Walking Dead Wizard

Chapter 78

Tara and Lily were extremely tense, having made the decision to go, as Harry began to explain how they were getting there, they began to doubt him immensely. It seemed impossible that you'd be able to touch something and just disappear from one place and make your way to another. He was obviously mentally ill, how else could you explain it? Yet the niggling doubt remained, he had done something impossible, her daughter had done something she couldn't conceive as real. The only reality they had ever known was being blown to smithereens, not that much could shock them anymore, hello, dead was up and walking around like nobodies business. Then they'd seen something that made them touch the Portkey without thought, doubt or not they were just stunned and reacted on instinct on being told what to do. Their father was floating through the room in midair, as if he was lying on an invisible bed, his entire body straight and relaxed. Unbeknown to the newcomers, Harry was reusing an old item to get them to PA. The table with handles he'd used to get everyone from the prison to the sanctuary in the first place. It gave them grip and purchase so they didn't end up falling before they landed and gave them stability after they did.

"Read this," Daryl said, thrusting a piece of paper into Lily's hands, "You'll see in a second," he added knowing by now what would be asked next and he honestly hoped to avoid it. People were so predicable, it grew tiresome after a while, well, not being right - that was amusing - but just knowing how people are and how they'd react. The urge to just go out and hunt was strong, almost as strong as the desire to save as many as he could.

Harry turned to stare at Daryl shrewdly, sensing his darkening mood, he got like that sometimes, but after some alone time he would bounce back. According to Merle, Daryl wasn't terribly good at being social, he'd even hated school he preferred outdoors by himself hunting. It wasn't anything Harry hadn't already figured out on his own, he felt it sometimes as well but not to the extent Daryl obviously did. He'd had friends to break him out of the habit at a young age.

"Go ahead," Harry said, gesturing for Daryl to go inside. "I'll deal with it," he'd probably go and visit the deer in the woods; they were hoping at least one of them got pregnant and they had fawns in the future. They would need to keep an eye on them though, they didn't want fawns birthed with close family members, and it would result in complications as the fawns grew older. Inbreeding caused a lot of damage; the inability to survive and reproduction were the main factors. In these trying times, culling animals was definitely not what he wanted to do.

It was a testament to how badly he wanted it that he actually gave Harry a look, a single nod before he was off.

"Give it to your sister and daughter," Harry explained, an amused smile on his face watching her reaction, since she didn't react, merely just kept gaping, Tara snatched it out of her numb hands, curious to know what was happening herself, and Daryl had literally disappeared before her very eyes like he'd simmered out of view, without that popping noise…unless it had just been her ears.

Frowning perplexed at the line of writing, beautifully calligraphic writing in the likes she never saw often. Her own writing was atrocious, but what could anyone expect? She'd learned to write extremely fast and with half words instead of the whole one as part of her training. A glimmer of something caught her attention, and out of nowhere homes and people appeared it was like some sort of portal had opened up, it was untouched, and honestly Tara hadn't seen anything more welcoming in her entire life. He had been telling the truth all along, she should have trusted her instincts instead of doubting them. Oh, her father would love to see this, "Will our father be able to go through the portal?" he was asleep more than he was conscious these days, Harry had done something since his breathing wasn't erratic in fact he was more peaceful than she'd seen him in such a long time, even before the apocalypse.

"It's not a portal," Harry explained quietly, once Meghan had read the little note he began, "Come on," with that three of the newcomers walked into PA and one floated beside them courtesy of Harry's magic. "This is a spell, one that will ensure this entire area is safe, no walker can get in, and nobody that isn't explicitly invited in by myself of three others can. It's quite frankly the safest place in the world to be, there are rules of course, simple ones that everyone must follow."

"Like what?" Meghan asked, eyes brightening up when she saw Sophia, Carl, and Luke and Judith with Lori way in the distance.

"I'll tell you later, as I said before I have a few others I need to see, it will probably be after dinner," Harry explained, the urge to join Daryl and forget everything was strong. Unfortunately he would never shy away from his responsibilities; he shouldered them and trudged on. He didn't think any less of Daryl for wanting to get away, if someone offered him an out he would probably take too. "The homes surrounding here is where we stay, its smack in the middle of everywhere, at least where we go, and this place is massive, and with our small population there's been no need for expansions yet."

"Small?" Tara said weakly looking around, "I haven't seen so many people since it all started." watching Beth and Amy ride on horses, while Hershel brushed the coat of another black beautiful mare. Andrea and Michonne were currently watering the biggest harvesting they'd ever seen. "Was that a pitch?"

"No, the pitch is over that way," Harry said with a gesture, "It's actually a stadium," he elaborated.

