Hello all! I am back with a brand new chapter, my apologies for the delay, because this is more of a filler chapter I struggled a bit with finding the flow.

Anyway! Hope you al enjoy:)

Crossfire.

It was pitch black outside, the night having taken over a long time ago, but the lights were on low, the windows open and Harry had never felt more at peace with a place.

Hours had passed and Harry and Hershel were still sat talking, and they had learned a lot about each other.

Whilst talking Hershel admitted to keeping Walkers in the barn, and Harry said he knew, he'd heard them as he came past with Sophia, but that wasn't his secret to tell. Harry knew Hershel must have had a reason, and he had. He hoped that if he kept them together, and kept them safe, one day, when all this was over and a cure had been found, he could have his wife and his son back. But Hershel had finally accepted that it wasn't going to happen now, so he told Harry he would tell his girls, so they could say goodbye, and then he would end everyone in the barn, so they weren't stuck in the constant limbo Harry had described.

As they talked Harry checked on both Teddy and Carl, the latter because Hershel asked him to make sure that he hadn't missed anything seeing as Carl hadn't yet woken up, but boy what a mistake that was…

"I just hope you can make sure he's okay, like I said, I'm a vet not a doctor, there is a lot I could have done wrong, I mean, have you seen the size of a cow's stomach" Hershel chuckled

"No, you did really good with what you got from the truck, only thing I could really do is try minimise the scar, but something tells me a young kid like this would think it looks cool" Harry laughed

"WHAT IS HE DOING IN HERE?" Lori screeched as she walked into Hershel's bedroom completely unannounced, carrying a rag and a bowl of hot water. Her eyes were narrowed, and her mouth curled into a snarl as she stared at Harry.

"Didn't you hear?" Hershel said, looking disapprovingly at Lori "He's a doctor, a paediatrician, I just had him checking out Carl to make sure I didn't miss anything nor that there were any infections brewing"

"How dare you make that decision without asking me!" She screeched "Without asking Rick?!"

"You mean how dare I actually ASK someone to enter my own bedroom? To ask a professional to check on MY patient?" Hershel snarked "I agree how could I possibly have made such a terrible decision as letting an actual doctor look over your son"

But haven't you seen that boy with him?!" She shrieked, "He just comes wandering out of the woods with Sophia and the boy? He can't possibly be this man's! They look nothing alike! What if he's a…"

But whatever word she was about to say, and both Harry and Hershel were pretty sure they knew what it was, was cut off when a small groan came from the bed, and the crash of Lori's bowl brought Harry back from the rage he was feeling.

"Carl, Carl wake up baby, wake up its Mommy" Lori was now kneeling on the bed, stroking Carl's hair whilst whispering in his ear.

Harry walked forward intending to check that Carl was actually awake or not and to finish his check-up but a particularly vicious glare from Lori had him stopping in his tracks.

He was saddened that a woman, with a clearly poorly child, was stopping, no, completely refusing help from an actual doctor because of one man's comments. But, then again, Harry had had his fair share of experience with those types of people. This was nothing new. He told Hershel that he would see him downstairs before retreating from the room.

It was a half an hour later that Hershel came down, escorting Lori to the door and attempting to get her out of the house. A difficult job it seemed as Lori was completely unwilling to leave, complaining that her baby boy had woken up and she deserved to be by his side throughout the night, in case it happened again. And why was she being kicked out when Harry got to stay, it wasn't fair. Luckily, he wasn't having any of, what he later dubbed 'Childish Behaviour' and he later explained to Harry that Carl had awoken briefly enough to have a glass of water before drifting back to sleep.

Harry had carefully tested the waters around telling Hershel he was a wizard, he meant what he said to Sophia, no one would be around anymore to protect the secret, and Harry, after his entire childhood having being abused for powers he could not control, and his year on the run that meant he had to hide who he was and all his powers, he was not one to keep his powers hidden anymore. And if people knew about him and Teddy and Sophia and what they could do, he would be able to help them easier, that's not to say he was about to go and announce them to the group outside, but something told Harry he could trust Hershel for definite. Surprisingly, Hershel seemed to catch on quite quickly to what Harry was implying and explained he had had a cousin who was a Witch, being only extended family, he wasn't supposed to know but he had seen his cousin practising with her wand one day and they just didn't tell anyone. His cousin being 17 at the time no wards went out about magic outside of school, so he was never obliviated of the knowledge because no one was alerted. Harry had laughed in pure shock, from what he knew of the American ministry, especially fifty or so years ago, is that they were beyond cautious still of the secret getting out, especially with the Grindelwald aftermath and everything that had happened with Newt Scamander! So, for Hershel to have known all this time… well let's just say he's lucky that MACUSA had bigger fish to fry back then.

And so, Harry told Hershel the truth about himself and Teddy, from both of their parents passing and the war. To the advanced senses and extra abilities, before discussing everything Hershel knew about the school, but unfortunately it wasn't a lot. So, Harry was encouraged to talk to Hershel's daughters and his nephew Jimmy. Harry tried performing his spell to get a better look on the amount of Undead there, but it must have been just outside the radius of the spell, Harry saw quite a few reds heading in a north-west direction and Hershel confirmed that was the way the school was, so Harry sighed, knowing he'd just have to pack a bag and hope for the best, just checking the map when he was closer to the school. Hershel had offered his assistance in going for Otis, but Harry had gently explained that whilst he appreciated the offer, it would be easier him going by himself, as otherwise he'd just worry about Hershel's safety. Luckily Hershel had understood and agreed with Harry, just again advising him to talk to Jimmy, Maggie and Beth, to get an up to date recollection of the school and where everything was likely to be. It was the summer holidays when everything started, and Jimmy and Beth were about to be Seniors, whereas Maggie had graduated around 3 years ago but volunteered occasionally with the animal classes so they were all up to date, Harry agreed and it was decided he would speak to them all in the morning, as it was past midnight now.

