Walking Dead Wizard

Chapter 62

The ride back to the prison ended up taking over six hours, not that anyone that wasn't Merle, Luna, Rick or Daryl would know, since they were the only ones who remained awake during the tense drive. The truck was stopped more than it was going, the pile-ups were just utterly ridiculous and Merle had used every swear word he knew during that time which was quite a lot. Even those used to Merle's ways would have blushed furiously. Luna however, did get a great deal of amusement out of them, and often made a mental note to herself to remember them. Light was beginning to surround them and on the horizon as they drove into their sanctuary, another night in the outbreak had passed.

"Where is here? Why did you drive so long to get somewhere to sleep?" Rick demanded to know, as everyone stretched out a little, not capable of much more in close cramped quarters, not that anyone complained. It was the first full night of sleep they'd had in a long time. Their bellies certainly complained though, they'd had nothing but tin of spaghetti and beans shared between them yesterday. Hell, some days they went without any food whatsoever.

"Just think about it for a few minutes, I'm sure you're smart enough to work it out on your own," Harry said sarcastically, the fact his voice had that 'just awake' quality to it didn't change a thing. "Ah, there we go," he said, hearing Anubis and Hela barking, "Looks like you weren't the only one that didn't get any sleep." he commented to Daryl, as Merle threw back the flap and unlatched the back making it easier to get out.

"Thank god you're back!" Harry heard Andrea said, concern lacing her voice. "Is everyone alright?" she added with a great deal of hesitance in her voice. She was too far away, probably talking to Luna.

"We're all back, that's the main thing," Luna said, reassuring the woman gently.

"Who got hurt?" Andrea asked, her tone sharpening, understanding the meaning behind Luna's words.

"Harry, but he'll be fine," Luna said a little grudgingly, she just wanted to get them inside, get Harry tended to before the potion wore off completely. He'd been running on adrenaline after it happened, which would have prevented him from feeling much of the pain, then the potion, if the pain came back full force he'd be in agony. Harry had already been hurt enough to last him six lifetimes.

"An army truck? Where did you go?" Big Tiny asked quite shocked, as he rejoined them having just locked and secured the prison. He shared a look of relief with Andrea that was sweeping through all of them at the safe return of their remaining numbers. Or so he thought, until he noticed something. "What the…." he trailed off, watching people get down out of the truck, a lot of people the most that had joined the group in one time - usually it was small groups.

"Oh my god," Andrea said in surprise.

"You know them?" Big Tiny asked, relaxing marginally, a few had guns in their hands which had made him quite leery of them, especially seeing as he had nothing but a knife on him. If Harry had been able he would have scolded them for their lack of care in making sure they had adequate protection on them at all times.

"It's Rick and the others, I didn't think we'd ever see them again," Andrea admitted making her way to the back of the truck in a few short steps.

To the surprise of everyone in the other group, Andrea completely bypassed them without saying a word, she had only eyes for Harry and they were filled with worry and fear. "We need to get him inside so Merle can patch him up," she said, next to Harry, Merle was the only other 'healer' in the group although Daryl could do it decent enough.

"Oh no, you aren't carrying me again," Harry said when both Dixons advanced on him, only to be utterly ignored, for such rough men they were gentle in easing him out of the damn truck. "I'm beginning to think you both like carrying me around like a sack of potatoes!" he was just glad the first time they had he'd been unconscious! Admittedly it was a long, long time ago, two months before the outbreak had gotten bad enough that they'd had to bolt from the cabin. "It isn't funny, Luna!" Harry hissed out in protest as she laughed at him from behind her hand. He rolled his eyes and gave in when even Andrea joined in and Big Tiny guffawed as he hovering over the Dixons and Harry just in case any help was needed.

Suddenly everyone was surrounding them, their voices overlapping, primarily concerned, and momentarily curious to know what had gone down. Especially when they caught sight of Rick and the others coming in behind them looking shocked, mollified, stunned, and hopeful, awed each face showed a variety of different emotions but those were the strongest ones of all.

