Walking Dead Wizard

IF YOU ARE WONDERING WHY IS CHAPTER 69 BEEN POSTED AGAIN...I'VE ADDED FOUR PAGES TO IT I'M SORRY BUT I WAS UNSATISFIED WITH IT! THE ADDITION IS DOWN AT THE BOTTOM ALL FOUR PAGES OF IT! :D

Chapter 69

As soon as everyone was finished clearing out the prison, minus their cells of course, Luna had charmed their bags (they all had at least one or two amongst their belongings either from previous scavenging during the early days or claimed it for themselves when it was brought back) so they could fit everything inside and wouldn't need to hold on to everything, especially while being transported with a Portkey. With quick efficiency they had learned quickly, it didn't surprise Luna that they would be so swift in packing their belongings and it wasn't due to the fact they didn't have any.

The last of the stragglers (Carol who had checked all the kids' things were put away, Michonne who helped and her son) were just making their way back to the cafeteria when they saw a body covered with a white sheet floating through mid air. It was more than a little daunting and if they were honest fascinating the urge to check above and below for wires were ingrained in their minds. They took a step back hesitatingly, wondering what the hell was going on.

They didn't have to wonder for long.

Harry moved swiftly, taking great care that Chloe didn't end up being knocked into the walls or doors. Michonne and Carol could see it haunted him that he had lost someone who had come to him in looking for sanctuary. It wasn't even his fault but he took the blame onto his own shoulders…he grieved for her despite none of them had truly gotten a chance to know her. This new world had been too much for her, or perhaps it had been the death of her fiancé they just didn't know. She'd lived for Luke and Patrick, two kids that weren't even hers; nobody would be surprised if she had made a promise to someone to always protect them.

The entire group seemed to follow him, as did Carol, Michonne and Andre (who admittedly didn't have much of a choice from where he sat on his mothers hip) they didn't go far, before her body was placed on a bed of wood. Luke was in Big Tiny's arms, being comforted by the gentle giant. He was upset, but too young to truly understand what was going on.

Nobody knew what the hell to say, not even Harry who just crouched down nearby staring blankly ahead. They all heard Hershel murmuring softly, giving her a last rite. Nobody said anything about Hershel's desire to do so; quite honestly they had no idea if Chloe had been a believer or an atheist.

Nearly everyone jumped in shock as a ball of fire leapt from Harry's hand to leap around the wood, burning quickly and moving onto the body in a move that was almost similar to a Viking funeral, minus the others who would have died with the person, such as pets and servants. It was no normal fire they realized quickly, as it burnt through the body at an unprecedented rate. There was naught left but ashes within a few moments, ashes that were being picked up by the wind, slowly scattering.

The bodies were always burnt, but some took solace that they'd have some sort of funeral and be remembered. In this world there was just no guarantee a long promising life…and that was before the outbreak. Harry flicked his hand again subtly, and the ashes rose in the air, before spreading around dispersing in the wind altogether. Standing up, he shook his head, losing someone was never easy, but Harry just wished it had never bloody happened. If he had told them sooner this could have been avoided.

Just then Rick stormed out of the prison, making a bee line for Harry irritation and anger written across his face. "What the hell have you done to my wife?" Rick hissed out like a feral cat, trying to get into Harry's face but both Dixon's shoved him back hard.

"Rick now is not the time," Hershel tried to intercede; it seemed as if his talk with Rick had worked him up more.

"Excuse me?" Harry retorted sharply, annoyance crossing his face; he had to do this now? It didn't matter that Chloe hadn't been well known but she had been liked.

"It's not just my wife! It's everyone! What have you done to them?" Rick asked, truly believing he had somehow bewitched them into following him, how else could they accept magic so easily? He had been the one that kept them all safe and they were just up and leaving as if this entire year didn't mean anything. He'd kept them safe! More importantly kept them alive the betrayal of them just deciding to follow Harry hurt very deeply.

"And what exactly are you accusing me of having done to them?" Harry sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation.

"You've bewitched them!" Rick snapped.

