Walking Dead Wizard
Chapter 124
"Take them back to the barracks, tell them to stay there, any attempts to sneak out or start anything, they die." Harry stated firmly, "Don't take any risks when it comes to our own people." Speaking to both the guys in front of him and those on the other side of his radio where he was broadcasting the words to the snipers that were in strategic positions within P.A. He couldn't trust them and thus didn't want them anywhere near his own people. Accidents only took seconds to happen, not that it would be an accident if something did happen. The urge to just see them all back outside of P.A minus the memory of the secret, so they couldn't remember was really strong. Especially after the insult they'd afforded him and his people.
"This feels like a completely absurd dream," Harry scoffed into the radio, shaking his head, merlin, it truly did. How was it someone could go years into the end of the world and remain the way they were before this all went down? It would have been rather impressed they'd managed it, in any other circumstances.
"I'm going to join them," Merle declared, giving Luna a kiss on the head, he headed in the direction of the bank, where their weapons were stored. It was closer than the house he lived in – which is where is favourite was currently stored – he'd make do with a backup.
Harry just watched him go amused, before shaking off his lingering disbelief and bemusement. Sighing, he brushed his hand through his hair in exasperation. What a bloody life it was, he really should try and find a way to get rid of that saving people thing Hermione accused him of being.
"Right, let's go see Jessie," Harry answered, stalking away, grateful for the Alexandria group remaining silent as they were led towards the barracks. The sheer audacity of it still had him and his people reeling, Merle seemed to be the only one entirely unaffected. As if he had expected people like this to be still in the world.
Harry, Daryl and Luna made for the surgery right away.
"They're inside now, they've got some water," Amy's voice came through the radio, keeping them up to date.
"You can stay there or get on with your day, just make it clear they're being closely watched and if they attempt anything they'll be killed. Don't beat around the bush, I want them to know what will happen." Harry said into the radio, speaking to Amy, even if everyone else could hear it broadcasted.
"Copy that," came the reply, but other than that the radio remained silent afterwards.
Which could only be good news in Harry's view.
Before too long, Harry was walking through the doors to the surgery – where Severus, Lily, Hershel and a few apprentices spent most of their time. He mother, Jessie, sat tense and alert, as she watched them all with extreme suspicion and flinching whenever anyone made any sudden moves. It was a wonder nobody had realized what was happening before this. She was just a beacon that blared I've been a partner in domestic abuse for years.
Severus stood in the corner, arms crossed, hands' curled up under his oxters. Staring at the corner of the room, his jaw clenched mutinously. His attempt to appear unthreatening and harmless was awful, and Harry had to stop himself from laughing at the attempt. No, Severus was very…present, in a way not most people could accomplish.
"How are they?" Harry asked, voice firm but soft, so he didn't startle them.
"The boys were never hurt," Jessie vehemently told Harry, a stubborn gleam in her eyes, she'd never let him do anything like that. Never. Standing up, her posture screaming defensive but the curl of her body cried defeated. She was unconsciously expecting body blows as if it was all she knew.
"Not all hurts are physical," Severus declared coolly, unable to help himself. Just being around that toxicity changed you, moulded you into someone you fundamentally wouldn't wish to be. Made you have a bully or be bullied mentality. He often imagined what his life would be like if his mother had just gone home, just left the bastard that was Tobias Snape. He understood those two children more than he wanted to, add in the end of the world and these Inferi – walkers as they were referred to here – on top of it.
A look of deep devastation appeared on the blonde's face, resignation weighing her down.
"Good morning, as you've heard already, my name is Harry Potter, and this is P.A, a sanctuary," Harry said, gazing expectantly, his gaze travelling from the blonde woman to the boys behind her, who look more curious than scared at the moment, especially the oldest – he assumed by his tallness and well, frankly he looked older than his brother – and then back. They had baby ruth bars half eaten, likely wishing to savour it and have it later or more likely give it to their mother.
