Blue Kitsune: Hi everyone I'm back again with another ripping chapter for all you Walking Dead x Harry Potter fans out there. I see I'm getting lots of followers and favorites and also a few comments which is nice and appreciated it. Your votes are being counted as we speak, and I had noticed that a lot of people are asking Harley to be a dragon and I know this might seem last minute but if any have considered her to be something outside the HP universe. Like say the Game of Thrones Dragon(s) or Eragon or something else that would be an unusual breed to throw, please cast your votes still and remember she is to have two or three forms so keep throwing them in.
Also, give thanks to MissMelrose437 who has been doing a fantastic job at betaing this and want to give her a round of applause for this. Show the love and review! Also, Happy Thanksgiving, so give thanks to those who are important to you!
Disclaimer: Blue Kitsune does not own Walking Dead or Harry Potter, just the right to this story and the reverse gender of Harley (Harry) Potter
Chapter 03:
Open Conversation on the Road & Challenging Confrontation
Harley turned the ignition and got the engine roaring once everyone sat down, Merle sitting up front in the passenger seat again while Daryl took to the booth over by the kitchen.
Daryl slides in, getting comfortable and situated while he looked around and noted that it was quite roomy for a mobile home, though given there was only one other back at camp but this one wasn't too shabby. He found Hedwig sitting in some nest-perch hooked by the window along with two metal basins for food and water set up within her reach.
What got his attention was that she had what looked like a thick hardcover book propped open in a unique holder that automatically turns the pages with a push of a button and seem to be reading it as she moved her head slightly to the left and right as she peered to the other page. He guessed it was battery operated as she used her beak when she was done to flip to the next chapter and resuming where she left off.
Daryl took the chance to glance at the title and found it was written by that horror writer something King who did all those scary stories from possessed cars and sewer clowns and the likes. This one, however, was about the world coming to an end though not with any zombies but having a demonic entity known as Randall Flagg who caused some crazy madness within those that survived and was a battle between good and evil or some shit.
He didn't read much and never had time to as there was other important stuff to do in the day and pops used to say reading was for sissies and queers. But he did see it on TV when he was a kid and couldn't sleep a wink even when his old man told him to. He was only eight, and it took some time to get over the nightmare that the world would end or that he and his brother might not survive it. Merle told him that it wasn't gonna happen and to quit whining like a goddamn baby.
It was kinda ironic how very much like their given situation was he thought to himself. Hedwig lifts her head to stare at him before turning back to her reading. Daryl then took time to look elsewhere and saw Sirius and Remy lying near in their comfortable bed while the pups on the floor were playing nearby. They appeared to be at least three to four months old, and guessing would get as big as their parents once they hit that growth spurt in a couple more weeks. Two were having a minor scuffle over the same chew toy, pulling and tussling in their tug of war while one was sleeping near the mother curled up like a black furry ball. He counted there were four in total and noted the last one who was gnawing a rawhide bone looked up to see him staring in his direction.
The pup lets go of his treat, tail wagging as it made to trot over to where he was sitting. He started yipping and pawing at his pant leg trying to get his attention, moving to stand on hind legs as it kept staring at Daryl with bright orange-reddish orbs. Harley had taken a quick glance at the overhead mirror to see what was going on back there and notices who it was that caught Daryl's interest.
"That one there is Moony, seem he's taken a liking to you Dar." She smiled and took note that Daryl didn't seem to have an objection to her nickname or he didn't notice.
"Yeah, no kidding." He could tell that the pup with jack-o-lantern eyes was begging to be picked up and wasn't going to budge until Daryl did so. Seeing no other choice at hand, he bends down to scoop the animal up and set him on his lap.
He felt the dog move, spinning on his lap, getting comfy and Daryl reached to scratch the pup's head, seeing the little scamp's leg twitching when he found the right spot, tongue lolling out with a content expression on his face.
This caused a smirk to break out on Daryl's face as he continues petting the little fella. "Moony huh that's a good name for a wolf pup like him, which they are right?" He could tell they weren't your average mutts as they look too much like those timber wolves he and Merle once saw when they went hunting though bigger and maybe even more aggressive for their kind.
"Yep they are a third generation British WolfDog, their grandsire and dam were purebred and their mother was a German shepherd. They've got the wild instincts but are quite domesticated unless you aggravate them. I got Siri and Remy both when they were mere pups as soon as I crossed over to the states and you know what they say, man's best friend and all."
She heard a familiar bark from her feathery companion and chuckled, "Oops sorry my bad, Hedwig is numero uno in the best friend's department while those two are a close second not that they mind at all sharing as long as there's enough grub for everyone. I enjoy having them around and although I did come across one issue though it was more my fault than anything."
"Yeah what's that?" Harley turn her head to Merle as he questioned her while Daryl with Moony in his lap thought that no one would care if he listens in as well, "Well…remember how I said Remy is short for Remus? Well, I kinda forgot to tell the breeder I wanted them to be both males when I said I was interested in a purebred pair, and he thought I was talking about a breeding pair."
There was a lapse of silence before Merle couldn't help guffawing out loud while Daryl shook his head at the thought of the shock she got when she found out herself.
"Oh ho, so instead you got yourself a boy and a girl dog, and once they were fully grown and having those two go bow Chicka, wow wow, they pop those little young'uns on ya. Man must've been rough on your end taking care of all those little nippers there."
Though they wondered why the hell she didn't just go and ask for her money back, she must've had her reason for it.
"Yeah, I suppose I should have told them that and probably rectified it, but when she was sitting alongside Siri, I just took one look at her and felt she was like me and I decided to heck with it."
Also, she remembers what her Remus said, that wolves mate for life and felt those two deserve one another. "I know that people thought that I should have gotten them neutered and spayed but I think they'd rather keep their equipment well intact and as they say the rest is history."
She spared a glance over to where she saw Remy and her pups and smiles at them, "Having them around is the best thing that ever happened to me, and I wouldn't trade it for all there is."
