Walking Dead Wizard

Chapter 13

Luna kept quiet, keeping even her breathing to a minimum, sound drew these things, it was something Harry had first discovered and shared with everyone within Hogwarts. She had shrunk the box with the swords as soon as she closed the passageway door. She had her wand out and lit so she wasn't walking blindly into anything, sometimes they didn't make a sound so she felt it was better safe than sorry. The light was dim but enough for her to see in front of her. She knew she could take care of herself, she had been using the Room of Requirement to practice, admittedly more often than not she ended up 'bitten' but with practice came experience and she didn't feel completely overwhelmed by going out here. There was no doubt she was scared, she'd been scared facing the Death Eaters she just didn't let it get the better of her.

Gripping her sword tightly, hearing the rattling breathy moan, she jumped when the thing fell down in front of her, there were stairs there. With quick work she stuck the sword into the brain before it could move again. Kicking its hand off her boots, she edged closer trying to see if there was anything else in the room or if it was dangerous to go up there. Noise; if there were any there they would be drawn to noise. Clanging her sword against the stone walls encasing her, hoping she wasn't making a mistake she waited and listened.

Thank Merlin for Harry, she wasn't even the slightest bit surprised he could survive out there, he'd survived worse and came out on top. When nothing appeared Luna began to walk up the steps, keeping herself silent as possible, pausing half way up when she heard distant banging as if someone was thumping against the door of the shop. Breathing deeply she went the rest of the way, keeping her wand in front of her, she jumped through the hole, sliding the stone back into place and sealing it magically. Now nothing would get into that place unless someone actually cancelled her magic on the stone and ducked down under. Hopefully Hermione will have also sealed the other entrance.

Luna stood to her left and peeled away the stone, finding the warding hub, it was unused, it wasn't even got a spark of a glow in it to show that the wards worked. She wondered when it happened, during the war? Or had this stone ward been forgotten over time? And neither Dumbledore nor Minerva had bothered to fix it since technically it wasn't at Hogwarts?

Pouring her magic into the stone, her wand tip touching it as she continuously muttered Latin erecting the ward to protect Hogwarts at its fullest. It's the only safe place left in the magical world, she realized sadly, and it had been her home for so long. She didn't have anyone else other than the others in there, now she was alone, but she'd had to do it, to protect everyone. Then the ward stone glowed to life, before settling, emitting a tiny glow here and there showing it was working at full strength. Nodding grimly she levitated the stone slab back onto the warding hub (or rather one of the dozens Hogwarts had) sealing it closed with a sticking charm.

There was only one way out of here, opening that door, there was at least five of those things out there she realized, as she crept closer, counting the hands banging on the door. She could deal with them one at time, but she had to be careful. Creeping closer, she was distracted by all the sweets, a small whimsical smile appeared on her face; Harry loved sugar quills, which was what she could see closest to her. Shrugging indifferently she opened her trunk and swiftly began summoning on the sweets and getting them to sit neatly in her trunk. Grabbing the broomstick as an afterthought, those things couldn't fly so they couldn't catch her. Leaning it against the door she shrunk her trunk and put it away, opening the door she allowed one to get in but the weight of the others was too much for her, she ended up almost being squashed, cursing she raised her sword stabbed one as she backed away behind the counter, wand raised she tried to keep it quiet an blasted another, raising her sword she sliced through three of the others, half their heads slicing of like cheese. Well, Hermione had it right, she thought wryly, grimacing at the blood on the blade. Hearing more growling she quickly went to the window cursing, there were two large groups of those things making their way to her. Grabbing her broom she kicked off, raising up, as they crowded around arms in the air trying to get to her.

Looking back at Hogwarts, knowing if she tried to get through the wards she'd be bounced off them and end up dead. Where did she go? Did she try to make a home somewhere here? Kill those things and just wait it out? It was much too risky though, despite the fact Hogsmeade was closed off those things still came. From who knows where actually she thought about risking it…but she didn't want to be on her own. She'd gone her entire childhood and some of her teenage years alone. Then she'd become friends with Harry and later the others, she'd never been alone after that. She knew she didn't have it in her to do it again, closing her eyes as the wind soothed her, and it came to her, Harry, he was out there as well, could she make the journey to America? It wasn't as if she needed to know where she was going, the point me spell would lead directly to Harry if she couldn't get his coordinates somehow.

