Walking Dead Wizard
Chapter 104
Lori and Carol finished putting cups in front of everyone, the children being entertained by Meghan in the corner along with Anubis and Hela. All too young to have any interest or say in what was happening. A meeting had been called, a 'council' meeting as it was so often referred to, but it included everyone, even if Harry and his core group had the very last say in what happened. They did take what everyone said into consideration but considering how big the group was, differences in opinions were normal. "Here, this will help with the morning sickness," she said with a knowing look in Harry's direction.
Rick grimaced, hating how his wife accepted that oddness fully. It wasn't natural, men getting pregnant, he wasn't showing any signs so the likelihood of it being a massive prank was probable he still didn't like it. Even Hershel, a god-fearing man, had fully accepted it and was always asking questions left right and centre.
Harry gracefully accepted the cup of camomile tea; he'd been surprised by her immediate acceptance. Then again, she'd changed a whole lot since coming here. Maybe someone telling her what she was like had been a slap in the face…or if her attitude was due to fear of the unknown after a lifetime of stability and the 'perfect life' with Rick before all this shit went down. He certainly hadn't seen himself becoming fond of her, that's for sure. Although, truthfully, it wasn't a difficulty, if he can become friends with Draco after the shit, they'd both pulled, he could accept just about anything. "Thank you," he murmured taking a sip, it had been well strained he couldn't find any bits in the tea.
"I assume this has to do with where Luna has been going every morning?" Lori asked, as she sat down having given everyone their own cup. It hadn't escaped anyone's notice that Luna and Merle had been gone more often than not this past month. Especially considering how inseparable the brothers and Harry had originally been…then of course, when Luna added to the core group they went everywhere together.
That hadn't been the only thing to happen either, a member of Charlie's group had come to P.A and given birth to the first child – here at least – since Lori had given birth to Judith in the prison directly before coming to P.A for safety.
Her and her husband had wished to thank Severus for helping them, asking his name so they could try to match a similar name. Charlie who had been there had barely been able to muffle his laughter.
"Yes, laugh it up," Severus had said dryly, "No child deserves to be burdened with a name such as mine. My name is Severus Snape. One will hope you give your daughter a less severe name."
Needless to say, they had changed their mind, and given her the name Hope Alexandra. Named after her husband's mother who had accepted her fully and without pause. They had been together for over a decade, and she was like a mother to her too. Thankfully she'd passed before all this happened. A strong and powerful name, Hope after Pandora where she was born, and Alexandra actually meant shelter, and provider of mankind. It was almost as if it was meant to be.
It had given everyone, even those at P.A a sense of hope that things would be well. Everyone had helped the woman for the first day, eager to help, Lori most of all, giving her any advice, she could think of. Michonne had a few words of wisdom too.
Even Daryl had helped, with a look of wonder on his face. The same look he'd had when he held Judith but more exponential. After all, that was going to be them in the months to come.
A Potter-Dixon child would be welcomed into the world. It was as amazing as it was utterly terrifying.
"Yeah, it is," Harry nodded, nobody seemed surprised, "Luna, the floors yours." All of them ignored the laughing and gleeful whispering of the kids at the other side of the room.
"We found out about another group through The Saviors." Luna explained, which startled everyone. "They're called the Oceanside people, they're all women, Negan killed all their men right down to the last child." Or so they assumed, but they'd soon find out they were wrong on that account. Not even memories can be accurate.
"My god," Hershel said, looking sick. "Why?" he hadn't done that to the Hilltop of The Kingdom people.
"We aren't exactly sure why, the memory wasn't exactly forthcoming about it, but if we had to hazard a guess, which we have, we can assume that they hadn't gathered enough supplies and it was their punishment. It seemed to be the only way that riled Negan up." Harry spoke here, lips pursed in disgust, "I am glad he's gone; I wish I had acted sooner they may well have lived if I had."
"You aren't responsible for everyone, Harry," more than one person proclaimed.
"You aren't omnipotent, and if you did go around killing every potential threat…you'd be no better…and we all know you are." Their army medic declared strongly.
