What Can You Do?
Disclaimer: Please review and I only own the OC.
Again, thank you to Darkangelfirekitsune for being my beta and putting up with me ^-^
If there are any A/N in this chapter they will be marked with a * and the meaning behind it will be at the bottom of the chapter.
***There are going to be straight, gay, and lesbian pairings in this story***
***Don't like. Don't read***
MERRY CHRISTMAS
I hope you have a good one.
Chapter 2
"Luna, time to get up," Harry said walking by where she was sleeping on the ground. Waking up, she reluctantly got up and started to stretch. Taking a look around she saw a stream downhill, that their little group had set up camp near. Picking up her bag, she turned to face Harry.
"I'm going to freshen up a bit," she said. Harry nodded his head, as she turned and started making her way toward the stream. Yesterday, before nightfall, they were unable to find a house or an abandoned building to crash in. So, their group ended up having to find an area of land that looked and could be kept safe, to set up camp. According to their self-appointed leader, they could not be too far from the road, just far enough that none of the dead would randomly wander into camp. Judging from what they passed so far, it looked like they would be living this way until they reach their destination. It was not ideal, and they would have to be careful not to attract any of the inferi* attention.
This new world came with new rules that you had to learn fast because there was no second chance. Some of the top rules were:
Don't move at night, unless you had to.
The inferi were attracted to lights and sounds. No one knew why but they were more active during the night, then during the day. And, when it was dark and quiet all it took was the glow of a fire or flashlight, along with any sound for them to be on you within a blink of an eye.
By now, the ones who had survived were starting to get used to this new way of life. It was one of the reasons that many could not get a good night's rest. Just the thought of what could happen, while they were defenseless, caused a lot of sleepless nights. It was established from the start that someone would always be on the lookout, a watcher. That way the group would not be caught unaware by anything.
Extra precautions and constant vigilance*.
They were starting to become second nature, to the remaining humans. It was a lesson that many had learned the hard way. It was because of this most groups depended on the watchers, but not many would volunteer, for the position, because of the stress put upon them. If the camp was attacked, the survivors would blame the watcher, and no one wanted blood on their hands.
Bit or scratched you were killed.
If you were bitten or scratched by one of them, then you were as good as dead. A fever would set in that would burn you from the inside out. The heat coming from your body felt like a furnace and once it was done so were you. It was as simple as that.
Watching Luna as she walked away Harry hated what the world had come to. It seemed that no matter what they did it was never good enough and someone was always dying due to those factors.
It had happened before. An inferius* made its way into camp so they had to run because someone was not doing their job. Maybe they were distracted. But one still got in and someone in the group was bitten or scratched and didn't tell anyone due to fear that they would be put down. Losing the ones in the attack was hard, but having to put another human down, as if they were a rabid animal, was even harder.
Since their small group had joined this one, it seems as if they were the only ones who were willing to get their hands dirty. Having only four, out of the ten, people doing the watches would not have been so bad, and they would have lived with that if they were not also having to do the supply runs and defending the group. It was not fair, especially with the way that Dave, the leader, gave away the rations without a thought, and with items becoming scarce, it meant more runs with more risks of someone getting turned. With most of the less populated stores already being raided that meant going into more densely populated areas. It spelled bad news for them.
Harry felt that if things didn't change soon, something would happen. He was not sure if the four of them should split off into their own, or if they should continue as they were and risk someone getting hurt or infected. He didn't want either option, especially if it meant that he would have to take on the role of a leader. It was one of the reasons he left England in the first place.
When the war was finally over, and Death Eaters needing to be captured, everyone expected him to step up and become an Auror. Then after a few years becoming the Head Auror, and then staying there or moving farther up in power. Everyone told him that he would do great and that this was the way his life was meant to be. But, not once did anyone think to ask him if that was what he wanted. Overnight he went from The-Boy-Who-Lived to The-Man-Who-Conquered who had this big and bright future of defending everyone against all the evil that would come their way.
While on the run from Voldemort, and his followers, Harry started to think that a life of fighting and chasing the bad guy was not what he wanted. He wanted to explore the world and be able to live his own life making his own decisions. Where whatever he chose to do only affected him. That he could just be plain old Harry, not Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, or The-Man-Who-Conquered. Well, that was what he wanted to do before he met her.
It was right after the final battle when he was thrown into the limelight without the chance to process what had happened let alone what he had done, that he decided he just needed to leave. Their side lost a lot of great people, and he felt that it was his fault. If he just had more time, then maybe there would not have been so many casualties. He did not want to make another mistake and add more lives to his ledger*. So, if the four of them left and someone died, would it be his fault?
