Walking Dead Wizard

For those who think Luna and Merle's relationship came out of nowhere please go and read chapter 42 it's right at the top on the flashback its clearly defined there, also added a bit to it like I promised I would since at the time I couldn't think of anything but it turned out very good if I don't say so myself :D

Chapter 45

Harry rubbed his eyes, sighing softly as he made his way to the cafeteria, through not through tiredness, his new double bed saw to that and with the most comfortable mattress too. He really hoped something didn't happen to the prison, he would just hate to leave it all behind and start again…especially considering they were still getting everything fixed, although all important parts had been improved it was just little bits here and there to make life easier. Luna and Merle had brought people back yesterday evening, or should he say Luna had since Merle would rather leave people to fend for themselves. What could he say, Luna may have helped Merle mellow out a bit, but when it came to others he had no desire to help them. It was more to do with the honest fact that he felt nobody would have helped him if the situations had been reversed. That and the more people they had in the prison the worse they were being bombarded on all sides from walkers, trying to get in at them. Harry did point out that it could have something to do with the animals too.

Entering the cafeteria, he noticed the small huddled group of people; they were half between gazing around in awe, glancing at the food cooking with raw hunger, or glancing at the others fearfully. The oldest person there was barely in their twenties, which indicated that it was unlikely that the two other younger teens were her kids although they could be related.

"Hello," Harry said, his accent catching them unawares judging by the shock on their faces. The three looked skinny, but that was nothing new nowadays, their clothes were torn and ripped, being held up with rope or shoe laces. The clothes were too big for them but anything was better than nothing. The woman's face was gaunt and tired, she was evidently exhausted. The two boys looked only marginally better. The bag which had been opened and the contents put on the table, three kitchen knives, two jars of nearly empty peanut butter, and a pack of half finished crisps. No water, no bottles, he suspected heavily they'd had to run from a camp they'd set up and grabbed only the bag.

"Are you the leader Luna told us about?" the youngest child there asked, Harry would guess his age to be around perhaps eleven or twelve years of age, despite what happened he seemed to have remained relatively intact, perhaps spared the worst of what happened? Either that or his way of dealing with it was burying it so deeply in his mind and basically forgetting about it. In fact Harry took that back, there was no way he was eleven, he was cute though, blonde curly hair, and yes, even matted and dirty he could see it was curly. They had spent the night in the same place as the prisoners had, but it was much more comfortable now, they always got put in when they were found and Harry wasn't there. Harry and Daryl always had the last say; it was something they had agreed upon. Since his trust in Axel, Big Tiny and Oscar had proven to be true. The others had trusted Shane and look where that had led. Harry, Merle and Daryl hadn't trusted him from the get go so it seemed to be the best thing to do.

"Do I even want to know?" Harry asked Luna his lips quirking in amusement. Wondering what Luna had been telling the child to cheer him up.

Luna just grinned, leaning into Merle slightly, just watching what was going on, Carol was currently hovering over the food, making sure it didn't burn but one couldn't miss the fact she was paying close attention to what was going on. Dale was sitting drinking a cup of coffee with relish. It still hadn't gotten old yet, admittedly they'd only started actively hunting and bring people they found back home (and yes it was their home, for however long it was possible) which wasn't as easy as one would assume. People were afraid of each other now, and usually ran in the opposite direction as fast as their feet could carry them. Fear the walkers and fear the living that seemed to be the motto now for the human race.

"Yes, my name is Harry, this is Luna, Merle, Daryl, Carol and Big Tiny, and Dale and if things go well you may meet the others," Harry informed them, pointing to them in turn, watching their eyes fill with hope. "I just have a few questions for you, ones that I want answered as truthfully as possible, and believe me we will know if you lie, to stay you are required to tell the whole truth we must trust those we let in, I'm sure you can understand that," here he spoke to the girl who looked to be in her twenties.

"Alright," she rasped out, her voice thick as if she hadn't spoken for a long time although Harry would bet thirst and hunger played a large part in that.

"What are your names and ages?" Harry started off, still staring intently at them.

