Out of habit since the whole apocalypse started, Harry has found himself glancing towards Carl and only relaxes when his gaze finds him. His nephew is sitting next to and talking to, or more at, the sweet timid little thing, Sophia if he can remember right.
Hearing his name called he turned his attention to Jacqui, he gave the beautifully aged woman a kind smile, "Sorry, could you repeat that?"
She simply gives him a motherly look, "I was just saying that boy is lucky to have such a protective Uncle."
Everyone in the camp can see how eagle-eyed the young man is with all the children but like anyone in this day and age, he is more vigilant with his family. The sweet, but daring boy, Carl, and his mother, Lori. Then there is the brute of a cop Shane.
Harry ducks his head bashfully, giving her a shy grin. He forces his gaze towards the direction that his sister and Shane wander off to. He is honestly indifferent to the whole thing.
They like to think it's a secret, but truthfully every adult here knows what they are up to. Hell, even Sophia knows though he suspects it's her foul-mouthed father to be the reason she even noticed. As long as they keep their opinions to themselves he won't intervene. Lori is his sister and even if it is not his drama he will protect his sister from the ridicule of sheep.
Besides she is an adult, his only worry is Carl who doesn't know better at the moment.
The least he can do for Rick is protect the child he adores.
Though he knows the man isn't dead, it's another reason he keeps his mouth shut around Lori. He doesn't want to make her feel horrible for seeking comfort in this shit hole of a situation.
How does he know Rick is alive one would ask? Well, when Harry had met death for the final time after defeating Voldemort and living a life.
He met his end when he chose to save his dear friend and sister in all but blood, Hermione from a cutting hex that she had been targeted with. It wasn't even a question or thought, for she had been pregnant.
They were at the ministry where she was accepting her role as minister.
Harry wouldn't be Harry if he had just stood by.
When he woke up in the train station he realized he may have acted too hastily.
He doesn't regret it one bit, knowing the bright witch could have used a shield and if his memory was recalling right she had her wand raised, his saving people thing.
"It's nuthin," he says using some of the southern twang he gained since living in the south. He offers his hand to Jacqui as they both stand, "I would do it, regardless." Shaking his legs out he lifts his arms to stretch. Harry can say he is fond of Jacqui and he enjoys the company of her and T-Dog.
They have gotten along well for the few months they've been stationed up here.
'Has it been that long already?', he thinks incredulously.
He doesn't really take the time to keep track of dates.
Seriously the fuck,' he thinks, mentally throwing a middle finger up toward death. Why did they send him to this fucked up world?
Fortunately this time he at least has a family to love, though now that might just cause him to break if anything should happen to them. Not that he'd allow that to happen.
Looking at the bright soul of Carl brings him back to the reason he knows Rick is still alive, the perk of being master of death, if one can call it that. Is the fact that Harry can detect life and has an uncanny ability to know when someone is dead, as long as he has a name. He'll be able to sense their status.
The irony of being the master of death in an apocalypse filled with the walking dead isn't lost on him.
Sirius is probably laughing at him right now.
Harry comes back to reality as Jagcui reaches to cup his face with a motherly hold, making him realize she must see his wallowing. He unwittingly leans into the maternal hold. It reminds him of the first time he can recall seeing his new mother and the bright smile she gave him.
Lori looks so much like their mother that it's a blessing and a curse.
Jacqui tuts at him like a disapproving auntie, "No, no it's not just nothing, sweetie."
You are a good man," she insists.
"In this new world we are in, men of your kind are a rarity." she speaks with a saddened tone, dropping her hand and backing away, "I'm gonna see how the girls are doing," indicating to the quarry.
"Why don't you check on Dale, he must be hot sitting up there in the sun" She nudges him towards the RV with a kind smile.
