Walking Dead Wizard
Chapter 119
"Michonne, Carl, keep an eye out on the situation, I have two other situations to contain." Harry called through the radio, "Carol, I'm coming towards you, is there anyone or anything on the creature you just described?" rushing towards the centre.
"Copy that," Carl said, "Update every two minutes." They'd all learned from Harry, so they knew exactly what to do. What the process was, and they also knew to keep themselves safe first and foremost. They had trained in any and all tactical procedures. Whether they were actually tactical procedures the military went through or not, it was what they knew.
"I can't really make anything out," Carol informed them, staring straight at the animals making their way there. For some reason, it had come closer, looked around before taking off back into the sky. "The creature came down, looked around before taking off back into the sky? Oh, there's more of them, they're moving like a dense dark cloud."
"Get everyone to back away! Don't go inside the houses! Back away!" Harry called out into the radio, "NOW! There's more than one coming!" and he had nobody to pave the way for the creatures. He didn't want to risk Apparating in his condition, magic was pernickety, he didn't want to do anything dangerous that would cause harm to his children.
"What do you think it is? Dragons?" Daryl asked, easily able to keep up with Harry. They'd all gone through the training and kept it up in the meantime. Hunting required stealth and silence, that was his sweet spot, but this running wasn't something he did outside of training.
"From her description? It's Thestral's," Harry told him, sounding breathless, "But I can think of a few other things it might be."
"It's a slow advance, they appear exhausted, they're just trying to stay ahead of the herd advancing on them." Michonne explained, "I've never seen such a massive group of Walkers, there's hundreds, and approximately, forty to fifty people." Thank God for the Omnioculars otherwise she wouldn't be able to see them.
"No cars? No anything? They're on foot?" Merle asked suspicious as hell, wheezing, it was the cigarettes he still smoked, she was sure.
"They are," Michonne confirmed, "Do you want us to fall back?"
"No, keep yourselves hidden but watch what's going on, keep us updated." Luna said, "They might be people in need."
"That many though?" Michonne asked, cautious and worried. They'd never taken on a group that large, how on earth could they assimilate? There would be clashes, surely?
"Agreed," Merle grumbled, his tinny voice filled with a knowing that came with shared history and a deep understanding.
"We'll watch and see, if it comes to it, spread them out around the communities." Harry's voice came through before all on the radio went silent.
"A few of them are fighting, hitting the advancing walkers before retreating, but they're not going for the kill shot." Michonne declared.
"Except for three, they seem to know what they're doing, your four o'clock." Came Carl's voice, through Michonne's radio. "Think it's the only reason they've survived this far?"
"Likely," Michonne eyed them with a grimace, this far into the apocalypse? To be that incompetent? It was hard to believe. They would certainly be nothing but a hinderance, a danger if they were out. "They've got a kid with them."
"Do they seem like they're in immediate danger?" Harry asked, skidding around the corner, the last one before he'd come to the centre of P.A which is where they socialise outside.
"No, ETA twenty to thirty minutes," Michonne's voice came through Harry's radio.
"Alright, just keep both of you hidden and keep watch," Harry stated, "Abe, Glenn, Maggie, Rosita and Andrea take vantage points within P.A and help if they look like they're in trouble."
All of them reported in that they heard him and understood.
"What kind of idiot has his group on foot?" Merle spat out incredulously.
"Could be a lot of reasons," Harry said sadly, grimacing a little, "I'm not sure we'd still have this if I wasn't magical."
"I'm sure," Merle stated firmly, "We would have." They would have made sure of it, although, to be fair, they wouldn't have had P.A exactly, as it is, they'd have had to go somewhere smaller.
"Holy…" Carl said staring wide eyed just round the corner to the centre.
Harry turned, eyeing the spectacle, ten Thestral's stood in position, all of them doubled up, as if they were about to pull carriages. Thinner than Harry remembered them ever being. He wasn't surprised Carl could see them; he wasn't surprised everyone could. They'd had to kill to survive, all of them, regardless of their ages.
"They're so…creepily gorgeous," Carl said in admiration.