Rick felt something large and irremovable sink into his gut as he looked around and the realization began to bubble within him. This wasn't just somewhere to camp out until they went on the move again. Harry and his lot had found somewhere permanent (or as permanent as anything could be in this new harsh world) to live…somewhere secure, perhaps even impenetrable if it was done right. Not only had everyone survived but they had thrived, added additional people to their group. Swallowing thickly, looking anywhere but at the group so concerned for Harry's safety, his own words echoing in his mind. 'Maybe you people are better off without me! Go ahead. I say there's a place for us, but maybe it's just a pipe dream. Maybe I'm fooling myself again. Why don't you go and find out yourself! Send me a postcard! Go on, there's the door, you think you can do better? Let's see how far you get!' they had been better off without him, this was how far they'd gotten, what a fool he'd been, even if he didn't want to acknowledge it. He had a habit of ignoring things when he got obsessed over something.

Lori watched Andrea, Amy and all the others she had once been close with converse with Harry jealousy shimmering in her gut. They looked healthy, happy even and were thriving in this little community they had set up, in a prison of all places. They didn't look as if they were going hungry, didn't look sick and gaunt like her and her people did. Not only that but she could hear animals, chickens, hens, she swore she even heard a horse, and of course dogs. How could they feed them never mind themselves? She thought bitterly when Rick and the other men couldn't even get enough to feed them. They did look tired, though, not as tired as she and everyone else as it looked as if they'd actually been worried. How she hated the Dixon brothers, they didn't deserve all this, it was good people like her and those who had gone with them that deserved it.

Carl looked around in awe, mesmerized by the sight of a secure place, after going from one insecure building to the next, no knowing if they'd end up having to run in a few seconds in because walkers overwhelmed them. He tried to get himself loose from his mother, wishing to pet the dogs, he hadn't seen Anubis in so long and he'd gotten bigger and better since then. Not to forget made a friend who was just as big and adorable as Anubis unfortunately, his mom wouldn't let up. He noticed that Harry was leaving now; he must be going to get some rest while he healed. He had gotten hurt while trying to save them, and he felt guilty for that. The last real thing Harry had said to him had driven him on to be independent as possible. He'd professed his disappointment in him, that he wasn't 'grown up' wasn't mature enough to handle a gun. It had hurt and still continued to sting to this very day.

Glenn stared at the prison, a great conflict burning within him, he so wished he had gone with the others that day when they split up. Especially seeing what they had accomplished and he wasn't even inside yet. From where he was he could see trees and vegetable patches at the other side of the prison through the cars, RV and trucks they had grouped together. Grimacing in self-disgust, he felt Maggie tightening her hold in his hand, and he knew…he just knew he would have followed her wherever she went…even if he had been forced to give up a place like this…for he knew she would never have left her sister or her father. Perhaps…perhaps they could start anew, here, safe, protected, and together. Stronger. Glancing at T-Dog he could see the same burning conflict within the man, but unlike him, he had no significant other to hold him up against the knowledge of what he could have had. He gave him a grim nod when the tortured eyes met his, giving him all the comfort he could.

"Merle, let me down, you're in charge until I get back, and its business as normal, is that understood?" Harry told them seriously, glancing at Andrea, Amy, Dale, and Carol "Meaning no special treatment and keep an eye on them." he couldn't care less that they overheard his statement.

"That ain't a problem," Merle said with a small smirk at Harry, sure he'd get enjoyment out of it, why shouldn't he? After what had happened and what Officer Friendly had done to him. He eased Harry down on his good leg, not letting go until Daryl had a good grip on him. Then they left, Harry using his good leg to hop bracing against Daryl for balance. "Get in and hand those guns back over to Andrea," he told them, glancing around at the surrounding prison, slightly surprised there were no walkers along the fence, there usually was during the night. "Ya been out here?"

"It was me," Carol explained, "I took Oscar and Big Tiny with me," understanding what Merle was asking, living in close quarters with people did that to you. She had gone out just half an hour before they got back to let out some frustration on the walkers, killing them then piling their bodies up and driving them to the same crater they used to burn the bodies. There was nothing left of the bodies each time, completely reduced to ash. Sighing tiredly, she watched the group give back the guns they must have gotten from Harry and the others since they were identical to the one's Merle, Harry, Luna and Daryl had so it wasn't a big leap.