"And what you're somehow immune?" Harry scoffed at the absurdity of Rick's claims, looking him in the eye, reading his thoughts. Trying to get a better understanding of Rick, he had never been this full of himself a year ago at the farm, something had changed within him. "Do you realize how absurd you sound right now?" he wasn't going to let Rick's insecurities tear the group apart again.

Roaring in anger, raising his balled fist up to hit Harry, to release an entire years worth of frustration on Harry. Before his fist could meet Harry's face, a powerful blow had him seeing stars then the sky; it took him a few minutes to realize he was on the ground, that he had been punched by someone who wasn't Harry. A voice clued him in on what happened.

"I've been waiting a long time to do that," Merle said, barely glancing at his blood coated knuckles satisfaction playing over his face.

Rick grimaced, touching his face delicately, wincing in pain not so surprised to see he was bleeding it had been one hell of a punch. He was still dazed and disorientated so much so that he didn't notice Harry was still staring at him, eye to eye digging into his thoughts. Realisation began to bubble within Harry; he cursed himself for not seeing it sooner.

Harry crouched down, not even trying to keep his voice low, "Tell me something Rick Grimes have you had a chance to sit down for a day since you woke up in that hospital? No, I didn't think so, instead of letting your mind heal after the trauma you'd been through you wandered up to the Quarry and took over from Shane without even a pause. I never did understand why you'd do that, I thought maybe you were a natural leader, I was well and truly wrong." annoyance seeping into his voice.

Harry let the silence hang for a few more moments, before his eyes narrowed back in on Rick. "You think you're the only one that can keep people safe, keep your wife and kid safe all the while you're slowly unravelling. Your choices always seem to lead to danger, but that doesn't stop you, doesn't make you pause and think to yourself what am I doing wrong?" Harry stated staring down at Rick from where he remained crouched. "Even as you approached Terminus you had plans on how to take over didn't you? Already planning out the best way to achieve it before it all went to hell because you didn't want to trust them."

Rick stared at Harry his eyes slowly widening, visibly startling at the mention of his plans at Terminus, giving them all the confirmation the onlookers needed that it had indeed been his plans.

"You do realise you exhibit all signs of severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder right? The fact you found out your wife was sleeping with your best friends might have masked the mistrust and betrayal, and the walkers masked the depression and hopelessness. No doubt you're easily irritated right? Angry? Closed off? Ignoring everything as if it hadn't happened at all? Trouble sleeping? Nightmares?"

Both Dixons glanced at Harry thoughtfully; they hadn't pegged him for knowing what was wrong with him for some reason. They'd assumed he was in denial that there was anything wrong, like most people who suffered. After that statement they began to realise he had known he was suffering from it. These days not so much, just earlier on in the apocalypse as if something he was going through was reminding him of whatever trauma he'd suffered. Although the 'whatever' was a bit far fetched since both Merle and Daryl knew some of what he had been through and it was enough to make even them pause and wonder if their own lives hadn't actually been better after all.

"You need help," Harry stated, "Before your actions kill your whole bloody family! Your suspicions are just going to continue getting worse, until you can't tell friend from foe," trying to get through to Rick's stubborn head. "Like I'd let you come so you can just try and undermine me every single day and try to take over."

Harry grimaced and stood up, the picture of a tall commanding leader, he just had something about him that people reacted to, and despite the fact a few of his group were actually taller than him.

"It won't, you have my word," Hershel promised, glancing at Lori who was standing at the door of the prison hand over her mouth having heard everything Harry said. "I…didn't notice before," he said mostly to himself, "I will make sure he gets the help he needs to recover, if we can find a pharmacy I know what he would need to take to help the PTSD." This he vowed, staring at Harry, not wishing for the troubled young man to be left behind because of an illness. An illness he was familiar with, he could help him just as long as Rick wanted help. He hadn't known Rick before the outbreak, so the symptoms had eluded him, especially given the world they lived in now. The idea of giving him drugs didn't sit well with him, especially since they would eventually run out, which might not help Rick in the long run.

Harry arched an eyebrow, "I did just say I wouldn't allow him to come," he wasn't about to let anyone try and push him to do things, but he did feel pity for Rick, and if allowed to go unchecked he might end up a threat to everyone around him.

