Walking Dead Wizard

Chapter 84

"I can't believe the cupboards actually worked, not as in I was able to get through, and the distance in which we had to be transported is amazing. Not even Apparation or normal Portkey's are capable of that accuracy, even long distance Portkey's are known for screwing up all the time." Hermione explained, "I'm glad there are so many people at Hogwarts right now, it means we have a greater chance of success and quickly too. It might be what we need to get the world up and running, some semblance of normalcy."

Luna and Harry glanced at each other, an amused quirk of their lips; Hermione had already been on this tangent for this discussion three times already. She just kept coming back to it, but after being stuck at Hogwarts for over a year, more like stuck in the potions lab or the chamber of secrets…anything else would look pretty damn appealing.

"Does it work for us?" Daryl asked, gulping down the remains of his beer, just looking at him you wouldn't think he felt tense and anxious talking to people but he did get that way. He honestly would have preferred to go out and fight with the damn dragon than talk to people.

Surprise filtered through the wizards at the question; in fact, Severus had his hand over his mouth, hiding it, as though he was suppressing a smirk of amusement.

"It's a good question," Harry said thoughtfully, "I can't see why not…animals were used in the testing stages I think, Draco would have to confirm it."

"I ain't an animal," Daryl grumbled, one had to know it was Daryl's version of a pout to realize that was what it was. He didn't take it personally though, mostly because he'd never seen Harry this relaxed, as always, it seems that Luna knew just what to do so that Harry was able to stop thinking about everything he needed to do or could do for the group on a whole and concentrate on himself for the day.

"No, you definitely are not," Harry said giving Daryl a very salacious look.

Luna and Hermione muffled their amusement, eyes gleaming, Hermione more awed than amused, she had never seen Harry so laidback before, he hadn't had a chance to fully recover from the war before the apocalypse hit.

"Let me guess, you want to leave?" Harry asked, pausing his conversation with Hermione, Daryl, Merle, Luna, and Severus talking loudly so Abraham - who was coming up behind the wizard - could hear him. Abraham paused, one foot still off the ground, trying and failing to look aloof but coming across as quintessentially unnerved by the stares aimed at him.

"Every second we waste getting him to Washington, people are dying," Abraham stated, his voice strong and sure, shaking off the feeling the others had evoked him in. He straightened his spine when he noticed sympathy appear very briefly on the leader's face, if he hadn't been looking at him he would never have noticed.

"And your group is in full agreement of that?" Harry asked Abraham, before he turned back to the others,"I'll be right back, I need to discuss if you know where Potter Manor is," his gaze on Severus, making it clear he was talking to the Potions Master, putting his hand up to stop Hermione and Luna from coming, telling them without words to stay there, talk, have fun while they could, that he didn't need help. He didn't even bother to attempt to get Merle and Daryl to remain behind, chance would be a fine thing.

"Very well," Severus replied, no desire to sneer or be derisive, and it wasn't because of the intimidating pair that the Dixons made at his side. It was out of respect for Harry and his position here in the States, he'd built all this up, he knew ever hardship Harry had faced, not only there for the meetings where Hermione revealed pertinent information but because Hermione worried constantly about everything. Quite frankly Severus felt gratitude that Harry was letting Hermione be herself for a while longer. Now and again though she did deviate to things that needed to be done.

"We've been on the move since Houston," Abraham explained, "We want to get back on the road, as I said, we've wasted enough time."

Harry stared at Abraham, the urge to just inform him that Eugene would be the death of the rest of them was strong. Yet Abraham had a single-minded focus, to get Eugene there, without it…he wasn't sure what he would do. He had been suicidal before he'd determined that this was his mission, to help humanity. The redhead believed it wholeheartedly, there wasn't even a thought of a single doubt at Eugene's words.

He wouldn't be surprised if his people weren't already subtly putting doubts in all their heads.

"Alright," Harry said slowly, "Come with me," with that the four men began to walk up the way, away from the party that was currently still going strong, up past the houses, and towards a section that Abraham hadn't seen yet, a large parking lot filled with what felt like hundreds of cars, trucks, hell even busses, tanks, army vehicles even two helicopters to the far left. There was even a row of motorbikes, quad bikes, and last but no means least bicycles, as he stepped forward he noticed that there were scooters too, two electric the others were kids ones Abraham abstractly noted.

Abraham stared struck dumb, he hadn't seen this many functional cars since before the world went to hell.

