Walking Dead Wizard

Chapter 46

Merle approached his brother, using the skills he utilised while hunting, in other words he crept silently towards him which wasn't as easy as it looked considering he'd taught his brother everything he knew. Not that he was trying very hard; he had no need to as his brother was lost in thought as he gazed across the prison pensively. A large frown appeared across his face, Luna's words ringing in his ears, he couldn't help but wonder if she was right, an odd feeling of guilt passed through him, but he brushed it off immediately, he had nothing to feel guilty about, except the fact he'd unknowingly left his little brother to their fathers mercies, at least he tried to tell himself he had nothing to feel guilty about, but his thoughts lingered on the feeling, he didn't experience guilt often, and certainly didn't show it, but he knew the feeling.

"Where's Luna?" Daryl asked, surprising the hell out of his brother, he was losing his touch if he thought he could sneak up on him. It was rare to see his brother without Luna; they were joint at the hip - literally all the time. If he was honest he hadn't expected it to last, he knew his brother, or thought he had…he'd worried about Luna, she was a nice girl, she didn't deserve whatever Merle would pull. The longer the relationship lasted the more confounded he became, this was probably the longest Merle had gone out with the same girl. The most baffling thing of all was the fact he seemed happy, not that the others would notice, it was just something he would.

"Talking to Harry," Merle grunted, copying his brother and leaning against the prison, crossing his arms and staring broodingly at nothing in particular. He couldn't believe he was going to take Luna's advice, it was making him want to puke, and he wasn't the advice giving kind. He didn't care about anyone other than Harry, Luna and Daryl the rest could go to hell for all he cared, they were survivors, and the others were just scraping by, although compared to the newcomers they were fucking perfect.

It wasn't long before Daryl and Merle observed Harry and Luna leaving the prison, making their way to the squad of cars and vans they had parked up at the side. None was bigger than the first van they'd picked up, the blue one; it was used most frequently, although if all four of them left, then they usually took the white van, sometimes just a car and a van. Merle shoved his hand out when Daryl made to move, pressing against his shoulder so he couldn't move. "You really are as useless as tits on a bull ain't ya?" Merle grumbled, rolling his eyes, "You ain't a cub trying to be a bear now, either take a shit or get off the pot, and stop pining after him, bloody meathead!" he turned at that and left his brother gaping at him in horrified shock, a vindictive sort of smirk appeared on his face. That had been more fun than he'd thought it would be.

Merle didn't go far, and he continued to observe his surroundings. Luna was already finished talking to Harry, waving at him, she passed Daryl and giggled at him before beaming at Merle. "What did you say to him? He looks as though a feather would knock him over," Luna said, amusement coating her voice, her usually solemn blue eyes were sparkling lively as she gazed at her partner.

"What he needed to hear," Merle said, still gazing thoughtfully at his brother's unmoving back. "It's up to him now." Daryl had his own prejudice to get over; hell there was no telling if his brother was over it. He might actually disregard his words and continue being a meathead, but if his brother did get with Harry, he knew his brother, if Daryl fell in love, he would love that person for the rest of his life. Daryl did not pick up and discard his feelings so easily, he was extremely loyal to those he cared about and if Harry did anything he would pummel the shit out of him.

"It's going to take something drastic for them to admit their feelings," Luna disagreed shaking her head, sighing softly. "Especially Harry, he's so stubborn and blind." she added with a grumble.

"Stop," Merle muttered grimacing, "I ain't talking about it," he drew the line there.

"My prejudice prat, what am I going to do with you?" Luna mused thoughtfully.

"I know what I would like to do to you," Merle said suggestively.

Luna snorted, "Course you do," she taunted before walking away.

Merle watched her go inwardly cursing, bloody tease.

Harry jumped into the van, not bothering with the seat belt, there was no need, it wasn't as if they could go fast, and there were obstructions just about everywhere on the roads these days. Sliding the key into the ignition he waited impatiently for Daryl, the urge to toot the horn was strong, but he refrained, noise was always a bad thing these days, attracted walkers in all directions. It was annoying having to deal with them, but it was a part of daily life now. Between Daryl and Merle he and Luna had learned to drive. Revving the engine got the desired reaction from the seemingly dazed man who quickly snapped out of it and began to jog quickly towards him.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked, as Daryl climbed in, he knew from the look on his face the ride was going to be spent in utter silence. Daryl got into funny moods sometimes, like he was too deep in thought to bother communicating with anyone. Everyone had their quirks and he usually left Daryl too it, it wasn't like he was big on talking anyway.