Whipping back around to Hogwarts, "Patronus message to Hermione Jean Granger message starts 'I got out, I'm going to make my way to Harry, I need his coordinates' end message." with that the hare she conjured flew through the air making its way to Hogwarts. Sliding her wand up its holster, she sheathed her sword into her belt, it was uncomfortable but she'd make do. Without another pause she swooped through the air, she had no idea how long it would take to get to America but she knew she couldn't do it in one go, she would need to sleep at some point but for now she would go as long as she was able without stopping. It was roughly three thousand miles to America six or seven hours in an Aeroplane depending on the area, but she wasn't sure how long it would take her on a broomstick. Thankfully she knew a lot about geography due to her father's passion, and knew which direction to go in.

Harry continued to walk through the woods, occasionally stopping to see some tracks and what they were. None were what he was hoping for, the shuffling pattern indicated walkers, there were other animal tracks scattered in various directions. He didn't have anywhere near Daryl's ability, he was a Master at tracking, it was why he had sent him to where Sophia was last seen, but he was no slouch, he'd paid attention even when he wasn't teaching him. Observation was half of learning how to track.

Light was beginning to wane, but Harry refused to turn around, he couldn't lose Sophia, he had promised himself to protect the kids until they could do it themselves. The point me spell wouldn't work, not unless the girl was secretly a witch, which of course she wasn't. The spell latched onto the persons magic, led magic to magic, so he was on his own in finding her.

He could hear everything in a certain radius, Harry wasn't sure how far it extended, but it was like the ears Fred and George had made, they allowed you able to eavesdrop but the spell was much better obviously and in all directions. The spell picked up heavy panicked breathing, turning slightly as if it could possibly help him hear anything better. He knew where it was coming from though so he picked up the pace; thanking whoever was out there that he was a fast runner.

"No!" the voice said, and Harry's eyes widened, it was Sophia, he began to run even faster, his breath harsh and uneven but he didn't dare stop. Not even when he slammed into a tree, causing him to nearly pass out, he just shook it off refusing to let it deter him he had to get to her she had no weapon and no means of defending herself against the damn walkers. Why hadn't he given the kids lessons sooner? Oh yes, because their parents wouldn't have liked it, it wasn't really his place Merlin be damned!

He heard sloshing of water and more screams, damn it Sophia she was probably bringing all the walkers towards her with her sound. When he saw the water he knew he was getting close, the screaming was continuing.

Then he saw her, with a walker right beside her, its arms out getting to her its teeth inches away from her neck. "SOPHIA DUCK!" Harry roared grabbing his gun as he ran, and with a single bullet and brilliant aim he got the walker in the head. It fell - right on top of Sophia and in the water.

Cursing violently, he didn't even hesitate for a second before jumping into the freezing cold water, slowed down by its rapid waves, as he wadded across trying to get to her before anything happened. With what felt like too long he finally got to her, yanking the walker away and grasping a hold of her and wrenched her from underneath. "Sophia!" Harry shook her but she was unresponsive. Cursing once more when he heard walkers behind him, he had no choice but to wade over to the other side; he couldn't keep a grip of her and fight them. As soon as he was over he lowered her roughly to the bank edge.

"Anapneo!" Harry cast the spell, watching as the water was forced from her lungs as her body coughed it up violently, it woke Sophia up as well, and Harry slid his wand away as he watched her shiver in cold. "Hey, how you feeling?"

"Harry? You saved me," Sophia said, her voice warbling, as tears ran down her face, with suddenness that surprised Harry, Sophia hugged him tightly, as she sobbed all her fear and terror out.

"Sssh, please, Sophia its okay I've got you, we have to be quiet now," Harry urged her as he rubbed her back, making her think he was angry wouldn't stop her waterworks, it would make them worse hence he was talking as soothing as possible despite the fact there were walkers upon them. Then they wandered into the water and were quickly dragged down with the tide. He sighed in relief at both facts, Sophia had stooped crying and the immediate threat had been dealt with.

"I want my mummy," Sophia whispered still choked up.

"I know, but right now you must be a brave girl, can you do that for me? I won't leave you alone and I'm not going to let anything hurt you I promise. You're a big girl now, and when we get back to the others I'll make sure you can defend yourself against those things okay?" Harry said softly, both of them were shivering and freezing bloody cold.