"Take your pick of any of them, they're all numbered," Harry explained, "On the inside of the windshield, anything that doesn't have a number is already spoken for by our people," in other words they kept the damn keys, looked after it themselves. The only time they handed the keys over is if they suspected something might be wrong with it, or if it needed maintenance done. The teens were educated on the basics of motor maintenance when that happened, even the occasional adult who had admitted shamefacedly to have never had to deal with cars before, either because they had no license or someone had done it for them.

"I'll get it," Merle grunted, not even needing Harry to speak to know what he would do next, it was called anticipating, and Harry wasn't one for wasting time. He would have gone straight to the empty old grocery store that now housed anything remotely mechanical, tires, spare parts, oil, windscreen washer, gas, but anything…like gas and oil were preserved in a trunk so it didn't go off. It smelt absolutely foul, but it kept the gas in good condition until it was needed.

"Thanks," Harry said to Merle's retreating back.

It didn't take Abraham much time at all to pick out a car that he wanted, a silver Volvo V90 R-design, very spacious and probably any guys dream with the sports seats and sleek design. One glance at the number on the windscreen he summoned the keys for the car, well, both sets this time. He flung them to the redhead as soon as they landed in his hand. They were newer additions thus closer to the front - to them - in the car park.

They fell to the floor, Abraham gaping before he remembered himself and his jaw snapped shut immediately. So they could do more than make water shields of some sorts against dragons then that was a scary thought.

"Good luck out there," Harry stated, glancing to the side when he heard a noise, Merle was already on his way back with a red gas canister.

"Ain't luck, everyone who has survived this far is strong, you help them, they help you," Abraham admitted after picking up the keys. Either that of they were strong and they killed you he thought grimly.

"Or betray you," Daryl said, loyalty wasn't something easily gotten with the world the way it was, he and Merle had been lucky to end up having Harry as company otherwise he knew they'd be the ones without loyalty to any others except themselves. Which is what would have happened, they would have robbed the original group blind and left them there without mercy. That's if Merle had done it before the trip to the store, otherwise, he would have ended up a brother down and in a group who hadn't trusted him as far as they could throw him. "And then try to kill you,"

"Then you gotta kill them," Abraham nodded firmly, "I wish I could say its never easy,"

Merle snorted derisively, finding the statement pathetic from an Army guy, he looked like he'd seen action, but maybe he was wrong. It actually reminded him of some of the women way back when it first started. Lori in particular, but she'd learned the harshest of lessons while the group split in two. Came to the prison harder, realizing it was her - and her daughter - or them.

"It's the easiest thing to do," Harry retorted, "When it comes to protecting your people there is no room for guilt." he had killed those at the prison without qualms and will continue to do so if the situation demands it.

"It's the easiest thing to do in the world," Abraham nodded a grim look crossing his features, his injuries making him look more severe looking.

"You've got a full tank," Merle said, grunting as he straightened up, the empty canister clutched in his hand, absently smacking the fuel door closed with a thud. Glancing speculatively at the guy, if he didn't know any better he would say he had done something that he had to but felt guilty about doing it - he was second-guessing himself, there was no way to know how long ago it had happened though.

"Pull the car around that way," Harry pointed with his left hand, "It's a straight road to the exit," it was the only one they used, all other exits were locked up tight with gates and locks, and sealed closed with magic. Some of them were even walled up just to be on the safe side, using whatever materials they could, they'd been lucky enough to get the materials they needed with strategic supply runs.

Abraham nodded, swiftly getting into the car, quite smoothly for such a big guy. Soon enough the car started and he exited the car park, the engine practically purring, considering it was - or had been a brand new car - it was hardly surprising. He'd gotten the thing from a showroom, while on the hunt for more gas. He'd shrugged, shrank them down and brought them here, there was no point to wasting any good materials.

"He and the woman would make a good fit," Harry commented as he watched Abraham drive, he stopped the car once he was on the main road and parked, his red head was visible soon enough as he emerged from the silver vehicle. He wasn't even going to think about the damn Weasel they had with them.

"I don't think he's going to last long before admitting he's wrong," Merle said with a sadistic smirk.

"What have you heard?" Harry asked amused, "A better question would be who and what?" he had a good idea though.

"Sasha," Merle didn't lose his smirk, he'd laughed his ass off when he heard her, and began to respect her for it. "Told him about the time we went, every little detail, including the fact it is teeming with walkers and that we barely got out with our lives intact."

"Yeah, I'm not surprised, it was either her or Andrea I thought would have something to say," Harry mused thoughtfully, "To be honest I suspected they'd outright tell the others that he's lying." he knew they wanted to, but whether they actually did or not remained to be seen. He had told them not to say anything, and he had meant it, he hoped they didn't.

