Walking Dead Wizard
Chapter 118
"She's gonna want to get married now, ain't she?" Merle said, as he watched Luna wander off, eager to regale everyone of the news that Harry and Daryl bonded. A look of dread and discontent on his face, he blamed the pair of them, he really did. He knew he wouldn't be as lucky to end up getting hitched quickly, like Harry and Daryl. She'd want to make a spectacle of it, like all women when it came to their big day. Only thing, he reckoned Luna's dress wouldn't be white.
Harry smothered his amusement, managing to do so, barely, "Yeah, it's likely," he told Merle, green eyes gleaming in amusement, taking merriment out of Merle's predicament. Just as amused as Daryl was at his brothers' own problems. "If you're lucky a wedding will be all she wants." Harry added pointedly.
Merle paled, his facial hair standing at prominence due to how pale he had gone. He wanted kids really, doesn't mean he didn't wonder if it was the right thing to do.
Daryl laughed, getting enjoyment out of his brothers' predicament. He eventually took pity on him, and said, "He's already been a good Da," he told them. Merle despite his constant let downs, put downs and absences had been more of a parent than their own. It hadn't been all safe and happy memories but Merle, his brother, had made sure he knew how to survive. How to feed himself, how to protect himself, and that's what they'd done with the rest of the kids in P.A.
"Shuddup," Merle groused, regaining some of his lost colour.
"No interest in being a father?" Harry asked, stopping and giving Merle his full undivided attention. Daryl stopped as well, giving Luna far greater distance on him.
"Me and Luna talked about it. Ain't gonna become like my ole man!" Merle said, spitting 'ole man' as if it were the vilest thing in the planet. Not meaning that he didn't want to be a father. He did, but he was so worried he'd become like his father.
Harry smirked, asking a single question, "Think Luna would let you become him?" one simple question would wipe away any and all fears Merle had. For he knew that Luna, that sweet angel of his would rain down hellfire for the people she cared about. If they had a child, that kid would be the most important thing to Luna, with Merle right behind it.
"No," Merle said ruefully, rubbing his stubbled jaw. Which was the only reason he'd agreed at the end of the day.
Daryl cringed just thinking about the hell Luna would rain down on Merle if he so much as looked at his kid wrong. It reminded him of the conversation he and Harry had, he understood Merle's concern, he had em too.
"None of my business really, it's between you and Luna," Harry said, before he started walking again. "Although a lot of witches are raised to desire a marriage, children, and love isn't always anywhere on the list. Not sure if Luna was one of them though. Xeno loved his wife, he mourned her until he died, Luna was all he had. They were more into seeing animals and raising her to be one hundred percent herself." A fond smile coming over his features. Unaware that Merle had already agreed to try with Luna to have a child. "He'd risked the war on the off chance of her safety."
"What do you mean?" Merle asked, as they turned the corner, still walking instead Apparating.
Anubis was ahead of them, sniffing and padding about, investigating his surroundings. He never normally came around this way, so there was an abundance of new scents to catch his attention. He kept his humans in sight though, he hadn't seen them for days, so he wanted to make sure they didn't just disappear on him again.
Harry shook his head, "During the war we went to visit Xeno looking for information, he tried to keep us there and it sort of clued us in on something happening. He apologised, you could see the self-hatred on his face, but he'd have done anything for Luna. The thought of her possibly being dead was…unfathomable to him. She couldn't be dead, he'd already lost his wife, how could he face her when his time came if he didn't do everything, he could for her?"
Merle frowned, having a parent like that was…unknown and almost bewildering to Merle.
"I was the number one wanted wizard in the world, hundreds of wizards were out there looking for me, there were likely rewards for my capture alive. Xeno gave us up for Luna's freedom. She'd been illegally incarcerated for nearly a whole year." Harry said, and to this day Luna still hadn't told him everything that she'd gone through but that was fine, he hadn't told everyone everything he'd gone through.
Merle's knuckles clicked as he clenched his hands into fists, eyes darkening viciously. "I'm glad they're all dead." He spat, he was pretty useless when it came to wizarding fight, but he knew most wizards were fucking useless if you take away their wands thinking they were undefeatable. He'd have snapped their wands and pummelled their teeth down their throat.
"Yeah, they are." Harry said, in full agreement with Merle again, this time not for Daryl's sake but Luna's. He wasn't surprised Merle had gotten the full truth from Luna, everyone needed someone to talk to. Daryl was his someone, Merle must be Luna's.
Daryl wasn't surprised that Harry didn't blame Xeno, he was too forgiving. He wasn't sure he had it in him to forgive someone who tried to give him to folks that wanted him dead. He shared a look with his brother, and both of them silently agreed Harry was something else indeed.
