Out of habit since this whole shit has begun Harry can't stop himself from glancing towards Carl only relaxing when his gaze finds him, talking to the sweet timid little thing, Sophia if he can remember right.
Turning his attention to Jacqui, he gave the beautiful aged woman a kind smile,"sorry, could you repeat that?"
"I was just saying that boy is lucky to have such a protective Uncle." She sees how eagle eyes the man before her is, with all the children but like anyone he is extra cautious with his Kin.
Ducking his head bashfully he shakes his head turning his gaze towards the direction that his sister and Shane wandered off to, he is indifferent of the whole thing, oh, he knows what they are up to, but Lori is his sister, and well, it's not his drama, his only worry is Carl, it's the least he can do for Rick, knowing the late man would just want his kid safe.
Though he doesn't think the man is dead, after Harry had "died" for the final time, doing so by saving his dear friend Hermione from a cutting hex, she had been pregnant, and was just accepting her role as minister, Harry couldn't have very well stood by, of course when he woke up in the train station he realized he may have acted too hasty, knowing the bright witch could have used a shield and if his memory was recalling right she had her wand raised, his saving people thing.
"It's nuthin'" he says to Jacqui as he stands, "I would do it, regardless." The statement having a double meaning, standing up with a stretch Harry reaches towards Jaqcui offering his hand to help her up, getting a sweet thanks, as he hoists her up, he's enjoyed her company for the few months? He doesn't have time to keep track of dates.
This fucked up world Death sent him, at least this time he has a family from the get go, though the fact that Harry is the master of death, and is in the middle of a dead apocalypse isn't lost on him.
Harry comes back to reality while closing his eyes as Jagcui reaches to cup his face with a motherly hold he hasn't felt since his "new" mother perished in this whole thing.
"No it's not nothing, sweetie, especially in this world we are in" she speaks with a resolute tone, before dropping her hand, "I'm gonna see how the girls are doing," indicating to the quarry,"why don't you check on Dale, he must be hot sitting up there in the sun" she nudges him towards the Rv.
Harry shakes his head. It's not the right time to reminisce, with a cheeky salute he makes his way towards the Rv stopping by Carol, who is tending to the food, the generous sweetheart she is, that fat bastard of a husband doesn't deserve the kind soul.
He aches to hug the woman, but doesn't want to incite her hog of a man, so instead he gives her a gentle smile, his eyes lighting up as she nervously returns it.
Harry reaches for a water bottle, while using his other hand to ruffle Carl's hair, looking away from his indigent squawk to meet the giggling red head of Sophia, when he catches her gaze he gives her what he hopes is a gentle grin, before he winks.
"Thank you Carol, your ability to turn all this rummage into something edible is magical, you're truly a lifesaver" Harry can see carols own amusement at his teasing, as well as her straightened spine when he complimented her making him feel satisfied as he always makes sure to let the woman know how appreciative he is of her and how much she actually does for the people she feeds, even if she doesn't personally find the food.
Turning to the duo playing cards, he gives the blushing girl a mischievous grin,"Carl, don't let her innocence fool you, I see a sly fox, waiting for her chance." He doesn't stick around to see their reactions but he does catch Carl's sputter along with the soft laugh of Carol which makes his day.
Harry thanks Death that his magic is still within him, he doesn't have the physical pieces of the hollows, but the hollows symbol is branded into the back of his nape centered just on the edge of his hairline.
Hell, even in this life he can't escape the lightning scar having it as a birthmark, though thankfully the scar is less noticeable than his original.
It's taken him more time than he'd admit to figure out his magic, or the new way his magic works, from his understanding his magic is free, not bound by the necessity of using a wand as a conduit, but the drawback is he isn't able to do more mundane spells as easily, at least at his current level, the vastness of his magic didn't have a filter, that those with a wand naturally have, so he has a harder time minimizing his output.
'I really need to stop drifting off into my thoughts', Harry thinks, not realizing he had walked the whole distance already, reaching towards the latter, that leads to the roof of the RV, he makes his way up to dale giving the man a nod as he heaves himself up.
"I brought you water?" He tells Dale, stating the obvious, while wiggling the bottle in his hands for the man to drink.
Turning his gaze towards the burnt just that is Atlanta, He remembers watching as Atlanta got bombed he knew then that the his time in peace was over, and the soldier he was was back in front, he had been nervous, having pushed that role away when death gave him this new life.
he should have known that there was something up the deity's sleeve.
"Do you think they'll bring back anything?" Dale ask the lithe man beside him, the only "leader" he trust's, while he respects what Shane tries to do, he knows the organization is all the man before him
"Not sure," Harry responds absently surveying the area, not that he needs to, thankfully his ability to make wards and use runes hasn't changed, though he finds it similar, he just needs to think with intent and most of the magic weaves itself, he suspects it's the hollows benign semi-sentient, if not fully sentient.