Merle and Harry's faces smoothed out as Abraham approached, none of their previous amusement showing.

Abraham though wasn't looking at them, he was looking past them, the three glanced back to find Luna, Andrea, Sasha, and Hermione leading the two others to their own leader. Ambling as if they had all the time in the world, occasionally laughing a little or smiling as they spoke. "Women," Harry muttered shaking his head, "How is it that they can talk so easily with everyone and look as though they've been best friends for years?" no matter what was going on. Hermione hadn't always been that way though, it had taken years of solid friendship for her to come into her own.

Daryl snorted, he didn't understand them period. He'd also not respected a woman until he met Luna, same with Merle, they'd never encountered such strong determined women before, not one who could back up their claims anyway. At first, Andrea had tried to be strong, but she had nothing to back up her claim until Harry taught her humility along with true training. Being smug about hitting a few cans, a bad form that, he'd come to understand that she had been deeply insecure and afraid but hiding it very well.

Harry gave Luna an enquiring look at the plastic Tupperware box when she was two feet.

"Something for the road," Luna explained, "It will stay warm, although I would suggest eating it within the next twenty-four hours." Giving the box to Rosita as she spoke, Rosita passed off a bag she'd been carrying to Abe with a warm smile that was just for him.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay for the rest of the day? Have a proper bed to sleep in before hitting the road?" Sasha questioned, arms crossed never once glancing at Eugene. "Another couple of meals to tide you over until you gather more supplies."

Harry cleared his throat, giving Sasha a very pointed look, trying his hardest to look disapproving, but judging by the looks his people threw him he had failed spectacularly.

Sasha just pursed her lips, the urge to tell them everything was strong, but she respected and trusted Harry's judgment, and thus she would keep her word and remain silent. Telling Eugene about their trip to DC wasn't the same thing. She did relish the blatant fear spreading across his face though.

"We'll be fine, we've been sweeping as we go all the way since Houston," Rosita was quick to put in, nobody missed the quick glance she gave Abraham, as though she was saying it solely for his approval, she didn't seem like that sort of woman so they put it down to likely shaking Abrahams zeal when it comes to what she thought they were doing - saving the world.

"You can come with us, help save the world," Abraham stated.

"What?" Harry was startled by the words, he wasn't sure why he should have been though. "Are you serious?" he saw the base, how secure it was, did he honestly think he was going to drag everyone to DC? Even if there had been some hope of a cure where they were going?

"Is that all you want to be? Wake up in the morning, fight the undead pricks, forage for food, go to sleep with two eyes open, rinse and repeat? 'Cause you can do that. I mean you got the strength, you got the skill. Thing is, for you people, for what you can do, that's just surrender. Now we get Eugene to Washington and he make the dead die and the living will have this world again. And that is not a bad takeaway for a little road trip. Eugene, what's in D.C.?"

" Infrastructure constructed to withstand pandemics even for this fubar magnitude. That means fuel, food, refuge. Restart." Eugene replied in a monotone voice, sounding as though he was repeating himself for the hundredth time.

"However this plays out, however long it takes for the reset button to kick in, you can be safe there. Safer than you've been since this whole thing started. Come with us. Save the world for those little ones, save it for yourselves. Save it for the people out there, who don't got nothing left to do except survive." Abraham was very passionate about his mission.

Harry's face was a mask of grimness, "I'm sorry, but no,"

"Let's go," Abraham stated curtly, already beginning to head in the direction of the car disappointed by the reply.

"Hold up a second," Harry called, rushing towards the redhead, "The second you're out of here, the building will disappear and you'll be unable to find us again. Normally I wouldn't do this…but you deserve somewhere to go when all is said and done."

Abe gave him a look that clearly conveyed that he thought Harry was insane, bases didn't just disappear after all.

"Read this when you're out of the main gate, you have all of four minutes to read it before it will self-ignite," Harry told him, handing over a small slip of paper that was folded in half. It wasn't as though he had to worry about them being able to tell others since there were only four people who could convey the 'secret' so to speak. He did have to use a spell to ensure it went up in flames though, if anyone read it then they'd have access, he wasn't stupid enough to let that happen.

Some part of Abraham must have believed what Harry was saying as he slipped it into his pocket, a contemplative look on his face. Holding out his hand, both of them shook on it, a silent thank you for their aid, no doubt before he rejoined Eugene and Rosita with a determined air around him.