They ambled towards the main 'road' where all the properties were just enjoying the silence. They didn't feel the need to talk over it or make it feel awkward. Although, it didn't stop them tensing when they noticed Harry did.
"What is it?" Merle barked out the second he noticed, frozen in place as he waited on Harry answering him, and he knew he'd get one. He just hoped it wasn't something to do with Luna. It couldn't be, if anything happened to her, he would never be able to tolerate it, especially because he'd lagged behind because he was worried about a damn wedding.
"It's…the bank vault?" Harry said quietly befuddled, cocking his head as if he could see what it was in front of him and not just sense. "More than one…" with that Harry bolted Daryl and Merle were quick to run with him.
"Who the fuck wants into a bank vault?" Merle hollered, as he easily kept up with Daryl and Harry, although he was fit, he was older and thus found it a little bit more difficult overall. It was something understandable a few years ago, hell he'd be right in there with them.
That wasn't what people want anymore, gold and money didn't get you shit in this world now. It was weapons, medicine and food that were of valuable. "I can't see anyone in the group doing it."
"It's not anyone in the group!" Harry called out.
"Nobody can get in!" Merle shouted.
"No, they can't." Harry agreed.
"So, who is it?" Daryl yelled out.
"I…I don't think it's human," Harry called, "Accio radio!" they were close to the centre, all of them beginning to wheeze a little at the constant running. Snatching it out of thin air when it emerged from his bag. The runes glowing brightly, it no longer needed battery life to thrive. To no surprise Anubis was in the lead, looking as if he was thrilled to be running so fast and outrunning everyone.
"Luna, you there?"
"I felt it," Luna answered. "I'm on my way, I'll wait on you." Knowing better than to go in on her own in an unknown situation.
"Carl, Sophia, Rosita, Andrea, Michonne, Luna, meet me at the centre, ETA five minutes." Harry breathlessly ordered them through the radio.
"Understood. On My Way." Andrea came through immediately.
"Copy that!" Carl said, still sounding so young over the radio.
"Copy," Sophia didn't say more than she had to.
"I'll be there," Michonne put her own voice to it.
"Um…coming," Rosita said, you could hear the surprise in her voice, she wasn't normally picked for anything. Admittedly it might be because she hadn't been ready, the fights she'd had proved that without a shadow of a doubt. She'd been stupid and overconfident because Abe had 'taught her' she'd been very foolish indeed.
She'd been a danger to herself and others, they'd told her why she wasn't getting to go on runs. Nobody wanted her on their team her misplaced confidence was a danger to any team. Seeing teenagers going out before her had hurt her confidence she must admit.
Although getting her ass handed to her by teenagers was even worse.
Unbeknown to her, Sophia had also been in charge of declaring when Rosita was ready. Harry had tasked Sophia with it, and the girl had taken it to heart. Nobody had suggested she was too young, not ready, not Lori, not Carol, nobody. They all trusted Harry to know what was best, even Dale now, who never had a bad word to say about how he run this place.
It didn't take long for the trio and Anubis to find familiar ground and the group. Everyone had a radio, so it was obvious something was going on. So, it didn't surprise the men when they found the entire group waiting for them, including Abe holding Rosita a bit too protectively and of course and Eugene standing awkwardly at the fringes of the group.
Eugene was awkward on the best of days, socially inept even before the end of the world. Smart as a whip, but just unable to talk to people. End of the world or not, Eugene hadn't changed, so he did the tasks assigned to him, and the rest of the time he followed Rosita and Abe around. Eugene wasn't sure if any of the folks here wanted him there either.
He wanted to be as strong and brave as Abe, to be worthy of attention and adoration like Harry. To be strong and resolute like Daryl, to be desired like Rosita. What he wanted and reality were two vastly different things. He was none of these things when he looked in the mirror, although he had lost some weight, nothing massively significant but enough. It actually made him feel good about himself for the first time in a long, long time.
"Incoming," Dale said, a pair of binoculars pressed against his eyes.
"You really should try the omnioculars." Sophia commented, as she sheathed her bagger, having stretched and was ready to go. "They're so much better."
"So, I've been told," Dale told her with a teasing smile, and yet he never tried them, the binoculars were one of the few things he still had of his original possessions from before the world went to hell. It might be a trite thing really, but well, he wanted to cling to it. He'd given up nearly everything else.
Everyone else here likely had something from before, something they wouldn't want to part with our even get something 'better' to use. At least most of them, even if it was an old driver's licence. A pendant they had before the end of the world. A significant other, a mother, a sister or brother or child's thing from someone they'd lost, there was a story there for them all.