Luna told her what P.A stood for, Pandora's Abscondo. A literal sanctuary. Then named everyone in the room, pointing to who they were with a smile on her face. She knew that a smile could make all the difference in the world. Especially for those in definite need of that kindness. Everyone was either sitting or standing having been patiently waiting for Harry, knowing he'd be by soon without a doubt.
Jessie licked her lips, eyes flickering to each person in the room, especially Carol, who had that knowing look on her face. "Jessie, Jessie Anderson, these are my sons, Ron and my youngest Sam." Perhaps she'd been a bit too hasty in her actions, but anything was better than the future she could see with that group. Of course they wouldn't trust her, they were smarter than her group.
"Are you an untrained witch, a witch with magical training, a squib or just someone in the know?" Harry asked Jessie, standing in front of her, waiting patiently for an answer. He honestly couldn't hazard a guess which was rather refreshing as of late. He believed Merle though, if he thought she knew at the very least, then she knew.
Jessie's heartbeat shot through the roof, "My mom, she was a witch, the only one in the family, she was in an arranged marriage."
Everyone startled at that, it was quite unusual in this day and age to be in an arranged marriage.
"He passed away the day after their wedding, my mom never got a chance to know him, nor his family. They pulled away entirely, and she wasn't able to get in touch with them to let them know about me. I remember she stopped trying to get in touch by the time I was eleven."
Harry and Severus gave each other knowing looks, definitely a wizarding family nobody could disappear so well like magical beings. it didn't help that its likely during the time nobody could tell anyone about magic unless they were married. It's likely neither got a chance to tell the other. She stopped once it was clear her daughter didn't have active magic.
"Did you take on your mothers last name?" Harry questioned; he wasn't familiar with any family called Andersons.
"Yes, how did you…" Jessie asked surprised.
"Do you know your fathers last name?" it was understandable, she was married only for a single day, some would want that familiarity and comfort. By the time the child came around, well, her husband would have been dead for nine months, who'd want to name their child after someone who had passed away and have a different name from that child forever?
"Kowalaski," Jessie informed them, not sure if she was actually saying it right. She'd never actually heard anyone else say it out loud.
"That's…interesting, I wonder if he's related to the muggle Jacob Kowalaski that helped with the war efforts," Harry answered, "He was mentioned a great deal in Newton Scamander's memoirs and a few other books he wrote about." Fantastic beasts and where to find them was indeed solely just about the beasties, but everyone had been interested in all his adventures and he had written them, child friendly ones as well. It had been his attempt for them to treat animals better.
"He married a witch, Queenie Goldstein, she was a recluse, socially excluded from everything. Which was murder for her since she was one of the most outgoing witches before she joined Grindelwald. She was never accepted back into society. If they had children then they kept it quiet, nothing more was known about them." Severus answered, not surprising that he knew more about Goldstein-Kowalaski. Severus had been in the same boat, he'd joined the wrong side too, but unlike her, he wouldn't have much minded the social exclusion. Then again Goldstein hadn't killed the 'hero' of the story.
Harry nodded thoughtfully, before ultimately shrugging, history didn't matter right now. Especially not regarding dead people who had been gone for decades. If she wanted to know more, he would help, of course, but other than that, yes, the information was ultimately useless. It did remind him to perhaps begin writing in a journal about what he actually knew about his family. Which regretfully wasn't much, perhaps if they had done too Harry would know more.
"Is there anyone you don't know?" Carol asked, amazed, truly, he wasn't even from America but he knew this person too? She knew he hadn't been to America, and even ending up here had been purely accidental. Daryl and Merle love to talk about how they'd originally met Harry.
"Plenty of people," Harry said grinning at her humorously.
"Are your sons wizards?" Sophia asked, using the correct term and not using the broad term 'magical' having read so many books on magic she could actually teach a subject on the craft. She was comfortable mentioning magic and frankly she exuded confidence in the word.