"Alrigh' one less thing to do today," Merle murmured wrapping his arms around Luna as she tiredly leaned against him; she hadn't had any sleep either, too worried about Harry and too wired. He sneered at the look some of the others were giving him; he couldn't care less what they thought about him being with Luna. No doubt they thought he wasn't good enough for her, or wondering why she'd be with him. He thought that himself sometimes, but he damn well wouldn't tolerate others doing it.

"Food and drink?" Amy queried, directing the question to Merle, who nodded before long they were shepherding them into the kitchen.

He was too tired for this shit, Merle thought as he sat down, his eyes boring into the members of the old group, wondering what he had been thinking in agreeing to take them back here. He could have said no, but that would have just made them think they were right in how they viewed him. A dirty redneck that would leave them to die, but no, he wouldn't do to them what they had done to him.

"Here, it will keep you awake for a few more hours," Luna said, taking a seat on Merle, she could see he looks the others were giving him and Luna quite frankly felt irritated. Acting shocked that they were together, what the hell did they know about Merle? The urge to tell them to get off their high horses about judging her and Merle was strong. Shaking off her thoughts she pressed the cup into his hand, she'd added a small amount of pepper-up into it.

"This ain't what I need," Merle grumbled but did drink from it, he'd been driving all night, it was warm and would warm him up as well so he paid no mind to the fact it wasn't alcohol or an energy drink. "Thanks," he whispered quietly, but strangely enough the entire room heard it.

"Is yer leg broken?" Daryl asked as he sat Harry down on the bed in the hospital bed, it was the closest room with a bed in it so it was here they'd come. Quickly moving towards the door he closed it, the others would know to knock before entering, but just to be on the safe side, he locked the door.

"It was," Harry admitted, banishing his trousers, the large bruise was still there where the break had obviously happened. "The potion Luna gave me didn't just knock me out, it's been healing the break in my leg since then." prodding around the area, not quite up to attempting to stand just yet. It would be delicate for days, and could easily re-break if he wasn't careful. A knock at the door surprised them, Harry gestured for him to open it, there was nothing magical out anyway.

"I've brought you some coffee." Carol said giving Harry a concerned glance, blinking slightly at his undressed state, it was a known fact that you never saw Harry without clothes on, not even by accident. Much like Luna, Daryl, and Merle, but since coming to the prison they didn't tend to think on it since they all had a measurable privacy that they hadn't had at the Quarry or the farm.

"Thanks," Daryl said taking both cups moving to hand one to Harry.

"Is there food being made for them?" Harry asked.

"I'm just going to do put something on," Carol explained.

"Porridge only," Harry stated, "It doesn't look like they've been eating well for a long time, giving them a plate of food could cause untold damage, stews and porridge is all they can get for four days at least, then if all goes well they can start eating what we do."

"What sort of damage?" Carol asked confused and quite curious if truth be told.

"Long story short? It can cause heart failure, it only takes a few days of not eating to cause the imbalance, going as long as they have…it could be fatal, they'll also need vitamins to replace what's been lost," Harry informed her. "Look up refeeding syndrome; I'm sure one of the books in the library will have the information you need."

"Are there any signs we have to look out for?" Carol asked wide eyed, the seriousness of it sinking in.

"Actually I don't I'm no expert on it, what I do know was told to me by my best friend," Harry explained, wincing as jabbing pains hit him, that was the potion wearing off. "But they'll probably feel colicky, abdominal pains after eating, reflux symptoms and nausea…" he elaborated after seeing the look on her face. Symptoms he knew all too well since he suffered them after being starved by the Dursley's, then Hermione had begun to force him into eating porridge and healthier foods for a week when he got back to Hogwarts. Then again after the year on the run and not eating properly again.

"I'll get on it," Carol said, realizing he was beginning to hurt again, closing the door she made her way back to the kitchen, making a mental note to look up refeeding syndrome when she had a moment. Her daughter was sleeping in the cafeteria on a sleeping bag; she'd refused to go to bed, instead stubbornly bringing down the sleeping bag she hadn't used since the first night here. Teenage rebellion mixed up with genuine concern for a man she knew her daughter looked up to, adored, she'd go so far as to say she probably loved him too. She didn't mind, to be honest, she was rather glad for it - anything was better than looking up to an imitating her husband, Ed. Giving Hela a pat before she moved to the stove, gathering food to make for everyone. They were back and they were safe, that was all that mattered who cared about the lack of sleep?