As Hershel got up to go to bed, he told Harry, "You can sleep in here next to your boy"

"Are you sure?" Harry said, "I know how much you hate the sudden intrusion" He smirked

"Nah" Hershel said as he waved his hand, "I like you" He laughed, "Goodnight Harry, do what you need too, to make yourself comfortable."

"Goodnight Hershel"

Harry sighed as he stood and quickly transfigured the couch into a bed for the night, he would do the same for Teddy, but his son was honestly the most awkward sleeper he had ever encountered! He could, and would, sleep anywhere, but if he was comfortable, say on a bed or a couch, it wasn't uncommon for him to fidget about and be found upside down, especially in bed, head buried in the soft covers at the bottom. But if he was on a hard-uncomfortable surface, he would stay still, and that's what he needed now. To heal and not aggravate his wounds by moving around. His advanced abilities would help him during the night, and he would be almost as good as new in the morning. A flick of his wand extinguished the lights, and Harry settled down to sleep.

Morning arrived swiftly, and Harry was awake the minute the weak sun was peeking through the thin curtains. Groaning, he stood and stretched out before setting his bed back to its original form. Turning towards his son, Harry gently changed the bandages and gave Teddy a good wash, taking great care whilst doing his hair, he then dressed his son in a pair of thin jogging bottoms and a blue tee, it was cool here in the mornings, but he knew it would soon get hotter than both he and Teddy were accustomed too, even after nearly a month in the Americas. Glancing at the old-fashioned clock that was in the centre of the wooden mantlepiece, Harry noticed that it was seven am, which meant he had only been asleep around six hours or so. Groaning, Harry decided that he would make breakfast for the Greene family, to thank them for their amazing work in helping him help his son and for their kindness and hospitality towards them both. He realised it was a slightly strange gesture, considering he was having to use their ingredients, but he hoped his message was conveyed.

Looking in the fridge, Harry quickly cooked up some eggs, bacon and pancakes, he set the kettle to boil on the stove and set out a small pitcher of orange juice as well. Beth and Patricia, both of whom he had met yesterday walked in around past seven chatting lightly but soon stopped and looked in shock at the current amount of food already on the table and at the man already in the kitchen.

"What's all this?" Patricia asked finally, eyes wide taking in the table.

"It's just a thank you, I realise it's not much of one, mostly because it's your food, but I just wanted to do something to repay you for all your help yesterday" Harry said

"Well at least you're appreciative" Beth snorted before ducking the hand that was swung towards her by Patricia.

"Bethany Anne Greene!"

"It's true Auntie!" Beth defended

"What's true?" Hershel asked walking into the kitchen accompanied by whom Harry could only assume was Maggie since her and Jimmy were the only two people he hadn't yet met "And what's all this" He gestured at the table

"Breakfast" Maggie said cheekily from where she was lounging in the doorframe, she looked at Harry and introduced herself officially "Maggie Greene, how's your boy?"

"Harry Potter, and he's okay for the moment, I'll know more when he wakes up" Harry shrugged looking towards the dining room.

They both tuned back in to what was being discussed between Hershel and Beth

"I'm just saying that at least Harry was willing to say thank you and provide a nice gesture! The others haven't even bothered yet" Beth said, "Not that I think we shouldn't have helped!" She amended quickly seeing her fathers raised eyebrow, "But you have to admit that Harry has been here a night and has already shown more appreciation towards us and he saved that little girl they all were saying was dead! But none of them have actually said Thank you to us"

"Rick did" Hershel reminded Beth

"Yeah" Maggie scoffed "But did his banshee of a wife? Or did she just try barge her way into our home?"

Hershel sighed, "No she didn't, she just tried to bully her way into the house, saying she needed to be near her son, he was too poorly to be alone, it wasn't fair I let Harry stay and some other such nonsense"

"Typical" Beth rolled her eyes

"It sounds like she's pregnant too" Maggie remarked "But I bet you anything it ain't her husbands"

"WHAT?!" The kitchen exclaimed in unison. How cold did someone have to be to cheat on their husband during the middle of an apocalypse AND be foolish enough to get pregnant from it. Subjecting an innocent baby to this life, was the definition of bad parenting.

"Really?" Harry asked intrigued, years of living in Hogwarts had made it so Harry never could resist gossip, as long as it wasn't about him, he had heard a lot of gossip and he had learned the effectiveness of it and usefulness of gossip.

"Yeah, from what I understand from Glenn, Shane and Lori have been at it like rabbits since they got to the quarry. Shane told Lori that he had checked on Rick and that he was lying dead in the hospital in their hometown, and so they started their own little affair. Anyway, Glenn finds Rick in Atlanta and takes him back to the Quarry, and everything's been a mess since. Shane's slowly losing his mind, Lori's publicly rejected him, Rick's losing grip on the group, and if she is already throwing up, or she thinks she's pregnant, then she has to be a lot farther on than the two whole weeks Rick has been back" Maggie shrugged

"Well I'll be damned" Hershel muttered

Whilst the family in the kitchen digested that bit of news and were just settling down to enjoy the breakfast that Harry cooked for them, a sudden cry from the front room had Harry bolting up and running into the Greene's formal dining room. For there, sitting on the table, was a young boy sitting up and crying for his father.

And there is chapter 5, chapter 6 is handwritten just need to type it up but hopefully I'll have it out soon!

Thank you all for reading

Crossfire.x