"Why haven't you approached them?" Andrea asked baffled.
"You didn't have a problem approaching the others," Sophia agreed curious herself.
"I'm actually surprised things went as well as they did," Harry confessed wryly, "But we all knew we'd have to be cautious in our approach with the Oceanside people. They've been through a massive trauma, and everything Luna has told me…has basically confirmed that."
"What's been happening?" Amy asked, frowning, for Harry to judge…well, it spoke of something distasteful.
The others were basically on the same boat, knowing it had to be rather bad for Harry to express his distaste.
"We've been watching them all month," Luna spoke, "They're hypervigilant, move in groups, even twigs snapping have them on high alert."
"A week ago, we got our confirmation on how they'd react," Merle grunted, "Someone washed up near the beach, unconscious, no weapons, and clearly not a threat."
Everyone grimaced, having an idea what exactly they were going to hear from Merle next.
"Stabbed him through the head while he was down in the sand. No questions asked, no hesitation. Dunno if they'd do it to women, but they sure don't like men." Merle stated.
"After what Negan and The Saviors have done, it's hardly surprising they don't trust anyone. However, that guy might not have been a bad one, and that I'm having difficulty forgiving." Harry confessed. He didn't know what to think, what to do regarding them. They were terrified women for Merlin's sake, but those they are killing could be just as damn terrified though. The worlds population was in danger enough without just taking out anyone they wanted.
"Well, this…I can see your concern," Dale murmured, clearly blown away by the information he'd just been told. "What is to be done?" the thought of killing didn't sit right with him, never had done. He was an old man set in his ways, but not set enough to endanger the peace here at P.A. plus, he had realized that some people…well, some people didn't deserve to live. Negan was one of those people.
"It's difficult, because they could have been any one of us," Harry sighed, running his hand through his hair. "They're probably suffering from PTSD, which compounds the problem. They're all probably egging each other's suspicions on."
"It sounds like it would be a dangerous endeavour to approach them," Mira said warily, Michonne nodded in agreement from beside her. "We couldn't in all good conscious allow them to continue to hurt people either."
"Sounds like a sticky wicket," murmured Axel, rubbing at his jaw and neck, feeling a little frustrated that he couldn't come up with anything half way productive to help. "Might help sending only women to see them I suppose…but even then, it's no guarantee…they might want to kill all outsiders."
"They're expected Negan and his men to show up any time now," Merle told them stretching out, "They've been busy gathering more supplies and setting it aside." They were even more on edge than normal from the look of it. Or it might just be normal for them.
"Not that they've made a mention of it actually…they're on edge yes, but I don't think they're scared…not like the way you think." She told Merle, "I honestly don't think The Saviors knew about them…"
"Makes sense, he sends his men out monthly to gather supplies, but weekly for each community." Lori pointed out, she recalled what had been discussed about Negan and his men. They all kept a very firm grip on dangerous information coming their way, especially if they were out scavenging. "As closed off as they are, and killing people it's no wonder they have no clue yet."
Rick made a strained strangled sound at how flippant Lori was over this.
"Do you have a suggestion, Rick?" Harry asked, zoning in on the noise, staring expectantly.
"They just need a stern leader," Rick said seriously, "Someone strong enough to keep control of them."
"Lemmie guess, that person, is you?" Daryl asked, green eyes gleaming.
"I am a Sheriff," Rick said proudly, and he'd always be proud of that fact.
"You used to be, yes, you no longer have the power you used to have, Rick." Harry said before anyone could speak, but he observed nearly everyone including Lori roll her eyes. "Nobody cares about the police, the sheriff department, the army…we're passed all that. You'd gain no respect from these people."
"It's true," Bob declared, nodding in agreement, "It happened before the Apocalypse got really bad. It was each man for himself, while the Army tried to instigate order. This was before they began detonating napalm everywhere…" a haunted look on his face. "A lot of people walked away when they got those orders." They couldn't do it, especially knowing there were innocents down there too.