"My name is Chloe, I'm twenty seven, this is Patrick, he's fifteen and the little one is Luke, he's eight," Chloe explained keeping straight to the point and answering the questions without pause and being completely honest.

"Have you always been together?" Harry asked shrewdly.

"Yes, we were part of a larger group," Chloe replied, devastatedly and nervously brushing her long matted brown hair back. Vividly recalling what had happened, and no matter how much she tried to stop herself from dwelling on it, she wasn't successful at all. She glanced at the two children, Patrick might look grown up but he was still such a child, she thought watching him right his glasses and fiddle with his sleeve a nervous habit he'd had since she'd known him.

"And it dwindled down to just the three of you?" Harry asked, eyes narrowed, how the hell had she been able to keep herself and two kids alive? It had been near enough impossible for him and he had two hunters and a witch to help him out.

"My fiancé sacrificed himself to get me, Patrick and Luke out of there, he was already bitten," Chloe said, her face spasming in agony a sure sign that it had happened very recently. "As were Jack and Mark, we just ran and ran, we haven't looked back since, until Luna saw us," or rather seen Luke, who had been slower than them at hiding from the two, one never knew who to trust nowadays. She couldn't help but be glad Luna had, she was so tired, and she wasn't sure how much longer they could go on, each house she'd scavenged hadn't turned up much in ways to eat and absolutely nothing to drink. Her energy was waning, for most part pure adrenaline got her through the day.

"Here, drink up," Carol said, putting three bottles on the table, it was diluted orange squash something different for them she was sure would be appreciated. Harry and Daryl had gotten it on one of their runs, or rather a whole shelf of it, different flavours, Sophia certainly appreciated it. "Food will be served soon," noodles for them, it would fill them up and give them carbohydrates they sorely needed.

"Thank you," Chloe said, tears filling her eyes, gratitude shining out, so very grateful for something to drink; she drank the contents of the entire bottle in record time. Barely able to prevent herself from coughing and spluttering…it was for naught really.

"Have you killed anyone?" Harry asked abruptly causing Chloe to cough the last gulp of juice, but she thankfully managed to swallow it down.

"No!" she protested vehemently, staring at him aghast.

"Good, last question, do you know how to fight?" Harry enquired.

"You mean like fist fighting or rotters?" Chloe enquired only slightly confused.

"Both," Harry stated, letting them stick to what they call the walkers, he didn't feel the need to make them feel insignificant and stupid because of their choice in what they named the flesh eating reanimated corpses. It wasn't as if he didn't know what she was talking about anyway.

"I'm alright," Chloe admitted, she wasn't the best but she gave as good as she got, and had kept herself alive thus far. It had to count for something right? And so she said that, "I've kept us alive thus far…it has to count doesn't it?"

"Damn right it does," Harry said immediately, either she was being modest or she was just pure lucky and had gotten by with the skin of her teeth.

"What else do you need to know?" Chloe asked, becoming more and more hopeful that they'd have a place to actually close their eyes without fear that rotters were looming over them ready to bite. A part of her did wonder if it was as good as it seemed, being here. His accent really was odd to hear, it was the first time she'd heard a different accent since the world had gone to hell.

"Nothing," Harry stated, what their last names were, what job they had before this occurred, where their families were…it was all a bunch of useless questions, what did it matter what job you had before the apocalypse? Not many jobs in the world had truly been able to prepare anyone for what was to come. "However there are a few stipulations and they are mandatory." Watching her stiffen up, dread glimmering through her blue eyes.

When it was obvious she wasn't going to ask him, Harry continued on, "Everyone goes through training, yes even the young one; he will attend a few classes that Carol has set up for when it would become required. One of those classes will be learning how to wield knives, when they are comfortable around them; Luna will be teaching them basic manoeuvres and how to fight walkers. Myself, Daryl, Luna, Merle and Andrea are in charge of the advanced defence class, everyone here has gone through them, this place might not always be standing, I want to know that I am sending those under my care out knowing how to take care of themselves, how to survive." his voice became increasingly passionate as he spoke.