Laughing in amusement at her antics, he gives her a cheeky salute with an 'aye aye, captain' and makes his way towards the RV stopping shortly by Carol to see if she wanted a hand in tending to the food, the generous sweetheart she is says no, but he knows it's the fat bastard of a husband, who makes Vermin look tame, is the reason she declines.
Ed doesn't deserve such a kind soul.
He aches to hug the woman but doesn't want to incite her hog of a man into hurting her, and the only reason he doesn't AK his ass is because the sweet woman wouldn't let him. The second he touched that little girl, all bets were off.
Instead, he gives her a gentle smile feeling his eyes light up as she nervously returns it.
How many is that? 10 whole smiles in two days, new score.
Thanking her he reaches for the water bottle gently offered and reaches with us opposite hand to ruffle Carl's hair. He looks down at his nephew at the indigent squawk to meet the giggling redhead of Sophia's.
Waiting until he catches her gaze he gives her what he hopes is a comforting smile, before he says, "Thank you, Carol, your ability to turn all this rummage into something edible is magical, you're truly a lifesaver" Harry can see her mothers hidden amusement at his teasing, and the way she straightens in pride when he compliments her.
He always makes sure to let the woman know how appreciative he is of her and how much she does for the people she feeds. Knowing she and her husband downplay her actions.
Turning to the duo playing cards, he gives the blushing girl a mischievous grin, "Carl my boy, don't let her innocence fool you, I see a sly fox just waiting for her chance." He gives them both a winkHe doesn't stick around to see their reactions but he does catch Carl's sputter along with the soft laugh of Carol which makes his day.
As he walks Harry runs his thumb over the Hallow symbol that is branded on his wrist, a physical manifestation of his link to death.
The fucker even left him the lightning scar in the form of a birthmark.
The only reason he doesn't rage is because he still has his magic within him.
While he doesn't have the physical pieces of the hollows he has their powers.
It's taken him more time than he'd admit to figure out how to get his magic to work without a wand as an outlet.
The drawback of a lack of wand is he isn't able to do the more mundane spells as easily, at least at his current level. It's like trying to hold back a whole ocean using a beaver dam.
'I really need to stop drifting off into my thoughts', Harry thinks, having not realized he had walked the whole distance already. Reaching towards the latter that leads to the roof of the RV he makes his way up to Dale giving the man a nod as he heaves himself up.
"I brought you water?" He tells Dale, stating the obvious while wiggling the bottle in his hands for the man to drink.
Letting his gaze travel across the burnt husk that is now Atlanta. He can't believe the government just glassed the city like they did.
He remembers watching as Atlanta was bombed; he knew then that his time in peace was over, and another war was about to begin.
The soldier was coming back in front.
While he is nervous, since he had pushed that role away for so long it's scary to allow himself to become the fearless leader of the light again, just this time it's life against death instead of light against darkness.
He should have known that there was something up the deity's sleeve.
"Do you think they'll bring back anything?" Dale asks the lithe man beside him. The only 'leader' he trusts.
Though he respects Shane for all he does while he does, he knows the true mind behind all of this is the man before him
"Not sure," Harry responds absently surveying the area, not that he needs to, since his ability to make wards and use runes hasn't changed.
The only thing that has is the way he creates them. Instead of manually carving them, he just needs to think with intent and most of the magic weaves itself. He suspects it's the fact that the hollows are benign and semi-sentient, if not fully sentient.
Giving the older man who is almost too kind for this new world a glance, "I don't know what Shane was thinking" he scoffs, shaking his head. "Allowing the button pushing an addict on the run."
"It's not that I don't appreciate what Merle does, but he doesn't need to be so antagonistic, but it's not like the judging stares help tame his temper, either." Harry ends up resting his head on his hand with his elbow on his knee.
"What do you mean?" Dale inquires, as curious as a cat.
Giving the kindly ignorant man a dubious look, "If you look past the front he puts off. Which I suspect is a defense mechanism. You can see how much of an asset he is."
At Dale's look of disbelief, he reiterates, "Now don't get me wrong."
