Walking Dead Wizard

Chapter 74

Harry stormed through the gates without waiting on anyone coming, just using magic to unlock the door, magic sizzling in the air around him as he lost control of his magic, for however brief a time. It was a testament to how much the group trusted Harry, even with such an unknown factor like magic in their lives that they trusted him and didn't even so much as flinch at the sight or feel of it.

"Can you get the animals to their new homes?" Luna asked of Andrea, Amy and Beth who had just turned up but not quick enough for Harry's tastes. She patted at the black horse softly crooning, calming him down, "And if you can give them something to eat?" it was obvious they were half starved, but all the animals were when they first got them due to the lack of things to eat and constantly running away from the walkers.

"I'll do it," Beth offered immediately, very familiar with horses so it made sense that she went right for the reigns in Luna's hands, soothing the scared animal. "Daddy wants to know immediately when there are new animals so he can check them before they join the others, to make sure it isn't sick or contagious."

Merle nodded, conceding that it was a good idea, "Where is he?"

"He said something about brushing down the horses with the equipment he found yesterday," Beth answered a few moments of silence, they were still finding things even after weeks here, and it wasn't necessarily a bad thing, they hadn't investigated the entire area yet, but her sister and Glenn rode the horses and went further and further out each day, recording their process on the map. Sometimes she and Amy went with them or the rare occasion some of the guys. Oscar, Axel and Big Tiny didn't use the horses; they refused to sit on them not wishing to end up on their asses.

"I got it," Merle grunted, in other words telling his brother and girl to go, the animals were docile, especially the deer. The rope had some sort of spell on it, so it went with them without a fight. The second it was off though he knew the animals shot off like their ass had been set on fire. "Let's go then," taking charge with that Beth, Andrea, Amy, Carl and Sophia went with Merle to give the animals to Hershel, going with them were two pigs, a male and female deer, a horse and a sheep they'd gotten quite a haul out of this one - made up for the disappointment that was Hilltop.

Luna and Daryl were already on the move making their way to Harry's house knowing that's where he'd be.

"It's going to be a long day," Luna sighed, or what was left of it. "He's going to blame himself for something he has absolutely no control over." irritation at the situation bleeding into her voice. He had hardened himself but she knew Harry better than that, he would still feel responsible.

"It ain't his fault," Daryl muttered, he never doubted Luna's word though; she knew Harry before they'd met.

"No, no it's not, our friend Hermione says he's got a saving people complex," Luna said with a sad smile, "It's quite accurate, he blamed himself for what happened to me but there's no way he could have stopped it. He wasn't even there, but he did save me."

They remained quiet after that as they made their way to Harry, she wasn't surprised when Daryl didn't strike up a conversation of any sort, he was the quieter of both Dixons, he constantly analysed his surroundings and what people said. In fact she wouldn't be surprised if he was thinking on what she'd just revealed.

As they approached the house and opened the front door, they could hear Harry and Hermione's voice coming from the living room which still used as a meeting the room. The table was still there as well, considering they were hardly ever in their homes it didn't come as a surprise that the living room wasn't used much.

"If they know they've truly got somewhere safe to be, they'll come, you should bring the one they trust the most to see for themselves, when words get back they will trust it as truth." Hermione suggested, from the mirror, her hair was tied back in a ponytail today, and it was slightly greasy indicating she had been working on potions for a good few hours at least. "We can only save those we can," yes what the boy had suffered was horrendous but they had to think of the bigger picture, humanity was on its last legs right now. Hermione smiled at Daryl and Luna in greeting.

"I just can't believe how stupid they are!" Harry scowled, flipping through the pages of the book, writing down the names and addresses which were general locations really of where the magical children were. He was going to have to up his game if he wanted to get any of them to safety. "A whole year and none of them trained, absolutely none of them!"

"I agree it's idiotic," Hermione sighed, "Not everyone has been through a war though, or have the forethought or knowledge to teach them what they need to know." they will mostly be thinking of survival and safety. If Severus had been there she knew he would have probably left the lot of them nameless. She wouldn't quite be able to blame him, she herself was still trying to understand why herself. They were in an apocalypse and they didn't even know how to fight.

"Alrigh'" Daryl murmured nodding in Hermione's direction, as he put his crossbow on the table and sat down, so he could see what Harry was doing.

"How did Fleur and Bill do with getting to the building?" Luna asked, speaking for the first time.

Despite the fact Harry was scribbling away, he was listening intently.

"The place was destroyed, set ablaze, there's absolutely nothing they could salvage or save." Hermione admitted with her lips pursed. "It seems Washington might be our only hope to get some answers."

