Chapter 20: World Building and Michonne

I had something, but it's gone. It was important too.

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The prison was easily set up with ample use of magic. Wards were easier now that there were more magicals. Sam and others made sure that the ley line was tapped and rerouted to the places, like the nursing home, the farms, and the prison. It was just a matter of powering them up and they took turns.

They set the cells as one person apartments, that actually looked like domiciles and not cells. All with ensuites. With magic water was not an issue. There were no kitchens, but a hot plate could be 'bought' with good work. Most just ate at the communal area. They had phased out the camp tent, for the most part. One meal a day had to be eaten there, while others could be eaten in the communal parts of where they were living.

The CDC and the prison both had cafeterias, and the Vatos had long ago used the nursing home's dining area. Only they were exempt from sharing lunch, because of the elders. All were still manned, including the nursing home, by house elves. Of which they now numbered in the hundreds.

All the single people, who wanted to, would stay at the prison, the families at the CDC and the rest, barring the Vatos and the elders, would stay at the camp. Mostly farmers and such stayed there, those that liked hunting and living off the great outdoors. Daryl, Dale, the runners, Harry, Sirius, Remus and Tonks were determined that they would not stay indoors. Here they had ten miles in each direction to move about in. The other places were confined by the walls. Sure, the prison had a courtyard, but it was small in comparison.

They weren't the only ones, as there were still RVs and tents occupied, so the camp was still thriving. They had had more people find them. The empty highway showed most that someone was in the area that was clearing it off. The wards had directed more magicals to them as well. Right now, the population was over 300 non-magicals, 100 house elves, and 50 magicals, ten Thestrals, and one basilisk, though the latter two didn't stay in the wards. Not to mention all the dogs, cats and other animals that appeared, which did stay in the wards.

They had finally divvied up the animals into workable groups. All the infirmed were in the nursing home with the elders. All young were with families, all the rest was divided between the prison and camp, the latter getting the most.

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"We need to set up a structured command," Rick said one day while they were all eating lunch. It had become common place for them to talk during this meal. It was easier since they were all there.

"Why?" Harry asked, not sure what he meant. He got the gist, but wasn't sure what Rick was meaning. He just hoped the man wasn't trying to take command of the community. Rick seemed like a control freak. He was a nice enough guy but appeared to be used to leading. Daryl had said the same about the ex-sheriff.

"Someone needs to be in charge of each area. Like a wizard and I can be in control of the CDC, the Vatos are in control of the nursing home, two others here and at the prison. One magical, one non. That way everyone is represented. Sirius can stay in charge of it all," the ex-sheriff explained. "Someone has to welcome newcomers, organize a fight if the wards are breached, and take complaints."

"I see what you're getting at," Sirius said, going over in his head who could go where. It would be easier on him if he delegated. "I should set up alarms for every area too."

"That sounds good," Harry agreed, thinking that if one place got overrun then the rest could come running, or flying as the case may be.

Sirius was thinking. Now that most of the single members were at the prison, it would be easy to suss out who could be in charge there. The more difficult part was who would be in charge of the CDC. The Vatos were already in charge of the elderly homes, so that was a given. He and Remus could be in charge of the camp. Or maybe he should put somebody else in charge since he was going to be the head of the hierarchy. Perhaps Dale and Remus? He would put Daryl in charge, but he thinks the man would kill him if he tried.

"That sounds like a good idea," Remus said. "I'll work on the alarm," he added, a thoughtful look on his face.

"Kingsley and Glenn can be in charge of the prison." Sirius said as he rubbed his goatee. "Rick, you and Jessi can be in charge of the CDC. Dale and Remus could be in charge here. And as you said, the Vatos are already in control of the nursing home."

"Are you sure you want Glenn in charge of the prison?" Rick asked, looking over at the man in question, a great deal of doubt in his eyes. He liked Glenn well enough, but...

"He sure proved himself to me." Sirius said also looking at the man in question though with a bit more pride than Rick was. Glenn had seen them out of quite a few jams. Like when they landed in the city only to be caught flatfooted by a horde of zombies. Even with magic, if there were too many they would run. Then come back with the flying cars, or motorcycles, and have a turkey shoot.

"I'm not saying he's not a good man, I'm just wondering if he should be in charge." the ex-sheriff explained himself, badly. He just saw a kid when he looked that the younger man.

"Whenever I've taken him out, he's taken charge of everybody to get supplies," the leader said, cocking his head, not sure why the other man was arguing. Did he think someone else was better? Or was he just arguing for arguing sake?

"That's because he knows where everything is," was the rebuttal.