"You just said it yourself, he's sick," Hershel protested, "Please, and we can't just go around leaving people behind,"

Merle snorted, "A lesson you shoulda taught him then shouldn't ya?" his voice bitter.

"Please, Harry! I want to come," Carl said, begging Harry not to leave them behind, "I'm grown up now, I can help."

"It's up to Daryl and Merle, I'm sorry but I'm not going to put the guys through him again," Harry sighed.

"It was really my fault, I dropped the key! I was the one who ran!" T-Dog protested, feeling their safe heaven compromising and wishing to correct it.

"Yes, but you apologised," Harry pointed out, "To both of them." surprise filtered over everyone's faces. While Rick had continuously insisted he was right.

"Rick wanted to go back for him," T-Dog pointed out sounding subdued.

"Yes, yes he did," Harry conceded, by the time Rick got there Merle would have cut his hand off and well who knows what would have become of him. Either dead or trying to make it back on his own, but they would have been gone, the attack at the Quarry saw to that. The PTSD hadn't set in by then, finding out about Lori and Shane must have set it off either that or he was just operating on adrenaline from the moment he woke up. Which wouldn't surprise Harry in the slightest. "Maybe I am insane for letting you all come, we tried it before and it didn't work out…but I'm not the kind of person who could leave people behind when it's clearly what they want and are willing to tolerate something…unknown to them, but my group comes first at least until we fully merge…then you're opinion will hold more weight." although none would ever come close to the opinion Harry took and would continue to take from the Dixons and Luna.

Glancing at Merle and Daryl, noticing someone moving out of the corner of his eye, but didn't react since he knew the others would help if needed. Daryl shrugged, he didn't care, there were worse people than Rick Grimes out there, but he definitely wouldn't follow him, not when he and Merle had someone they trusted to lead and to have their back. Merle just grunted, knowing he wouldn't be likely to see the idiot often.

Rick got to his feet with the aid of Hershel and his son, scowling inwardly, he could speak for himself he thought angrily before something shifted in him as he looked at his son. Doubts running amok inside his head, mocking him, what if Harry was right? What if he was endangering his family? He certainly couldn't refute any of Harry's observations. He had planned on taking over Terminus and it had almost killed his family despite the doubt others had spoken to him about the sanctuary. He could see everyone here was loyal to Harry, and wouldn't follow him as proven.

Daryl grabbed his guns the second he saw Harry tense up, he was familiar with that look, his hawkish green eyes narrowed as he looked around the immediate area for any sign of danger. Merle joined him in the search but they couldn't find anything yet.

"They're at the other side of the prison," Luna motioned for them to come; everyone was on edge immediately at that pronouncement.

"Big Tiny, Axel, Andrea, Oscar take that side," Harry stated sharply, coming out of his daze, gesturing for them to go around the side of the building. "Merle, Daryl, Luna and I will go straight through, there's five of them so be careful," there was no other way to get to that section, which by the way wasn't used. "Stay here, keep the kids protected." he threw at the others giving them a grim nod and that was it, they were gone immediately after Harry finished talking.

"Think it's more of the governor's men?" Luna put out as they ran through corridors.

"I don't see how," Harry said thoughtfully, "It's been far too long, but I suppose if they saw they might try a more covert approach. Its something I would do," in fact he had just done it, although hopefully Big Tiny could stop himself from standing out like a sore thumb with his height.

Merle grunted in agreement, slowly opening the door cautiously, keeping low.

"Wait, unless they've been cornered by walkers it's not the Governors men," Harry stated, "They're at the fence now."

Then they heard the gunfire and their pace quickened even more so.