"Hauntingly gothic," Bob declared, joining them, medical journals under his arms. "Will my apprentices be joining me today or is this going to be one of those days?" none judgemental, more like amused as he stared at the wonderment in front of him. They were truly hauntingly gothic, it was something out of a movie, magic was…mesmerising.
Harry glanced thoughtfully at them, "Highly unlikely you'll get them to focus today," he said dryly, between the Thestral's and Nifflers.
"I suspected as much," Bob agreed, "Is there something else I can do today?"
Harry glanced sharply at Bob, "Are you having a difficult day?" looking him over, he did look like he hadn't had much sleep.
"Yes," Bob acknowledged, he'd learned that there was no shame or blame in having a bad day. That the people around him understood, especially Harry, Daryl, Merle and Luna, the leaders of P.A and those who had been nothing but supportive of him, and ensured that no alcohol was on display when he was around.
"What would you prefer? To be on your own or shall we give you a few things to do?" Harry asked, giving Bob the choice. It was as always, his to bear but with people helping, it was an easier burden to bear.
"I'd prefer to keep busy," Bob informed him, it was one of the worst days he'd had in a long time.
"Okay, talk to Carol," Harry said, squeezing Bob's shoulder, "She'll make sure you're busy until nightfall." Laughing a little, it was true Carol could keep everyone in P.A busy with something to do morning until night.
Harry moved forward, towards the Thestral's, his mind reeling, "Everything is migrating."
"What do you mean?" Daryl asked, staring at the animal in curiosity, he had no desire to hunt it, it had no meat on it's bones, which meant it wasn't exactly worth killing.
"Nifflers are native to the UK, Thestral's are native to the UK and Ireland. The furthest they've ever been spotted is in the Iberian Peninsula." Harry said concern thrumming through him. "They've travelled here without anyone on them." He could tell, by the lack of marks, or any kind of indentations, or hell, even any sort of harness to keep someone situated.
"Unless they were smuggled here by someone? Happens all the time, back garden breeding." Merle grimaced, as he stroked the beautiful animal in front of him. He might be a hunter, but it didn't mean he didn't appreciate them or admire them. They were predators and prey, life was simple for them, kill, eat, breed, sleep, survive.
"That's actually quite possible," Harry conceded, "Dragons were regularly smuggled as well." Recalling the whole debacle in his first year.
"They're still coming in this direction, but the walkers are coming at them from five different directions…" Andrea stated watching them through her scope.
"They're swarming the group…"
"All directions?" Harry asked interrupting Rosita on the radio.
"No, our way is completely clear, for at least three miles." Andrea commented, it was clear she was the leader of the group that was collectively around P.A with sniper rifles ready to help this group.
"Keep me updated," Harry said, staring at the Thestral's, sighing while shaking his head. "I have no idea how an animal would take to going through the cupboard." These poor animals, it was a surprise they'd survived thus far.
"Where do you want to keep them until then? I assume stables are out given the span of their wings, perhaps one of the warehouses? They'd all fit comfortably, what shall we use? Hay? Straw?" Hershel suggested joining them on the scene, new animals drawing him like a moth to the flame. His awe evident, as he touched them, and they didn't react sightly normal.
"They've been hand reared, they show no fear," Harry deduced, "Usually they're dangerous, XXXXX beast, which is the most dangerous. Only experienced wizards are meant to be anywhere near them."
"I thought they were at Hogwarts?" Merle asked perplexed. Where children as young as eleven to eighteen attended school.
Harry's mouth twitched into amusement, "They are, they pull the carriages from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts, other than the care of magical creatures professor, nobody ever sees them until the end of the year."
"Are they starved?" Hershel asked, concerned by their bony appearance.
"No, this is how they always look," Harry reassured Hershel, "They probably could do with a rest and a meal."
"Can't be too bad if they let em around kids," Merle said, "Then again, given what I've read wizards are nuts."
Harry laughed completely amused with Merle's words, "Yeah, it might seem that way." Chortling in amusement, as he shook his head, Hermione had nearly been killed at the age of twelve by a Mountain Toll, which dumbledore in all his 'wisdom' decided to guard a damn stone instead of you know, leaving it in a vault.
At the same time, Harry waved his hand and the mirror expanded the moment it was out of his pocket. "Hermione Granger!" he called out, and the mirror begun to glow blue.