Daryl could understand what she meant thinking if he didn't have his brother and had a pair like them springing pups on him, he'd do the same in a heartbeat. Moony was nibbling on his fingertips with his tiny chompers, not hard to break the skin yet imagining one day when he was bigger and a hell of a lot meaner and sure those jaws could take out anything in his way.
"Yeah that's all good and dandy, but there's another benefit too I reckon: they'll be good for hunting and way I see it, make our jobs a whole hell lot easier finding them Walkers with the super sniffers you know. Course they'll need to be trained first to sniff out those sons of bitches." Merle let his suggestion sit while watching the scenery pass and kept a lookout on the other vehicle.
"Well I suppose that's also another good point but for now, let the pups be pups, after all, if you're looking for mean and scary, just whistle and Sirius will come running." Harley smiled at the thought looking at the road ahead.
"Whatever you say doll, whatever you say." Merle turn his head to see his brother and Moony who was made to lie flat on his back and now getting his belly rub. Daryl seems to be enjoying himself back there and looking like a goddamn kid on Christmas morning.
Seeing him with that genuine boyish grin on his face, Merle thinks of how he saw that once back when Jenkins was still around…Merle knew he shouldn't be dwelling on such memories, but already he couldn't help himself as he thought back to those moments when they were younger and Merle trying to get by after their ma died and they lived with that bastard of a father. Jenkins was a mixed coonhound-pointer mutt with a sweet demeanor but had a bark to show he was not one to back down.
He had found him under the porch when he was trying to get the coons and possums out from under there, knowing that his old man would raise hell if he didn't get them out and get rid any potential nests that they might have burrowed in there. He had been surprised to find the dog in there, the thing so small and looked like he hadn't had a decent meal in weeks after counting his ribs and such when he got it out and took another look at it. Merle had known he shouldn't but when it lifted its head and he saw those eyes, eyes that had the same look that Daryl sometimes gave when he wanted something, and he could never refuse his baby brother for anything.
So, he took him inside, being extra careful not to wake his dad as he was, slumped in the e-z chair with the TV blaring and sneaking it to his and Daryl's bedroom and getting whatever leftovers they had sitting in the fridge the old man wouldn't notice. Daryl who had noticed something was up, immediately asking if they were going to keep him, seeing that he look like he wanted it and Merle said as long as they didn't say a word and not let their dad know about this at all. Thankfully the thing was quiet, not making so much as a peep and when he managed to gain enough weight and no longer seem skittish around him or Daryl. He became their special pet that liked to stay close to Daryl but on occasions snuck into Merle's room when he wanted to curl up next to him at night.
Merle called him ole 'Jen' and was his only friend who understood his pain and loneliness as a kid growing up with that SOB that was his father. The one who took a blow for him when Pa had one too many drinks and was throwing his fists around and lashing at his teenage son because he blamed everyone but himself on how things went wrong. Jenkins, sensing what was happening when he heard him crying out, had gone rushing in and bit down on his old man's hand to stop him. That had temporarily stop him but with his Dad in his alcohol rage and turning his ire on the mutt instead, calling it a pathetic thing and smashing it over and over with the bottle in his grasp.
He was forced to sit there, listening to the pitiful whines it gave until he stopped and went to pass out on the couch, leaving the kitchen soaked in blood and a broken dog lying there barely able to move. He had thought it was stupid of him to do, that he shouldn't have gotten involved. There was barely any money to take him to the vet, and seeing the terrible state Jen was in, they probably have to put him to down to end his suffering. Daryl was only five at the time, and he didn't want to let him see what became of the poor hound. Nor to have him see him in any more pain as he held his snout and nose and holding him down, trying to keep Jen from struggling and waiting for him to stop before finally taking that final breath and lie still on the kitchen floor.
He went and buried him in the wood over by that tree he liked so much, and when Daryl ask where he was, he told him Jenkin went to heaven with Mama though Merle knew the dog was worm chow but didn't want to hurt his brother's feeling. But coming back to the present and watching Daryl with the pup brought those nostalgic feelings, quickly rubbing at his eyes before anyone notices as they itch felt something tugging on his laces and look down to see one of the scamps by his leg looking up with whiskey-colored eyes. He saw it had a small collar around his neck and taking a closer look at the name engraved on it.
"Padfoot huh? That's an interesting name you got there, don't suppose it means something does it?" He saw Sirius coming over and putting his head in Harley's open lap. She reached with one hand to pat him before she went to answer Merle's question.
"Yeah, his and Sirius are both connected to someone I knew once, my godfather to be precise." Even though there were a few circumstances that kept them apart but still Sirius was the closest to a father she had within that short time they had. "It was a nickname of his back in school as everyone considered him to be something of a hound dog although he would've taken it as a compliment. He along with my dad and their other two friends were quite the mischievous troublemakers and loved causing mayhem wherever they went, hence why they were called the Marauders."
She heard the wild tales of how teachers had a hard time reining them in while the girls could not resist his roguish tongue and his charming attitude. Sirius had quite the rep for being a rebel amongst his peers given he was the black sheep of his family as his line was full of dark witches and wizard and yet had been sorted into Gryffindor, shocking and appalling his parents, especially mummy dearest.
Sirius had told her he was sick of hearing that same dogma that the pure was superior while everyone else was beneath and couldn't stand his mother so much, given that Harley met the late woman's portrait and had to agree with him on not wanting to be around her.
He wasn't one to toe the line and didn't want to follow certain traditions and did things his way even though it disgusted his parents to the point they pre-disowned him for being such a bitter disappointment to their family name.
Too bad they didn't see that he had the last laugh in the end as she was named his heir apparent and even taken the liberty to hyphen her name to Potter-Black though she went by Black to keep others from finding out too much about her as she doubts that Potter was that common around here.