Luna spelled the door open and it swung and smashed against the wall, somehow remaining intact, but not enough to swing back and hit them as they bolted through. The battle hardened instincts taking stock of the situation immediately, realizing that Oscar, Andrea, Axel and Big Tiny were not shooting at the intruders - who by the way didn't have guns just crowbars and the like - but the walkers surrounding them. They'd tore into the metal links to get into the prison with bolt cutters. One of them had paid the price for their decision to try and get into the prison instead of running. She was covered in bites and scratches, some very severe. The two African-American were futilely attempting to comfort her. While the two white males were just standing there panting looking incredibly relieved to get out of the way of the walkers. A few seconds later they joined the two on the grass, the older white male looked heartbroken, gripping his hair tightly staring down at the woman. The youngster was sobbing, looking broken and devastated.

"Will this day ever end?" Harry asked, rubbing his head tiredly, before straightening up, eyeing the newcomers critically.

"Here," Andrea said, approaching them and her hand outstretched offering a gun with a single bullet left in it.

The African-American male flinched back as if Andrea was pointing the gun at him, not offering it to him.

"She's in agony, she won't survive," Andrea said sadly, nobody deserved to die like that but welcome to an unjust world.

Harry observed that the woman seemed stronger than the guy, since she reluctantly accepted the gun, knelt down beside her, taking too quietly for him to hear without a spell, which he refused to do, it was a private moment between people who knew each other and he wouldn't sully that. Big Tiny, Axel and Oscar joined Harry, Luna, Merle and Daryl, keeping their guns up, especially seeing as a stranger now had a weapon that could harm Andrea - any of them really.

They were rattled, afraid even, yet very well fed, like most people were during the beginning of this thing an entire year ago. The sound of the bullet being ejected from the chamber sounded through the prison, ending the life of the woman who was in agony and soon to die anyway two of their group had looked away when she was shot crying in anguish.

"Are they coming with us?" Sophia asked, staring at them sadly, gripping Hela by the collar not letting her approach the new people.

Harry turned to find that all the others had joined him at some point; his magical reserves were really low if he hadn't detected them he realized. "I honestly don't know, Sophia," Harry murmured tiredly. He just wanted to get the hell out of here before they had a farm situation on their hands. "But I do know we have to go, that's just the start of the walkers, who knows how many are ambling towards the damn sounds earlier. I'm not going to have the same situation as we did on the farm on my hands."

"I bet there's dozens at the front already," Merle said grimly, agreeing completely with Harry. Even back at the farm before it happened he'd known. He'd just stopped talking cus the idiots had never listened to him. The split had happened and then they'd began listening along the way gaining respect for Harry and that was without the revelation of his magical abilities. They learned what Daryl and he knew from beginning. That he was the difference between them surviving and dying.

The Governor debacle had proven that, if not for Harry and his magic they would have gone down. Although it was debatable whether they would have been here to begin with. Rick maybe wouldn't have found the prison at all, or maybe later on down the line if they'd survived the cannibals.

"Give them the truth; if they want to come then they can, just as long as they'll behave, if not well…" Harry said quietly to Luna, he didn't need to say what would happen for Luna, Merle and Daryl (who were standing close enough to hear him) to understand his meaning. "Don't be too long," he added, swaying slightly on his feet, he wasn't sure how long he slept but it wasn't enough.

"Go with her," he instructed both Dixons, he didn't know what the hell they would do or how they'd react, he wanted Luna safe despite the fact she could kick ass with both magic and physically fighting. Harry groaned before sitting himself down, Anubis followed him demanding attention. Harry gave a resigned chuckle petting at him paying a lot of attention to his ears much to the dogs delight.

"Are you alright?" Carol asked, deeply concerned, he looked rather unwell, paler than normal and evidently he was having trouble standing up. "Do you need something?"

Harry shook his head, "Magic is like a muscle, if you don't use it…it gets smaller one could say, I haven't used my magic properly for a year, and when I do it's big pieces of magic that take a lot out of you."

"So that spell you used has weakened you?" Carol asked, not slightest bit reassured.

Harry couldn't help but snort, "No, that's a simple spell, I learned that when I was thirteen at school, no, my magic began trying to heal me the second I was shot, futilely I'm afraid, I wouldn't have survived those bullet wounds without help."

"So magic is like an energy and it was sapped up?" Maggie questioned, trying to put it a way she could understand.

"Yes, like a battery though it will recharge." Harry nodded, continuing to explain it in a way that obviously worked for her.