"You expect him to return," Sasha commented, a befuddled look on her face. "Why?" especially considering the rule for not telling them it didn't seem likely. Plus she'd seen the determination on the redheads face, he wasn't going to stop until he was dead.

"Sooner than you think," Harry commented as the car disappeared from view, "I bet you watering duty that they'll be back by the end of the night."

Sasha grimaced, she hated watering duty, while most of it had a sprinkler system, not all of it did and thus led to them having to lug water around to get the spots that are missed. She'd never complain, this set up was too good to even consider complaining, added to the fact she did it only once or twice every two weeks depending on the rotation that was decided upon. "Fortunately, I know better than to bet against you," Sasha commented amusedly.

Andrea laughed, "Come on, let's head back," ready to enjoy the day while she could before they were back to their normal schedule. Even as calm and happy as they were, they never lost that heightened sense of self-awareness or the caution that the walkers had bred into their bones by keeping an eye on their surroundings. It wasn't the same tense awareness on the outside, for each of them knew they were as safe as they could be, trusting Harry completely, to know that their home base was secure.

"Who's at the gate?" Harry called to Andrea as they all began to head back to the party.

"Carol headed down," it was Sasha who replied.

"On her own?" Harry's voice was deceptively mild. He'd always told them that they went nowhere alone, and he meant it, even to this day.

"Lori went with her," Andrea explained, "Both armed." Judith was being rather crabby, so Lori thought a walk would do her good, in the buggy, of course, she wasn't quite ready to master walking yet.

"Good," Harry relaxed, he didn't think they would do anything but that didn't mean anything these days.

As soon as they were out of the base, having said goodbye to Lori and Carol Rosita and Abraham relaxed while Eugene tensed, but instead of flooring it, Abe stopped and in curiosity, glanced back only to see nothing. True to Harry's word it was as if the base no longer existed, no wonder they had been safe.

"What the…" Rosita looked back wondering why Abraham was seeing, "How is that possible? It was right there," she couldn't remember where it was, but she was so sure it had been right there.

"He told me to read this," Abe said, unfolding the parchment and reading the words contained within. The secret from the secret keepers own hand. Both Rosita and Abraham both read it, but only Rosita jumped out of her skin when it caught fire. Abraham just watched it disintegrate in curiosity, it didn't burn anything, not even his fingers, the flames harmless, and once it was gone…there was not even ashes left behind to show for it. This was…mesmerising, not as terrifying as seeing a damn dragon.

Rosita watched the base reappear, that was some fierce magic, to make an entire place disappear despite the fact they'd just seen it? She hadn't believed Abraham when he spoke of seeing a dragon, not really, now it didn't seem that far-fetched in reality. "It's there,"

"It's not there," Eugene glanced at the two companions baffled.

"I don't give two shorts and curlies what it looks like, that damn base is back," Eugene insisted.

"Why can we see it?" Rosita asked her face blank, eyes drawn to Eugene then to Abraham.

"We read the note," Abraham insisted, staring the car back up, "I'll be a son of a dick," he added in admiration, with that he started the car again, this time he floored it, ready to get their ass out of there and toward DC.

Five minutes later Eugene finally spoke having plucked up the courage to do so.

"I'm not a scientist," Eugene blurted, "Abraham do you hear me? I'm not a scientist, I lied!" not wishing to go too far lest they are unable to find the base again.

The brand new car skidded to a stop, making enough noise to alert the dead.

"Of course, you're a scientist," Rosita insisted, as a calm before the storm hovered over them.

Would you like to see a short story of Harry's first appearance in America before the apocalypse got bad? Their confusion regarding why Harry remained and seemed quite content? Then, of course, their earlier travels alone just as the group drew up to the Quarry? Well, there we go! I think we all knew that this would happen I'm having so much trouble writing the chapters to the Walking Dead Wizard right now I have no idea why I know where I want it to go for now, so I honestly don't understand it, and its not because I've lost the muse, it's as strong as ever, I still like the series - to an extent - there IS a reason I wrote this becuase to me the series is somewhat annoying and I don't believe that's where they'd be in real life :D and what happened just before the break...I think it might be the tipping point on whether I watch it or not...and it's not because I read the comics or anything...I just feel like cursing the idiot who thought it was smart...I won't say anything more right now just in case there's whose who haven't seen it yet! So how would you like to see Harry's group meet the Kingdom? My earlier suggestion that Jesus takes them there? and just why is Harry asking about Potter Manor ;) R&R