Merle grimaced, he hadn't been able to believe his eyes when he saw the results of the first bomb himself. He knew the devastation those things could cause. Knew just how much the people down there were suffering, thankfully he'd been clouded with drugs those days, it made it easier to tolerate what was going down. He had been one of those each man for himself, but he wasn't sure when or how he'd changed but he had. It was even before Luna had came into his life, although not by a long stretch of time.
"Declaring you're a cop wouldn't save your life, Rick," Harry told him, exasperated by his constant need to lead. "They're just be liable to kill you as much as the rest of the people crossing their path."
"Can you put wards up to keep people from even wandering close to their path?" Oscar asked thoughtfully, "I mean wards that won't affect them?"
"No, if they went out of the wards, they wouldn't be able to get back in." Harry told Oscar with a rueful grin, "The only wards I could think of working would be the Muggle repelling wards, which yeah, would affect them too. It would basically stop them getting back to base, it would be like killing them." Leaving them lost alone and defenceless without the rest of their people.
"What about some sort of beacon? That act's like a Portkey?" Axel queried, "That directs folk to safety?"
Harry and Luna glanced at each other, "A beacon that would entice humans?" he pondered, brows furrowed, "I've heard of a rune that does that, what was it again?"
"There wouldn't be a way to tweak it so that it's only good folk that find it," Luna said eyes wide, "But the Portkey can lead them somewhere…where we would be safe, they'd be safe until we could talk to them."
"Yep, we've lost them," Merle muttered, as Luna and Harry began to talk between themselves.
Everyone laughed, well used to the pair suddenly going off on magic tangents.
"The Oceanside could end up compelled as well,"
"True, but the amount of people it could help, outweighs everything else…" Luna pointed out.
"Or just tell the Oceanside folks to avoid the area you decide on," Daryl didn't doubt for a second they'd be capable of it. When Harry and Luna put their minds to something…they accomplished it. Admittedly, sometimes with a little help, but didn't make their accomplishments any less. "That way they won't end up sucked in."
"Luna and I can go," Sophia suggested, "With Michonne and a few of the other woman?" if it made them feel safer then they should do it right?
"Considering they go right for the kill; I don't trust anyone who cannot magically defend themselves from an attach to approach." Harry confessed, "I don't doubt your capability, but I choose not to underestimate theirs." Especially if they could kill someone when they're down, that was a whole other breed of killer. There might not be any saving them, but Harry did not want to go in there guns a blazing and just killing because they could.
He'd be no better than the likes of the 'Governor' or 'Negan' and every single other bad guy he'd ever been up against. He didn't want to be that guy, but he would defend his people from any and all attacks without pause, failure and regrets.
They had chosen him to be their leader despite his reluctance in the beginning. He hadn't wanted the pressure that being a leader entailed again. It was one he would gladly take on to make sure at least some people survived this screwed up world they found themselves living in.
"Just two people? You and Luna?" Sophia blurted out, "That isn't safe! How many are there?"
"Sixty woman and children give or take," Merle told them, he'd made a quick calculation, while watching them all completely invisible. Magic was…just bloody mindboggling, even their footsteps had been silenced, it had been an out of this world experience. He could imagine what the army and navy would have done with this shit, how many enemies they could have taken down without a single loss of life. "Luna might be right; they might not be expecting Negan…there was no mention of his name that we heard." He admitted, now that he thought about it.
Fishing out his phone, Harry called Dwight, putting it on speaker phone.
"Hello?" it was a female voice they heard.
"My name is Harry Potter, I'd like to speak to Dwight please," Harry said, he wanted further information on Oceanside. He'd only caught a small glimpse, and the thought they might be wrong, didn't sit well with him.
They heard muffled sounds on the other end before Dwight was on the phone. "Hello?"
"Did Negan find the Oceanside?" Harry demanded.
"Wha…no," Dwight shook his head, "That was Simon, before he joined Negan and The Saviors."
"What exactly happened?" Merle demanded to know.