"I'm not saying he's a saint, but look at the meals we have, it's him and his brother, who is currently hunting as we speak," here Harry turns towards the area Daryl went off to, continuing, " They are the reason for it."
"Well, you don't have to tell me that" Referring to the last part, thankful for their actions, Dale appreciates their time and effort, but is too timid to confront them.
"I know Dale, you're a good man, maybe too good" 'For this world' is better left unsaid.
"I don't think I'm the only one," Dale says, looking at Harry with a fatherly look.
Harry, seeing that, laughs softly, "Oh, while I thank you, I know I'm not a good person."
"I can do good things, but I'm a selfish creature" The grin he has lets Dale know he is so he's 'teasing'.
"Wel-"Whatever Dale was gonna say is unknown as the blaring sound of a car going off meets their ears.
Harry, not minding himself, jumps off the roof absently using his magic to soften the blow. He waves Carl back into his seat when he sees the boy starting to get up before rushing with a pistol, and his dagger. He found the blade when raiding for some random stuff on a trip with Glenn.
Harry slowly lowers the pistol in his hand as a frantic Glenn hopes out of the car, despite the scare he watches in amusement as Glenn frantically tries to shut the car off. Harry reaches the vehicle before Shane reaches them and tugs on the horn wires, signing from relief when the loud noise fades.
He hears Shane start to get into Glenn and Harry hurries to stand between Shane and Glenn, "What the fuck!" Shane bellows but doesn't push further. Both because he doesn't want to anger Lori and knows Harry isn't a slouch despite his small size.
"I-I'm sorry" Glenn stutters the high of the ride still making him shaky.
Harry runs his hand across the former pizza delivery boy's shoulder, "Calm down," Harry says at the same time Dale speaks.
"I think we are safe," he reasons, "the noise would have echoed and been impossible to pinpoint the direction," Harry gives the man a grateful smile, before shooing Shane away.
"Go help, the rest of them are coming" indicating the new vehicle approaching, with a huff Shane walks off, and towards Lori instead.
''just to spite me', Harry thinks.
Shrugging his shoulders he watches standing by the pretty car as the others come to a stop and start to unload.
He watches with a bitter smile at the heart-felt reunions, looking towards his sister he can see the saddened looks of both her and Carl as they think of must be thinking of Rick.
"-it was all thanks to the new guy really" Harry catches the tale's end of the recount of what happened. He watches in morbid fascination as Morales turns and yells, "Hey, new guy come on and meet the group!"
Harry feels his mouth open a little in sheer disbelief as a scene that could be in a movie happens.
He shakes his head as the familiar figure of Rick peeks over the edge of the vehicle with his damned sheriff outfit and all.
The only thing missing is the man's favorite hat.
"Dad!" Carl screams and sprints towards his father with a desperate cry. Rick responds just as heartfelt as they meet in the middle. Looking at Lori he sees the woman's face pale with a multitude of emotions, and looking further behind her as she rushes to her boys.
Harry feels a smidge of sympathy for Shane as an array of mixed emotions traverse his face as well.
The most obvious being the relief of his best friend, being alive. But also the fear, or maybe even potentially brewing hate for the change that this is going to cause. He releases a heavy groan with a shake of his head and immediately dismisses his thoughts.
He doesn't want to focus on that at the moment. Right now he has a family he needs to hold together.
"Well damn, seems your tougher to kill than I thought" he teases his brother-in-law, ignoring the silent reprimand from Lori as the man in question laughs, standing up the best he can with Carl gripping him he pulls Harry into his side.
"yeah, well I'm thankful for that too." The man says with a watery chuckle, "And for what you've done, and you" he says, nodding to Shane who must have approached them after finishing his brooding.
Hold on, someone is missing, "Wait, where is Merle?"
Harry shakes his head at Rick.
After asking where he can find Merle and stating it would be easier if he doesn't have anyone dragging him down, he will be able to do it quicker without any eyes.