"Yep he was something else and was a surrogate uncle in some way as my dad, and he were so close you could've considered them almost brothers." She turned her head slightly to look to Merle and smiled at him, "I think you two would've gotten along fine with and probably swap stories for the hell of it if they were around."
"Well, he sounds like a very interesting fella who I wouldn't have minded sharing a drink with." She chuckled to herself remembering how in the sparse time he had, he would tell her what he and the Marauders were like, stories of her parents as well as how they came about being a couple and all that jazz.
Having someone who was open to letting her know more about her folks than anyone else as they thought she didn't need to other to say she look like her father but with mom's eyes, nothing more, nothing less.
It was thanks in part to him and Remus, she got a good idea of what they were like, knowing what made them happy, what they dislike, how her mom fell for dad, their first date together and then the wedding before having her….Those were something she treasured dearly and always grateful to the both of them even though she wished they had more time to spend together.
The war had done more than take away those she was close to; it took away what remnants of a childhood that link her to the only other two people who were as close to a father and uncle as she understood Remus, given his horrible condition, couldn't raise her because he didn't have the means for a stable income or home to provide her with as well as not wanting to risk her getting affected or worse shunned by being in his care. The shameful laws the Ministry force onto those who were a dark creature and not allowing them the liberty to be considered magical citizen like everyone in their world.
No, it made them inferior, like freaks of nature because of their affliction when it was none of their faults in the first would never hurt anyone as long as he had his wolfsbane. But people were just too stubborn to see that and let their fears get to them in which allowed those like Fenrir to stir the cauldron and bring the others to Voldemort during those dark times. It was a crying shame and though Remus had tried not to let bother him yet could read her former professor like a book.
She could see how much he thought of himself in those regards, knowing that he felt was a danger to everyone around him, yet those who were close to him stood by, reminding him that they care for him as a person and not some monster. Even Tonks who loved him with all her heart and refuse to let him push her away, saying she would be by his side no matter what.
Remus was a stubborn man and it took some time and much-given effort, on both their parts to help wear him down and cease his concern on the matter given while Harley saw to let him know that he shouldn't let it keep him from finally having some well-deserved happiness in his life. She wanted him not to let this opportunity slip by him, a chance in a relationship with a woman who didn't mind his once-in-a-full-moon furry issue. Many couples went through something similar, and Remus shouldn't let them get in his way.
Thankfully he did though he still carried that fear that one day she'd regret having a monster as a husband or a father to any child they might have in the he had never been fortunate and even so, Tonks proved to be devoted to her love for him, showing she didn't care either and would stick by him through thick and thin, no matter what may come of it.
It had hit her hard when she learned that Tonks was pregnant and she hadn't even known of this cause during the final battle when the curse hit her, the fetus was killed instantly before the mother joining in the afterlife. It was so unfair how those things happened, and wishing had been different for everyone back then.
It was terrible, but the worst was still the lost over Sirius which she could not let rest even when she dreamed of that horrible moment, right as he fell into that veil…
She let out a soft sigh and trying to keep her emotions from getting the best of her. "Yeah, though we barely got to be around each other as I had school and other issues happening with myself and my godfather was kinda also dealing with the same himself. See I lost my parents when I was little and brought up by my mom's sister and her family."
Though it wasn't like Aunt Petunia had any choice given she didn't want her and that her husband and their son didn't like Harley either, and the feeling was mutual on her end.
"We didn't get along per say, and though I would have like to be with anyone but those three but unfortunately as I said before, we were unable because of a few issues and him not able to. Much as I would've like that, things were difficult on his end and had to stick to my aunt for most of my spare time."
They didn't fail to hear the bitter venom as she spoke about them and guessed Harley wasn't going to explain further on that though they had something to an idea having felt the same themselves with their old man. But it left them to ponder as to why her godfather wasn't there for her, why hadn't he been able to and Merle guessed it was one or two things that could've prevented him from taking Harley in. It was either he was too irresponsible and social service deem him unfit to look after children or the other possibility that he was somewhere else at the time, like behind bars and trapped behind wired fences and the likes.
He was leaning more to the latter given he was once in a position and couldn't look after his brother when he got caught and charged for his crimes before being sent to prison.
Daryl was also on the same wave link and yet looking much deeper into it, as the name did sound familiar and wasn't long before it hit him as to where he heard it from before.
"Wait you're not talking about that fella, the one who made the national news a few years back. You remember Mer, that guy in London who went and killed a dozen people with a bomb in the open street just like that."He snapped his finger and Merle did recall something being mention but he might have been a bit out because of the meth or cocaine in his system, too high to care but Daryl had been keeping tabs on that stuff.
"He was in prison for ten years but somehow escaped that joint and everyone was in a right titty up there and sending off all warnings all around the area, even down here warning to keep an eye out for the guy as he was extremely dangerous or something to it. That was him, wasn't he?"
Well, there goes for keeping that under the lid, Harley sensing the two watching her and seeing there was no need to deny it further as it was bound to come to light at least. But she wanted to clear some misconception on the matter even though some people would likely doubt it because she didn't have viable proof to back up her argument.
"Yes, my godfather was Sirius Black, but before you say anything, he was completely innocent at the time. He wasn't the one who done it either; he was framed yet the judge and jury decide due to the evidence pointing in his direction and him being in the wrong place and time, it was just simple to call it an open-shut case and throw the book at him."
She couldn't exactly say he didn't get a trial either, on account of a few things which would most likely have them wondering as to why that was. She couldn't blurt that the bigwigs in the trial were all magical and saw no reason to disbelief because of his family ties to the dark magic even though his cousin Bellatrix and her husband and brother-in-law got tried and sent to prison for a good reason.