"I've packed lunch for you all," Carol said, sliding food into her daughters' bag, "Be careful,"
"I will be, mom," Sophia reassured her mother, not taking offence to her worries. As her mom said, she could be the baddest of bad asses (not her words of course) in existence but it was a mother's duty to worry. Knowing she was with Harry, and that he would protect her and she could protect herself did ease the majority of Carols worries. "Stay!" she commanded Hela and the others, as she grunted when Anubis barrelled into her legs, eager to see Hela again and the not so little pups.
Naturally Hela replied 'Awwoorrr' but she was distracted when Anubis pounded playfully, the excitement of the run thrumming through her. The pups joining in, and that was everyone's cue to edge away and leave them to it.
"The bank," Harry called out, as he approached them, easily avoiding Anubis and the others continuing his run, accepting the bottle of water Carol and Lori were handing to the three of them. "Thank you." He gave Lori a thankful smile, and a wave to Judith who gleefully waved back.
Lori's gaze at her daughter was incandescent happiness, before glancing up watching the group go. "What do you think it is?"
"Hopefully nothing," Carol admitted.
"I don't get how it could be anything," Lily said.
"Harrys always reassured us nothing could get in, let me guess, he was lying to us?" Rick snorted.
"He's never lied to us," Lori stated firmly, giving her husband a severe look, "Stop, would you like to go home?" soothing Rick, without real help to manage his illness, Hershel and she were having to do the best they could. Luckily most people already knew not to listen to Rick and his attempts at undermining Harry. Although, at this point, there were nobody that could be used in Rick's attempt. Harry's leadership had been well and truly established, even with the newer residents.
Rick's mouth drew into a firm line, angry at everything and everyone. "How can you just let him go off with our son?" starting an old argument again.
"Carl will be fine, he's safe," Lori coaxed her husband (well, ex-husband in her mind and view but best not cause any more problems for Rick) into calmness. Using the teachings and techniques Hershel had given her.
"Rick, we've got to go," Glenn said, patting him on the back.
"What?" Rick said, glancing at the youngster slightly befuddled.
"Chores rotation, remember? We gotta get the good picked for the next few days." Glenn said firmly, "We'll see you guys later." He told them, kissing Maggie like it was their first time and possibly their last. Which is likely possible, nobody knew the future, and in this world? You're damn right he was living every moment to the fullest. Even something simple as picking fruit and vegetables. "Probably about three hours."
"You're walking?" Maggie questioned surprised.
"Thank you, Glenn," Lori whispered with a grateful sigh, blinking tiredly.
Maggie noticed and gave Glenn a nod, "Be safe," and she didn't mean against walkers, she meant against Rick. He was a ticking time bomb as far as she was concerned. Everyone kept putting up with his moods despite the fact they were becoming more worrisome. Her father and Lori were trying to keep it quiet, insisting they don't tell Harry but that was a mistake. It was going to come back and bite them. Carl had the same thoughts as her, and both were tempted to tell him regardless. It felt wrong to keep something like that from him.
Honestly, it was a matter of whom was going to break first, her, Carl or Rick.
"I will be," Glenn reassured her, understanding her concern but he owed Hershel too much to go and betray them by revealing everything to Harry. Not even for Maggie's sake.
He just hoped he didn't end up regretting it.
"Do you have some free time?" Amy approached Lori, a curious look on her face as she awaited the answer. Setting her radio and paperwork on the step.
"Well," Lori started, looking back, Glenn and Rick were already away in the distance. "Why? I am not very good at fishing." She added vehemently, her son thrived at the activity, but she didn't know the first thing about it. It had been awful, funny (at her expense) but awful.
Amy laughed, "Oh, no, not fishing, no, it's about the school."
"Then I'm all ears, aren't we Judith?" Lori said, "She's getting too heavy to carry these days!"
"I'm surprised you can lift her at all," Amy commented, "I swear if we had ever gotten back to normal, I would never given any of my teachers any grief. The amount of work that goes into it is unbelievable!"
"I have a few conversations I'd change myself," Lori admitted, there was a lot she would take back as a matter of fact. Although, one thing she couldn't, she thought to herself, glancing at her daughter. A piece of her and Shane, no she couldn't regret that.
Amy nodded, agreeing with Lori, nudging her, "Me too." She confessed.
"Don't forget the radio!" Lori said, as they made to move, get comfortable. She wanted to keep up to date with what was going on. Just so she knew Carl was alright, setting her daughter down, but keeping a tight grip on her hand, not enough to hurt.
"Right!" Amy said, reaching down hoisting the pile of papers in her arms, "Let's go!"
The two women walked at a slow easy pace, so that Judith wasn't rushed.
An almighty crash, bang and cling, cling, cling met their ears as they rushed towards the bank. Half the team went around to check the other side without needing prompting.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Rosita exclaimed loudly.
