Walking Dead Wizard

Chapter 6

0-0 Flash Back 0-0

Harry grabbed a hold of the Portkey's, he was getting everyone he cared about as far away as possible from whatever the hell that was happening here. Admittedly he hadn't seen them in a few years, but he still cared, he had just needed to get away from all the hero worship, he'd secluded himself away in Grimmauld Place enjoying life for the first time, just being alive, no expectations, at least none he was facing at any rate. There had been a time where he considered stopping getting the Daily Prophet when Skeeter continued her nonsense, only one of her guesses had been accurate, he definitely didn't want to marry a girl and settle down, but he was glad he hadn't otherwise this outbreak…he would have been completely oblivious. It had taken him a long time to come to terms with his sexuality. Growing up with the Dursley's, having them thinking he was a freak had lasting damages, made him question his self worth, but in the end he'd thought 'to hell with the Dursley's' and he became strong again, more confident, he knew who he was and if nobody liked it then that was on them.

Unfortunately his trip to the Ministry hadn't gone all that smooth, trying to get through the groups of people all in the atrium in panic, wanting somewhere safe had been madness. It was mostly Muggle-born's and half-blood's he'd noticed, there wasn't a single pureblood to be seen unless you counted those actually trying to work at the Ministry. The Ministry had been trying to deal with it themselves, stupidly Obliviating Muggles of their knowledge thinking it was a magical problem, but the wizards and witches knew all too well of the pandemic that was currently starting to emerge from every corner of the world. The pureblood's were closing down their manors, buying as much food as they possibly could hoping to seclude themselves until it blew over.

With a crack Harry Apparated himself to Hogwarts, ready to start rounding everyone up, but just as he stepped up to the wards, the dome of light expanded outwardly, flinging him from his feet, the gates slamming closed, and the doors booming shut, Harry could hear the locks clanging closed from way over here, Hogwarts had closed itself down, it hadn't done that even when Sirius was in, they'd done it manually. Hearing low growls he frowned, turning around wondering what was causing it, animals? Then he saw two for himself, his eyes widened at the sight of them, the papers had been liking them to the inferi, deluded idiots, these…things were nothing like the inferi he'd dealt with, this was something new, something dangerous.

Staring at them as they lumbered towards him, he realized with a sinking feeling that this was going to be very bad. This wasn't something small, and it wasn't going to go away, they were Auror's - or had been - he realized seeing their uniforms, choking in shock when he saw that this wasn't just any Auror…it was Ron…and the other was Seamus Finnegan also an Auror.

"Stupefy!" Harry fired off, getting into fight mode, forcing any emotions down, this wasn't Ron, not anymore, and he was suddenly glad he'd distanced himself these past years - otherwise this would be agony at its finest. Much to his surprise - and not in a good way - the spell knocked him on his backside but he just got back up. "Petrificus Totalus!" this one had the same affect, just knocked them down, not doing what it was meant to.

"Avada Kedavra!" Harry muttered, the normally lethal green spell did nothing, how the hell did you kill them? "BOMBARDA!" Harry shouted this time his aim at Seamus who had crept up to him as he'd focused on Ron. The spell did affect them, ripped Seamus' insides out, but he continued coming. Stunned unable to believe his magic was so useless in the face of these things he tripped up Seamus falling with him, much like his first year, Harry's wand ended up being lodged inside something's nostril all the way up. Then just like that Seamus stopped fighting, limp in his hold. Harry flung the disgusting thing off him, shuddering in disgust at the repugnant smell wafting from them. So the key to defeating them was something to the head? Face? Brain?

"I'm so sorry, Ron," Harry whispered, and it was meant for a hell of a lot more than just what he was about to do. "BOMBARDA!" Harry aimed for the face, putting the full force of his magic behind it, and it hit dead on, he was an expect at aiming after all, Ron's face exploded and the body just fell to the floor like its strings had been cut. Gagging slightly, it was the most revolting thing he'd ever had to do.

Glancing back at Hogwarts hopeless, Neville, Luna, Hermione was all in there, but they were safe, Hogwarts had closed down. Glancing further down he saw a few more of those things, aimlessly trying to wander and bouncing off the wards, they were safe…maybe Hogwarts could protect them better than an old manor could? He honestly didn't know he'd just known he had to get them out of there. Weakly getting back to his feet, closing his eyes to avoid staring at the dead body of his one time best friend, before he forced himself to move towards him, wondering how he'd died, these things must animate very quickly…he of course was unaware of the fact Ron had come home from work yesterday with a bite and a huge fever that spiked in the night. "I'm sorry Ron," Harry murmured quietly before standing, feeling more alone than he had when he was by himself in Grimmauld Place for two years all of a sudden.