Again, it was why she had enough of that sad pathetic excuse if the law can turn into some joke on the system where a man goes to jail without a trial or someone not looking into the matter of a magical child in an abusive muggle. It had the old man Dumbledore's stink all over it that was certain. Why else would he have the sheer audacity to seal her parent's will and leave her at her aunt when after looking through it herself and her lawyers, found that nothing did it say that she should go to that vulgar woman. There was a whole list of other suitable candidates to be her guardians if Sirius or Remus were incapable of doing so, people that she was sure that wouldn't have trouble raising her at the very least.
But getting to the end of the reading and feeling her anger hit the roof as right there in bold red ink was Albus's damn signature stating him as a witness to the whole thing!
It just showed how messed up it was in Britain because shit like this as the man dared to do a great wrong to her and everyone was all that headmaster's fault. He made Sirius out to be a traitor and murderer thanks to these horrific lies, yet he was just a victim like she was thanks to that manipulative goat fucker. If she had the chance, she'd like to strangle that bastard's wrinkly neck and see how that was for Greater Good!
Merle noticed that her hands on the steering wheel had tightened and saw the look on her face and he didn't have to be a psychic to figure she was damn miffed about something and knew that their conversation must've brought something to surface to make her ticked like so as he tends to feel the same himself when someone had the nerve to strike the coal and make the flames of anger burning red hot before they could be put out.
"Sorry to hear that girlie, can't say I blame you as I know how the system works and how those asshats will go and make you out to be a bad guy or just say what they think without looking at any other clues. Some can be blind ass fuckers."
He honestly admits that the law can be as fickle like a woman when it comes to making up her mind, that evidence, or lack thereof and with some who just seen a person on the scene and even though it's highly likely he done it, but sometimes it wasn't so.
Hell, sometimes the prosecutor would lead the witness to get a full-on confession so that they could look like they are doing a brilliant job with looking all suave in their expensive suits and their shit-eating grin but were really playing the whole room to make them fall for their bullshit. He knew that each side had a story but whoever had the better attorney tends to come out smelling like rosewater and only those who had the money to pay for them fancy-smancy lawyer that knew how to put the screws and get them off from so much as paying a speeding ticket or spending time in the big house.
But sometimes it wasn't as clean cut as one would think and eventually, the truth comes out, and it was like 'oops our bad,' but rarely admit it because they don't want people to look at them and think they're idiots because they made one mistake that ruins a person's life because of it. It was a hard-bitter pill to swallow, to go around admitting it but then people are just too damn stubborn to say they fucked up some, so they pretend it never exists and buries it under the sands with their heads as well like a damn ostrich.
Corrupt uptight bastards, that's what he thought. That is why Merle hates those high collared asses that think they can do no wrong and can look down on those lesser folks like them. He had to deal with a few himself back in school and later in the military when they learnt just what kind of person Merle was and make those snide comments when his back was to them or even just to say it so he could feel his blood boil and wanting to punch their smart mouths and knock their teeth in.
That was the one half but the other, well that was different. There were those who took justice into their own hands to get something done, though some believe it's wrong and immoral and should be left in the hands of the higher authority even though they take their sweet ass time getting shit done and by then the guy walks.
Hey, it wasn't like he hadn't done crime before as he had a record for certain things. He'd been in prison a couple of times in the past, mostly illegal narcotics/battery-assault charges and the one time he bashed a police officer after being pulled over and was stinking of alcohol and had some weeds in his glove compartment.
His last stint was after a bar fight while still with the Savage Sons, his old motorcycle gang. It was the sort of thing expect with their rowdy bunch but given that someone there had got up in his face, something about a woman or maybe the drug, or hell both. He can't really remember much what happened other than waking up in a cell, his mouth tasting like blood and sore in certain places including his face and gut.
Apparently, he really did a number on the dude he beat down and put him into a coma, got fourteen months at a state prison for it at the time. His bunkmate was some wimpy looking dude but finding out that he was there for multiple murders but had his reasons for it.
The man's family brutally slaughtered by a dangerous group that had taken retaliation on him after he went and killed one of their own but he had done it because that person had murdered his son as part of some gang high initiation. In return he went after the entire lot, taking every one of them sorry bitch's, including the gang leader before he got caught and arrested.
Merle had listened though didn't really care so much to know his name or what he was like before the shit. The man obviously knew he was going to die in jail but seeing that he done so to avenge his family and understood he took the law into his own hands that justice was served by him, it was eye for an eye or a life for a life as anything goes and was a price he was willing to pay to avenged those he'd lost.
Yet looking back to the present and even though he had no full understanding if it was true or just thinking it was, Harley with her spoken conviction and hearing what she thought of her godfather as not a killer but just a person that had been wronged by the law itself. Yet sometimes people will not think so, still believing him a murderer or madman and even he understood what it's like to be judged by others based on what they thought.
Not that Merle or Daryl ever did mind as they were used to it all their lives and even now at that camp with others who were wary of them the first time they met them and could be imagining all kinds of stuff going in their heads on what they thought of the Dixon brothers. The only ones that matter were just between them as only kin would understand and see eye to eye better than anyone else.
Harley reach to brush back her fringe, showing a faint scarring on her wrist that he took notice had words but had been ink to cover them up yet he could tell the difference in a typical tattoo and one that had been etched in with something sharp.
The words 'I will not lie' were old and raised followed by the next verse beneath them that said, 'and be broken, I will fight till I die'. She turned slightly and Merle saw she seem rather thankful by his 'kind' words and gave him a heartfelt smile.
"Yeah Sirius was one of a kind and I think he would have enjoyed your company very much. You kinda remind me of him, in a way. A little rough around the edge but likes to make life full of something more and keep on trucking without holding back the laughs. A good man who made some mistakes in life…"
Like trusting the wrong sort of people, she thought bitterly. If only she had been smarter and been more careful but damn Snape for his incompetent teaching, damn the Headmaster for forcing her to be tutored under that man. He might be a genius when it came to potion-making but he was a shitty professor, and he held such dislike over her because of her father and what he did before she was born.