"They're still coming in this direction, but I do believe they're realizing they're being boxed in." Rosita told Harry through the radio. "Two tried to go down side streets looking into cars presumably for gas and found the walkers encompassing them there too."
"They're panicking, they're starting to lose focus," Carl added, noticing the sheer panic they were exuding. Sadness encompassing him, "They must have lost their home, it must have been overrun, just like the prison was." Remembering that despite how young he was, he also still remembered Harry nearly dying.
"How far out are they?" Harry asked, giving Hermione his index finger, which basically universally meant 'One moment please' or 'be silent'.
"The pace they're going at? Fifteen to twenty minutes," came through the radio, it was Michonne this time.
"Keep me posted," Harry commented, "I need to know, can Thestral's survive here in this heat?" Hagrid despite his love of all thing's creature did not understand them and did not know everything.
"Jazz!" Hermione called for the House-elf, a frown on her features, disliking using them but having to do so anyway. She'd long ago given up the belief that they didn't like cleaning and such. Realizing that her actions had hurt more than they'd helped. Hogwarts had been their sanctuary. "Retrieve Rolf for me as soon as you can."
"Rolf?" Harry asked not familiar with the name.
"Rolf Scamander, Newt Scamander's grandson he's a Zoologist," Hermione explained, "He'll be best to ask these sorts of things. He's taking care of all the animals that come here."
"You're getting animals coming there as well?" Harry asked, "Anything that's migrated?"
"Yes, thirty different creatures so far, and more keep coming." Hermione explained, "Only seven different species."
"How many that migrated?" Harry asked, as he poured water into the wooden pails that Hershel and the others had provided for the animals. He wasn't surprised to see them dunk their heads in almost right away, delighting in the cool refreshing drink. Harry then proceeded to shower them down with water from his wand, nothing too strong just a nice breeze.
"Only three, for now." Hermione confided.
"I have a family of Nifflers that made their way here," Harry said, "We have no clue how that happened, but it did."
"Do you think they got through the cupboard?" Hermione asked narrowing her eyes thoughtfully.
"No," Harry said, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Nobody has said anything about holes in the ground, and they would have done. The Kingdom lost a lot of their crops by ignoring the signs, we all learn from each other."
"Quite a distance to overcome," Hermione said in admiration.
"Speaking of which has anyone came over from the Savior compound?" Harry asked, "And considering they'd probably been digging their way they're safer than most animals right now." Pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I can get them here for a visit, if you want?" Luna asked re-joining them, "The Niffler family is in an empty trunk for now. It isn't really doable long term, and they can't really go in amongst the Mundane animals."
"There's a room at Hogwarts specially for them, near the green houses," Rolf explained, "Bring them here when you can." Joining the conversation, he had been taking care of a birthing situation when Harry and company had shown up at Hogwarts. So, he'd missed all the fuss, but it was so refreshingly good to see new faces, even if he did prefer his animal companionship more than humans most days. He took very much after his grandfather in that regard.
"I'll bring them back with me," Hermione insisted, "I'd like to see how Susan is doing." Finding out your aunt was alive when you'd given her up as dead had to be causing a lot of pain to Susan Bones. She was a Hufflepuff, one of the gentlest people they knew, would have died to save a stranger back in the day. She would put everyone's needs above her own. Likely was doing so or attempting to do so in the Savior compound.
"Talk to the others as well, Blaise and Marcus, make sure you get an unbiased view that's not our resident bleeding heart." Harry said wryly. Teasing her since Susan would do anything to protect them really.
Hermione gave him an exasperated look, rolling her eyes, "I will," agreeing nonetheless, the soldier in her answering to her leaders demands even if neither would ever see it that way. "I'll make sure she's not going to get hurt, but I doubt the Slytherin's would let her be hurt. They'll be keeping a good eye on what's going on."
"That's the only reason I'm not over there," Harry confessed, scratching his chin absently. "So, back to the matter at hand, will Thestral's be alright here? Or should they be in their natural habitat, the weather gets atrociously bad here. They seem domesticated, friendly enough, I do believe they may have been hand reared, the lot of them. They've not been spooked by the dog, or people."