Jessie hesitated for the barest of seconds before nodding, "At least one of them, toys levitated very quickly over to them." she confided, brow furrowing in remembrance, it looked a pained one too. "That was when I told him everything, he was…furious, enraged, I wish I could say he changed after that. Before he'd hit me once or twice but it isn't true. After that…it was like he found the perfect excuse to treat me like a punching bag. I would never have let him hurt my sons." She said it like it was a vow she'd sworn over and over again until it was something she did as easy as breathing.
Severus bit his tongue and imbedded his nails into his inner arm. That was what they all said, and then it happened, again and again and again. They convince themselves its better than the alternative, and force your child to live a nightmare and condition them never to fight back, to not be noticed. It would have likely begun in a couple of years, sooner if the boys magic had begun to cause incidents of accidental magic.
"Severus? How is everyone?" Harry asked, naturally noticing how tense the Potions Master was. He also knew about his past, having seen memories during the ill-fated occlumency lessons. He knew how personal Severus would take this conversation. Perhaps even hate the mother a little for staying, tapered by the fact she didn't actually have magic like Eileen had.
"Five broken bones between the boys, four of them were done between three and five years ago. The ribs of the youngest was broken five weeks ago." Severus stated, "The result of a stress fracture that has finally broken."
"Stress fracture? Isn't that something that occurs when repeated and prolonged pressure is exerted against the bone?" Sophia enquired, glancing at Hershel and Lily who were the experts at this sort of thing.
"That's right, stress fractures happen most commonly in the feet, we saw athletes with them every day before the world changed. They take up to six weeks to heal that's if more stress isn't applied to the bones. If you don't listen to the doctor the fracture gets worse until you've got a break." Lily explained, "And upper arms, usually for those who play sport such as tennis, baseball and the like."
"However, rib stress fractures in nine times out of ten the results of abuse," Hershel commented, "I am frankly astonished he's been able to walk this far without screaming in agony." He knew if it was one of his kids, especially at that age? They would have been screaming the house down.
"You have him a potion, Severus?" Harry asked, or rather stated, if he knew his Potions Professor – which he did – he knew Severus while couldn't be bothered around children or teaching them much, he would never see one in pain.
"Indeed," Severus replied, Hershel was correct, the boys pain endurance was one beyond most people's comprehension. It's how he knew that the father had hurt the boy on more than one occasion.
"He's not out of P.A yet, if you catch up with them…well, have fun," Harry whispered as he approached Severus, his gaze hardening for a moment. He and Severus knew who they were talking to, an Ex-Death Eater. Severus learned his lessons in life, but there were some people who didn't deserve to live. If Severus wanted to get his own revenge, then he was all for allowing it. "If he lives remove the memory of P.A I was going to do it but it doesn't require both of us."
Severus inclined his head, then swiftly vacated the room.
Harry relaxed, approaching the youngest boy, crouching down next to him a soft look on his face. Although, Daryl being behind him probably didn't help how fearful the child was. "Hi, I'm Harry, what's your name?" not treating him like he was stupid but being careful nonetheless.
Sam peered at his big brother Ron, who gave a small nod, "I'm Sam, my brother calls me Sammy!" he said quiet but excitedly. Only when their dad wasn't around, he didn't like it.
"I'm guessing you're feeling a little lonely?" Harry murmured, and yes, you could feel lonely even with your big brother with you all the time. It wasn't the people; it was the feeling. The fact they likely felt the need to keep what their father did a secret probably stopped them from reaching out to others.
Sam nodded shyly, hiding half behind his brother.
"Our doctor is going to give you something to drink, but it will make your ribs feel all better, and the pain will go away. It doesn't taste very nice but you'll have to drink it to get better. Do you understand?" Harry stated, not sure if he was being blunt but simple enough for the lad but he was sure the mother would say something if he was getting it wrong. If she failed, Lily would certainly, since Meghan's only a year or so older he reckoned.
Jessie's breathing hitched, "Potions?"
Harry arched a brow, "You know them?"