Daryl shifted just slightly, as he stared at the newcomers, they were trustworthy, he could tell, but Harry wouldn't accept them just lounging around doing nothing, they would have to earn their spot here. Since they wouldn't be going hunting it was the best they could do was work around the prison and learn to fight. He, Harry, Merle and Luna were the only ones that went hunting with Andrea going on occasion, which prevented Harry from using magic but it didn't seem to perturb him, it was the first time he realized Harry truly didn't rely on his magic. He did get a sense of smug satisfaction when Mira wasn't allowed to go, the woman was constantly hovering around Harry and it set his teeth on edge, made him want to shoot an arrow through her head and be done with it.

Merle from where he was standing his head on Luna's head, was watching his brother closely as he had taken to doing as of late. Honestly, his brother was as useless as bloody tits on a bull, he really needed to shit or get off the pot. He wanted to laugh just remembering the look on Luna's face when she realized he already knew about his brothers…affections for Harry, how could he not? Daryl was his brother, and he knew him best of all.

-0 Flash Back 0-

"Wait a minute…are you trying to tell me you knew?" Luna asked, sitting up, staring down at Merle completely shocked. Her blue eyes wider than normal as she stared at her partner who was lounging on the bed they'd made in the tower, primarily for their own use since none of the others were in a relationship of any kind at the moment. She'd been broaching the subject very carefully for the last few weeks only for Merle to know?!

Merle chuckled, his arm lazily trailing up and down Luna's leg as he gazed at her with possessiveness, "Of course I know, I'm not stupid or blind." he scoffed at the absurdity of the notion.

"But…But…but…" Luna wasn't able to articulate a response, "But you're a prejudice twat!" she said indignantly.

"It was the way I was raised," Merle explained, shrugging his shoulders, so of course it's the way he would be. "Why do you think I call him Darylina?" he chuckled again. Yes, he knew his brother was light in the loafers. How could he not? Daryl had never once looked at the woman he'd brought back even for a cursory glance…he definitely wouldn't be telling Luna that titbit although she already knew he had been a bit of a player in the past.

"You give your brother such a hard time but you don't even care?" Luna was quite frankly aghast at his nonchalant demeanour. "You do realize you're probably the reason he isn't making a move right?"

Merle snorted, "He's old enough to do whatever he likes, I ain't his keeper," he didn't believe Luna when she said that he had a say over whether Daryl made a move or not.

"Merle," Luna sighed, before going on to explain, "In a way you are, you're all Daryl's had his entire life, he followed you everywhere, if you called he'd come running, you're all he's had to look up to his entire life, right or wrong, he looks up you despite the fact for a good portion of his life you weren't there, ten years age difference would see to that. He's emotionally stunted, he can't stand letting anyone touch him, just because you're men it doesn't mean you don't feel things, and it's probably wreaking havoc within him…he'd never want to let you down, plus you men wouldn't notice the obvious if it slapped you over the head." she added wryly shaking her head, "I doubt Daryl has even realized Harry might be interested." and she still couldn't believe Merle had known all this time, Luna slapped his arm absently, not enough to hurt but to let Merle know she wasn't happy with him the slightest.

"What do you want me to do about it?" Merle complained grouching the words out, he might not care what way his brother swung, but he didn't want to see it, now that would just be going too far for him it did make him shudder. Most of his life he'd thought it abhorrent, disgusting and unnatural, but his brother came before anything else, even though he never showed it, he'd do anything for him. He'd had ample time to come to terms with it though, for the longest time he just continued himself his brother was asexual.

"Let him know you approve," Luna suggested, "In your own way of course, wouldn't want him to think you're dying." she added wryly, blue eyes gleaming with pride.

Merle barked out another laugh, it was true, if he did do anything kind they would think he was dying even his own brother.

"I'm proud of you, you know," Luna said, honestly, lying back down her face pressed against his naked scarred chest, she might not have seen the look on his face but she did feel his entire body stiffen up in what could only be shock.

Nobody had ever said that to Merle Dixon before in his life, and he might be an older man now, but the affects were similar to which a teenager would feel at being told as such added with the shock of it being actually said too. It had the fondness Merle felt for her shoot through the roof, commingled with uncertainty and pride. Never before had a woman had such a profound affect on Merle before, but then again he'd never met anyone like Luna so it stood to reason she would be the one to bring out the best she knew to be beneath his 'redneck' exterior.