"Too bad we don't have someone who can hack," Harry said sardonically, belatedly realizing what he said. "A hacker can get into any computer right? I mean it doesn't even need to be turned on? Could have gotten information that way."

"Harry, that's brilliant!" Hermione exclaimed, "If you can get a computer or laptop and send it through I can get it working on magic it would be something to work with if we get lucky."

"We have computers and a security system set up and already working, although it's rarely used," Harry explained his lips twitching in amusement. "The solar panels generate more than enough electricity for what we use."

"Oh, well alright then," Hermione said nodding her head.

"Where exactly in Washington would we need to go?" Harry asked, putting his pen down.

"The capitol building I think," Hermione replied, "I'd need to check before I confirm it. Deactivate!"

Harry nodded, "Alright then," sitting back sighing softly, carding his hand through his hair tiredly. Looked like he'd be going to Washington very soon, if there was a chance the non-magical folk had come close to finding a cure, he had to get it to Severus and Hermione, it will help them find an answer. He also had to find a way to prevent any of his people if they turned into walkers from going walkabouts and ending up with a mass pandemonium of panic. So far he hadn't had much success but he and Luna did work together to try.

Merlin he wished he could Obliviate himself of the memory of that kid being beaten to death. Yes, he'd seen it; it's perhaps why he had taken it so personally. Why he felt so much disgust and anger at the group for not protecting the teenager like they should have, children were all they had left of the future; the damn human race depended on it for Merlin's sake. He glanced at Daryl when he heard the man's stomach rumbling, causing a small smirk to play about his face. "Hungry?" he said wryly.

Daryl nodded, picking up his crossbow taking for a statement rather than a question.

"Then lets go," Harry said, he wasn't sure he'd be able to eat much if he was honest with himself. The three of them made their way out of the house, which never got locked.

Naturally, news got around quickly when the others returned, but what had them concerned were reports that Harry was angry. He had returned with his lips pursed, nostrils flaring and had immediately returned 'home' to get some privacy he hadn't been seen since. Harry always avoided being around others when he was angry, it's one of the first things they'd actually taken the time to notice when they got their heads out their arses. Unsurprisingly they all wanted to know what had happened to make their Leader so furious.

Unsurprisingly it was Dale who first spoke up, his voice tinged with concern, "What happened?" it was Andrea he asked, his brow furrowed.

"Here's your tea Dale," Big Tiny murmured as he passed it over, while Tyreese got the large pot and began to plate everyone's dinner up, it was a lovely stew, with a roll for each of them.

"Thank you," Dale said giving him a grateful smile; he was having more trouble than usual with his arthritis flaring up, at the most troubling moments.

"Wasn't he looking for someone?" Hershel commented, since nobody new had been brought with them, it was safe to say he'd either been too late or they hadn't had any luck in finding them. "I assume he didn't have much luck?" sympathy bleeding into his voice.

Orange and pineapple juice were passed around, they had but a few months to drink the lot so they were making sure to use what would go out of date first more out of habit than any real need. It had been preserved in Harry's trunk and chilled too, so they had nothing to worry about, the used by dates did not apply in this situation.

"Oh, we found out where he had been living alright, unfortunately, we arrived too late," Andrea finally stated, disgust coating her voice, immediately catching everyone's attention.

"What do you mean?" Amy asked filling her sister's glass, then passing the juice to Beth.

"We aren't the only community out there," Andrea admitted, causing everyone to freeze, wishing and knowing were two different things. Harry had always said people would brand together to survive, but other than groups of disgusting men like Randall and the Governor they hadn't bumped into anyone yet. "Where the boy, Rory was staying is a community, trailers, a museum that used to be a mansion on top of a hill, they call it Hilltop, they have some animals, crops growing, and those who scavenge for supplies."

"What are they like?" Lori asked, slightly hopeful that not all was lost for humanity.

"Scared," it wasn't Andrea who replied, it was Sophia who did, sitting scooping up her stew eagerly. There were never any complaints about the food or any left after a meal.

Andrea nodded to confirm her words, "They're terrified, there is a group going around threatening to kill people in communities for half their supplies…I'm not sure how often it wasn't specified." she revealed. "This group actually killed Rory, how long ago I'm not certain, but what we learned is…infuriating." Andrea huffed, shaking her head in irritation. She was angry, just less angry than Harry.

"How do you mean?" Oscar queried, the others continued to listen without saying anything, content to eat their meal and hear about it without contributing.