"Simon, he's one of the people you killed, he was basically doing what Negan was, but without the vast network. The people at Oceanside…they didn't want to serve under his tyranny, to become enslaved to Simon so they fought back and lost. In retaliation Simon rounded up the rest of the men and the children over ten and killed them all to stop further resistance." Dwight told them, his voice sounding small. "When he returned to the settlement they were gone. The rest had fled."
"That might explain their extreme jumpiness." Luna murmured quietly.
"Were they ever found by Negan or Simon?" Harry continued to interrogate him.
"No, there hasn't even been a whisper of another community nearby." Dwight admitted. "Otherwise, a group would have been sent out to scout then a bigger group to bring them to heel.
"Of course not, I get why they're killing em off," Daryl said rubbing his beard thoughtfully, "I'd do it to protect our group." And that coming from Daryl who was in no way bloodthirsty – when it came to humans anyway – that was saying a lot. Sure, he'd beat the shit out of them without a second thought but murder? Had to be a damn good reason for it. Merle on the other hand would probably d it for fun. To protect Harry and their bubba.
"Me too," Sophia declared.
And unsurprisingly more than half the group all muttered 'Me too's' as well.
"Have you found somewhere?" Harry asked now that his questions had been answered.
"No, we're still on the hunt," Dwight confessed, surprise in his voice. He knew how everyone saw him, and that was alright, they were just the same. They just hadn't gone to the same measures as he had.
He deserved the judgement for that.
"If you need anything you know I'm just a phone call away, even in the event of an emergency. I know you didn't see what I'm capable of…but your wife and sister-in-law did." And they probably had heard the rumours too.
Sophia sniggered, that sounded more of a threat than an allowed call for aid. Then again, Harry was really smart…maybe it was meant to be both? Nothing would surprise her.
"Thanks…" Dwight murmured, evidently getting the threat and allowance for aid.
"Yeah, bye," Harry said, not even allowing him to reply before he hung up, sliding the phone back into his pocket.
"You know we've had these for ages and I still forget about mine…I always aim for the radio first." They carried both so it wasn't a problem, it was just the fact the radios needed charged all the time, they hadn't been converted yet.
"Alright, well, we have the full story now," Harry said, a thoughtful look on his face. "I can't help but respect them despite their…extreme methods to avoid detection." He confessed.
"They fought back, we've all commented in one way or another over The Kingdom and Hilltop and their lack of fighting back. Yet here we are…we have a group that fought for their freedom and…yeah, I do respect that." Luna agreed as well.
"Yeah, that's true, it goes to show the stark reality of what would have happened though," Andrea said grimly, "I can only imagine how many people they lost…fighting then in the aftermath."
Amy vehemently nodded her head.
"One hundred and twenty to one hundred and forty people in total I reckon was in that settlement." Harry suggested, "Most will have had a partner, husband, a child ten-years-old. Maybe even more than that, its difficult to say."
"Makes you wonder how a sadistic man like this Simon…was so easily able to submit to a man like Negan calling the shots." Oscar confessed, "It ain't easy to step aside, especially if he was used to running the show."
"I have pondered about that myself," Hershel agreed pensively.
"Self-preservation at it's finest," Axel mused, "He can continue his shit, just has to listen to Negan…? He wouldn't have been happy forever, probably would have tried a coup at one point or another."
"He's dead, they're both dead and we can consider it a good thing," Bob sighed, "It doesn't really help with the current dilemma…which is a shame." He would have liked to have come up with an idea or two, but he couldn't think of a damn thing.
"Still approaching em?" Daryl asked, arms crossed and leaning on the table as he eyed Harry curiously.
"Good question," Harry murmured, "We can guarantee them safety without having to kill. That's if they're even remotely interested in being indebted to anyone…they're strong, determined and I have no doubt they've got quite the arsenal at their beck and call." A group like that, there was no way they accepted things as they were, not like The Kingdom and Hilltop.
"They have," Luna and Merle spoke as one, emphatically agreeing, they'd seen that arsenal first hand.