"I used to read all about them, at least potions grades 1-7 from my mother's school books, they were packed away when it was clear I didn't have magic." A flush on her cheeks, it had been her own fault, she'd been seething in fury that she didn't have much and wouldn't be invited to Iivermorny.
Harry's lips tugged, both in amusement and sympathy, "I see, well he needs a potion to repair the damage done to his ribs. You've been extremely lucky that none have pierced his internal organs, or caused any damage. Luckily you didn't need to get Skele-gro otherwise it would have been more painful procedure." Given the child had been walking about with broken ribs for week, perhaps not.
"What happens now?" Jessie asked, gathering the tattered remains of her courage.
"You rest up," Harry stated, smoothly standing up, Daryl's hand at his elbow just in case he needed help. "You've got a place here, the three of you, and of course, Aaron and Eric will receive the same offer. There will be no going back, no chance of returning. If you leave, the secret will be removed from you, thus you'll never find P.A again. This will always remain a safe place for those within her halls. Before you ask, no, your husband will not be here. He won't be able to get in. I'm not sure he will survive at all." All but whispering the last sentence so only the adults heard.
Between Merle, Severus and a few others, it would be a miracle if Pete survived.
Jessie opened her mouth to protest, to try and protect Pete, before snapping it closed. She was safe, he didn't have magic, and if Harry was honest, she never had to fear him again. It wasn't like informing the police and him trying to get back in with empty promises the next day. Or him threatening to kill the boys if he didn't get his way. She was actually properly safe for the first time in her life since marrying him.
"Lunch will be brought by, before dinner we will see that you are situated in a house, permanent accommodations. So long as you are fine with magic in everyday life?" Harry questioned the woman, still sticking by his original thoughts, that nobody here would get to remain under the wards if they disliked magic in any form.
"Yes, yes, of course, my mom…my mom was a witch," Jessie said utterly bewildered by the question, awed by the thought of having somewhere to stay that was safe. Walkers on the outside, Pete on the inside, sometimes it had been a tough choice but she'd remained in Alexandria for her sons. Now she was going to have a place where her son and she were truly safe under wards?
"You'll go through training, all chores will be inside P.A until we're confident you can hold your own in a fight, and then you'll be joining the others outside. Big groups go out scavenging, each have leaders, of course, there are a few that don't because they're not suited to outside but that's a rare thing." And it was a rare thing, everyone liked helping, doing their bit for the better of P.A.
Jessie nodded her head vehemently; she'd do anything to safeguard her children.
"The boys will be put through training as well, but they won't be helping on the outside, until they're much older." Harry added.
"We want to make em be able to defend themselves and how to look after themselves out there if they get separated. How to catch and cook food, how to kill walkers, and defend themselves from humans." Daryl added, "Starting from making traps, finding ways to make weapons, and how to keep warm." They weren't just in 'school' learning math, which was important…but not as important as survival, they'd taught all the children how to survive, and they would continue to do so. The younger they learn, the better it was for them, became second nature.
"Hershel and Lily will remain here; everyone is in the know. There are a few wizards and witches here you'll see them come and go. We will test your boys with wands as well, which will give you confirmation on whether they are wizards themselves." Harry added, mentally adding something else on the long list of things he needed to get done. "They're learning everything they can about potions, and use them frequently." And they were in a spelled cupboard with charms and spells to ensure nobody could get them AND that they were preserved for as long as possible. You never know what could go wrong, or if they could grow certain potions and such.
Jessie nodded her understanding; they knew the potions and would know best how to help her son.
"Is there anything I need to know?" turning to speak to Hershel, he hadn't had a chance to have their usual conversation during breakfast.
"Nothing new," Hershel said giving him a smile, "Although, we do need to branch out and hit a few pharmacists, we're running low on a few prescriptions, including contraception again."
"Mummy what's contrapcation?" little Sam asked, trying to get his mothers attention.
Jessie hushed him and said something none of them could hear while some of the adults chuckled in amusement.