"HARRY!" Sophia called running towards him two dogs quickly began to bolt and unsurprisingly overtake her, but she eventually ran up and hugged Harry causing him to let out an 'oof' before returning Sophia's affection. It was becoming more regular this, when he'd first met her she was so shy, she'd only allow physical contact from her mother, now she was growing up, maturing, no longer scared she was more open with everyone - happy.

"Have you finished your chores?" Harry asked, letting her go and petting at Anubis and Hela.

"I fed the dogs, helped catch dinner, we're having fish tonight, and went to lessons with Patrick," recited Sophia. Or rather she was his opponent, usually Andrea taught him but she was out today so she'd been asked to give him a tutorial.

"Any news on the three in the infirmary?" Harry asked, briefly ignoring the newcomers.

Sophia shook her head negatively, "Hershel only just came out twenty minutes ago." she informed him after looking at her watch. Daryl had got it for her birthday which seemed like a long time ago, the prison had been home for longer than they'd been here, but here was definitely safer and she liked that.

"I see, Sophia, this is Meghan," Harry said introducing her to the girl; "This is Lily, her mother and Tara her aunt, why don't you show them to the cafeteria? You will have to stay there with Carol until later tonight, is that understood?"

"What about our father?" Lily protested giving her father a concerned look.

"Good question," Harry said with a weak smile, he had actually forgotten about him, not that he'd admit it. "I could put him in the infirmary or you can keep him by you, he will sleep for at least ten hours I gave him something to help him sleep, I didn't want to jar him too much." he wasn't in good shape.

"We want him with us," Tara stated immediately, they needed to be there if he woke up, his heart wouldn't be able to take it if he woke up surrounded by strangers.

"Alright, let's go," Harry said, and with that they all made their way towards the cafeteria.

"A museum?" Lily queried.

"Used to be, it's been converted into a communal dining hall, we eat together, not only does it make sure nothing is wasted…we started it when our group was small and we will continue it now. So people like yourselves can be integrated easier." Harry said, letting everyone go before carefully manoeuvring the sleeping father gently with his magic.

"What's communal?" Meghan asked blankly.

"It means where everyone eats, all together like a big family," Sophia explained, wondering if the girl's thoughts had wandered off half way through Harry's explanation. It probably had.

"Indeed," Harry said nodding, as they entered the kitchen/dining room, giving a smile and nod to Carol. "This is Carol, Sophia's mother, more often than not she's in charge while I and a few members of my group go scavenging or looking for people." he explained as he conjured a bed and placed the unconscious non-magical on it, making sure he was comfortable. "Carol, this is Tara, Lily and Meghan, and I'm sorry I never received your fathers name?"

"David," Lily replied after a few seconds, they of course had referred to him as their father when speaking to Harry and Daryl.

"Remain here, you'll meet everyone in a few hours," Harry told them, gesturing for them to sit while he took his walkie talkie out of his pocket, "Hershel?" he called into it, waiting patiently for a reply.

"Yes?" Hershel replied, through the radio, each of them had one on their person. Wasn't any good for private discussions since they could all hear it but it was by far really handy instead of trying to find out where they were, ask questions or getting something done.

"How are they?" Harry asked he didn't need to elaborate for Hershel to understand.

"I have done all I can for them, I cannot say when they will wake up, but they do not have any severe injuries so it should be within twenty-four hours." Hershel explained, "T-Dog is watching over them, and has promised to alert me the second they're awake." They all knew better than to leave newcomers unguarded until they were assessed and proved themselves trustworthy.

"Thanks," Harry said, before pocketing the portable radio, the term walkie talkie sounded so juvenile and childish. "Are Sasha, Merle and Luna back?" already knowing the answer. He'd been gone for hours, at least one hour probably nearing two. There was just never enough time in the day to do everything they wanted.

"Yes, they said something about going to the security building," Carol informed Harry, smiling in welcome to the young girl, who reminded her of Sophia when she was younger.

"Ah," Harry nodded, the security building was where all the electronics were stored, computers, laptops, CCTV, one day it would be used but for now it remained unused. "I'll meet them there then," he was the one with the computer that could have them finding out if the Non-magicals had been close to a cure. He wouldn't be doing it, that was for damn certain, he'd be liable to mistakenly delete it than do anything useful. He'd never used one, and he didn't want anyone magical trying to use it just in case anything happened. They might not get another chance like this.

Harry began to leave, letting Carol and Sophia answer any questions and look after the four new people who would welcome PA with open arms. His lips twitched when Anubis followed him, his nails not quite so loud anymore, Hershel had groomed him, with the help of Beth presumably. His nails had been trimmed, and his hair felt softer the clinic was worth it just for that. "Alright, come on then," Harry told his dog with an eye roll. Patting his back and ribs as he opened the door and Anubis gleefully bound out; still so full of energy despite the fact he'd been up for hours already.