What did he do? Go to the manor? Save as many as he could? That idea was nixed immediately, he was done protecting everyone, he was tired quite frankly despite the fact he'd spent the last few years to himself. No, he had to get weapons, potions, books, so Gringotts first then the shops in the Alley if it was safe. He'd need trunks but he knew there would be one in one of his vaults somewhere. Glancing once more at Hogwarts, praying to her that she keep his friends safe, he Apparated away, having no choice, he wasn't waiting for more of those things coming his way.

Gringotts was chaotic, there was no other word for it, panic surging but everyone seemed to be at least just level headed enough not to anger the goblins. He had an idea what was going on, they were all probably withdrawing their money and panic buying. It was nightmarish waiting, he felt very tense and alert, the lines slowing tricking by, especially having just faced two of those things, heck he didn't even know what to call them!

Harry could scarcely believe his eyes, people were looting, just rushing blindly into shops and taking things. His green eyes roamed over everything and everyone, he had six trunks, with six compartments in them, shrunk in his pocket, it would fit whatever he needed to carry, food and things. He already had every book and galleon he owed in one of them, now he needed potions, so with that in mind he began to swiftly make his way towards the first potions apothecary. He noticed there was a sign up saying only two shoppers at a time, and when he tried to open the door he realized it had been spelled that way. He would need to wait until someone else came out before he could get in, although if he wanted to he had the power to remove whatever wards the owner had placed up.

He didn't understand why there wasn't a line of people waiting here, unless they honestly didn't think they'd need potions to survive. Although this wasn't quite like the other time he'd been away from civilisation trying to survive because every Death Eater in the world was scouting for him, well Ron and Hermione too. He hadn't planned it quite like this though, but he was older, more experienced. He heard something to his right and turned swiftly, seeing someone coming out of the shop, well thank Merlin for that, he thought sliding into the shop before someone had the gall to come up and barge their way in.

Harry didn't wait around, he just started putting every potion he could possibly need into the cauldron shaped baskets, which had expansion charms on them. Not just ready made potions either, but potion ingredients that would be useful, essence of dittany, Phoenix tears and the like. He had all but cleared out the shop, putting it on the counter to be rung up, he opened the second compartment of his trunk and ensured that they all ended up in his trunk, he didn't even blink at the total, he just handed over the hundred galleons, money would be useless if this pandemic wasn't dealt with and soon anyway. He had weapons, a wand he'd found in the vaults, books, now potions, he was going to go to the other potion shop and do the same thing there, then food and clothes, but he was better off going to the Muggle world, nobody even knew what was going on yet there so there would be no panic or looting yet, he hoped. Plus they had a larger selection; he would also need to put charms on the compartments to keep it safe from rotting.

He Apparated through the flimsy wards the owner of the apothecary had in place, he had to be quick, he needed to get to the rest of the Weasley's, Ron would want him to do that, plus he didn't want to see anything happening to them.

Harry Apparated to Ottery St. Catchpole, not far from the Burrow, sighing in relief, the area was clear, but the taste of magic was in the air, he could sense it. Without another thought he ran down the hill, making his way hastily to their home, passing the orchid as he did. Kicking the annoying garden gnomes aside as he did, surprised to see so many there, there never usually was when he'd visited in the past. Skidding to a halt, not wanting anyone to accidentally curse him he took a breath and entered the Burrow only to balk in horror. Then the snarling met him, jerking to the side, avoiding it, he sent a quick Bombarda at it's head, crouching low wand at the ready, whoever had done this had the same idea as him he realised, he could tell the remains of the body (clothes) beside the kitchen table was Molly, cups and food was still on the table, where she'd obviously been getting ready to have lunch or something. Arthur was at the fireplace, he prayed the others were safe.

Swiftly moving through the house, wondering why the hell something like this had to happen, hadn't he been through enough? Wasn't one war enough for him? He checked every room, swallowing thickly when he got to Ginny's room; tears formed in his eyes but didn't drop. There was a letter, a potion vial gripped in her fist, she had killed herself, buy why? She'd always been so strong, so determined and so very capable. He touched her hand and realized she was still warm, if he had just come sooner…she wouldn't have been dead, she must have seen her parents…Merlin he wished he'd been able to help her. Breathing shakily, he closed her eyes, before grabbing a blanket and placing it over her frail form.