A signal grunt was his reply.

Harry just shook his head in bemusement, truly used to the brothers and their ways. He knew just the thing that would help, digging into his pockets he removed the cigarette packet, there was only seven left but it had lasted him a while since he'd only smoked like four or five cigarettes in total since the apocalypse began. He'd found it to be a great while he thought on things, especially from his past. He lit one up; put the lighter in the packet before flinging them over to Daryl. Knowing the guy as he did, he probably didn't have any left, he chain smoked when he had the damn things.

Harry drove to the gates, while Andrea and Mira opened them so he could get out, and from his rear-view mirror he watched the prison being secured again. He wasn't the best of drivers, but he wasn't the worst, which was why he didn't drive too often, but he wanted something to do, he had a feeling in his gut that something was going to go wrong today. Same feeling he usually got around Halloween, while there was admittedly a reason for his thoughts on Halloween there wasn't for today, it kept him decidedly on edge.

And so they drove, both men lost in their own thoughts and trying valiantly to shift through them.

Daryl didn't notice the scenery passing him as Harry drove; he was still too damn stunned at what had come out of his brother's mouth. Not only did he know about his feelings for Harry but he knew he was gay and he hadn't said anything remotely insulting, he'd always envisioned his brother kicking the fuck out of him if he ever found out. The last thing he ever expected was for him to approve and tell him to go for it. Merle had always been different when he wasn't on the drugs, for however brief a time he was without them, but this was different, he was changing, he failed to realize how much he himself had changed of course, but one never realizes such a thing until its pointed out.

Harry pressed the button and let the window down a bit, flicking the ash out, cursing as he had to veer to the left to avoid the two cars on the road. He narrowed his eyes on them, windscreens were clear, they were definitely living in their car, and he thought seeing the car was packed to the gunnels with stuff. There was absolutely nobody there, Daryl he noticed actually got out of the van to investigate the area.

"Anything?" Harry queried, as he pressed Daryl's window down completely, his green eyes glimmering with an identifiable emotion, as he glanced in every direction every few seconds. The last thing they needed was the walkers surprising them, when he said they were soon to be out of food - they were. At least he had his trunk, but that wasn't going to last forever.

"Nothing to indicate another vehicle was involved, whoever it was, they left on foot," Daryl said, jumping back in, flicking his smoked cigarette out before closing the door. "Locked the car too."

Harry snorted, "As if that will stop someone desperate enough to get at their stuff," they should never have left it sitting there without someone to keep an eye on it at least. Shrugging his shoulders, there was nothing he could do, so he started up the van again and began to drive. As fun as it had been in the beginning, the fact they had to go further and further out was making driving tedious. Especially considering he could get to wherever he wanted within a few seconds. He'd never been one to rely on magic, but he could miss a certain aspect couldn't he? Just like he missed certain foods…food you just couldn't get during an apocalypse.

"How about we go hunting tomorrow? Fresh meat sounds really good right now," Harry questioned, with winter and probably the walkers fresh meat was getting scarce. They had animals inside the prison, but it was horses and chickens, as delightful as the sound of fresh chicken was, the thought of getting eggs for longer out of them was even more delightful. He knew hunting and being given a purpose would help Daryl immensely, it had worked in the past so hopefully it would work again. That and as much as Daryl seemed to have taken a liking to helping people he either didn't know how to interact with the others or just didn't care to. "We've not had much luck with the traps lately, so I'm definitely going to give it a go."

Daryl turned to stare at Harry and murmured "Alright," he said in agreement, he'd never say no to a good hunt, especially if it got him away from everyone else. There was no guarantee that Harry was gay, although he'd never expressed any interest in any of the girls in the group. Amy had given it a fair try, so had Mira actually. Which was why he spent the majority of his day imagining putting an arrow through their eye.

"Look over there," Harry commented, slowing the van down, "What do you think?" there were a few cars scattered all over the place, but not much else, just a few walkers inside by the look of the patterns on the window. It was a small shop for sure, but they might get something at any rate. They hadn't been this way before yet, he had read the map earlier and knew vaguely how to get to that shopping centre, which was another thirty minute ride from or thereabouts. "Worth going in?"

Daryl looked over at where Harry was looking and gave a nod and a shrug before jumping out the van, giving his answer without saying a thing. He was getting used to his opinion being asked these days, between Harry, Carol, Luna, Amy, Luna, Andrea, Axel and Oscar the others did on occasion too but none more than Carol, Harry and Luna. He loaded his crossbow and the both of them left the van, not that there looked like a van was there when Harry was done with it, in fact he always felt a curious sensation of wishing to avoid where the van was but Harry explained that he knew the van was there so the magic wasn't able to fully go into affect with him like it would with others in the area the first time he'd done it.