"I don't know what Shane was thinking, allowing the button pushing addict on the run, not that I don't appreciate what Merle does, and could be if he wasn't so antagonist" Harry muses.
"What do you mean?" Dale inquires, as curious as a cat.
"If you look past the front he puts off in defense you could see how much of an asset he is, now I'm not saying he's a saint, but look at the meals we have, it's him and his brother, who is currently hunting as we speak," here Harry turns towards the area Daryl went off to, continuing, "that are the reason for it."
"Well, you don't have to tell me that" referring to the last part, thankful for their actions, but too timid to confront them.
"I know dale, you're a good man, maybe too good" 'for this world' is left unsaid.
"I don't think I'm the only one," Dale says, looking at Harry with a fatherly look.
Harry, seeing that, laughs softly, "oh, while I thank you, I know I'm not a good person, I can do good things, but I'm a selfish creature" the grin he has lets dale know he is so he's 'teasing'.
"Wel-" whatever Dale was gonna say is unknown as the blaring sound of a car going off meets their ears. Harry, not minding himself, jumps off the roof his magic softening the blow as he waves carl back into his seat when he sees the boy starting to get up, before rushing with a pistol, and his dagger, he suspiciously found when raiding a weapons and ammo shop, on a trip with Glenn.
Harry lowers the pistol in his hand as a frantic Glenn hopes out of the car, despite the scare he watches in amusement as Glenn frantically tries to shut the car off.
Harry reaches the vehicle before Shane reaches them, and tugs on the horns his wincing from the blaring softening as the loud noise fades, hearing Shane start to get into Glenn Harry hurries to stand between Shane and Glenn.
"What the fuck!" Shane bellows but doesn't push further, both because he doesn't want to anger Lori, and knows Harry isn't a slouch despite his size.
"I-m sorry" Glenn stutters the high of the rise still making him shaky.
"Calm down," Harry says at the same time Dale speaks. "I think we are safe, the noise would have echoed, it's impossible to pinpoint the direction," Harry gives the man a grateful smile, before shooing Shane away, "go the others seem to be not far behind" indicating to the new vehicle approaching.
With a huff Shane walks off to Lori, 'just to spite me', Harry thinks.
Shrugging his shoulders he watches by the pretty car as they start to unload, he gives the group a bitter smile at the heart felt reunions, looking towards his sister he can see the saddened looks of both her and Carl as they think of Rick.
"-it was all thanks to the new guy really" the tale end of morales catches his ear making him turn, as morales yells, "hey new guy come on and meet the group,".
Harry watches in what seems to be a movie, as the last person and the familiar figure of Rick, his damned sheriff outfit and all, the only missing thing is the man's favorite hat steps out of the van.
"Dad!" He listens watching as Carl sprints towards his father with a desperate cry, the man responding just as heartfelt as they meet.
Looking to Lori he sees the woman's face pale with a multitude of emotions, looking behind her as she rushes to meet the two boys of her family, he can see Shane also has mixed emotions as well. He can see the relief of his best friend, but the fear, or brewing hate this change is going to cause, shaking his head, he dismisses his thoughts.
He doesn't need to focus on that, right now he has a family he needs to shoulder, with that he makes his way to them.
"Well damn, seems your tougher to kill than I thought" he teases his brother in law, ignoring the reprimand from Lori as the man in question laughs, standing up the best he can with Carl gripping him he pulls Harry into his side, "yeah, well I'm thankful for that, and for what you've done, and you" he says, to Shane who approached them after a few seconds.
"Wait, where is Merle?"
———
Harry shakes his head at Rick, Harry can find Merle easier if he doesn't have them dragging him down, and if his instincts are right he senses the man is near, and Daryl wouldn't stay even if he asked, because he can't just openly explain how he knows where the man is so easily.
"You guys go, someone needs to make sure the van isn't going to be stolen," Harry half lying to the group who came to get Merle.
"I don't-"
"Rick, I'll be fine, Plus this is are only guarantee out of here, we can't leave it unguarded, besides I've got a routine with these dead, no head no dead." Yeah, even he'll admit that was cheesy.
Not giving the man any time and seeing the impatience on Daryl he waves him, and the others off, "Go, I'm not sure how long Merle will be waiting idle"
At that the man concedes, "Alright, but you don't risk your life for the van, you hear." Rick tells him sternly, Harry nods with a cheeky salute, is that his trademark?
Watching as the group descends into the pits of hell, while Harry turns to the few shops he sees just on the edge of the town.
he wanders into a store with a missing sign, his minds eye tracking the line connecting Merle to Daryl, a neat trick of his is able to literally see connections and using the ability he can track anyone, for instance he is using the connection between Daryl and Merle to track said man, which is leading him towards and empty sports store if he can guess right.
Brandishing his dagger he positions the blade sharp point out against his forearm, should he need to push off one of the dead. Harry winces as the tale sign of a store bell rings upon his entrance, he can see that it's been raided quite well,
A groan brings himself back to reality, raising his armed arm which had lowered as his mind started to drift, using the other he quickly draws his pistol, not wanting to use it but knowing it will be better than being dead cause he hadn't.