"Quiet," Harry ordered, before adding thoughtfully, "If this had been a walker situation, you would have just potentially screwed your team." He wasn't saying it to be nasty, but it was the truth, she had to be careful.
"Outside of the building is still secure." Sophia's voice came through the radio calm and quiet.
"So is ours," Harry stated, cocking his head to the side thoughtfully, strange.
"So how the hell did they get in?" Andrea whispered perplexed, "Apparation? Another wizard?" her mind no longer going to 'it's impossible' to the next best guess.
"No, it's not human," Harry said, glancing at the ground, "They burrowed and dug under…"
"Ah, hell, at least it's not a dragon…" Merle said.
"Size is no indication of it's capabilities, there are dozens upon dozens of magical creatures that are far more deadly than a dragon." Luna said, perking up, "Five of them in there, judging by the sounds coming from within."
"Only five?" Rosita asked, "They're making a dios awful racket."
"It has to be East they came from, it's too far any other direction," Daryl pointed out, "We're close to the end of the wards."
"But there's nothing but paving in that direction," Rosita said, "Isn't there?" trying to remember what she'd seen the last time she'd been on the outside. It was surprisingly difficult to do, she could only remember seeing the safe heaven for the first time emerging out of nowhere. It was mesmerising, she honestly couldn't say what was around the area. Part of the spell or just her focus being solely on P.A?
"Carl, Michonne check the front." Harry radioed the two who had gone to the back of the building to check it out.
"Copy that," Carl said, before all was radio quiet.
"There are a few places, Daryl's likely right," Andrea said, "Moles or Gophers?"
"Bold of you to assume it's not something magical," Luna said flashing Andrea a grin as she spelled opened the doors.
It was absolute bedlam inside, utter carnage.
"What the hell are they? They look like platypuses!" Merle squinted at them.
"You're squinting again, I told you," Luna said stepping forward, "You need glasses."
"Do not." Merle sniped.
"Do so," Luna said back, but her attention was steadfast upon the creatures.
"Nifflers!" Sophia breathed out, her entire body vibrating with excitement. "Meghan will be so upset she missed this."
"Oh, you poor things," Luna whispered back, kneeling down, their black fur was absent in many places. Tears blinking in her eyes, "That ones' female, look, it's pouch." Many tiny little heads poked through the female Nifflers pouch.
"It's starving," Sophia realized what Luna meant, biting her lip viciously, "Can they eat everything?" scooping her backpack of her shoulder and digging into the sandwiches her mother packed for them all.
"They do eat anything, and I mean anything," Luna answered, "But they're native to…"
"Britain? Yeah, want to bet they came through the cupboards and burrowed somewhere nearby?" Harry said dryly, smacking his hand on his face and shaking it in bemusement. "But there's…"
"No way they could have been in this condition if they were at Hogwarts?" Luna finished his statement.
"Which begs the question again…how the hell did they get here?" Harry said.
"You two are scary," Rosita said, "And almost as bad as those devilish twins."
Harry barked out a laugh, "I'm surprised you survived them." Watching as the family of Nifflers practically inhaled the sandwiches that Sophia was giving them.
The radio crackled to life again, "Um…Harry…there's like dozens of people coming this way, they're being followed by thousands of walkers…"
"Say again?" Harry asked for Carl to repeat himself, to confirm his ears had heard what he thought it had. Glancing at the others, Merle's stance had become firm, ready to run if need be. Daryl did too from where he was petting at one of the Nifflers gently.
"Dozens of people making their way this way, they're surrounded by walkers, like a massive parade of them." Michonne informed them, confirming what Carl had said.
"Harry you might want to get here quickly!" Carol told them over the radio, "Flying skeletal leather looking horses just landed."
Harry's eyebrows rose even higher, raising his hands in defeat, "Anything else?!"
"Don't jinx us!" Luna nudged him, "Go on, I've got these."
A/N – I know you had to wait an extra day 😊 been gutting the house from top to bottom, which let me tell you isn't pleasant in the heat lol 😉 but it needed done the dogs are molting and their hair gets absolutely everywhere, including behind fridges and freezers and couches so yeah, once most of its done I usually do another 'spring clean' or is it a summer clean? 😉 lol I'm trying to add in more characters than just the core group since it's been pointed out that others hadn't been mentioned at all and it was surprisingly easy to add them all again maybe it was the situation or me putting the effort into it who knows? Either way I hope you've enjoyed the chapter! One last big add to the group before we focus on the birth and then it will be finished 😊 I'm so tempted to add a Merle/Harry to my stories but I've never really had a good muse bit me on the butt lol 😉 and if one doesn't then it won't happen 😊 I do dislike my stories being too similar! Anyways R&R please!