"That's going to begin getting tough, we're branching further out towards the cities, and they were raided first," Harry said, terse but thoughtful, "Andrea and Michonne will know best whether it's something worth risking it for." They had a lot of ammunition but not enough to take out every walker in the city. That was best using magic and the runes Luna made. The only problem was stopping a mass explosion – petrol out of cars, any chemicals in the shops that were explosive – a single spark could cause a cascade of explosions and it defeated the point of using them. So, they were unfortunately, not used as often as he wished they could be.
With him pregnant with the twins, he was out of commission when it came to using Fiendfyre. Which meant no using magic to take care of the walkers. Luna didn't have the confidence to use that spell in close proximity to buildings and such, fields, yes, she'd do it in a second but she didn't have the stalwart control Harry did.
The map they had was beginning to expand red, redder and redder (they coloured the areas they completely covered by area) as they branched further and further out. Not just shops but houses and everything that could be picked up and useful. They're even still finding the occasional animal. That's not to say every foray was successful, it wasn't. There were times teams came back with barely anything to speak of.
The suddenness of Harry's phone ringing caused even Harry to jump in fright, bloody hell. He had all but forgotten the thing, but still carried it with him every day, it was attached to his radio belt.
"Good morning, Ezekiel," Harry said, as he answered the phone. "Is everything alright?"
Jessie froze, eyes zeroing in on Harry, before her jaw dropped in sheer incredulity at what she was experiencing.
"Shiva was bitten by walkers, I need help, she needs help, we'll trade anything, please." Ezekiel pleaded with aid to save his companion. The help Harry had given him and his people was immeasurable. He had greatly disliked not being able to trade, but Harry had not accepted anything. With magic Harry was able to copy things, preserve things, and had more animals than he could possibly need. Truth was, he had no need of anything, but Ezekiel prayed that it wasn't the case today.
"Where are you?" Harry asked, raising his finger to stall any questions Luna had.
The Kingdom leader told them as best he could where exactly they were. The roaring of the injured animal was loud, even paining Harry's own ears over the cellular device. Harry could only hope that Ezekiel wouldn't be stupid enough to approach the wounded animal, it would be suicidal to do so. He was a zookeeper so he did indeed know better.
"Stay there, we'll be there as soon as possible," was all Harry said before hanging up, slotting the phone back into it's pocket.
"Well?" Luna queried, curiously.
"Shiva has been injured, sounds like they were ambushed and a few walkers bit her. Is it the same spells used for human and animal injuries?" Harry asked, a little ignorant on that matter. He was going to help; he'd do the same for Anubis who was out with Maggie and Glenn as well as the horse today doing rounds.
"I'll go," Luna stated, "I know the healing spells better than you," hastily making her way over to the cupboard and grabbing a dozen different vials, grateful to see the spelling on them, good.
"Well…that might be true but I…"
"Don't argue with me, you can't Apparate, do you really want to risk them?" Luna spoke firmly, glaring at Harry for his sheer stubbornness.
"No," Harry said quietly, that wasn't his intention at all, he just didn't know how to not help anyone in need. Or at least anyone in need that actually deserved it.
"Then let me do this," Luna said with far more kindness than her earlier words, talking into the radio asking for Merle and Noah. Merle because she knew he'd be pissed for leaving her behind, and Noah because he was an army doctor.
Harry nodded, "Let me know how you get on and you know what we need most of." For any trade they might do.
Luna nodded, giving Harry a hug, "Just be careful, alright?" that's all she wanted him to do, be careful for a few months just until the twins were here. Then he could do what he liked, well, not what he liked, but what magic he liked. Hopefully Harry having the twins would make him leery of making any stupid mistakes.
"Yeah, yeah, you better go," Harry sighed, before telling her where the group was, which luckily enough, was an area they knew. Harry had everyone train up on their geography so they knew where they were and could nail the locations down hard. Especially all locations around Atlanta, which was the most important.