He can't always rely on his magic.
Creeping silently towards the closed door presumably to the office area, or employees only. He presses himself slowly against the door listening to the grunts and moans, his brow furrowing.
The cord says merle is behind the door but the grunts-
'Wait, they sound clean' as the dead tend to have a more guttural groan opposed to the humane one he is hearring.
"If you're alive in there don't do anything, I'm opening the door," he yells, keeping up the pretense that he doesn't know who's behind the door.
After waiting a second he Pushes the door open, well as much as he can since merle seems to have his legs in front.
"move your legs," he tries to instruct but is interrupted by the clearer but delirious voice of Merle.
"Fuck off, ya fucking fa'ry, I ain't needing any help from the likes of you," Harry hears the man sneer, making his lip twitch with mirth, that's the nicest he's ever heard Merle speak to him.
"I'm just a fairy now, not a faggot dick swollowing ditch weed, or whatever?" he asks, looking to the man's cauterized stump with sympathy, even so he can't help teasing the rough red neck.
He can't help but hold his out, with a "need a hand?"
"Oh! fuck off," Merle growls out, but too tired to put any true heat into it, the fact that the fairy actually is decent folk not withstanding.
"Do you think you can make it to the van?" He asks, looking at the sweat dripping off Merle's forehead.
"Fuck that, I ain't going back to their pansy asses, fucking officer leaving ol' merle on the roof like that," the man tries to stand but from the blood loss is too weak and falls, waving away any help from Harry who tried to steady him, while handing Merle a bottle of water he just remembered he had, answering as the man guzzles the water.
"Look, I understand, you've been through a lot," man isn't that a heavy statement, "but, We, I need you, shit I know that doesn't matter to you, but you have value, I see it, past all your grunge and high, I see it in the way Daryl watches you like a hawk, the way he looks to your approval, it shows just who taught our best hunter, which given the state of the world is probably very accurate."
"Huh?" Merle says,wiping the drip from his chin, looking up into the eyes of the little dude before him, seeing a sincere gaze, something ol' Merle is definitely not used to.
The words do resonate within him, but he pushes them away, turning with a scoff he says, "Nah, Darlina is better off without me, it's why I left the first time," thinking he was the reason papa had been so cruel.
"Well, even if you don't believe me, I believe what I say, and I know Daryl didn't, and doesn't wish for you to leave, you should have seen the way he reacted to your situation," the lithe man, Harry, if he remembers right, says with a proud smile.
"Why, you smiling' like 'hat" he mutters embarrassed despite himself.
"Oh, nothing I just love seeing that despite the end of the world, familial love is still strong and willful," At Merle's inquiring look, Harry elaborates,"Rick, or officer friendly, is my sister's husband."
"Well, fuck me running, you're related to that banshee! I thought you just had a sweet spot for kids, though it makes sense seeing as you and soldier boy, are the only two to tolerate her skanky ass, I guess when your numbing uglies it's soothes the blow," merle muses thinking on the coupling of the wanna-be-soldier and play-house-wife.
"Hey, that's my sister," Harry chides with a swipe to Merle's head, not realizing just how much of an improvement that is, as merle would have attacked anyone else.
"…But I understand where you're coming from," he allows, as he stands, reoffering his hand, smiling when a calloused one clasp his, he grunts pulling the blood deprived man off the ground, surprising Merle with his strength.
"Damn, little man, Your' stronger than ya look," Harry , ignores the joking leer, as he lets the man gain what little dignity he can, while exiting the office, his eyes catching the gear, looking at merle, he asks,"do you think it would be worth it to drag all this equipment to the van? We could turn some of this into armor?"
Merle who is using a shelf as a crutch just shrugs, his stump pulsing with pain, as the awareness trickles back in, he squints his eyes as he watches the small man go on to gather some of said equipment without his opinion, not that he wouldn't disagree, any protection is good protection, though, "the shoulder pads are more a hindering than helpful, knowing from experience that the pads are to movement restricting, grab those," he gruffly says pointing toward the BB, and airsoft armor pads, his mind going to the incredulousness of this whole thing, to think second ago he was delirious, now he's feeling more coherent, he hates to say it, but he owes the small man.
"Ah, yeah, that makes sense," Harry responds while gathering what little he can, making way to the exit, "can you make it?" He asked Turning his head back to merle.
Merle just scoffs at grabbing the biggest piece of equipment Harry is holding before shouldering past, trusting the small man to keep them safe, with his disadvantage he is almost thankful for the company, but is too proud to say anything.
A/n:
So I'm not sure where I'm going with this, and it's not a merle/Harry fic, unless, kidding.
How will Harry effect the apocalypse? Will he use his magic freely or is the scars of the Dursley's too ingrained in him, he hasn't even revealed his ability to his "new" sister who he grew up