"Harry, you need to rest before we head out. I'll take watch while you rest for a bit," said George coming up from behind him, causing him to jump a little. Looking up at George, he saw that the years have been good to him. He was still tall being around 5'9", but he was no longer slim and flat looking. His body now had lean muscle, and with his red hair now shoulder length and straighten he was good looking. He still had the same brown eyes that if you searched them you could still see the little bit of prankster spark hiding in them. He was currently wearing some ruff blue jeans with black tennis shoes, and a navy-blue t-shirt that he had tucked in. Tied around his waist was a green sweatshirt with the letter G in the middle.
"I'm fine," Harry said with a tired smile on his face.
"Besides, I was the first one to sleep last night," he continued.
"Don't lie Harrison. You got maybe an hour of sleep before you were up scouting. I may be old, but my eyesight works just fine," said a middle-aged black woman making her way toward them. She was about 5'6", medium build with short almost buzzed cut curly hair. She was wearing black pants with brown hiking boots; alongside a jean jacket with a green tank top under it. On her back was a bag that had seen better days and sporting some questionable stains.
"I slept for a while Arika," he said looking into her honey brown eyes. It was a color that he had never seen on a person before.
"Well darling, you will be no good to anyone dead on your feet. Sleep until our "fearless leader" can decide what to do," the newly named Arika said with laughter in her voice.
"I thought we were heading towards Atlanta?" Luna said in a questioning tone as she was making her way up the hill toward the group.
"That was the plan until someone said they "heard" it was overrun with the dead. Now he doesn't know if we should continue that way, or if we should head towards some military outpost," Arika said with a sigh.
"Wait, so someone in the group knew that Atlanta was a lost cause and waited until just now to say something?" Luna asked in confusion.
"That is what it looks like. Common sense says that there was no way they just "heard" it, but you know Dave," Arika said while shrugging her shoulders.
"Luna, can you go and listen in on what they are planning? I don't want to be blindsided with what Dave decides to do," Harry asked looking to Luna. Giving a positive nod, she started to walk into the woods, where the others had set up camp.
"Arika, can you go scout the surrounding area and make sure it's clear?"
"Ok," she said, getting up and walking down the hill towards the stream.
"George can you…"
"No. I already told you I will take watch, while you sleep," George said giving Harry a pointed look.
"As Arika said you did not sleep much last night, and I know for a fact that you have not been sleeping. This is not the war, and we are no longer children that you must lead and protect. You don't have to do everything by yourself this time around," he said, a kind smile on his face.
"We can take care of things while your resting. During that time, we can figure out what our next move will be. We might leave depending on what Dave decides to do. Honestly, I am willing to try our luck in Atlanta if he decides to head towards this military outpost. It just sounds like a cluster fuck waiting to happen."
"I don't need to sle-"
"Who do you think you are trying to lie to? I have known you for 21 years. I have seen and helped you through some of the darkest times in your life. I know I'm not Ron or Hermione, but I'm still your friend, and I will not let you work yourself to death. Take a break. Sleep. You do not have to lead these people. They are not your responsibility."
"Fine, but if I don't fall asleep right away then that will be the end of it. Ok?"
"Ok," said George with a knowing smirk on his face. Harry seeing it, rolled his eyes, before turning and walking towards his stuff he placed on the ground, last night. It was still untouched, from when he was sleeping on it. Walking over he grabbed his sack and placed it under his head, using it as a pillow, he lied down. Closing his eyes, he prepared to only have them closed for a couple of minutes; then get right back up. But lying down his body started to relax and feel heavy. That was when he knew he lost, and that George was not going to let him live this down. That was the last thought passing through his mind before it went blank.
~~~~~~~~Slytherin~~~~~~~~
A/N-Also if anyone has any questions about the story please ask.
1. Inferi- hell/dead (Latin)
Type: Curse
Pronunciation: In-Fa-ree
Description: A corpse that has been reanimated by a dark wizard's curse that reanimates a human's body.
Plural form of Inferius.
What Harry's group calls the walkers
2. Inferius- below, lower down (Latin)
Type: Curse
Pronunciation: In-Fa-Ree-ous
Description: A corpse that has been reanimated by a dark wizard's curse that reanimates a human's body.
Singular of inferi.
What Harry's group calls the walkers.
3. A nod towards Mad-Eye Moody
4. Internet cookie for whoever gets the nod
~~~~~~~~Ravenclaw~~~~~~~~
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