate at each meal, just in case you woke up."
"Thank!" The teen responded before digging in, anything to make his stomach shut up.
"We need to move on as soon as possible. When Hadrian is done, we'll pack up. We need to find some place that we can fortify, and then split up and scavenge for supplies." Rick informed the group as he fed Judith.
Harry stared at the man in shocked surprise. While he knew that Rick disliked him, most likely because of his age, he hadn't expected the man to try taking over the camp the moment he was incapacitated. Though he supposed he really should have, the man clearly thought he was a good leader.
Michonne stepped up, Andre on her hip, "I've told you, we wait until Hadrian is ready. He probably has much he wants to discuss with us, before we head back out there. I also told you, that you were not in charge of this group."
Rick just grunted, "And you expect us to follow a teen that could be incapacitated at any moment. He's to much of a liability to be the leader this group needs."
The teen could not believe the audacity of the man. He handed off the plate to Carol and joined Michonnes side. "The only reason I was out for two days is because I over exerted myself, trying to save you and the others. If it weren't for your head strong tendencies and trying to take over every group you come into contact with, then none of you would have been captured by Terminus."
"Now, hold up just a moment, I did what I thought was right. It was the same thing you would have done!" Rick spat, getting himself worked up.
Harry just laughed, as if this man thought he knew him. "While I might be head strong, I would never have gone into that compound without extensive planning. Besides the fact we knew nothing about them or their numbers. What you did could have gotten everyone killed, as it is, we lost a couple of people because of your actions."
At that, no one said anything. But what could he say? Rick had been the cause of the two deaths in their group. The man was not cut out to be the leader of any group at this point. Harry sat back down in his corner, motioning everyone to join him. It was time he had the in-depth talk with the group.
"In a little bit, I will be ending the enchantments on the Sentinels and we will be moving out. We need to move silently, but quickly. I will cast silencing charms on the babies, since we cannot keep them silent. But our first prerogative is to find a semi-secure-able shelter."
"Why semi-secure-able?" Carl asked.
Harry just smiled at the younger teen, "Because we can always fortify it ourselves. Its better to find somewhere that is semi-fortified and build on it, then start on a property that has no security."
"What if we come across something like the Prison?" Maggie threw in.
The teen shrugged, "That would be best case scenario. But I don't expect we get that lucky again. Now, I know that I used the Sentinels the last few days, but do not become accustomed to my use of magic for every day needs. I won't have you become dependent on me and my magic. When we find a new home, everyone will start a training program with me. This group lacks unity."
Michonne stood, "Which direction are we heading to first?"
"North." Harry shrugged, "It's as good as any, and with any luck, not as populated. We need to be wary of any settlements we come across. Not everyone is nice, I can't tell you how many Hostile camps that I've run into, where the shoot first and don't ask questions. Everyone sticks together. We need to find Beth first, and then get the hell away from the Atlanta area."
When nothing further was said, the group jumped to making sure everything was packed up and safe. Though Hary could feel the others glancing at him. Mostly out of curiosity, but he could feel Rick glaring a hole into him. The teen could just not understand why the man seemed to hate him so much. But then, Harry could chalk it up to the fact that he has rebelled against the man a lot. There was probably some resentment about Lori, but he'd warned them all, and Harry still held no regret over his decision.
"What's eating at you Hadrian?" Michonne questioned, Andre on her back, as she helped him.
Harry sighed and summoned all the trunks, a half dozen landed in front of him. He opened them one at a time and checked on the supplies. It wasn't that he was worried that they would run out, but he like to know that everything was organized. "I'm getting tired of helping people. They don't trust me to protect them, without using it for every little thing. And I'm just plain tired of Rick and his ego."
The woman just smiled thinly, watching the group through her lashes. "I don't think it has anything to do with you, so much as they just escaped a cannibal compound. As for your magic, they'll listen. No one can make you do something you don't want to Harry."
The teen just stared at his pseudo-family and smiled. This was why he liked the quiet woman, she gave great advice. "Thanks, now lets get to rescuing Beth and get the hell out of here, yes?"
Once everyone was settled and ready, Harry opened the front door and deactivated the Sentinels, shrunk them down and led the group out into the inferi wasteland.
The group followed Harry's wand for about five days, before they came to a large deserted Hospital. They'd protested heavily when Harry had suggested that they take shelter in one of the trunks that held a miniature apartment, but the teen had just stared them into submission. They needed to be in the trunk, where Harry could be sure that someone didn't get left behind or Merlin help them, do something stupid. Of course, they had all be skeptical, but Harry had threatened to leave them in the middle of the inferi infested city, while he went and got Beth. After that, they had all been eager to get inside the enlarged Trunk the teen was holding open.