Twenty minutes later Harry headed into the building, he could have Apparated but he was used to doing things the non-magical way. "Hey," he said as he wandered in, they had the entire room lit up, TV screens active for the first time since the outbreak had claimed all life here. The video feeds showing empty streets, buildings, even the museum; he could see Carol with the others. "That will definitely be handy down the line." he commented removing the computer and all its accessories and placing it on its own on a table.

"It will," Luna agreed, but she was at a loss even after watching Merle do it all, she knew she couldn't have copied him unless she watched the memory a few times. "I would have suggested giving it to Hermione, but she would need to mix magic with it and it's not worth the risk, especially if it has answers."

"That's how I knew you'd bring it here," Luna explained, she knew Harry well even before the apocalypse.

"Would you know what to look for?" Harry asked Merle, looking at him as he turned around still sitting in the chair.

"Should be easy enough," Merle informed him, standing up beginning to set the computer up properly, including an internet so it could go online.

"Harry?" a voice crackled over the radio.

Harry sighed inaudibly, "Yes?" he answered after finding it.

"The female has woken up," T-Dog informed him.

"I'll be right there." he replied, "Whatever you do, Merle, don't break it!" he added, already leaving the room, absently shrinking his trunk and putting it in his pocket. Waving absently, his canine shadow at his heels he began to make his way to T-Dog. Remembering to ask Carol to get Sophia to bring some food and bottled water over for them.

Surprisingly Harry got to the Doctor's surgery before Sophia, but considering she was pushing a tray filled with three trays of food it made sense. Harry, who saw her coming, quickly helped her get the trolley into the surgery, which was very easy due to the wheelchair accessibility of the property. "You can go back to your mum," Harry told Sophia fondly, messing up her hair affectionately, grinning as she scowled at him and tried to right it, and all the while fighting off a smile of her own.

"Can I meet them?" Sophia asked giving Harry her puppy dog eyes, which she knew wouldn't work unless he honestly wanted her there but she did have to try.

Harry narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, "Alright, you stay in the corner of the room, any sign of trouble you stay away and get out of the room until it's under control," he warned her, shaking his head fondly at her emphatic nodding.

"I promise," she declared excitedly, she hadn't met new people for such a long time, now there were seven new people in a single day. It was more than they'd found at the prison.

"Harry," T-Dog said, standing up, wincing at the shrieking the woman was doing - she had a set of lungs on her that one. "She's hysterical,"

"I can hear that," Harry said, wondering how the hell he hadn't heard it outside. "Last chance to back out?" at least there was nothing they could throw across the room at them, they'd been thoroughly checked.

"I want to come," she said determinedly.

"Go and get Axel to take over," Harry told T-Dog, T-dog flashed him a grateful smile before he swiftly walked away as if he was scared Harry would change his mind.

Harry picked the bottles of water from the trolley and opened the door quickly, causing the occupants in the room to suddenly cease shouting, they were all awake, not just the woman. The man was cowering on the bed, clutching his head as if he was in agony; the redheaded man was red in the face, evidently furious the woman was not far off being the same way.

"Good afternoon," Harry said stepping further into the room, "You've been unconscious for a few hours, I must apologise for the safety precautions but I'm sure you understand our need for suspicion given the way the world is. We've seen our share of people who would hurt us." Randall wasn't given the chance, the Governor though had hurt one of his own, killed one of his own.

"You!" she said, "No, it can't be," she shook her head wincing, evidently not believing her own memories.

"Here, it's unopened," Harry said, handing over the bottled water, it wasn't tampered with and they would see that. "Would you be willing to take something to help the pain? You have sprained knees and quite possibly the worst headache you've ever had."

"Let us go, we have to get to Washington I'm on an important mission," the ginger headed man said, sitting up straight.

Something about the posture reminded him of Merle sometimes, "Army?" Harry queried, wondering if they like him were searching for answers for a cure.

"Sergeant, Sergeant Abraham Ford," Abraham nodded firmly.

"My name is Harry, this is Sophia, you're in a safe place in Atlanta still, I'm afraid your truck is totalled, we managed to get you out before it caught fire." Harry explained, "What are you trying to do in Washington? If it's a safe place you're looking for I'm afraid all of the sanctuaries were destroyed within the first couple of months of the apocalypse, they didn't know that when someone died no matter how they would come back reanimated, and so all measures they took to make sure nobody was bitten or feverish was futile."

"What the hell, might as well grab the bull by the nut sack, I need to get Eugene to Washington he knows the answer to the cure." Abraham informed Harry.

Harry blinked; Abraham believed he was telling the truth wholeheartedly, his green eyes slid over to Eugene, "Is that true? Do you have the answer to the cure?"

"Leave him be," Abraham insisted in annoyance.

"Answer," Harry prompted Eugene.