This didn't bode well with the others, where was Bill, Charlie, Percy and George? Maybe they'd got their loved ones to safety? They surely wouldn't have left without Ginny; they were all very protective of her. Unless they'd planned to meet somewhere, he didn't know he'd been way out of the loop on the families for a while, just the occasional letter.

"Damn!" Harry cursed himself for not acting sooner, but unfortunately there was absolutely nothing he could do, for any of them right now. Running down the stairs, he carefully avoided the bodies, glancing at the clock uncomprehendingly, oh no, nearly all the hands were pointed to dead, the others mortal peril which was George and Bill. Well they all were he supposed, the dead was coming back to life and somehow infecting others. Quickly looping one of the Portkey's to the clock, he found some parchment and ink before writing a hasty note telling them to take the Portkey to the manor and signing his name. He couldn't bring himself to say he was sorry…how could you convey any apologies through a letter? They'd lost their entire family in the space of a few days maybe a fortnight he didn't know, they'd loss less during the war with Voldemort.

He felt numb; he was running on pure adrenaline at this point, nothing was processing for him. Clumsily making his way out of the Burrow, breathing great big gulps of fresh clean air, the stench would never leave him. He glanced at the Lovegood abode, wondering about Luna…was there a chance she was at home? Her father was very protective hopefully he had gotten her to safety, but just as he thought that, he saw blonde hair from the window, and he knew from the way it was shuffling that it was already too late. Grunting in frustration and helplessness, he clutched tighter at his Portkey, desolation flowing through him, there was nothing for him here now, and so he whispered the activation words for his Portkey and disappeared from the Burrow, unaware at that very moment, the corpse of Ginny Weasley was beginning to reanimate.

The first thing that registered in Harry's mind as he landed was pain, agonising searing pain so sudden he didn't even have time to scream, his legs buckled as his body spasmed, and as he looked down Harry found an arrow of all things sticking of his body, everything had slowed down, felt like it was a movie playing on slow motion or something. He was in woods? Why was he in woods? The Portkey…it had malfunctioned…unless even the old manors had gone on shutdown and it had landed him here of all places. Rasping painfully, each breath felt like torture, and he had been tortured so he spoke from experience. Closing and opening his eyes, trying to focus, but it was so difficult, all he was sure he saw before the world went black was a blurry pink blob with a very weird sounding accent coming towards him.

-0 End of Flash Back 0-

"Ain't you gonna get some dinner?" Daryl asked wandering up to him, bringing Harry out of his thoughts, twitching slightly as he looked around, hell he must have been really deeply in thought, it had gotten dark, Merle was no longer standing there and the coolness of the day was nice. He was no longer pale; two months living here he had taken on a quite permanent tan by the look of things.

His gaze despite not being directly on Harry, Daryl still watched him closely, he'd been really worried with how long Harry had remained standing there lost in his own mind, not even reacting to Merle thumping him on the back. He'd resisted going over, not wanting Merle to give him a hard time, until he couldn't hold it in completely and here he was.

"Normally I would say I could eat a scabby horse, but since seeing those walkers eating one…" Harry trailed off smirking just a little, shaking his head. He had an urge to ask Daryl why Merle had reacted the way he had, but he honestly wasn't sure whether he would answer him. They were very closed mouthed when it came to certain things, but so was he. Stretching out slightly, groaning in appreciation he walked towards the group, pasta today, lots of it, and filling, at least he wouldn't be hungry within a few hours with it.

His silent shadow followed him, Daryl's concern not known to anyone other than himself.

Unbeknown to all - all hell was about to break loose tonight, but whether they lost someone or not remained to be seen.

There we go that's the next chapter up! I'm through the third season and I am more familiar with Merles character! part of me regrets making sure he got off that roof lol he has a very oppressive influence over Daryl that much I can see but this is fanfiction so I can do what I like :P and everyone seems to like my version of him so yay! hopefully i'll be able to keep it slightly in character though and bring Daryl out while keeping Merle in character...yeah that's going to be fun :P I'm good at envisioning it but whether i'm conveying what I think writing it is another matter :D I hope you liked my flashback! finally managed to get in it! next chapter well lets just say I hope I can live up to the battle scenes I do for Harry Potter :) *fingers crossed* and I'm really sorry I know i'm not doing their words and accents justice, I'm not used to writing their speech the way its required, but just so you know I will give it my all! and thanks to those who are letting me know if i'm not spelling things right made sure it was this time! :D R&R please