Hell, he might even blame her for her mother's death but if anyone had the right to be angry, it was she. He could not have given the information to the Dark Lord, letting the man assume that of the two children that fit the prophecy and yet went after her because like him was half-blood and likely would be his equal because of their status.
The bastard had bashed her barriers down and using her weaken state to send imagines to lure her and her friends to the ministry only to find was a trap and had a fight on hand.
If only I had realized it or been more through, he might have survived…She still felt that pang when she thought about it and while looking down at the two dogs near her and seeing how alike they were in some sense. Padfoot like a mini version of his animagus form and Sirius definitely had those soulful endearing eyes that made her feel like he was still by her side, even from a distance.
"I think he would've been very honored to have them carry it on his legacy, his namesake if you will, just as Remus, Moony, Prongslet, and Tonks." She said matter of factly.
"Prongslet? Tonks?" She point her thumb behind to where Remy was and lying beside her that had a black pup but had silver tints and also a white ring around its eyes but saw one was green while the other blue making it different from her brother. Then there was a brown pup that definitely look like it had the shepherd in him with brown eyes. "Ah okay, so we have a Tonks, a Prongslet, Padfoot, Moony, a Remy and a Sirius."
"You can't forget Hedwig here." He turns to see the owl had fluttered over and was making itself comfortable on the headrest by him and giving Merle that look again. He had to resist rolling his eyes at her before saying with dripping sarcasm, "Of course, we can't forget miss Prissy thing here, mustn't go ruffling any feathers, now can we? So that makes six and you included that's a total of…"
"Yep but just because it's supposed to be a lucky number, don't mean I'm going to think it is. If there's one thing I believe, it's in one's merits and how they use it for their own worth to strive forward and not let something that seems to pertain to some higher belief which I call it bullshit on. That's my philosophy, and I'll stick to it."
It was true that though sometimes it seem like she did come out with some close calls and it was usually that she tried to be quick and stay alive, especially when an egomaniac was trying to kill you and had to be one step ahead of the understood as he himself like to think that one had to and that he always had the shitty kind but never one to let it get him down before and seeing that this time for once something good came about for a change.
Merle got up from his seat and went to where the fridge was and seeing there was some more beer but also other bottles that were full of liquids of different colors in many different size to contain them. Some like that he took were in smaller vials and stack to the side within reach next to a few with labels that said, 'For headaches,' 'for nausea', 'for time of the month'…each explaining what to have and seeing one label 'Pepper up' whatever that means. Probably a seasoning with lots of pepper in it or something.
He stared at them all, not finding any food besides the ones from last night though even the ice cabinet above was empty, with not even an ice tray inside there.
"Must keep them elsewhere or something…" He tried the panty and saw a few regular bottles but then note a couple that were caramel color but had some label that said 'Butterbeer.'
Now, what in the blue blaze was a butterbeer? Yet he assumed it should have some alcohol in there and figure might as well try whatever this was and see what made it so good.
He grabbed three bottles and went to hand one to his brother who took it, grateful for something to pass the time with and returning to her side holding the open bottle to her.
"Here sweet cheek, figure you like something to nip off with." Harley barely glance at him before pointing to the cup holder that already had a water bottle in there and didn't need any.
"Thanks, but I like to keep my wits on me for the moment, at least wait until we're halfway there." She quipped at him smiling,"Suit yourself, more for me then." He didn't see the problem as he drove while having booze or being high but to each their own. They remain behind the other vehicle and he knew it would be another hour or so to get there and seeing it was just them three and Daryl had to ask a few questions. She barely noticed that what he and his brother were drinking was of her own special horde though when she heard Daryl saying, "Damn this is fucking good, sweet but good, got some kick to it I gotta say..."
Or how Merle took his own swig of it and smacked his lips, tasting the slight sweetness and recognizing the taste of brown sugar, vanilla, cream…like those summer delights they use to snack on when they manage to sneak stuff out of the cupboard when no one was looking.
"Heh butterscotch, who'da thunk it, never imagine someone goes to create such a concoction before." If he had looked to his side, he'd notice Harley was turning to see him holding the bottle and drinking down the stuff while also looking in the mirror to see Daryl having the same.
Harley bit back the urge to groan and cursing her own moment of stupidity, well hopefully the batch was not going to give any problem as the stuff had minimum alcohol although she might have tried to tweak it a little and see how it shouldn't really affect them at all. Though given the difference in metabolism and as her tolerance had changed for her, she'd best play by ear and keep one of her hangover bottles on hand while hiding the rest of her booze from those two later. She knew how addicting the stuff was and the last thing she need was for them to want to go for it or any others that she kept hidden away from anyone else's eyes.
At least they didn't get into the firewhiskey, that would be hard to write off as they'd burp flames out of nowhere and can't blame it on the ingestion or heartburn. She'd made a mental note to also keep that out of plain sight or anything else she didn't want them to come across. She knew that Merle must've seen the vials in the fridge but then she could explain it in a way that she was a homeopathic brewer to make medicine and the likes. Hopefully they'll buy it, at least not ask too many questions on what it's made with.
Her train of thought was brought to a standstill as she heard Daryl asking her something and having to turn her focus on him.
"So how did you manage to find my brother before we did, were you up there by yourself, in Atlanta I mean." It was hard to guess why someone would be alone when the place was crawling with thousands of walkers and didn't think the likely hood of her surviving the bunch were good but somehow not only did she get out but also got his brother off the roof after those bastards left him there.
"No like you I was just checking for some supplies, certain things that I'm sure people left in a hurry and I kinda heard all that loud gunfire and wondering what bugger, sorry idiot would be bringing unwarranted attention to themselves. I saw what look like an officer on a horse and then having to wonder why he was that stupid to although from what I'm guessing he didn't really have that much of a clue did he?"
She had used Legilimens to glimpse into Merle's head the other night, making sure to see if there was anything she had to know in case this was brought up and not having to make up something too ridiculous on the spot.