Harry stiffened upon hearing the arguing, or more specifically the word 'freak' called out. He loathed that term, especially having been called it all his life by the damn Dursley's. The sudden sound of a fist meeting flesh, he would say it was probably Daryl who had landed the punch. Daryl was the only one who knew about the fact he'd been called that and would certainly know his reaction towards it. Abruptly standing up, swaying slightly, and giving a nod of thanks when Carol grabbed a hold of him to make him steady.

"ENOUGH!" Harry called out grimly, as it turned into an all out brawl, Daryl and Merle fighting the two men, while the women stayed out, the black guy trying to get in-between them to stop it. As tough as he was Merle and Daryl were just tougher having been scraping and fighting all their lives. "We're getting out of here, now!" they couldn't accept magic, well that was fine, he honestly couldn't care, those who he did care about had and that was all that mattered right now.

"As for you, I wouldn't suggest remaining here for too long, if you think those walkers were bad more will be coming believe me," Harry stated sharply, his eyes boring holes in them.

"You either come or you ain't," Merle spat angrily before stomping away from the idiots.

A bewildered Tyreese looked at the group, his eyes lingering on the kids, the baby, the teens the younger kids and he couldn't help but think they'd had a good thing here…and something must be coming to make them leave. He took the leaders (who he correctly assumed to be Harry the magic wielder now that had blown his mind) word as the truth, they all had guns and they were leaving, it had to be big. He had a feeling he didn't want to be here when it all went down. Glancing at Sasha, who gave nothing away, just staring at the other group as well. Did they stick with Ben and Allen who had reacted negatively to magic or did they go with this newer bigger group? He was very torn, he was nothing if not loyal and they had trusted him to get them to safety, leaving now would be betraying them. His sister's life came first before even Ben and Allen even Donna bless her soul who had just died.

"Sash?" Tyreese questioned, as the others joined the group once more ready to leave.

"It's up to you, Ty," Sasha answered, he had been the defacto leader now for a few months since they'd come out of the bunker. They'd lost a lot of people along the way, and their numbers were dwindling further the more they ran. She was exhausted, they all were really. Being in a big group would afford them protection, security, something they desperately needed in these times.

"The Portkey is taking us just to the…area, there may be walkers do you understand? Ready your guns, but stick behind me and when I say that I mean it for your own bloody health, not because I don't think you're capable, understood?" Harry stated firmly, giving Maggie, Glenn, Beth, Hershel, Carl, Rick, Lori and T-Dog pointed looks. His own people would listen to him; he knew that without a doubt, they had when he told them to duck. "Do not let go off it, you'll feel a yanking behind your naval and will feel slightly disoriented, I mean come on you're being pulled through thin air so it's going to happen."

"What did you use, Harry?" Luna asked curiously, there was quite a lot of people to carry (or rather touch) the Portkey.

Harry smirked, and withdrew a miniature table, and set it right, it was more than big enough to handle everyone, added to the long metal handles Harry had imbedded in it. So everyone would actually have something to grip as they rode the Portkey, it was a very good idea actually.

Lori opened her mouth to ask a question, but before she could ask it, Harry was speaking.

"Judith is strapped to you, she will be one hundred percent fine, if only a little grouchy." Harry explained to her seeing her concern and the way she clutched at her daughter. "You have my word."

Lori relaxed marginally, beginning to realize that what Harry said was always the truth and he wasn't one to placate someone for the sake of it. In fact he had infuriated her by scolding her quite a few times in the past, by flinging the truth in her face in ways she just didn't want to hear at the time.

"Now the Portkey will activate when I speak the password," Harry explained, it was much trickier to create timed ones, and considering the events of today it was a good thing really. He wasn't in any state to actually create another Portkey capable of carrying so many people.

"Wait!" Tyreese called out, both Sasha and he running towards the group confused by what was going on but something telling him that they were about leave if he didn't make up his mind.