"You might be right, but they're still XXXXX rated creatures for a reason, even the slightest pain could cause them to change their attitude." Rolf explained, "Quite frankly you're the only person I know who could make sure they are content in their new environment."
"Excuse me?" Harry said, staring at the wizard befuddled.
"You do know any creature even remotely reptilian can understand snake language?" Rolf said sounding amused, glancing at his companions to make sure there was no negative reaction to that pronouncement. He didn't want to upset any delicate balance going on here. Although, if he was in America, it shouldn't be a problem.
Harry glanced shrewdly at the Thestral's, shrugging, it wouldn't be the first animal he hadn't realized could talk. He'd interacted with a Dragon during the task, while competing unwillingly in the Triwizard tournament. It had not given any indication that it could talk, but they could. It made sense that others would do the exact same thing. "Alright, I suppose it can't be too bad to let them decide for themselves, what do they eat? Don't tell me it's firewhisky."
Rolf laughed softly, surprising himself, "No, not at all, they're not Abraxans." They were quite unique in terms of what they ate, or drank in this case.
"Okay, so what?" Harry asked, "Bear in mind we're quite self-sustaining but meat isn't going to last forever." He was still using (sparingly) the meat from his compartment. While they hunted outside the boundaries for their supplies so they didn't eat what they were currently growing every day. They sometimes hunted inside of the boundaries but didn't do it very often, for fear of diminishing their supply.
"Is that a danger?" Hershel asked alarmed.
"No, but if we keep getting animals coming it could well be," Harry said, "I can't in any good conscience let any of them starve." He'd rather just kill them than let them starve, but before he went and got all worried, he'd best know how to feed them.
"They're very similar to Hippogriff's, they graze on grass, hay, fruit and vegetables, grains," Rolf explained easily, "I'll send over a few lists, things they can get, things they shouldn't have in excess and dangerous plants they shouldn't graze near, Pokeweed and horse nettle included."
"So, horses," Hershel deducted, "And are they going to be able to live alongside horses or should they be separated? I would hate for the three rescues to be euthanised by going up against something…far superior. It was great having horses again, Maggie and Beth knew just how to look after them, he didn't have the energy to take them riding.
"I would separate them, they are stronger than you'll believe," Rolf explained, "They're capable of breaking every bone in your body. Do not try and force them to do anything, I suggest that Harry be the one to deal with them always."
Luna cleared her throat, giving Rolf a glare.
"And anyone else you have with magic, but have care, they can be unpredictable." Rolf explained.
"Daddy!"
"Just a moment, son, daddy's talking," Rolf disappeared but his voice was heard.
Luna smiled a bit wistfully.
Harry and Daryl shared a look filled with love and happiness, that would be them in the near future.
Merle merely groaned before asking, "Should we start expanding? Put them near the Dragons since they can speak to each other?" and Harry had to deal with the dragons himself anyway, so why not put the other animals he'd likely have to deal with himself next to them? It would help.
"You got the supplies to make a place for them?" Harry questioned Merle; the construction stuff didn't go into his trunks. Merle who liked to tinker and build stuff was actually in charge of it all. "Thank you for your help Rolf, and I'll see you soon, Hermione."
"More than," Merle agreed, "Luna got a lotta hay too, when we managed to get the horses, and troughs and shit." Watching the mirror become compact, and slid effortlessly into Harry's pocket.
"Perfect," Harry said, really pleased to hear that.
"…five minutes out,"
"Why does everything happen at once?" Harry asked exasperatedly.
"Delegate the duties," Daryl grunted out, shifting a little, it was seriously weird looking at an animal with milky white eyes. He ain't seen anything like that before in his life, truly was the oddest thing.
"I'll get the Thestral's situated, me and Merle will likely be there for a while…are you going to be alright dealing with the newcomers yourself?" Luna asked.
"What makes you think they're going to be coming here?" Harry asked petulantly.
Luna just smiled at Harry, sincerely amused by his words, "Anyone who knows you, knows you'd never leave anyone to fend for themselves."
"Not necessarily true anymore," Harry said, pressing his hand to his stomach worry simmering in his gut.
"If we go now, we'll have enough time to get it all done and then get back," Merle said glancing at the time impatient to get moving, to get started. He didn't want Harry or Daryl alone when they were confronted with everyone.