Daryl sighed in relief, giving a look of utter gratitude to Luna for being able to get him to see sense.
"Bye…hello, bye, got to go," Luna said, as she exited and Severus re-entered the doctor surgery, eyeing the open cupboard cautiously.
"A tiger has been injured," Harry explained Luna's exit and the potions cupboard being open.
"Naturally," Severus stated shaking his head wryly. Although, it might be the only tiger left alive, which made it doubly precious in this world we found themselves living in. Luna might be the closest to a female Hagrid that there was possibly. He rather hoped she didn't go getting herself injured trying to help a muggle animal. She didn't have inoculations for muggle diseases, and he didn't want to find out how badly that could end thank you very much.
"What happened to him?" Harry asked as Severus approached the cupboard, intending on replacing the vials that Luna had just removed.
"He's dead," was all Severus had to say on the subject, sounding mighty satisfied.
Harry nodded, not surprised by the answer, but Jessie pressed her hand over her mouth. Shocked at what she was hearing but no less relieved. Relieved that she was free of him, that he really couldn't come back and hurt them again. The part of her – that had long since succumbed to Stockholm syndrome – felt a sense of loss and grief. "Rest up, I'll be by this afternoon to show you to your house."
"The boy should feel tired enough to sleep," Severus stated, closing the cupboard doors now it was replenished. "So don't be too surprised if he ends up sleeping for the rest of the day." He wasn't sure if the boy was at the stage of his life where he could go all day without naps. He didn't deal with children this young, in any capacity, let alone well.
"The rest of the day? Should I just show them to their place now?" Harry asked Severus in surprise, he only had experience with Skele-Grow.
"That's entirely up to yourself, but he needs to be brought back for a check-up tomorrow, and any sign of anything wrong, bring him back immediately." Severus stated, talking to both Harry and the mother, making it clear that the boys health isn't to be trifled with.
Jessie could only nod vigorously, he wasn't someone she wanted to cross, even without being leery of men all on its own. The only thing that settled her nerves was the fact there were a few people in here, including women. Pete never actually hurt her in public, it was always in private. So, she felt safer in a group, as silly as it sounded.
"Very well then, follow me," Harry said, giving the youngest – Sam – a good once over to ensure he wasn't going to fall asleep on his feet. "The property will be the one two doors down from my own across the road." He informed Carol, who nodded, she would know where to bring the clothes for them and items to get them started.
Harry (and his ever-present silent shadow named Daryl) took the new family to their house. It was quite a walk, and Daryl bless his heart offered Sam to let him sit on his shoulders. Which he was quite eager to do, oo'ing and aah'ing over the sights calling out about everything he saw.
"Sam, please, keep quiet, you know the rules," Jessie warned her son.
"The walkers can't get in, but it doesn't stop us from doing rounds to ensure that nothing has broken through. You wouldn't believe the number of animals we've found on our patrols; I know it's not exactly walkers but I caution my people to be careful even with magic to help." Harry reassured her, "However, it's a good idea to be cautious with sound." Agreeing with her on that aspect, children easily forgot things, although given it was years since this all began and silence saved your life, just how terrified had the young boy been to have become happier at the lack of fatherly presence.
"What are the chores we'll have to do?" Jessie asked, she'd done everything nearly, with her husband putting on the appearance of doing more than his fair share.
"It differs every day, one day you could be checking the traps and checking or watering all the fruit and vegetables. Other day you'll be going hunting, scavenging and things like that. You're responsible for your own washing, there's machines there for you to use, they've been adapted to magical usage. The great hall is where we eat our three meals of the day. Breakfast at six, lunch at twelve and dinner as five." Pointing towards the building in question as they walked by.
A lot of people smiled seeing the boy on Daryl's shoulders. They already knew he'd be a good father, he'd been amazing with Sophia, Judith, Carl and the rest of the little ones.