Harry nodded slowly, "Alright, we'll go, explain everything and if they don't want our help we'll leave. Even then, I'm not libel to trust them, at least the other communities didn't have free access to weapons." Pot kettle black he knew, his own people had access to weapons. They had a knife and a gun at all times, well, those that wanted it. They kept them secured so the kids couldn't get near them.
The decision was made, to no surprise, the conversation took a different turn.
"So…when's the engagement party?" Andrea asked with a grin, she could barely believe Merle Dixon was engaged. She wanted to tease him mercilessly but she didn't want to sour the mood for a second.
Lori, Carol, Sophia, Amy and Mira all perked up, looking all kinds of excited at the prospect of a party. The other women were much more composed, they would join in, but naturally, they didn't see the need for a big party.
Merle rolled his eyes, "Women," he grumbled, exasperated.
Andrea just grinned, finding herself wholly amused. She'd teased Luna in passing when she could, wondering when they'd celebrate. In jest naturally, not really thinking for a moment they'd have one. Especially as she was constantly gone from morning until night. Made sense now.
"Is that it? Aren't we going to discuss more about how to approach the Ocean people?" Rick enquired, just as put out as Merle at the conversation going on at the moment.
"Alright, let the girls plan the party," Harry said, "Tell me what you would do Rick," Harry gestured for the man to speak. Sitting there, staring at Rick, taking it all very seriously, willing at least to hear the man out.
Hershel wasn't sure how it was possible, but the respect he held for Harry went up several notches. They all knew Rick's plans would be utterly ridiculous, he'd gone along with them for the longest time. At the very near loss of his daughters for god in heavens sake. If not for Harry, then it was entirely likely they would have all lost their lives to cannibalistic killers while trying to seek sanctuary. It wasn't until he was here with Harry leading everyone, that he realized just how proficient he was. He had everyone playing to their strengths, while making sure everyone took part. Magic so very rarely came into it, except helping them keep a very secure warded base that was P.A now although he did refer to it as an army base now and again.
"I think they should be split into groups, send to The Kingdom, Hilltop, here, and some remaining where they are." Rick said sitting forward eager to be heard. Ignoring the prattling next to him about a stupid engagement party, like Dixon needed an excuse to drink. "Hear me out, hear me out…add an influx of new people, less chance of a resistance especially if they don't know who to trust."
"Rick, they've been through the wars together, the only way they would split up is if they were forced." Harry said calmly, "Taking away their support system, as bad as it can be most days…would be…well…you'd be better off killing them yourself." He said softly, tiredly, "It would be like taking Amy away from Andrea. Taking Sophia away from Carol. Taking Axel away from Oscar…taking Glen away from Maggie and Dale…taking Hershel's kids away from him…they're family, probably a lot of them through blood but most importantly through shared grief."
Hershel flinched at the mere suggestion of it, for he knew he wouldn't survive losing his daughters. He would very much rather allow the Walkers to kill him than survive even a single day without them. Father's weren't supposed to bury their daughters, that's not the way it was meant to be. Yes, it was a good thing that Rick was no longer leading anyone. That was…such a diabolical plot.
"Or taking your family away from you," Harry finished, "They've survived this far by branding together to survive, to live. Going so far as to commit deeds they probably wouldn't have committed if not for the violence perpetrated against them."
"War changes people, and they've been through the wars," Daryl murmured, understanding fully why Harry didn't want to see them hurt. Why he wasn't judging them for their actions.
"You've got that right," Bob declared from where he sat, he hadn't had a single drink since coming to P.A…or rather after being weaned off it here. He was happier, wasn't lost in the dark times too often. If he was, there was always someone in the community willing to listen.
"It's most definitely not a good idea," Harry said patiently, wondering what made Rick think for a second that it was a good idea. "No, what we'll do, is go together as a group, with magic we should be able to contain anything they throw our way." He'd be taking more than just Luna, just to be on the safe side.