Shaking his head he says, "You guys go, someone needs to make sure the van isn't going to be stolen," Harry half lied to the group who came to get Merle.
"I don't-"
"Rick, I'll be fine," he insists.
He gives the man a confident grin, "Plus this is a guarantee that we get both out of here. We can't leave it unguarded, I promise I won't let them get near me and I'll abandon the vehicle if my life is in peril."
Yeah, even he'll admit that was cheesy.
Not giving the man any time and seeing the impatience written on Daryl's face, Harry waves both him and the others off, "Go, I'm not sure how long Merle will be waiting idly"
Rick finally concedes, "Alright, but you don't risk your life for the van, you hear." He tells him sternly and Harry nods with a cheeky salute.
Is that his trademark now?
Swinging his feet off the ledge of the van he watches as the group descends into the pits of hell. Once he is sure they aren't coming back for a while Harry turns his attention to the few shops he sees just on the edge of the town.
He might as well take the time to scavenge the area and wander into a store with a missing sign.
In his mind's eye, he is tracking the line connecting Merle to Daryl.
A neat trick of his. The trick is being able to see the connections between people and by using this ability he can track anyone at any fist. He is using the connection between Daryl and Merle to track said manic man.
The string leads him towards an empty sports store if he can guess right.
Quietly brandishing his dagger he positions the blade sharp point out against his forearm, should he need to push off one of the dead. Harry winces as the tale sign of a store bell rings upon his entrance, he can see that it's been raided quite well,
A groan brings him back to reality, and he swiftly raises his dagger, which he had lowered as his mind starts to drift. Using his other hand he quickly draws his pistol. Not one to like relying on it, but knowing it is better to have it.
He can't always rely on his magic.
Creeping silently towards the closed door presumably to the office area, or employees only. He presses himself slowly against the door listening to the grunts and moans, his brow furrowing.
The cord that sings of merle is behind the door but the grunts-
Raising his voice, he yells to the man cautiously, "If you're alive in there don't do anything, I'm opening the door," After waiting for a second to confirm that the man heard him he pushes the door open as he can with merle, speaking his legs in front of the door.
Grunting he pushes the door, " Move your legs, Merlin!" He groans, trying to instruct Merle but by deliriousness, he can tell the man won't be any help.
"Fuck off, ya fucking fa'ry, I ain't needing any help from the likes of you," Merle yells at him, his derogatory words sliding off his back as he knows the man is just trying to rile him up. The slurring makes his lip twitch with mirth.
That's ironically the best he's ever heard Merle speak to him.
"I'm just a fairy now, not a faggot dick swallowing ditch weed, or whatever ya new vulgar mouth comes up with?" he asks, looking to the man's cauterized stump with sympathy, even so he can't help teasing the rough red neck.
"I'll show you a vulgar mouth pretty boy," the buff redneck leers drunk off heatstroke.
He shakes his head, giving the one-handed man a grin as he holds his hand out asking if he "needs a hand?"
"Oh! fuck off," Merle growls out with a wheezing laugh. The man is too wired to put any true heat into it.
Merle himself is wondering if he's gone to heaven with the fact that the pretty fairy seems concerned about trash like ol' Merle.
"Do you think you can make it to the van?" Harry asks, looking at the sweat dripping off Merle's forehead.
Merle swallows thickly, ain't None has ever spoken to him with such a concerned tone before.
Not wanting to deal with the foreign emotions he sneers, distracting himself in his anger, "Fuck that, I ain't going back to their pansy asses, fucking officer leaving ol' merle on the roof like that,"
He goes to stand but falls dizzy from the blood loss, roughly waving away any help from Harry. Who was trying to steady him,
After a moment Merle feels something ice cold touch his hand, and before he realizes it he is guzzling down the water.
"Look, I understand, you've been through a lot," man isn't that an understatement, "but, We, I need you,"
What?' Merle thinks dubious and high, the fuck is the fairy going on about.