"I noticed you and Luna were going through magic books," Daryl said offhandedly, as they approached the small shop that looked relatively unscathed other than a few walkers inside. Watching everything around him, there were a few cars lying around, the blue one closest to the shop had its trunk open, judging by the dust it had been sat in that position a while. He absently noticing Harry shrugging off his compound bow, smirking as he remembered the first time Harry had used his own. He'd used it once but never again, the kick had been a bit too much for him, that had been the first sign of trouble either, yanking the wire back had even been difficult for him. He was brought out of his thoughts by Harry's reply.

"Yes, we're trying to come up for ways to get large groups of walkers off our back in case of an emergency." Harry explained it wasn't as easy as he thought. "I'll open one door, one each as they come out, ready?" Harry said, his hand on the door waiting for Daryl's nod, but as always he didn't need to wait long, Daryl was always prepared for anything that came his way.

Harry kept an eye on the street from Daryl's shoulder, before he slowly trying to make as little noise as possible, opened the door, or tried to, it was locked, rolling his eyes, he muttered an 'Alohomora' under his breath, causing the door to click open, tensing ready for anything that came out, backing away a more respectable distance. Drawing the bow taut he forcefully relaxed himself, before aiming and releasing, quickly reloading, he fired off his second round, backing further there was more walkers than he'd anticipated in there. It might be a good thing, they might have stuck lucky after all. It was the only downside to helping more people; the rations didn't last as long. Nine walkers later, regretfully one was a little girl; they were finally finished with them. Harry glanced around quickly, and levitated the walkers back into the building. Nothing screamed people were there quicker than a pile of dead walkers. Unbeknown to him, Harry would be grateful for his foresight sooner than he might think.

"Jackpot," Harry muttered looking around, it was relatively intact a globe of light above him casting a glow over the store. They didn't have to worry about anyone seeing, the shop was boarded up they obviously hadn't tried to get to safety, just locked themselves in here. It was a small corner shop sort of deal, which meant it sold nearly everything someone would need admittedly not in large rations but he couldn't complain. He found some of the rations were depleted obviously they'd lasted a while before something happened in here to turn them all.

"There's loads back here," Daryl commented his voice sounding distant, Harry glanced around to see a door open, it must be where they stored everything then. Harry wandered through, plucking a shrunk box from his pocket, and spelling it large, it already had an extension charm on it so they could put whatever they liked in it. They just had to take it all back out of the van before they arrived at the prison. "Let's get packing." he sighed, and with that the crisps boxes began to pile into the cardboard box.

"What ways ya'll trying to come up with something to deal with the walkers?" Daryl asked, as he shoved two crates of two litre sodas, or juice as Harry often called it, into the box. The girls and kids were going to go mental when they got back, especially with all those sweets, he thought as he dumped seven tubs containing different candy into the mix. No matter what he added the box never ran out of room, it never did, and it constantly fascinated to him. Magic continued to fascinate him, there was always something new to learn about magic with Harry and Luna around.

"Mostly runes so everyone can handle them, although Runes just happens to be the most difficult of crafts to master, especially considering I didn't take it, I was a lazy shit, I took the easy classes, course it had to bite me in the ass." Harry admittedly wryly, shaking his head, shoving aspirin and paracetamol in. "I took divination because my friend wanted to, I guess nobody saw this coming, eh, I always was able to pick up things quite quickly,"

"Come up as in create? Or read the books and find it?" Daryl asked thoughtfully.

"We're trying to come up with a combination, two different runes tied together, which isn't easy," Harry admitted, sighing softly, "It's what Hermione was talking about, remember? She mentioned Professor Babbling? She's the Rune master, if anyone can help us it's her although Hermione is good as well she has something else to do its more important."

"To do what?" Daryl queried, they continued to move in sync emptying the room in record time. Well it wasn't a record actually, since sometimes Luna or Harry used magic.

"More than one, one that causes a lot of noise, drawing the walkers, one that casts a fire out when it senses walkers, a lot of them, we're thinking of putting the rune stone in a pit or something there's only one major drawback." Harry sighed, as he lobbed the very last item into the basket, a long pack of dummies, well pacifiers as it said on the packets. There looked to be around thirty on the long list, it was doubtful they'd ever need them but he would get them nonetheless. Better prepared for anything than unprepared for something.