With the group safe, Harry cast a silencing charm over himself as he put on several charms to keep anyone from noticing him, before making his way into the nearly abandoned Hospital. It took the teen an hour to get inside and find his way to Beth's room, though he knew he was being paranoid, he hadn't been able to stop himself from trying to figure out the communities numbers. And it hadn't helped that he'd constantly shifted to his animagus form to scent the girl, having opted to wait for her in her quarters. But knowing ones enemies was paramount for survival in their new world.
When he reached Beth's room, he pulled his wand, "Homenum Revelio."
But there were no living people in her room, so he cast a quick Alohomora, and hurried inside. He was so close to saving her, it would be cliche for him to get caught so close to his goal. Though he wasted no time un-shrinking the trunk, and opening it up. "We are inside the Hospital. Are you guys doing okay in here?"
He wasn't sure how long no-mag's were supposed to be inside magical trunks. But they hadn't stopped to think of that, since it was either take it or stay out on the streets. Harry was sure that any no-mag would have taken the trunk. Not that Harry could speak for everyone, but he did know human nature pretty well. Though he wished he could resurrect that stupid scientist and tell the arse that he was not a cure!
Michonne nodded, "Yeah, its nice being in here."
Harry just chuckled. "If you think this is nice, I can't wait to introduce you guys to magical tents. Those are awesome."
The teen could hear someone approaching so he hastily shut and shrunk the trunk, reapplying the disillusionment charms. Only to sigh in relief when Beth came inside and shut the door. "Colloportus. Beth! Are you injured?"
Said girl spun around and gasped as Harry reappeared before her. "Hadrian?"
"The one and only. I'm here to rescue you, are you ready?"
Getting out of the Hospital had been ridiculously easy, which had amused the teen. Thinking of the Church where he'd found Sophia, the teen apparated away. Once he'd landed, the teen had gone back inside and opened the trunk. The group had looked apprehensive as they climbed out, but were all in one piece so the teen wasn't too worried. They ate lunch at the church while everyone looked over the maps Harry had stashed away. Merle had pointed out a few options and it didn't take them longer than ten minutes to get on the road.
Harry wasn't sure how long it would take them to find transportation, but he wondered if the group would mind if he went and scouted ahead. He needed something to do before he went loony. It didn't help that everyone was silent, they weren't making any noise and were watching their surroundings with a paranoia that could be dangerous.
The ravenette wasn't sure how long they had traveled, but the sun was low and he had noticed that a man had been following them for a while now. So he brought the group to a stop, "Stop!"
Michonne moved to join him, "What's wrong? Are there walkers ahead?"
"No," Harry shook his head, "A man in black has been following us for a few hours. I figured we could talk to him, or eliminate a threat."
The woman nodded and moved off to alert the others, while Harry waited for the man to show himself. After fifteen minutes of waiting, the group noticed a black man dressed as a priest step out of the woods. None of them so much as moved or spoke, but Harry sighed as he studied the other man. He didn't seem threatening, not carrying anything more than a stick, which wasn't that stained.
"Who are you then?" Harry called out to him.
The man didn't say anything, just beckoned them to follow him before turning and walking off. Harry just sighed and followed after the man. He wanted to know who the new player was, and honestly he knew better that to call out like that. So it was probably safer to get out of the area, just in case the noise attracted inferi. They must have walked for another hour before they came to a large Church in the middle of the clearing.
Harry signaled everyone to spread out, before pulling a water bottle out. He noticed that Merle was sticking annoyingly close to him, but he opted to ignore him. From what the teen could see, the church wasn't fortified by any means, and needed some boards put up. But then, it didn't look the preacher stayed there much. Harry couldn't help but wonder why the man would bring them here, he'd shift later and check everything out.
"Thank you for housing us. We won't be in your way very long." Harry approached the man, who appeared to be rather skittish around people.
"I'm Father Gabriel, stay as long as your group needs."
Harry made his way through the group, his injuries healed for the most part though he still had a bit of a limp. He made sure to check on everyone, including the children, and handed out water bottles and food to those that were hungry; including the pastor. The teen figured that the group could rest here for the night, until Daryl and Carol returned from hunting and then they needed to get going again. With the group and all it's members accounted for, the teen was anxious to get away from the larger cities.
They needed to focus on finding a safe place, and fortify it like they had the Prison. Sure they had to start all over, but there were somethings that Harry would allow his magic to help along. It also helped that he was through hiding his magic from the group. With it out in the open, he would be able to do more without completely freaking them out. Though he was sure it would be funny.
"Mr. Hadrian?" a soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
He turned to face Sophia and Carl, "What's up kids? Are you guys still hungry?"