They remained in silence for the rest of the night.

-0 End Flashback 0-

"Those are my terms, take it or leave it," Harry said when she remained quiet.

"How about they talk to Oscar and Axel?" Big Tiny questioned, his voice as always soft and suggestive, it truly made his large stature seem overblown.

Harry shook his head, "We're running low on supplies, I have to make another run, I won't be back for hours," He explained, with more people coming it was hardly surprising he was having to go more supplies run, he didn't want them to run out, and without fresh meat being brought to the table, they were getting through the other supplies quicker. The vegetation had nothing more to offer and wouldn't until next year, they'd planted a lot of seeds and were waiting to see if they would take for next summer. They even had seven chickens, which was bringing in eggs for them, something different at least. Merle had built a coop for them, using the wood from the woodwork room in the prison, which was going to very good use. A few horses had been brought in, and Harry was hoping to get a few other animals, but he could only do so much at a time. "Bring them here if you want, they aren't left alone," he warned Big Tiny, who took it as an order to look after them, he nodded solemnly. He and the others knew what it was like out there, had heard from the rest of the groups personal experiences and saw the gates and quite frankly they were determined to stay here as long as possible.

"Should all four of us go? We'll cover a lot more ground," Luna suggested, unless he planned on pulling another load from his trunk, which had done a time or two when they didn't get much, none of the frozen stuff unfortunately…there was no way to explain that.

"I was thinking of just hitting that store we noticed the last time," Harry said thoughtfully as he stared at Luna. "It's surrounded but if we get inside it might mean we'll get lucky."

"It's surrounded because it used to be a safe place for people before it was over run," Luna said, "Mira stopped there before she went to the one she'd been in, she didn't think it was safe so she wanted to find somewhere else. Plus it had no privacy; it was just a bunch of tents."

"So it might have medical supplies as well then," Harry mused thoughtfully.

"If it's surrounded shouldn't you take more people?" Dale said, his face filled with concern, he didn't like that it was Harry that constantly made the sacrifices for the group. He was taking his position as the leader very seriously, too serious, he should let others participate - everyone was getting really good at fighting.

"You know too many people would just result in people getting hurt or worse bitten," Harry told Dale glancing at him seriously. Plus it was surrounded on all ends, even the roof was overrun with the things, to do it without magic would take all night something they couldn't do, they needed to be back before it got dark. "If it doesn't work we'll come back and go with more people tomorrow, but we do need supplies." it was going to be the first time he'd actually tried to get into a large shop though. Usually they stuck to houses which were good enough but they were having to go further and further out to get a decent amount salvaged.

"Just be careful," Dale conceded, knowing by now that he wouldn't be able to change Harry's mind on the matter, he was one stubborn young man.

"Always," Harry replied, thinking of a certain Potions professor as he said it, he may have survived the bite but Harry had still gotten the memories. It was odd how a single word could have so much meaning behind it.

Not much action I know but it needs to be there :D and as you can see we are getting closer to the slashy goodness ;) hehe and it only took what forty odd chapters yeah it gives a whole new meaning to slow burn doesn't it? BUT i did say it would be that way, its not going to be smooth riding for both boys right away though! the next chapter will have more than enough action for everyone :D I wanted to get Daryl and Harry together before Rick and Co showed up and yes they'll show up...unless you want them to by pass the prison altogether? although realistically they wouldnt have survived as long without Daryl but we can make it so :D perhaps during a confrontation that Harry saves them all? *cough Negan cough* too far away? :D will harry start working on a new secluded places for everyone just in case anything happens to the prison just as a back up? He's smart enough to do it after all...whatcha think? a purely magical secluded area that he controls? hmm R&R please! ALSO for those who think Luna and Merle's relationship came out of nowhere please go and read chapter 42 it's right at the top on the flashback its clearly defined there, also added a bit to it like I promised I would since at the time I couldn't think of anything but it turned out very good if I don't say so myself :D