Sophia nodded and cuddled into Harry further completely exhausted by the day's events.

"Oh, no, no sleeping," Harry said, it was pitch black, he wouldn't be able to track them back accurately, he was better off finding somewhere safe for them to sleep them getting the tracks tomorrow when there was light. He couldn't carry her all the way either, he wasn't strong enough for that and he definitely wasn't using magic. Not unless he had absolutely no choice for that matter. "Come on, we need to find somewhere," an outhouse somewhere they could get a rest and dry up. He wasn't going to trip over himself or risk getting them both lost. "Come on," he said helping the girl up as they crept through the dark night, Sophia clutching him in terror but thankfully she remained quiet and didn't protest.

He could have cheered when he came across some sort of shack; it was the best they were going to do tonight. Getting them both inside, he began to check every area to make sure there weren't any nasty surprises. When he was checking the pantry he found a duvet and pillow inside, as if someone had hidden in there from walkers and a kid too since it was too small for an adult.

"Here, go in there and get your wet stuff off, it can dry during the night, we can't have you getting sick, wrap these around yourself." Harry told her firmly, opening the pantry if the food was anything to go on. He put the duvet down so she could do it, "Let me know once you're covered and I'll get everything up to dry." there was no clothes here and he didn't have anything in Sophia's size. He could give her one of his t-shirts though even if it was going to be far too large for her. She crawled in without a word and Harry closed the door and removed his trunk out of her sight and took the things they'd need out before shrinking the trunk again.

"Harry?" Sophia said after a few minutes, "I'm done." she added speaking softly.

"Here, put this on," Harry said keeping his eyes averted from the cupboard he put the t-shirt through in her general direction. Then grasped a hold of her wet clothes before putting them over one of the rickety chairs to dry, and they would be dry he would make sure of that. She never once complained about being hungry or thirsty, but neither had he at that age after all the abuse he'd suffered. He saw himself in Sophia it was why he was so protective of her.

"Are you hungry Sophia?" Harry asked as he shuffled around lighting candles so they weren't completely in the dark.

"Yes," she whispered quietly, sounding much better now that she wasn't freezing cold. "I don't want to be alone, Harry." she added.

Harry sighed softly, opening the doors and sitting down next to her, passing over the bottle of juice, crisps, biscuits and a tin of peaches that he actually opened with a fork inside it, it wasn't much but it would do until they got back to the others. He sat with his own tin of pineapples smiling softly as she greedily began to eat.

Sophia didn't get half way through her meal before she was out like a light, her body succumbing to the exhaustion of running for hours to avoid the walkers and the constant fear of being bitten by one. He was right t-shirt was absolutely humongous on her, moving the covers up to her chin, he moved the food and put the water at the side of her pillow and screwed the cap back on.

Sighing softly, he flicked out his wand again and cast a few spells so he wouldn't have to remain awake. He also dried his own clothes before he ended up sick, and purely as an afterthought dried Sophia's so they would be definitely dry when it came to heading back. If it was still there, who knew what was going to happen? They could have just cut their losses and left, he should have put tracking charms on stuff so he knew where and when everyone was. He swore when (if) he got back he would do just that. He didn't think the group had it in them though to leave a kid, if it was just him probably, but not Sophia. Facing the twelve year old he cast the tracking charm on her, there now she definitely couldn't end up lost again.

Leaning against the pantry door he lost himself in thought, keeping an ear out for anything that could come his way.

Daryl was unable to sleep, between Carol's cries and his own worry for both Sophia and Harry eating away at him. Cursing under his breath, he hoisted himself up from the floor of the RV where he had been trying to get some sleep. Grabbing his crossbow, he moved out of the RV looking up instinctively to see Dale at the top keeping watch. "Shine some light so they can find their way back," Daryl demanded.

"I will, be careful out there, son," Dale said his concern apparent.

Daryl just nodded once grimly, looking around finding his brother smoking against his truck. He moved over to explain where he was going, knowing Merle probably wouldn't be happy about it. "I'm going out to look for them." he explained with seriousness, nothing his brother said would deter him from going.

"He'll be fine, he knows what he's doin'," Merle said staring out at the expanse of woods pensively.