They shook their heads and pointed to Rick, who seemed to be having a breakdown as he muttered to himself. Harry cursed silently and made his way over to the broken man, there wasn't much he could do but he did hand Rick a vial of calming drought and a water bottle. It was just what this group needed, the cop to be incapacitated by a mental breakdown! The teen was not qualified to handle the man, having never dealt with his own mental issues before the inferi had risen.
Scrubbing his face, Harry limped his way out of the church and sat on the steps. He ignored Merle, who settled beside him. He'd avoided becoming apart of this group for so long! But he couldn't just leave them without a leader, and while he had no doubt both Merle and Daryl could lead this group, he knew that they wouldn't. Whatever respect they had for Rick as a leader would keep them from doing what was needed, that just left him and Michonne really.
"Let me know when your brother returns. We leave in the morning." He stated before standing and heading back inside. Michonne stood as he entered the large room again, bringing their expanded pack with as they went to the only table available.
Silently the two unraveled several maps, laying them side by side and overlapping each other. "Any thoughts on where to go next?"
Michonne just gave him a look, "Probably north, as you said. It seems the walkers are migrating in larger and larger herds. They could all be heading south, to get away from the chill."
It was a solid plan, plus there was that one group headed to Washington, they could meet up with them. Though he wasn't sure they would be very welcoming. It had been some time since they'd last met. But then, when living in this new world, one was never sure if they'd ever seen friends or acquaintances again. Anything could happen, at any time. There was no way for the teen to know for sure, but he could take the group up that way. Maybe there would be a safe place for them to stay.
Harry was still awake when Daryl returned sometime during the night without Carol, who had opted to stay behind to keep searching. But a few of their lost members were dead, so the teen just shrugged. If the woman wanted to stay out there, he wasn't going to stop her. Harry waited two hours after the sun rose to wake the rest of the group, once again handing out food and water. If they were going to survive this, they couldn't go without food again. The teen just mused that it was lucky they had bags of it.
"What's the plan?" Daryl muttered around his food.
Harry glanced at Rick, who was staring aimlessly out of a window. "We are heading North to Washington. It'll take a long time to walk that far, so we should try to find a few vehicles to drive in. Two should do it, we'll drive as far as we can and then walk i guess."
Everyone nodded and the group was out the door within the hour, as they had waited for Carol to make it back. The woman hadn't found anything. The pastor told them about a town not far from the church, so that was where they headed, Keeping mostly to the trees, in order to by pass any other scavengers that tended to stick to the roads. Harry would not allow his group to be easy pickings.
When the arrived at the town, Harry immediately opted to check the small car dealership first, the group was pleasantly surprised that they had a full service gas pump. It was something Harry remembered from the one time he'd gone with his relatives when they'd bought a new vehicle. Harry let them pick the vehicles while pulling the gas up through the pipes and directing it into gas cans they'd found. Beggars couldn't be choosers, and he was willing to take any resource he came across, especially fuel. As driving was much faster than walking.
Once everything was gassed up, Harry hopped into the front seat of the first SUV while Daryl slid into the driver's seat. "Let's get goin'. Ain't much left round here."
Harry agreed and allowed Daryl to fiddle around with the car, while he lost himself in memories.
~He wasn't sure how to find Platform 9 and ¾, Hagrid hadn't told him!~ A large red steam engine filled his vision, it was so large!~Boats waited still and silent on the lake as the first years all boarded, and then moved on their own.~A large castle loomed a ways off from the boats, filling a young Harry with the feeling of being home.~ People were staring as he sat on the bench, until a hat started speaking to him~ "I can't stay anymore!" Harry shouted at his two closest friends. "Why not? We can all be Aurors together, and you'll marry Ginny!" Ron shouted back, his face nearly matching his hair. Harry just stared at his friend in shock, they hadn't planned on giving him a say. "I killed someone Ron! How could i possibly stay!"..."He was an evil git, and he deserved it for being a Dark wizard!"~ Harry panted as he erratically packed all his belongings, the order had tried to capture him! He knew Ron and Hermione had told them what he'd said, he was just surprised they'd attacked him!~ Harry groaned as he stepped off the plane in America, he was still sore but felt free for the first time, like he had a choice in his future.~
"Hadrian? You alright?" Michonne's soft voice pulled him from his mind.
Shaking himself off the teen nodded, "Yeah, I think we have a solid plan now. And honestly who knows what we will find a bit up north. I feel like this is the right track to be on. I don't know how to help Rick, and I worry about Carol. But this is just what the group needs."
Michonne gave him a look, "I'll help Rick, I've dealt with this thing before."
Harry let the woman do what she wanted, he wondered how far they'd get with their vehicles, it sure beat walking. The teen allowed himself to drift off, confident that the others would wake him if there was a problem.