"It's been over a year and none of them know how to work a firearm, they don't know how to fight…put them in front of a group of walkers and they wouldn't stand a chance. Because of that, they had no chance when the Saviors came along and beat a sixteen-year-old boy to death in front of them." Andrea said in distaste. "They have since lost others who weren't satisfied with the amount off supplies they were given."

"Why are they staying?" Tyreese questioned baffled by that, "They could just leave, find somewhere else!"

"That's exactly what Harry said," Andrea answered wryly, after eating some of her lunch, which was getting quite cool. "After managing to insult every single one of them with the embarrassing truth that Sophia, a thirteen-year-old girl, could do everything they were and still manage to kick their asses."

"Are they really that bad?" Maggie asked perturbed by what she was hearing.

"Honestly? They look half starved, they're barely eating enough to survive which is probably what the Saviors want to stop any rebellions…I can't imagine how much they are giving over…" Andrea replied, pushing her empty plate aside. "Their boss is a piece of work," nobody missed the sarcasm in that jab they just didn't understand its context.

"Wouldn't they be a good fit here?" Hershel asked, worrying about the people he didn't know but not stupid enough to believe everyone had good intentions. He had learned that particular lesson a long time ago.

"Too many to say for sure," Andrea admitted thoughtfully, "Either way Harry has offered them a place, given Jesus, the man who we met and explained everything to us, a way of getting in touch in times of great need." they all assumed this man was Spanish, due to his name not realizing that Andrea was giving them a nickname. They were in for a surprise when they did meet him.

"And they stayed?" Glenn cried out in shock, what were they thinking? Why would they stay there in constant danger when someone had offered them a way out?

"Fear can often have a paralyzing effect," Harry spoke from the doorway causing them to jump as if they had just been caught by their father with the hands in the cookie jars. Harry's lips twitched in a show of amusement before he wandered further in, followed by his shadows, Anubis, Hela, Daryl, Merle (who had easily caught up with them) and Luna. "They no doubt believe that this place will also be claimed by the saviors, and don't want to risk their lives on a maybe, I obviously couldn't tell them anything else…but I do believe that Jesus will come to realize there is more than meets the eye." the gemstone they gave him would make that blatantly clear. It was obvious he had the respect from the others; they would listen to Jesus before Gregory. He was going to do as Hermione suggested.

Carol leaped to her feet, gesturing for Big Tiny and Tyreese to stay, they were still eating and she was done, Carol moved around the table to make up bowls of stew for the latecomers, the pot had been kept on a low setting to ensure it didn't get cold. Taking two at time, she put the bowl of stew in front of them before quietly reclaiming her seat. As always Harry and Luna thanked her and the brothers grunted their thanks.

"I just don't understand…why haven't they been trained in at least the basics of hand to hand combat?" Glenn continued.

"It's sort of what Shane did as well, promising us training for months, it wasn't until Harry and Rick began to give us the basics that it taken out of his hands…" Amy pointed out, "Expected us all to rely on him constantly for protection."

Merle snorted but kept his opinions to himself as he stuffed his roll into his mouth and chewed on it. They could all imagine what he wanted to say, and it made their lips quiver in amusement.

"Andrea, Michonne, do you think you could take a group out to scavenge around this area?" Harry asked, effectively changing the subject to a more important one for them. "The survivors probably won't be this far so other than walkers and other groups we shouldn't have a problem. I will provide you all with a Portkey that will bring you back here for protection."

Andrea straightened up, surprise filtering across her face, wondering if Harry meant she'd be leading a group on her own without the five main members. "Yes," she answered, determination thrumming through her, she would prove to them all she could do this.

"At least four others should go with you and Michonne, you bring back everything you find, even if you think it's useless, a use can be found for almost everything." he could use items to transfigure things and it was easier to use actual objects.

"Then we should take one of the larger trucks," Andrea said thoughtfully, already calculating how to go about it and who to take with her.

"No need, I'll give you a bottomless trunk which will fit absolutely everything you could possibly put inside it." Harry waved away any concern about requiring a large truck.

"I would like to go," Glenn spoke up, as much as he liked being here in the safety of PA he wanted to feel useful again, really useful, he'd been doing the scavenging for a year before they got to the prison.

"Then I'm coming as well," Maggie said determinedly, she didn't want her boyfriend going out there on his own without her.

Andrea nodded slowly; both were good fighters, which meant she only had an opening spot for two others. She didn't want to take her sister; she would constantly worry about her if she did. "Maggie, Glenn, Mira and Oscar," she decided firmly.

"I want each of you to bring me the bag you will from now on use when scavenging, I'll charm it for you," Harry stated seriously, once it was obvious there was going to be no protests from anyone. "Also an item that you'll keep on your person at all times, a piece of jewelry or something, if you don't have one then I'll find something."