Daryl blinked surprised by the fact his brother wasn't putting up more of a fight to stop him. Even more so he was sure he had seen concern for Harry hidden in his brothers eyes. Merle didn't really like anyone, never had, what was it about Harry that made him show concern to someone who wasn't him for the first time in his life?

"Are you actually worried?" Daryl snorted, trying to make light of it.

"Said it before, he's our best chance of survivin'" Merle muttered, if a wizard couldn't survive what the hell sort of a chance did any of them have?

"That the only reason you're worried?" Daryl knew there was more to it than self-preservation which was his brother's number one trait.

"I ain't worried," Merle grunted, flicking away the butt of the cigarette.

Daryl knew his brother wouldn't admit to anything more, it just wasn't who they were. Shrugging his shoulders, he moved downhill again, and leapt over the barrier and moved into the night with only a single flashlight to see anything.

Another flashlight joined as his brother silently followed him, "Someone has to protect your sorry ass," was all Merle said in explanation. He honestly thought that she was gone already, they were just wasting time, ain't no way a kid was going to survive in a woods filled with walkers, even adults would be hard pressed to.

Harry jerked awake, wincing in pain at the sound of the gunshot, jumping up he ran for the door and had his guns at the ready. Nothing, had he dreamt it? Belatedly realizing he still had the charm on he quickly removed it, sighing in relief. Adrenaline pumped through him, man he'd just about had a heart attack. Looking up he realized he'd slept longer than he intended to. It was time for them to get out of there, especially with the gunshot. It was only a matter of time before the walkers began coming this way, he wasn't sure where the sound had come from but it had to be at least close.

"Harry?" Sophia was standing wide eyed at the door, relief and fear in her eyes; she had thought he'd left her.

"Everything's fine, Sophia," Harry murmured soothingly, "Go get your clothes on, it's time to head back." all he had to do was find his tracks. He took another wander around the cabin again just to make sure there were no surprises waiting on them. It was all clear, for the moment that is at any rate.

He absently checked his guns as he waited; there was enough ammunition for anything that came their way right now. Sliding them back into his holsters, he needed to find a knife that was suitable for a preteen, something she could keep on her without getting hurt, yet could defend herself with against a walker.

Sophia came running out, her top clutched tightly in her arm as she kept Harry's t-shirt on. "Keep beside me no matter what do you hear me? Do not run if you get scared, I will deal with them, and if you see one I don't tell me," he told Sophia as he crouched down as if he could make her understand better eye to eye. He took her top and put it in one of the bags on his shoulder.

Sophia nodded eagerly, she didn't want to run again and end up lost, she just wanted to go back to her mum.

"Alright, let's go." Harry said giving her head a little rub before he started walking, he stopped in surprise when the twelve year old slid her hand into his. Clutching it tightly, they began to make their way they came. Part of Harry worried about the gunshot still, Daryl and Merle wouldn't use one unless they had absolutely no choice but Rick and the others? Well they hadn't had the time to realize how bad an idea a gun was to use. It was just the one shot though, sighing softly, he shoved those thoughts from his mind and got back to the area they'd come from to find six walkers all muddling along at the other side. Unaware that they'd been drawn to the bells they'd heard earlier before the gunshot.

"Crap," Harry hissed though gritted teeth. Grabbing his gun he checked behind him first, keeping a tight grip of Sophia before he put a bullet through each of their brains, effectively eliminating them as a threat. He quickly made his way around, only to see that there was no way to make his way back home by tracking them. The walkers had come the way he had, thereby crushing his own tracks effectively. He had no idea where he had come out from, no idea how to get back. He had no choice he would just have to guess and hope for the best, maybe find some of his own tracks along the way.

It was going to be one hell of a long day he realized. There was no choice, they couldn't remain where they were, and they had to get back to the others before they did decide to leave.

I can't remember how many days they searched for her before the huge herd came their way, from what i can make out maybe a week? I'm trying to work out when Daryl ended up getting thrown off the horse and when Andrea shot him but i can't quite figure it out two days or three? what do you think? How long will they be out there before they manage to reach the RV? Or was it longer like a week? will harry kill shane or will Rick still be forced to put his friend down? how will Harry react to the news that Luna's out there? will he leave the group to go find her causing panic since they know they need the Dixons and Harry and realized it all too late? R&R please