Thankfully Merle seemed to accept this and snorted, "You can sure bet your ass he didn't, idiot look like this was his first ever encounter with the sorry lot."
"Hmm well, I kinda felt that given that the Sheriff had his own problems and I had mine, and well too many undead wandering and had to find a place and wait until I could get back to my trailer. But the thing was I was in the opposite building adjacent to yours and I was able to see what was happening and while I was sure they planned to free you but—"
"The fat nigga dropped them keys and instead of trying to help me decides to leave me to rot but leaves a lock to keep the dead out," Merle grumbled out.
"Yes, well I guess I decided to do like I told your brother, my Saving People Syndrome kicks in and I couldn't well leave another person to be a snack for those walkers," She said nonchalantly.
"Yeah, thanks a heap I still owe you one for that." Harley smirk at him, "Just put it on my tab for the meantime." She turns her eyes on the road again and keeping up with the others. Merle took to looking between her and talking to Daryl as he chose to lay back with the pup now on his stomach and resisting the urge to shake his head at the sight of them, especially when it made to curl up in a tiny white ball sleeping.
"Sometimes it's the small things that make it worth living when everything else is a shitty mess. Even ones where you find that you don't want others to know."
Merle glances at Harley who still had her eyes in front but notices she look lost in thought over something and seeing the way her eyes seem to get all misty-like yet couldn't bring himself to ask what it was that brought this on.
Was she thinking of her family, the ones who died before she got the real chance to know what a family was? She apparently didn't like her mom's sister kin but then weren't their others who could have taken her in as their own?
"Yeah, I suppose it does." He had no clue what it was but something about her, she was shroud in mystery and couldn't help finding himself attracted and wondered if he would unfurl any or all her secret if he got the chances.
~W~A~L~K~I~N~G~D~E~A~D~H~A~R~L~E~Y~P~O~T~T~E~R~
They made it back to the camp before sunset, where the others were already waiting though not having any lights to indicate any inhabitants still lived there but seeing their cars and tents still in the area they knew they haven't up and left yet. Rick and the others got out first and same with Harley and the Dixon when they parked behind them and joined the small group.
She notices there were at least a good fifty or so, including some elderly and kids among them. Everyone was busy welcoming the others who'd return before turning their attention onto her when she saw Rick indicate in her direction and then note the big bulky guy who look like he was the one in charge coming over.
"And who's this?" Shane's eyes were on Harley as she stood in between the brothers who were standing close by as they didn't like how that prick deputy was eyeballing her just now. Daryl had the strong urge to pull his crossbow off his back while Merle was itching to grab his gun to do the same, wanting to let Shane know to back off.
Sure they had no reason to be this overprotective of doing so, but they just had the sense that they didn't want Shane to try anything funny though Harley would later show them she was not some poor damsel in distress that needed saving.
Rick didn't seem to notice the sudden tension as he turn to look his deputy and went to introduce her to the others. "This is Harley Black, and she was able to provide some assistance in getting the guns as well as helping Merle."
Merle had to bit back the annoyed grunt though Daryl wasn't going to hold back and bite his tongue, especially since he made it sound like she was just a bystander or something along the line.
"Some, are you kidding?! She was the one to save Merle all by herself and found the guns before we showed up. They were already on their way here just as we were coming to rescue my brother, which you left out to dry might I remind you, sheriff."
The others turn from him back to Rick who again felt a surge of guilt over this and knew that he would never let this go until who knows when.
"Yeah sorry, my bad. So, you see it's thanks to Har—I mean Miss Black, and there should be enough for everyone here."
"Good," Shane then went to go to the 'Marauder,' but she quickly stood in the way, "Step aside ma'am, I'm liberating those guns, and if you have any supplies, you might want to hand over some provisions if you want to make camp with us."
Harley refuses to budge, even though the man was bigger and had more muscle on him than she did but she was no pushover and guys like him didn't scare her as much as those Death Munchers did.
"Since when do I have to take orders from someone like you, mister. I already gave my consent to the sheriff there about the guns and ammo, but there was no mention of anything else in the terms we agree upon. Also, that is an invasion of privacy to go searching my vehicle, and I do not give you any permission to in any case."
She didn't want him snooping around in there, fiddling with her belongings or worse try to go for the backroom, knowing that she made damn sure to ward and hide the secret compartment in the studies and having it charmed to keep people like him from looking further. Though he might bring it up in front of the others and she didn't want to have that out so sudden.
Yet she didn't like how this guy seem to give her that look, it made her think of a particular greasy haired professor that she loathed back in school for many reasons.
"I'm sure you understand that I don't like the idea of having anyone going about touching my stuff and you are not welcome in it by a longshot except these two here." She indicated to the Dixons who were standing right by her and looked once more at Shane, "Unlike you, they had the common decency to ask to come abroad and frankly you don't make the top of my list because if there's one thing I don't tolerate, it's goddamn bullies."
Harley whirls around and is prepared to head towards the RV to grab the guns herself, ignoring everyone gapping at her after her smackdown on him. But the deputy managed to organize his thoughts and with eyes narrowed, he marched over to grab her arm and spin her around to give her a piece of his mind.
Yet before those things could happen, a giant black blur came out of nowhere and found himself on his back and staring at a pair of steel cold eyes with mouth ajar and saliva dripping from sharp canines. Sirius had come out right after Daryl though no one had noticed as he stuck to the shadows and remain silent before seeing what was to happen and rush into action.
Everyone who saw what leap out of the dark and some looked close to screaming but choose to keep their mouth shut as any loud noises could draw the Walkers and knowing they didn't want that as much as they were terrified of the massive growling wolf that was right in their midst.
Harley walk over and stare down at the prone deputy while putting her hand on Sirius's neck, gently stroking his back to calm him down but again glaring at the man before them.