"Shit, I know that doesn't matter to you, but you have value," the pretty fairy says, green eyes glinting in the dark room they are in, " I see past all your grunge, I see the value you and your brother have for us, for me and my family. I know you're a better man than you make yourself to be, I see it in the way Daryl watches you like a hawk. No one looks the way he looks at you unless you have done something to gain his respect and admiration."
Harry shifts awkwardly, "Daryl looks for your approval."
"We all know who taught him how to be the best hunter, he loves talking about how much you taught him."
"Huh?" Merle says, wiping the drip of water from his chin and looking up into the eyes of the little dude before him, seeing Harry's earnest gaze, something ol' Merle is not used to.
The words do resonate within him, but he pushes them away, turning with a scoff.
"Nah, Darlina is better off without me, it's why I left the first time," he says, knowing he was the reason Papa had been so cruel.
If only he was a better son and brother.
"Bullshit!"
"I know Daryl didn't, and still doesn't wish for you to leave. You should have seen the way he reacted to your situation," Harry says with a strange smile.
"Why, you smiling' like 'hat" he mutters embarrassed despite himself.
The smile falters slightly, before brightening.
"Oh it's nothing, I just love seeing that despite the end of the world, familial love is still strong and willful,"
At Merle's inquiring look, Harry elaborates," Rick, or officer friendly as he said you called him, is my sister's husband."
What in God's name?
"Well, fuck me running you're related to that banshee!" He says with a laugh of disbelief, the whiny little cunt is related to one of their most competent members in the camp, and she would rather listen to bitch boy Shane.
"I thought you just had a sweet spot for kids, though it makes sense seeing as you and the soldier boy are the only two to tolerate her skanky ass." He continues unapologetically, "I guess when you bumping uglies it soothes the blow,'' Merle muses thinking about how the wanna-be-soldier and playing-house wife.
"Hey, that's my sister," Harry chides with a swipe to Merle's head, not realizing how special it is that Merle simply rubs his head with a mock glare, as Merle would have attacked anyone else if they tried that shit.
"…But I understand where you're coming from," Harry allows, as he stands reoffering his hand, smiling when a calloused one curls around him, and with a grunt he pulls the blood-deprived man off the ground, surprising Merle with his deceptive strength.
"Damn, little man, Yur stronger than ya look," Harry, doesn't see the joking leer, as he is too busy scanning the area before fully opening the door as he finds it clear.
Exiting the office, his eyes catch all the sports gear, looking at Merle, he asks his opinion," Do you think it would be worth it to drag all this equipment to the van?"
"Maybe, we could turn some of this into armor?"Merle who is using a shelf as a crutch just shrugs.
Merle can feel his cauterized stump pulsing with pain, as the sober awareness starts to trickle back in. Unknowingly taking a makeshift pepper-up potion.
He squints his eyes as he watches the small man go about gathering some of the said equipment while waiting for his response.
He wouldn't disagree, any protection is good protection, though, "the shoulder pads are more a hindering than helpful, knowing from experience that the pads are too movement restricting, grab those," he gruffly says pointing toward the BB and airsoft armor pads.
His mind still reeling with incredulousness at the whole situation, to think a second ago he was delirious. Now suddenly he's feeling more coherent than he has in years, he hates to say it, but he owes the small man.
Whatever the fuck he did.
Harry beams at him making him feel a flush creep up at the gratitude in his eyes, as he agrees.
"Yeah, that makes sense," Harry gives him another thankful look before going back to gathering what little he can and making his way to the exit.
"Can you make it?" Harry asked over his shoulder, calling back to Merle.
Merle just scoffs at that, the big piece of equipment Harry is holding before shouldering past. Feeling overwhelmed by the fact that he feels like he can trust the small man.
As he goes to open the door, pauses and scowls down at his stumpy ass arm.
'fucking assholes man.'