"It's classified," Eugene said, meeting his eyes before they skittered away like a terrified deer.

"Nothing is classified anymore," Harry pointed out, crossing his arms. "What is the cure?" he would need to get the information to Hermione as soon as possible.

"Even if I told you all, even if I provided step-by-step instructions complete with illustrations and a well-composed FAQ and I went red-ring, the cure would still die with me." Eugene insisted.

"Is that so?" Harry said dryly, his lips quirking in amusement, he had no intention of killing them, even him, since he had lied, about what he wasn't sure, it could have been he cannot provide step-by-step instructions or he was lying about the cure dying with him.

"I was part of a 10-person team at the Human Genome Project to weaponize diseases to fight weaponized diseases. Pathogenic microorganisms with pathogenic microorganisms. Fire with fire. Interdepartmental drinks were had, relationships made, information shared. I am keenly aware of all the details behind fail-safe delivery systems to kill every living person on this planet. I believe with a little tweaking on the terminals in DC, we can flip the script. Take out every last dead one of them. Fire with fire."

Harry blinked; this guy had the weirdest way of speaking that he'd ever heard. He also liked to blab a lot of nonsense to talk around the truth. "Do you know the answer to the cure, yes or no," he then asked, rubbing his temples, feeling agitated, he approached the guy, keeping an eye on him, wanting to know for sure.

"Yes," Eugene replied, his face impassive as he looked at Harry, without a single telltale sign of lying, but he was, Harry could sense it, feel it.

Harry nodded, giving nothing away that he knew the truth; he would try and figure out the guys motives later. He wasn't sure why he would lie; it was pointless, at least to him at any rate. "Take the pills, they'll help you recover, as soon as you're on your feet I'll give you your choice of vehicles, we have quite a few of them here then you can be on your way." taking two out of the bottle at a time, he placed them on the bedside table at each of their beds, letting them decide whether to take them or not.

Leaving the room temporarily, he pushed in the trolley.

"Do you really know the cure?" Sophia asked, her face so hopeful, "So we can go back to normal and not turn into a walker after we die?"

"Sophia, you need to help your mum with dinner, take Anubis with you, I'll be there soon," Harry told her, leaving the trolley for now, bending low and whispering. "Don't get your hopes up, it doesn't do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." with that he urged her out of the room patting her shoulders. He knew she'd understand what he meant without another word. He'd told her about the mirror and how it showed you what you wanted to see, not the future. He'd taught her how to read between the lines, to take care of herself.

"This is stew, it was left over from lunch, it's heated up, you should eat while it's hot," Harry informed them, passing the bowls over, refraining from using magic just yet. Only the woman suspected something, the other two obviously didn't remember. "May I have your name?" he requested of the black haired woman.

"Rosita," she said grudgingly, peering into the stew suspiciously.

"Eat it, there's nothing wrong with it, we haven't poisoned it, if I wanted to kill you I'd have left you to die in the damn truck." Harry grouched irritably. "Our resident Doctor might come and visit you at some point just to make sure you're recovering. I would appreciate it if you treated him with the same courtesy he bestows upon you."

"Harry?" was once again called through the radio.

"Yes?" Harry answered after taking a deep breath.

"Can you come to the gate? We have someone with us," Andrea claimed.

"Of course," Harry replied back, just exactly what he needed eight newcomers all in a single day, after going months upon months without meeting anyone - well if you didn't include the people at the Hilltop Colony. Still, he'd never turn anyone away. "If you will excuse me," Harry said politely, before making his way out of the room, as soon as he was out of the door he Apparated to the gates, absently opening them as he stepped out of the Fidelius spells hold, causing a choked rasp to come from what was obvious who Andrea and the others had brought with them.

"Welcome to Pandora's apscondo, I assume magic was explained?" Harry asked only for Andrea to shake her head, no they hadn't explained magic, they didn't want him thinking they were nuts, and obviously since they didn't have magic they couldn't prove it. So they thought it best to keep quiet on that front.

There will be more about Tara and Lily's reaction in the next chapter, there really wasn't a way to bring it up yet and the next chapter will also include just downtime between our main characters Daryl/Harry Luna/Merle I was pondering on whether a marriage would ever be brought into it...I doubt Merle would contemplate the idea of it unless he saw her talking to the newcomers and got jealous :P OR Luna was the one to ask him :D Luna is kick ass and would do it too :D she's just awesome like that :) still a long while to go before any mpreg, and IF there IS it won't be visible it will be like in my story Invsible...do you want to see Severus and Hermione coming to PA? (and yes I know how to do it :D you might have already guessed my idea but hey :P still fun! and I'm definitely bringing in some sort of animal :D a big one that would scare the crap out of everyone except Luna and Harry of course and maybe Sophia! :D R&R please