"Try that tough shit again and Sirius won't be the one to take you down, I will. You're just lucky it was him and not Remy who decided to knock you on your ass because she can be quite the vicious mama beast when it comes to protecting her kin." That was her cue as Remy came forward though how a sizeable white wolf hide in the dark no one knew but frankly seeing it appear out of thin air like an apparition made a few shudders and even a couple people crossing themselves as they did. Harley ignores this as Remy moved to stand on one side and giving the others a look, showing she also meant business like her mate.
Seeing that everyone understood and Harley had to resist laughing at their dumbstruck faces and giving a sharp whistle to Sirius to get him off and join her side but keeping his eye on him as the deputy got up, brushing the dirt off his back.
Shane's face was flush red and seeing that he had been put to the ground thanks to that overgrown mutt and Merle was chuckling and said loud enough for everyone to hear, "Glad someone manage to give that SOB a good smackdown, been wanting to do that myself to him for a really long ass time."
Shane scowls as he turn and huff away, leaving everyone to stare at his retreating back while others still in awe by what they witness.
Like the Dixon brothers, some had also thought of Shane's attitude to be a bit over the top and watching get his ass kick, well plow to the floor by the woman's large pooch and having her not back down like most did gave her an ounce of respect in that category.
Remy follow Harley inside while Sirius stood by the door even though no one was planning to try anything as they witness that no one wants to mess with a dangerous chick with two massive wolf beasts that seem to obey her given command. Merle grin at the scared pansy and turn to Daryl who also thought it hilarious watching them look ready to shit themselves then and there, Shane those moments.
Harley walks back out with the large bag and hands it over to Rick who graciously took it from her. Even though she disliked the guy to some point but trust him over his so-called deputy, who made her skin crawl and had the urge to pour scalding water over the places he had looked over, mostly her chest and stomach area specifically.
She also noted that the woman standing beside Rick was giving her a look, her eye filled with so much hatred you would think she was trying to kill her just by her glare alone.
She met scarier people before in her pre-adult life and this woman barely made her quake in her Nagini skin boots.
The woman, Lori as that was her name since Rick made to introduce Harley to his family and finding it rather odd that she had shown more concern over what happened with Shane, but it could be because he was her husband's best friend and also his partner. Then there was his son, Carl who just gave her a nod though understood he was wary of meeting stranger that appeared out of the blue and also have scared the crap out of everyone at camp.
Yeah, it couldn't be help though it had been that Deputy who got on her nerve in the first place.
But turning to Lori and though she didn't want to go assuming such thing but felt there was more going on between them and it didn't seem like the Sheriff knew of it yet.
But Harley could tell that she was not going to be besties with her, that's for sure. Not like she of doing so to with someone who was giving her the stink eye over the way she was dress and her given attitude. She admit she had problems and use to having people wanting her dead, her former adversary now six feet under or in her case was shattered ashes to the seven winds and hopefully never to be resurrected ever.
Yet she would keep her eyes peel and make sure Lori or that prick deputy doesn't try anything funny with her while she was around. Also, having Sirius and Remy on her at all time even though she could manage fine on her own but still better safe than sorry.
Once that was said and done, everyone seeing that the excitement was over, for now, went to do their usual duties, and Harley decided to do a little check on the ground and find out the range of the area to get a better insight.
She took a walk about the territory as far she was in sight of camp before making it further in for another half hour and then turning back. She left Remy in charge of the RV and finding her still guarding as she got back though no one had dared to disturb the presence while she was away.
Probably still on edge and wouldn't try anything stupid for now.
She figured that tomorrow things would be a lot more mellow and less likely for any tension as she didn't think this was a good start to secure friends. Nor did she want to make any enemies either.
Talk about a messed-up situation. Harley went to pull a pack of smokes from her jacket and cast a bit of wandless magic to heat the tip before putting to her lip and inhaled. She could taste the nicotine as well as the sliver of hellebore on her tongue after she had taken the liberty to pour a smidge of the draught of peace in the tobacco mix, being extra careful not to overdo it given how the potion could put someone into a deep sleep and not wake up.
But it had the effect she was looking for as her mind already feeling more at ease and her thoughts becoming much clearer now. She removed the stick from her mouth and exhaled, releasing a cloud of light silvery smoke that shimmer like bright moonlight before fading into nothing when it got close to the open skylight she had for Hedwig to go on her nightly prowls.
Hedwig flutters from her perch and join her as she sat down at the table, mindful of her mistress as she sat there, mulling over the last thirty-seven hours since she picked up Merle Dixon off that rooftop. It still boggles her mind as to why she had gone to such length though like she said her 'SPS' and saw him on the verge of going to the extent to escape his binds like a coyote would chew its own leg off as instinct told.
The man was crass and rude but admittedly had a bit of a backbone especially when he thought she was reaping his soul and him spitting a wad onto her boots while cussing her out for the sheer hell of it.
Yeah, that had not been pleasant though given his oral background and sensing he wasn't one to hold back when it came to showing he was not someone to mess with or take lying down. Harley could relate to that feeling of having all the cards against her, but she refused to roll over and bend to someone's will.
As the eldest of the two Dixon and guessing them to be about thirty, thirty-five years older than her as she saw the slight greying in Merle's hair as well the deep frown wrinkles on his brow.
Daryl had yet to hit that mark but could see that they both had the air of someone who been through some rough times. Though from her thinking it was before this mess and yet wasn't going to pry any as it wasn't anyone's business unless those two decided to for themselves to open up to her.
"Yeah, and when Dumbledore comes out singing 'Mama Mia' while Snape is wearing a pink flamingo dress with Voldie on 'Dancing with the Stars.'"
She saw Hedwig gave her that incredulous look and found she also was a little disturbed by the idea and taking another hit to clear that out of her head. The last thing she needs is to be thinking of those three and hate having them brought about like that.
Anytime she did, she had to go and do target practice to vent until it was out of her system.
