Chapter 14
Harry was startled awake before sagging when he realized that he wasn't in a moving vehicle and that the sun was on its way to setting even though it had been high the last he recalled. Rolling off the sleeping bag he noticed that his bag, bow, and knife had been placed a foot away from his resting place. Which was nice of the brothers, not like anyone would really get anything if they did take his stuff. Harry's bag and bow always returned to him if they were separated, another reason Harry was sure that the bow was magical somehow, and only Harry could open his bag.
Harry quickly strapped everything into place as he double checked all his items, before making his way over to the group that was huddled around a mid-sized fire. It looked as if they were all eating. Harry looked around the perimeter and noticed that the group still hadn't put up any type of early alert system, they were just asking to be slaughtered. Harry really had his work cut out for him with this group. Thankfully he didn't have to protect this whole group, just a few from it. It was unimaginable for Harry to understand why these people weren't more concerned about the fact that eventually the inferi would wander away from the cities in search of food. He quietly cast a perimeter charm, he did have 4 people here to keep from dying before their time.
While making his way towards the fire he observed how the group interacted with each other. Not missing the fact that the Dixon brothers were the farthest from the fire. But that didn't seem to bother them at all, as they had a much smaller fire going between them. Having had his fill of stupid people for a while, and just wanting to relax instead of having to actively keep his kid role up, Harry went to sit with the Dixon's.
If he had been paying attention, he might have noticed everyone's shocked and gawking faces as he set up next to the brothers. But for today he was just done with the majority of this group, thankfully he could just play it off as being tired since he had collapsed earlier.
"What's for supper? I'm famished, I tell ya." He asked Merle as he smiled broadly.
"Squirrel stew."
"Sounds great."
A mousy looking woman approached the trio, she looked worn and battered. It made the teen bristle. "I saved you some."
Harry sent her a soft smile, "Thank you very much. Sorry I didn't pitch in to help."
The skittish woman just turned and went back to the large pot, while Merle shrugged. "Don't mind her now. Ol' Carol is a good enough cook."
With all the ease and practice of ignoring the eyes on him, Harry proceeded to completely devour the stew. It was flavorful and hearty, settling in his stomach a bit heavily but completely satisfying. If anyone had asked him questions about the stew he'd be unable to comment other than it was completely delicious.
The mousy woman, Carol, returned when she noticed he wasn't eating anymore.
"Are you finished dear?" Her voice was so soft that he had to strain to hear it.
"Thank you, it was very delicious." Harry whispered to her, having completely understood the woman's' demeanor on her second approach. The teens hand froze as he held out the bowl, something had just passed his charm!