"That's good, Marcus and Blaise are looking for something new to do," Luna declared, "We have more runes than we could possibly ever use in years." Literally there were Tupperware boxes full of gems that had been etched with runes. All different ones placed into different containers and were safe in the kitchen cupboard. Having been listening despite her distraction.
"Is it something you want?" Merle asked Luna quietly, he knew how Luna preferred a small group and more often than not less rowdiness. They'd been engaged for a month and they'd had the question asked a lot, in gest mostly, due to the fact Luna and he had been gone most of the time, returning only at night.
"I think it will be fun," Luna said, "I can ask Hermione to come as well."
"Mione's less social than you," Harry laughed, shaking his head ruefully, "I'll be very surprised if you can get her to leave her work long enough." Although, he hoped Luna could, Hermione was going to work herself to the ground if she didn't have care. Luckily Severus was there to hopefully reign her in as much as he could. He knew how stubborn Hermione could get with research.
"True," Luna grinned ruefully, "If you're going tomorrow then I best not," she'd need to be at her best, not hung over. While it was true, they could take a potion it wasn't exactly a miracle cure, it just helped the headache and the stomach ache you got from having a hang-over.
"No, not tomorrow," Harry decided, "You have your night, you've been gone basically for a whole month…catch up properly, have fun, celebrate. We'll go in a few days, there's no rush, especially now we know that they aren't waiting for the Saviors to show up."
"You got a plan?" Merle asked, glancing shrewdly at Harry.
"Not much of one," Harry admitted, "I mean I don't think I could ever trust them to have a cupboard there…not yet anyway. Maybe one day? When the trauma isn't so prevalent and they've managed to move on as much as one can after their losses."
Daryl understood the kind of losses they had endured in a way he never would have in the past. The thought of losing Harry and their bubba…well, needless to say he would go insane without them. Without Merle. He could see himself doing exactly as the Ocean's people had, if the circumstances had been reversed.
That's if he's strong enough to actually survive it.
"Agreed," Merle murmured, he wouldn't trust them either.
"We'll go after the scan," Harry said decisively, nodding his head. "Two days, the trunks in the house, get what you want from it. Just don't go overboard alright?" the last thing he wanted was any of them getting hurt, nobody was used to drinking a lot of liquor anymore. Sure, they had one or two drinks now and again, but nothing more than that. "And keep it away from Bob, he's doing so well, best no put temptation in his path."
Bob would have been considered an alcoholic by any standards, if he had been able to find it to drink it day and night. If he could get his hands on it, he'd drink it without a doubt. It was a weakness he freely confessed to. Harry wanted to help him continue his wonderful progress. He was strong, very strong, to go without it every day, each day was a struggle but he was doing so well. If he lapsed, it would be a shame, but they'd help him stand on his two feet again without the need.
"Severus is coming to do the scan in two days?" Daryl asked, green eyes lighting up, even if his demeanour didn't change much.
"You weren't paying attention, earlier were you?" Harry turned to ask his partner in amusement.
Daryl flushed red, before shaking his head, he'd been reading a book on bonding. Magical marriages, actually, and he'd been surprised to read that it could be done even if one of the partners were a Muggle. Which means they could actually get married before the baby arrived. Bonded before the baby arrived. He just couldn't get the words out to ask.
"Hermione confirmed they'd be by in two days," Harry said softly, "Then we'll get to see the baby." It's when he first scan was done in the magical world. Harry was pretty sure the Muggles did it sooner, but he didn't care about that.
A/N usually when the reviews begin to dwindle down, I usually have the story ended by then. I much rather end a story before it's become boring and barely any reviewers or with a bang as I like to say :D The only reason it hasn't is because I made a promise to write Harry's pregnancy through so that's exactly what I'm going to do before I post an epilogue for you all 😊 there will be maybe 5-9 chapters left I would guess, but there is a muse niggling away at me, so it might be more than that lol actually two muses 😉 can't completely forget everyone now can we? I guess that's what happens when you lose a great deal of your plot ideas :P when your computer busts on you! new annoying ones emerge 😉 well, there we go! R&R please!