"No, that's because he knows how to use a chain of command." Kingsley interjected, knowing that Sirius was right.

"Well, it's your decision. I'm just giving my opinion," Rick said, giving them a shrug, though he didn't agree.

"I think I've got a pretty good grasp on what people can do and what they can't. My decision is final," Sirius said with finality. If he was going to be in charge, then he was damn well going to throw his weight around. Hopefully not overly so.

And with that they stopped talking about it and went back to their lunches. Sirius went to his office afterwards and called the people in that he wanted to take control of the certain places. The talks went well. Glenn was also surprised that he was conscribed to being a pseudo mayor.

"You're a good kid. You know what you're doing. I don't understand why you're surprised," the dogman said, giving the younger man a confident smile.

"Yeah, but I've never been in charge of anything ever before in my life. I don't know if I can do this," the Asian man said with a frown.

"Why don't you give it a shot for a couple of months? See if you can work your way into it, and then we'll revisit it then." Sirius was sure the kid would do well. He just needed to try.

"OK, if you think that's best, I'll do what I can. Hopefully you won't be disappointed," Glenn said, thinking maybe he could impress Maggie. After all, what woman didn't like a man in charge.

"I'm absolutely sure you will be just fine," Sirius said, and then added. "Besides, it's not that hard of a job. All you have to do is, greet new people, bring me complaints and request. The wards do everything else. They will boot anyone out that breaks the rules. The only other thing you have to do is make sure the alarm gets out if the wards are breached. Kingsley will help with that. That's why there's two of you."

"Oh, that doesn't sound too hard," Glenn agreed, thinking over the semantics. Then he just nodded his head and left the office. A very confused yet determined look on his face.

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Sirius was sitting in his office when he felt the wards go off in the northern forest. There were zombies being stopped, but a human had entered where they couldn't and had also stopped. He figured they were running from the zombies so he Apparated straight there, thinking they were hurt. What he saw confused him.

There, just passed the wards, was a person tugging on two chains that were attached to two armless zombies.

"What the fuck?" the confused man said, whipping out his wand and killing the zombies.

"What the fuck?" the person said, whirling around and drawing a sword.

"Why are you dragging around Walkers?" Sirius asked, not lowering his wand.

"It keeps others from trying to bite me. If they smell the zombies, they don't come my way," she explained, still holding her sword at the ready. "Why couldn't they come further?" she asked, looking back at her dead 'pets'.

"Magical shields," was his answer as he lifted his wand as if to show it was a wand. "Wand, magic," he offered, pointing to the dead zombies.

"Well, I'll be fucked," she said, lowering her sword but not putting it away.

He reciprocated. "Why are you here?" he inquired.

"Heard there was safety here," she answered.

"Oh, have you been running long?" he wondered.

"A bit. Could use some down time," she stated, jutting her chin out.

She did look tired. Strong, but tired. He couldn't blame her. It was a rough world. "Well, I'm the one they roped into being in charge around here. If you can pass the wards, you are more than welcome to join us."

"Wards, like what kept the Walkers out?" she asked, looking around like she would spot what he was talking about.

"Yes," was all the answer she got, though he did gesture for her to come to the bushes.

She sheathed her sword and walked forward with strength and determination. Sirius was sure he didn't want to mess with her without magic.

She passed the wards with no problem, so they started walking to the camp. Which was a good ways away. Sirius would Apparate them there soon, but he wanted to know a bit about her. "So, what's your name? I'm Sirius Black. Wizard."

"Michonne Hawthorne, Warrior."

"Cool," he said, sounding like Harry for a moment. "You said you've been running for a bit, care to elaborate?"

"No," was the curt reply.

"Is there anything you'd like to share?" he asked instead.

"No," same curt reply.

So, he told her how the camp worked, and what was required to stay. They talked about that for a good ten minutes when he stopped. "We don't have to walk, I can 'teleport' us," he said, using rabbit ears.

"You can? Well, good, I've been walking forever," she said, stopping and waiting on him.

He reached for her arm and twisted. They landed in front of the meal tent. Just as Rick was walking his family in. Rick and Michonne looked at each other and for some reason blushed. Lori didn't like that at all.

Sirius seeing all this pulled the new woman into the tent and showed her how it was all set up. Much like a cafeteria. There were dishes to choose from and the house elves would serve. She was taken back by the little guys, but they were likable enough that she just accepted it. Having a good meal for the first time in ages calmed her down a lot. She had been on guard for so long. It would be nice to have a place that she could sleep with both eyes closed.

If she didn't like it, she could always leave. She hoped.