"You can use my mermaid pendant if you want?" Amy suggested to her sister, who didn't have any jewelry; none of them really did anymore.

Harry grinned in amusement if she realized what 'Mermaids' actually looked like she wouldn't be so keen on them. He made a mental note to find a book on creatures that showed what they looked like. Hopefully, he'd get to see the look on her face when she saw them. Ugly vicious buggers that they were, he didn't like them at all, but if he hadn't been forced into that tournament his feelings might not be so strong.

"I can help," Rick told Andrea, annoyance painted firmly across his face, he hated being cooped up and written off as useless, he had led his people for over a year. Yes, he acknowledged he had a problem, he was getting help for that, they couldn't just keep excluding him from the proceedings. He was a leader; it should be him who got the second group, not Andrea.

"It's already been decided," Harry spoke sternly, "Tomorrow I'm heading towards Washington, and if we have the time we'll be going to see Meghan Chambler and see about bringing her here."

"She's magical isn't she?" Lori questioned, already knowing the answer.

"She is. She's seven years old," Harry said, "That's as much as I know, other than her actual location."

"Why don't we go and get her while you head to Washington?" Big Tiny asked.

Harry shook his head vehemently almost immediately after he spoke, "No, I have no way of knowing if she has other magical people with her or not if she does it may not end well for you. It's just so much safer if I go if you want to join Andrea's group make a schedule so you can rotate every other day. I'll also be able to sense their wards if they have any up,"

"What if they've put spells like there is on PA up?" Maggie pointed out, a few nodding at her question having been thinking it themselves.

"Then her name and address wouldn't be appearing in the book, the spell takes you completely off the grid by both magical and non-magical means, nothing can find you, especially not a magic book." Harry answered, giving her a nod for her forethought. He never got annoyed by the questions on magic, he relished them in fact, he was just so fucking happy that they had accepted him he would have answered a million questions. "Does anyone know how to hack with a computer?" he asked after a few moments of silence.

Silence was his answer, a few shook their heads.

"Too bad," Harry said, shrugging his shoulders, oh well, it was worth a shot. It could have potentially saved them a trip all the way to Washington which would probably be crawling with walkers, in a much larger capacity than the ones they had dealt with in Atlanta. Standing up he moved around until he got to the cookers and picked up the scooper and putting two scoops into the two bowls for the dogs, adding the dregs from the stew for them to have mixed in with it. Then poured water for them from his wand absently.

"I best return to the animals and see about getting them situated," Hershel said, picking up his bowl and glass to place it in the sink.

Harry closed his eyes and shook his head, he needed a bloody drink, something stronger than Butterbeer and he was seriously tempted by it. So much to do, so little time, he hadn't even been able to investigate the wizard town other than that day when he'd taken Mira with him and Daryl. He opened his eyes when he felt a tug on his trousers, looking down he saw Andre standing there making up motions with his hands, "Arry up!" he demanded in that cute way only kids could get away with.

Chuckling softly, he gripped the boy under his arms and placed him on his hip, "Hello, what have you been up to today?"

"Lego!" Andre said cheerfully.

"That sounds like fun," Harry admitted, "Did you build anything?"

Andre thought about it for a few moments before nodding vigorously, "Luke broked it,"

"He broke it did he?" Harry said, "That wasn't very nice of him was it?" Andre looked tired, but considering their days started at six o'clock in the morning they did get tired depending on what they'd done during the day usually just after dinner. Andre and Luke especially, since they were so young. Patrick, Carl and Sophia went to bed at their own time, or whenever they were told to by their parents. Judith slept most of the time seen as she was so young.

"No," Andre declared, "He helped fix it."

"Good," Harry said nodding, presumably it was one of the adults that intervened, probably Mira, but since she was going out tomorrow with the others it would be Carol on watch, either that or Lori or Big Tiny, he loved watching the kids.

Harry continued to converse with the young toddler, who had come a long way with his words since Mira and Andre had come along unaware that Daryl was watching him closely with an odd gleam in his eye.

All of them unaware that their numbers were going to grow quite a lot in a single day…whether they would stay and accept magic as a part of life remained to be seen. The group on a whole decided whether the new members were welcome or not.

Will I make Lizzie's sister a witch? Or do you think that's going a bit too far? I don't want to make everyone one that just makes it awkward, I don't want to change the characters too much you know? However, I really need to start getting people there and not just the others :D it's the whole point isn't it? but as you've no doubt deduced the next chapter will be filled with newcomers :D R&R please!