She turned her head to find a slim paperback lying there and knew Hedwig would never go and do that, plus she was still halfway through 'the Stand' last she checked. It must've been Daryl, the most likely perpetrator, given his curiosity about her accommodations and must've gotten interested in Hedwig's reading material or out of sheer boredom to skim through to understand, she got the feeling he didn't get to read much, and if Hermione were here, she'd be shocked and appalled by such a notion.
She chuckled thinking only Mione would go and deem something like that offensive but saw to set the book back in its' rightful place before walking towards the cabinet to go and pour herself a drink.
"Ah here we are 'Blishen's Firewhisky' I'm just glad Abe gave us a crate of this stuff before we left England huh Hed." They shared a universal dislike for his brother and knowing that Aberforth never forgave Albus for his sister's death or the lives that he had destroyed in the process. He was the only person she had mostly turn to for help during those binding times other than her friends, and the man had a sheer amount of wisdom, despite those given rumors of his liaison with goats.
She wondered if he had found a mean to escape the sheer madness or had stayed there to fight, but knowing the man would welcome death if not to reunite with his sister and she thought how likely that might be given the chances of anyone in the wizarding world getting over this.
She grab a glass and also brought a saucer dish for Hedwig as she likes to have a nip now and then. She pours a small content into the bowl, letting the owl hop over and taking a few licks of it before doing the same for herself.
Harley enjoys the burning sensation as it went down her throat and while swirling the content around, staring at the amber liquid in there with the cancer stick hanging limply on her lips. Out of the whole bunch, she admit the Dixons were by far the most intriguing pair she ever did meet.
Though that first meeting on the roof wasn't what she had as plan and admits, Merle did come off as a tough son of a bitch even when he thought she was the grim was undoubtedly amusing for her. He and his brother were both as different as day and night though cut from the same cloth as blood went.
Harley knew it had been a significant risk on her part doing what she did back there but given that Merle was likely to put up a fuss and she was not one with a whole lot of patience under her doing what she did. Given no other choice but casting the imperio and putting him under before apparating them outside her RV while he was still conked out.
She admits it would have been a whole lot easier, using a sleeping spell but with her muggle/walker repelling charm starting to lose its' effect and needed to get away fast.
She apparated them off the roof and straight to the Marauder where she carried the unconscious man and had him lying in her bed but not before she stripped him of his clothes and gave him a quick wash down. Harley cast the spell for a prompt diagnosis and found him dehydrated and on the verge of heatstroke as well as the drugs pumping in his system. Fortunately, she managed to give him a few highly coveted Phoenix's tears to fix the minor problems although she had to wait another hour before giving him the pain relief potion. She was sure he was going to be quite sore when he woke up and she couldn't risk the two mixing as some of the ingredients were volatile and could cause adverse side effects that would do more harm than good.
She sighed and turned to Hedwig, reaching to pet her and trying to say her thoughts out to her, "It's bad to find that even in these rough times, people will still react in a manner they deem fit and knowing that things can go down fast like Lord of the Files."
Harley read the book once when she was a kid and thought that like those boys in the story, things around the world could now easily fall apart given the right amount of paranoia or even someone suffering from a state of grand delusion being in charge could tip the balance. The way she saw it, that Deputy Shane believes he's in the right to do things his way but she wouldn't trust the man cause there was something she didn't very much like. She had best keep her wits and also make sure not to leave her back turned to him unless she wishes to wind up with a bullet from behind.
Harley removes the cigarette and crushes it in the ashtray before moving to run a hand through her head, muttering out loud, "I'm really getting too old for this kind of fucking shit…" She sighed feeling mentally tired when thinking of the past. The war back in Britain had been enough to leave its scars, both the physical and mental on her person, and having to do what it takes to survive, even by brutal means of taking another's life, more than once in the act of self-defense.
Sometimes in her dreams, she sees her friends and family, all of them during that final battle, seeing them die one by one until she was the last one standing. She cursed fate in letting her survive the final battle, she felt like a puppet for the gods. To be used, pushed and shoved in front of conflicts of their choosing without her consent. Having the Hallows wasn't something she had planned and her unwanted title as "Mistress of death" was only a burden she would happily discard if it weren't for Death's unwillingness to surrender her only master she could be at peace.
But according to the former, her soul still had a significant duty to fulfill and she wouldn't get to the "next great adventure" as many called it until it was complete. She had no clue at what this could be until her move across the continent and humanities next great challenge rose in the form of a zombie apocalypse bringing humankind on the verge of extinction if no one did anything.
Was this what Death meant as unfinished business, was she supposed to again step up to the plate and help save what's left of humanity? Still, this was some messed up bullshit and she would have loved to make a complaint to whoever was in charge of making her life a complicated living hell!
Harley took the bottle and poured herself another shot before gulping it down and then expelling a tiny fireball as soon as the liquid passed her esophagus. Why did this always have to be her getting involved? She thought that she had fulfilled her requirement after taking care of Voldemort and now she winds up being drawn back into another predicament that has her in a bit of a bind that didn't give her much room to nudge around.
The fact was she was a witch among muggles and since she didn't think they would believe her unless she showed it to them and there were two outcomes that likely would work or backfire on her in any case. The likely chances of them coming to terms and accepting her and her capabilities were slim as she knew that in every group, some small-minded people would look to this as a threat and likely try to make the others turn against her and try to eliminate the danger before she could retaliate. She didn't want to create a stir or cause trouble, she'll just have to use as little magic as possible around them unless it was a dire emergency and have little to no choice on the matter.
She stood up and looks to the skylight, seeing the crescent moon shining down through the opening, "I just pray that things don't get too hectic and that we can just manage without any crazy surprises coming out of the blue."
Yet even as she said that she had a feeling she would not get her wish, even she knew things tend to get crazy with her "Potter luck" and like Alice falling down the rabbit hole, she was heading into a strange but dangerous terrain with no idea of what lied waiting for her at the end of the tunnel.