As Harry removed his trunk and set it to its normal size Daryl washed his hands and began raking in the drawers for something to use to cover the burns. He wasn't sure how magic could make burns just disappear, but given what else he'd seen it do he wasn't going to deny the possibility. Finding a few plasters big enough, he snagged one out, before grabbing a still wrapped bandage to go around the injury.

"Let me," Daryl said snatching the jar out of his trembling fingers, grabbing the scissors he cut through the remains of Harry's burnt t-shirt, "You got something you can take for the pain?" he would have to remove the rest from the burns otherwise it was just an infection waiting to happen.

"Can't take anything for another hour at least," Harry admitted shaking his head, "You'll just have to remove them, the area's numb, it shouldn't hurt too badly."

Cursing quietly, he picked the edges up before ripping them away instead of wasting time peeling it and prolonging the agony. Picking the jar back up he opened it and found it was some sort of orange paste, different from all other 'salves' he'd seen yet. Scooping it out of the container, he began to spread it across the burn, other than a hiss from Harry he remained stoic during the entire thing. "How long does it stay on?" he asked after the thick paste was spread all over the wound, he could see Harry's muscles uncoiling as if the pain was already easing considerably. Undoing the tabs he put the plaster over the wound, and true to his thoughts it was big enough. He flicked the bandage back over to the open drawer, not seeing a need for it.

"Until it mends the damage, it will be healed by tonight or tomorrow morning," Harry explained flexing his shoulders delicately, they'd been bunched up for the past twenty minutes and they ached something fierce. Sighing tiredly, he pressed his head against Daryl's chest, slightly surprised by his actions tonight, he'd gone as far as to move further away when Carol came in earlier that day, yet he'd held him close in the truck as well as carried him it was definitely a jarring change, one he wasn't all that opposed to if he was honest. "Well, I definitely didn't see this coming this morning."

Daryl snorted at Harry's statement, that might be true, but he hadn't seen himself worried to hell over Harry's wellbeing. He'd known Harry wasn't immortal, that he could be injured, could be killed in an abstract way. He'd forgotten it all when he learned what magic was capable of and seen him in action. What could hurt him when he was capable of so much after all? He'd forgotten he was only human, and he swore never to make that mistake again.

Wrapping his strong muscular arm around him, his fingers at his neck, absently stroking him as he mused to himself, he noticed everything, he'd always seen it as a blessing, and rarely did he think of it as a curse. He had seen Harry's reaction to him recoiling away earlier when Carol came in, it had been covered up pretty quickly, but he'd still seen it. He had also seen the resigned acceptance and understanding, which had made him feel even worse. He hadn't had much of a chance to think about it again until now since most of his thoughts had been on the 'mission' and Harry being hurt. The thought of losing him was unbearable.

"We best go," Harry said without moving, both of them were starving, and thirsty, despite the fact they hadn't touched their cups of coffee. Then there were going to be questions…a lot of questions, and a lot more people than he'd anticipated there to learn about magic - his magic.

They'd live blissfully for a few more hours believing that was all they had to worry about.

Unbeknown to them, the Governors people had been in the area and saw the group returning and left immediately to inform the Governor of what they'd observed. Due to the fact there were so many people he hadn't added to the wards in the vicinity, the two strangers had slipped by Harry's notice.

Whether anyone would pay for that with their lives remained to be seen.

All hell was about to break loose upon the prison from more than a single source.

I would have loved nothing more than to give you another chapter as a 'gift' for Christmas day but unfortunately, it wasn't possible sorry guys but I do have friends and family and we celebrate Christmas day too so I wasn't able to get on my computer let alone get a chapter typed up! I hope you aren't all too disappointed! ahem nor disappointed about the chapter as well...sooo there we go! will the prison end up completely destroyed? Will they try a stealthy attack or will they just barrel head along? will it be that destroyed they need to begin searching for everything all over again? or will the gov just drive through a truck of walkers in warning? Will they become aware of Harry's magic and stop or will they not live to tell the tale? R&R please and HAPPY NEW YEAR for when the time comes ...in case it's not updated in time for the new year :D I hope you all had amazing holiday!