"Building hurts or anything else that might need to be built, just general day to day things as well as training. We won't tell you when to do it, but it must be done by the end of the day. If for whatever reason you can't do it, sickness etc…just let Carol know, she will have someone cover for you, she's in charge of the whole system."
"I understand," Jessie replied, smiling a little, already sounded a hundred times better than what she'd lived through these past years.
"Any other questions?" Harry asked, "Don't be afraid to ask." Trying to actively encourage her to ask questions. While Daryl walked quicker, Harry made no effort to speed up, Daryl was not the most social of men, he needed quiet and Harry was perfectly fine with it.
Jessie asked a few questions about the kids, where they'd be if she had 'training' to do. They were too young to be left to their own devices. Were they able to come and wait for her? Harry explained they'd be at school, learning how to read and write and various things as well as activities that helped prepare them for the outside world, how to survive. A less intense training lesson like the ones she'd get to be bluntly honest, they love it.
It wasn't as if Daryl actually went far enough to be out of their sight, just out of hearing range, well if one didn't shout anyways. By the time they'd caught up, Sam was sitting on the doorstep, and Daryl was leaning against the house a few steps away. None of the properties were enclosed in this area, it was a bit like Privet Drive. Wisteria walk was different, it had actual gardens that were fenced in portion to each house.
"Hey, do you want to head out for a bit or home?" making no effort to hide his…relationship status from the women or her children. He wasn't full out expressive, but definitely something that couldn't be mistaken as friendship between them. He wasn't about to let anyone – especially from the Alexandria community – tell him how to live his life.
"I'll wait," Daryl murmured, he was extra protective of Harry so sue him.
"I'll be done quickly as possible," Harry answered, just leaning against Daryl for a few seconds, relishing in the brief contact. He knew anything more – contact wise – would make Daryl extremely uncomfortable. Then he took a step back, giving them a gesture with his head, "Follow me,"
With that the four of them walked into the house, "It's a three-bedroom property, by the way, and it's ran with magic, with runes, so pay attention to everything I show you." He told them as he wandered through to the kitchen, pointing to certain cupboards, "Frozen section, chilled section, and for preserved stuff." Pointing to each cupboard, "If there's anything in there, this will glow blue and remain that way until it's emptied."
"What did you do with the fridges and freezers?" Ron inquisitively asked.
"They're in storage, just because this group doesn't use them, doesn't mean they won't come in handy elsewhere." Harry said, giving the boy a proud smile for his question and for actually noticing the items weren't there. "It looks really empty, I know, even more so since us English people are used to having our washer and dryer in the kitchen as well." He added in amusement, "Speaking of washing and drying, let me show you the Laundry room."
Jessie gasped when she saw the rows of toilet roll, with a wink, Harry waved his wand, and those rows doubled, as Harry successfully cast a duplication charm on them. My goodness! She hadn't used toilet paper in what felt like decades but was likely a year and a half. This all just seemed like too good to be true, but she saw the magic at work, there was nothing dangerous about the group.
She wordlessly followed him around as he explained everything, making sure the children understood too. Everything was run on magic, the toilet, the washing machines, the dryers, the cooker everything. It was absolutely amazing; this was a muggle house configured into a magical household.
Then to the children's delight and awe, they saw Harry climb down a trunk and come back up with two junior beds levitating above him.
"Alright kiddo's, time to choose your room!" Harry said, and they shrieked in delight as they ran to investigate the rooms to pick the 'biggest one'. It didn't really matter about size nowadays; you didn't go out and buy a load of stuff to fill it with. Even he and Daryl barely had anything other than their bed and weapons in their bedrooms.
Jessie watched her sons pick their rooms with big beaming smiles on their faces. The bedding was minions, already on and looked brand new if she was honest. They were hopping about utterly delirious with the outcome of their move.
"Aaron and Eric will get the option of living next door, so you have someone close by that you know a little." Harry explained, opening the door to what was her bedroom. Again, it looked brand new, but that's the beauty of magic, for all intents and purposes it was brand new. "Someone will bring clothes and a few daily essentials for you in the coming hours if there's anything you don't have but need, let me know. I'm going to be staying put for a few months."