"Ty!" Allen called furiously, unable to believe they were being abandoned, especially after it was his fault that his wife was now dead. "SCREW YOU!" he hollered furiously, wishing he had kicked the shit out of him when he had the chance. "THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"

"Hold on, don't let go whatever you do," Harry said when he realized the idiot was going to try and attack 'Ty' almost all the people here. Who by the way still had their wands out and up, ready for the trip and anything it might bring including walkers. "Get behind us, me specifically as soon as you land." his tone demanding booking no disobedience from the newcomers. They both nodded their heads, and grabbed on still slightly confused why they were holding a table of all things in the middle of a prison as if they were going somewhere.

Scratch that they WERE going somewhere.

The sickening feeling of having their navel hooked on a fish line overcame them, then the dizzying sensation of actually travelling through the air, in something reminiscent of a tornado. It wasn't over in seconds either, it continued, for what felt like forever so much so that the feeling of being sick began to disappear as time itself seemed to stop. Then just as abruptly they jerked onto the sidewalk again, so jarringly that they felt as though they'd just been shoved from a moving vehicle.

They were still getting used to the feeling when they heard gunfire, muffled but they could still hear it. After inhaling sharply a few times they re-gathered their scattered wits and realized what was going on and did as Harry instructed and got behind him. While Merle, Daryl, Luna and Harry were firing on all walkers in the vicinity which was a great many. Sasha and Rick observed Andrea tapping Harry on the shoulder, and a single nod from him she took up position beside them and began to fire as well.

"There's nothing here," Rick spat angrily, thinking they'd been duped.

"That's exactly the fucking point," Harry spat back in annoyance, "This is what everyone else will see so take a fucking look around you, and at how safe your family is going to be."

"Read it," Daryl grunted, thrusting a piece of paper into Big Tiny's hand.

"What?" Big Tiny said after looking down at the paper before his eyes went wide, "HOLY FUCKING SHIT!" he gaped, this place was huge and it was awesome and it was just bloody magical. Nobody else understood either; they were just as blank as ever. He was beginning to understand Harry's words on what the hell it meant to have something under the Fidelius Charm like he'd said.

Daryl snatched the parchment out of his hands and handed it to the person next to him which happened to be Oscar, each time the same reaction occurred, wide-eyed wonder and a curse or exclamation of some kind. Daryl kept an eye on the piece of paper, snatching it out of their hands as soon as they'd read it until he got to the last one - Lori Grimes.

All in all, it was the best sight everyone had ever seen, and all of them couldn't help at one stage or another as they wandered into their secure premises was 'I love magic' a sentiment Harry had often portrayed during his teenage years.

Harry himself walked in, hearing their thoughts and relaxing, they were accepting it completely.

They were finally completely one hundred percent safe.

Lori had never felt more disorientated and sick in her life at the feeling this 'Portkey' elicited from her, regardless of what she felt, she had absolutely refused to let go of the handle. She hadn't asked Harry what would happen if they did let go for fear of knowing what would happen if she did. Instead she'd gripped it so tightly that her hand went white her other hand was wrapped around her daughter, not too tightly she didn't want to hurt her after all.

When they'd landed she's been absolutely terrified once she got over the affects the Portkey had on her, there was absolutely nothing around them except for an abundance of road, fields and walkers. Where was the safe place that Harry had told them about? Had the Portkey not taken them directly there? Would they need to walk? Clutching her daughter and her son, watching the people in confusion as they exclaimed over nothing as if the sight they could see was invisible to all of them.

A piece of paper was then thrust into her hand, Daryl no longer telling them to read it since it should be clear by now.

'Pandora's Apscondo can be found at Fort Benning, Georgia,'

Blinking once more Daryl had snatched the piece of paper from her hands and set it ablaze, destroying the piece of paper until it was naught but ash in the wind, before placing his Zippo back into his pocket. Only then did Fort Benning shimmer into existence in front of her very eyes, the words Harry had spoken in anger earlier ringing in her ears. 'That's exactly the fucking point, this is what everyone else will see, so take a fucking look around you, and at how safe your family is going to be' mouth agape, she gazed at the wide open space, the houses, the buildings, it was in pristine condition, and she was in awe.