"Go ahead," Harry said, inclining his head, giving the go ahead to get it done.
"Andrea, you make sure none of them hurt them, you hear?" Merle barked into the radio.
"I hear you loud and clear, don't worry, I've got it," Andrea called through the radio. Knowing without a seconds pause that the 'them' was Harry and his brother Daryl.
"Let's get going," Harry sighed, tiredness setting into his bones, "I need a good sleep after this," he grumbled, yawning tiredly.
"Agreed," Daryl agreed, the short time they'd had to themselves wasn't enough.
Harry called out a dozen names to follow him to the entrance of P.A including Lori Grimes. He had no doubt she'd be circling somewhere close by anyway, far better at keeping an eye on her kids than she used to be. "Who's got their eye out on Rick?" Harry impatiently asked the group.
"Glenn," Maggie said, giving Harry a look of speculation, he knew, didn't he? He knew how worse Rick was right now.
"Good," Harry said nodding, "Let's get going,"
With that the group begun walking towards the entrance to P.A, Anubis included.
"Are you really going to bring so many people into P.A?" Bob asked, as he followed the group obediently. "How do you think you'll be able to control them?" a big group that's been together like theirs, they might not get on. It was a high probability.
And they would need to be controlled until Harry spoke to them, if they were continuing what Harry had done with him when he'd been found.
"I'm thinking of putting them in the Barracks," Harry said, "It will do as a temporary measure until I get through them all. I am thinking of splitting them into four different groups. Here, Kingdom, Savior compound and sent to Jesus and the Hilltop group." Even if they weren't in Hilltop anymore.
"That's actually a good idea," Bob admitted, "With less people it might prevent a potential coup." It was something they definitely needed to worry about nowadays. "It was even happening within the military, before it all blew up."
"Literally," Daryl said wryly, true enough, it was quite literal since they began trying to blow everyone up.
The others chuffed a little, but didn't full out laugh, even to this day it terrified them. Just how quickly the military – who were supposed to protect them – turned and began blowing the streets up. Who knows how many streets, how many towns…were obliterated. They had seen some of the damage, it had been that bad that not everyone became a walker, and it was awful seeing it. Not the worst they'd seen, but at the time it actually was.
"They know someone is in the area, we've had to take out fifteen walkers," Rosita informed them.
"ETA two minutes," Harry said calmly, having recovered from all the running he'd done today.
"Will we take care of those walkers?"
"No, I don't want bullets wasted needlessly, but if you want to go out there and cull them of a bit at a time, wait until they get inside." Harry stated firmly. "Be careful, work in tandem, no heroism and don't take anyone that isn't used to our method."
"Got it," Andrea agreed, "Rosita Carl you maintain your position."
"Harry? You'll never guess who or rather what has just appeared?" Hermione's voice came through.
Harry's brow raised in curiosity, "Who and what?" he asked into the radio as he peered down the road and his eyes widened. "Bloody hell." He'd never seen such a large group beyond any protections.
"I know right?" Andrea agreed, head cocked waiting to hear whatever Hermione had to say.
"Buckbeak, with Kreacher and Winky, they have details on how to reach Mahoutokro magical school," Hermione said in sheer delight. With that school only allowing Japanese students not much was known about it except it excelling in Academia and Quidditch.
Harry pinched his nose, truly regretting getting up today.
Everything that could happen had happened today.
They couldn't have spaced it out, oh no, they had to all happen at once.
"They're almost here." Those from the Alexandria community that had been driven from their home due to the sheer size of the walker horde amassed throughout time.
A/N – Yes, I know originally Rolf and Luna met, married and had kids, that's not how this one went 😊 and as promised I had Buckbeak arrive 😉 I like to keep the promises I make 😊 now it's nearly midnight and I'm afraid I leave it here so will we have another time skip by a month? Or will we see the Alexandrian's settle in before I do another time jump? I have a funny feeling I've missed a little plot I had built up and I have a feeling it's to do with the Weasley's might be time to re-read just to be sure 😉 R&R please and thank you 😊 you want to know something else? I have no clue who was part of the Alexandria community none of them made any sort of impact for me to remember them yikes so i better get reading lol