The blonde-haired woman could only nod dumbly, she felt exhausted, like her body was taking severe body blows for hours.
"Get some sleep, you're safe." Harry said, slowly moving to squeeze her elbow, pleased when she didn't flinch away. "We'll see you at dinner, I'll have someone bring lunch to you, so you may rest for longer."
"Thank you, just…thank you, thank you so much…you have no idea what you've done for us." Jessie exclaimed breathlessly, tears shimmering in her eyes.
"Actually, I do," Harry stated, "Quite a few of us here all know exactly how you feel." Giving her a knowing look, as he removed his hand, giving her a nod, he silently padded down the stairs and exited the house, closing the door behind him.
"I'm so ready for a rest, and it's not even lunch yet," Harry sighed, leaning against Daryl, "Let's go home for a bit."
"Come on then," Daryl said, and both of them walked down the road – that was never used as a road – making towards home. Hands entwined; it wouldn't be long before they'd be parents. It still felt surreal though, even when they got to see the scans of their twins.
Daryl groaned a little when he noticed Luna and the others were back, he wanted to get indoors and have nothing but quietness for a while. He refused to leave Harry to fend for himself, he wasn't risking him going out there and doing something stupid. Just like earlier.
"Everything went well, I've given Ezekiel potions to pour onto the meat for a few days, Shiva will be as good as new tomorrow." Luna informed them the second she was in listening distance, a maniacal gleam in her eyes, she'd finally, finally, got to see the tiger up close, although it sucked the tiger wasn't awake for it.
Just because the wound had healed, it didn't mean the muscle and layers were suddenly whole again. No, it took a few days to really deal with all the pain, Luna was quite right to give Ezekiel the potion. They knew it wouldn't pose a problem; the tiger being bitten by a walker. Animals for some reason didn't react the same as humans, their DNA must be different enough that they didn't get infected and feverish.
"I got the motherlode of pills and condoms from him in trade. I handed them off to Hershel, what about the group? What is happening to them?" Luna asked, ready to do what must be done.
"Find the closest school, clear it out of all walkers using the portals to the dragon reserve, the rest will be up to them." Harry stated, "No food, no weapons, certainly nothing to aid them, they've overstayed their welcome." They wouldn't remember magic, but they would remember greatly insulting him and everyone else in their sad attempts at a coop. He couldn't thrust these people on the other communities, it's too many people and he knew they were just getting settled and making enough food and such to survive. Jesus and Ezekiel would likely not say no to him feeling indebted otherwise Harry would have asked and been at ease knowing he had a genuine answer.
He really did dislike using that sort of magic, mind magic, but Harry would do anything to protect his people.
"I'll do it, you rest up!" Luna positively chirped, she didn't ask why he wasn't going to divide them as Daryl suggested earlier.
"Ugh, too bloody chipper, I knew I should have kept you away from that tiger," Harry complained, waving her away with a grin on his face, showing her that he didn't mean anything by it.
"It was so soft, and those teeth! They're so big," Luna said in awe, she'd cleaned the tigers teeth as well, seen as it was out for the count after her sleeping spell. it's not like she'd have been able to approach it otherwise. "I don't think I've seen a magical equivalent."
Between Merle and Luna the group was gone before dinner, and there was not a single regret to be had.
Unsurprisingly, Eric and Aaron chose to stay when given their last say on whether they were coming or going.
There we go! so will we see a day of Just Daryl and Harry and his pregnancy then the next chapter the birth or do you want to see more of him as he goes along in his pregnancy? as I said I'm only doing this because I promised to show his pregnancy and not just the epilogue! :) and I do like to try and keep my promises! R&R please!
Oh just a heads up, my story The Contract was removed from this site, yes, but it's still available (and getting updated) on my other profile - platform (A03) Archive of our own - it won't be posted back here just so you know :) xx