"The lack of smell?" he summarised, and it was not a guess. A guess implied that you didn't know, and Daryl did.

"Exactly, they might not be drawn to it, it certainly would save us having to strike down dozens of walkers near the prison if we did get it working," Harry shrugged, dragging the box from the emptied room into the main one. "Hmm, I wonder…should we take the shelves?" Harry glanced back at Daryl curiously; they might need them if they were lucky at the shopping centre.

"Go ahead," Daryl grunted, beginning to remove everything that wasn't sitting on a shelf, mostly getting the juice from the fridge, he grimaced at the smell some of the items in the next fridge was creating, or rather the mould. He spotted something that soon took his mind off it, as he began to gather everything he could in his arms.

"Reducio!" Harry cast the spell continuously, before picking up the miniaturised shelf that had just a few minutes been bigger than him and putting it with the others; he continued this process for four minutes until he had everything shelf related and shrunk into the box.

Harry laughed ruefully when he saw Daryl packing up the cigarettes and booze in his strong muscular arms. Then again after seeing Daryl dragging a buck bigger than him nothing as small as packs of smokes and booze could quite compare. He used his foot to shove the box along so Daryl didn't have to travel as far since both of them wouldn't fit comfortably around that counter and the rest of the shop was done so they were done. "This is going to be a long, long day," Harry whispered, groaning inaudibly, why the hell did he have to be so goddamned hot?

There was only one thing left in the shop by the time they were finished, and once upon a time it would have been the first thing taken - the money.

"Ready for the next round?" Harry asked, glancing outside, time was irrelevant now, the only thing they had to do was get back to the prison before dark otherwise they were done for. He plucked the keys from the van and flung them at the hunter who saw them coming and quickly grabbed them easily enough. Daryl would get them there faster; every time he tried to go really fast he ended up stalling the damn thing.

Daryl moved around the counter while Harry shrunk the box and slid it into his pocket, closing the door they began to make their way back to the van. They both stiffened when they heard the sound of a vehicle, Harry grunted when he was grabbed, before darkness encompassed his vision completely, it took him a few seconds to realize he'd been shoved into a trunk of a damn car, only then did the aches of being forced into one appear. "Fuck," he hissed, "You are lucky I have self control," he growled at Daryl.

"Shh," Daryl grunted, trying to keep the latch low as possible without closing it.

Harry murmured under his breath, "We can talk, they can't hear a damn thing," another spell later, he could see outside as he made the trunk appear invisible.

"What's wrong?" Daryl frowned, hearing Harry's laboured breath.

"I do not like being in small enclosed spaces," Harry gritted out, watching the large group go by, it was the same guy as before he realized, he had a fucking tank and other weapons, he noticed the cars had bullet holes in them, he narrowed his eyes, blood too, what the hell? It was too fresh for them to have just suddenly found it, that much he was positive about. Had they killed for those army tanks? From other bandits or the actual army?

"You sleep in a prison cell," Daryl pointed out, watching them with narrowed eyes as well, but occasionally glancing at Harry.

"Oh please, that's four times the size of the damn room I had growing up," Harry grumbled.

"Four times?" Daryl repeated incredulously, suspecting that Harry was being exaggerating.

Harry watched them, wishing they would hurry the fuck up and get away so they could get back to their van and get the hell out of here.

"Yes, my bedroom was a cupboard for the first ten years of my life," Harry admitted, freezing when gunfire started haling from the group. He was beginning to feel very, very cramped in here, he was hyperly aware of Daryl since he was so close. In fact they were just inches apart; it would have taken only one tiny movement for skin on skin contact. Green eyes met green, and they just stared at each other, everything else was just forgotten. They leaned in as if to kiss, only to groan as they were physically unable to do so, two grown men curled into a damn trunk there was no wonder they couldn't. With that the moment was lost, and they did everything to avoid each other was they waited for the damn group to leave.

There we go and yes they didn't kiss I did say it wouldn't be easy for our boys didn't I? BUT don't worry they'll definitely get together very soon :D now that Daryl has Merle's approval and soon he'll know Harry's gay...he'll make a move sooner or later :D it's going to be fun to write it, i just have an image in my mind that I feel needs happen before they truly get together :D a lot of people said they'd love Harry and Daryl to have their own little asskicker, but there are a few who aren't happy...would those who want mpreg be happy with a surrogate instead of the mpreg but still Harry and Daryl's kid? I know it shouldn't matter it won't be happening for a long time...:D R&R please