'Welcome to Fort Benning, U.S. Army Military reservation' was one of the first sentences she saw, she noticed the fences surrounding the area still standing and secure. In the distance she noticed the Airborne towers, it was as Harry said a society onto itself, they'd never need all this space but it was safe, secure, they would never need to move again. She wandered in with everyone else, gazing around in awe, her eyes taking absolutely everything in, from the post boxes to lampposts. It looked so normal, untouched by the outbreak, but of course she had no idea how hard Harry had worked on Fort Benning to give them this.

She loved magic! After an entire year and more constantly on the run from walkers…here she was, somewhere safe. Her eyes drifted towards Harry, a shard of guilt once again penetrating her heart. She'd never felt so guilt before in her life, but she had wronged them, said so many nasty things about them, yet they were letting her in. If the situations had been reversed (and she hadn't gotten this wake up call) she shame faced had to admit she wouldn't have wanted them with her.

They trudged along, following Harry, despite being utterly exhausted, it took around fifteen minutes of a quick pace to get them to where Harry obviously wanted them. Passing building after building, a museum (if the sign was anything to go by), school, hotels, an airport, a motel until finally they got to lovely homes, that looked to fit large families in them.

"Alright, we're stopping here for now, don't bother unpacking anything more than you need for a day or so, we'll get you settled in permanently tomorrow right now we all need rest." Harry stated loud enough for everyone to hear. "Tomorrow will be getting settled in then after that we will begin a routine for everyone." it helped them not dwell on what their lives were like now if they had things to do and a feeling of being useful.

"The Grimes family, T-Dog are in house number one," Harry called out, pointing to the first door, "Second one, the Green family along with Jimmy and Glenn."

"Third, you two," Harry informed Sasha and Ty, "Tomorrow you'll be answering some questions," he added thoughtfully realising he hadn't questioned the other group either but he'd get to that sooner or later. "Carol, Luke, Sophia, Dale, Andrea and Amy number four, number five Mira, Michonne, Andre, Big, Axel, Patrick and Oscar."

"Merle Luna, you can have number seven to yourselves or join us in number six," Harry stated, a small smirk on his face, he knew Merle was tolerating his brothers preferences and definitely didn't want to see anything between them. It was fine with both him and Daryl, he didn't want Merle to see him in any state of undress anyway, Daryl probably didn't want his brother to see them either. Tolerant was definitely a word to describe Merle Dixon, he'd lived such a long time with the prejudice ingrained so it wasn't completely his fault. Hopefully he knew better than to piss off a wizard who would freely use magic now.

A few faces flushed when Harry spoke, acknowledging for the first time the kind of relationship Daryl and Harry had. Magic had come as such a shock that they hadn't had time to think let alone process the fact their leader was in a now not-so-secret relationship with Daryl Dixon and apparently Merle knew and hadn't blew a gasket.

The kids were as oblivious as ever, Andre, Luke and Patrick wondered at the faces the adults made.

Carol however, just had an amused knowing look on her face, she had suspected as much, especially seeing how they'd reacted on the morning of her daughters birthday. With Daryl sliding away from Harry hastily, as if he hadn't wanted her to see them close. There were only so many assumptions to make of it. Sophia though, had a large beaming smile on her face, unperturbed by the news, and yes, unlike Patrick she realized what was going on. Carol had given her daughter the dreaded 'talk' with living in such close quarters with people she'd known it would only be sooner or later before she saw something.

Talk about another shocker! T-Dog felt faint just thinking about how he redneck had changed so much in a year. He could literally see how he though Merle would have reacted a year ago, he had been on the receiving end of Merle's temper after all and knew the guy could pack a punch like nobody else. His gaze shifted to Luna then Harry, wondering if they had changed the man or if the outbreak inevitably had. Hell, Big Tiny, Oscar and Axel laughed and joked with the Dixon's for god sake! Then again he knew Merle and Daryl were tight, you could see that even from the beginning and Daryl had saved his life…maybe they hadn't been so bad. He honestly didn't know what the hell to think, he needed some sleep and time to reflect on just how damn different his life had gone in the past two days. He'd gone from the hope of a place to stay in Terminus, sanctuary if you will, only to be boxed into a train cart waiting to be picked to feed the disgusting people who had turned to cannibalism to survive. Then to be saved by the group they'd split from, to be taken to a prison of all things, now here, where they could gaze for miles without the single sight of a walker. Even the farm paled in comparison to this place.

The others were pretty much in the same boat as T-Dog, he could see the shell-shocked looks they all had, like him they were all waiting for the other shoe to drop. When Luna grasped a hold of Merle's hand and practically skipped towards the house Harry had pointed out, it brought everyone out of their stupor and they all began to amble into the houses, he tensed noticing that Harry's group kept their guns up, and to Harry's approval as well judging by the nod he gave them.

"Could there be walkers in there?" T-Dog questioned, tense and alert now.

"I cleared them all out myself, but they've got it right, you really should do a sweep, it's better safe than sorry," Harry stated firmly. "I am not omnipotent, I don't know everything, I don't see everything. So yes, I encourage you even for your own piece of mind to check. It's also better never to get out of the habit." he added thoughtfully.

T-Dog nodded thoughtfully, agreeing with him completely. He opened his mouth to ask something else, but he could see how exhausted Harry was, so he bit his tongue, he could ask tomorrow once they'd all had some sleep. Hell, Harry had almost died, if it weren't for that stuff in the glass vial he would have been gone.

"I'll ring the bell, that will be the signal to get up," Harry called after them, his own group already knew so he didn't have to worry about them. He had brought the bell that he had put in the cafeteria of the prison, he wondered idly if the idiots were still there, he couldn't tell, he had removed all spells he had on the prison seconds before the Portkey had sent them on their way. There was no point to wasting magical energy on a building he no longer stayed in.

Ty and Sasha were extremely overwhelmed, and one shared glance echoed the relief that they had made the right choice for their continued survival. They knew they'd need to earn their keep and they didn't care, they'd do whatever it took. Ty had never wanted to lead, but he'd done it, in this world people needed someone to rely on, to tell them what to do to ease the panic. He wouldn't need to be that man anymore, but he felt for Harry, it wasn't a burden anyone could possibly want in life.

Yet looking around he could see he was doing it so well.

Perhaps there was more to them than being the walking dead even with a wizard in its ranks.

Harry out of caution cast the spell once more to detect whether there was any walkers within the house, it came back negative, as he expected. Regardless of what the spell said, Harry and Daryl both made sure it was cleared. Daryl did up the stairs while Harry checked down the stairs, the kitchen, living room, bedroom, sitting room and the downstairs bathroom.

Opening his trunk, Harry removed the tank Celesta was in, and put it on the marble countertop in the kitchen. She was sleeping, curled up spread out on the heated stones he'd put in for her. The rat she had eaten wasn't digested yet, judging by the lump he could barely see. Every morsel of food that had been found in the Fort was in this house, in the storage area, which was now thirty times the size it had been before he started.

"You hungry?" Harry asked before Daryl even entered the room, as quiet as he was, Harry had a heightened senses, at least when it came to people at least.

"You should rest," Daryl retorted without answering Harry's question, he was even now leaning heavily against the counter. "You got a book on magic n how it works?"

"You mean magic depletion?" Harry asked with a knowing look, "I might have one, I'm not sure I've not read them all." closing the lid he turned the lock to the compartment he had his books in and opened it up again, greeted with the sight of all the books he had, both through his school years as well as the Potter and Black collections. "Accio books on magic depletion," he murmured quietly, using his wand, five in total came out, Harry glanced at the titles before deciding on which one would explain it better for Daryl, before dumping the others back in and handing it to him. "Here," closing his trunk with a final click, he picked up one end and began to move it down the hall and into the downstairs bedroom, dumping it at the bottom of the bed and all but slumped onto the bed exhaustedly.

The last thing he remembered was the bed dipping as Daryl joined him and a cold nose on his hand indicating that Anubis had come as well.

Together they were united by the secret, a place they could call home.

There much more satisfied with it! R&R please Would you like to see the Morales family back in the story?