Chapter 10
Chapter 10
“Good day, my friends, on this wonderful spring morning.”
Harry doesn't know what to think about Ezekiel other than the man to be overly dramatic in his speech, mannerisms and the utter lack of respect for Lucille's polite request to leave the tiger at home. It's a power move, a show of dominance. Harry can already see the respect the Saviors are showing to Ezekiel simply by holding that flimsy chain. Harry knows that chain will do nothing to stop her if she wants to hurt someone. Besides all that, what really bothers him is-
“Good morning, Ezekiel and Paul,” Lucille greets graciously, if a tad stiffly. “Welcome to Sanctuary.”
-the huffs, hisses and growls from the tiger. It puts everyone on edge but more so Harry. She's staring right at him and making all those ominous sounds straight from her throat. Her back is arched and her head is high and she's staring at him. It's starting to really creep him out.
“This grumpy girl here is Shiva,” Ezekiel flicks the chain hard enough to get Shiva's attention briefly. “Stop growling at him, we are guests here. Be polite.”
Shiva warbles, growling some more in a low tone. It somehow sounds even more menacing. She still hasn't stopped staring at Harry in that strange pose. Harry is trying to ignore her.
The other man, Paul, stands out of reach of Ezekiel’s pet tiger. He's wearing a beanie, even though it's quite warm out already. His hair is long and brown with a full moustache and beard. Harry kind of envies the style and misses his own facial hair. It may already be growing back but it's frustratingly slow.
Negan bravely offers his hand out and Ezekiel shakes it. Negan does the same for Paul with a lot more ease, “Thanks for coming out.”
Harry keeps an eye on Zoey, even though he doesn't have to. She seems quite shaken by Shiva's instant dislike of Harry and hasn't even tried to sneak closer.
“This is our daughter, Zoey,” Lucille introduces, gesturing to Zoey and then to Harry. “This is Harry, he's Zoey's brother.” They raise their brow at that as they look the family over in a new light. The consideration ends in sympathy and understanding. “And Sirius, Harry's Godfather.”
Harry sticks out his hand. Paul is the first to reach out, smiling widely with a, “Nice to meet you, Harry You as well, Sirius.”
“Same,” Harry replies with a firm nod. Sirius reached out for his own greeting. Zoey shakes Paul's hand after Sirius as Harry tries to take Ezekiel's hand next. Shiva growls, so Harry retracts his hand with a grimace, “Nice to meet you.”
Lucille looks very unhappy with the tiger's attitude.
Ezekiel understands, nodding with a, “Yes, it is nice to meet you, too.”
“This place looks great,” Paul says genuinely, distracting everyone by taking another look around.
“It's lovely to see you again Paul but where is Gregory? Is he on his way?” Lucille asks lightly.
Paul grimaces through his smile, “He said he's much too busy, so he sent me instead. I hope that isn't a problem?”
Lucille brightens, “Oh! Well, I specified that only Gregory was to come because only he can make these decisions as the leader of his community… If he sent you, does that mean he actually considers you the leader?”
Paul becomes a little uncomfortable at the question, “Well, no, I'm supposed to report back to him and he can make his decision.”
Lucille shakes her head, “That's not how this works. If you are to be here instead of him, that means you will be making the decisions a leader needs to make for their community. Are you or are you not someone in the position to do that?”
Negan is staring at Lucille with such love in his eyes, he's practically shooting hearts. Harry approves of her wording but doesn't understand why she's undermining Gregory's authority like that. She must have a very good reason.
Paul thinks for a long moment. Then he asks, “You weren't lying about the vaccination?”
Negan and Lucille share a look. Then, they both shake their heads solemnly. Negan says, “The entirety of Sanctuary is vaccinated and one of our Saviors was bitten on a run. She's fine now. It's real.”
Paul and Ezekiel exchange glances. Harry is still trying to ignore the softly growling five hundred pound predator.
“As our allies, we felt the need to share not only the opportunity to get vaccinated but also be apprised of new developments that affect all of our communities,” Lucille says earnestly.
Paul straightens and nods, almost metaphysically stepping into his new role, “Fine but Ol’ Gregg's not going to like it.”
“Will you have support?” Lucille asks critically.
Paul nods again, “Gregory is not very easy to like.”
Lucille smirks triumphantly. Harry sees Negan's confusion but utter adoration for his wife. Lucille is definitely taking advantage of the situation to get rid of Gregory but why, is the question. He must have really pissed Lucille off if she's this keen about it.
“Ugh, those two are as sickening as James and Lily,” Sirius complains quietly.
The comment startles Harry. He looks at Sirius, who is watching Negan and Lucille with an expression of pained nostalgia. Harry makes a mental note to talk to Sirius again soon. He wants to know more about his parents.
Lucille claps, distracting Harry with, “Alright! Well, as far as I'm aware, we haven't heard from George, so he's probably still on the road. While we wait for him to show, please follow my husband to our council room so that you can relax. Oh and Ezekiel?”
Ezekiel pauses, “Yes?”
Lucille smiles dangerously, “I'm afraid Shiva will have to wait out here. There is a reason I requested you leave her at home.”
Ezekiel smiles genially and raises his hands in surrender, “I'm truly sorry, Lucille but I cannot do that. I am the only person who can handle her and she refuses to leave me alone. Separating us is a bad idea.”
Lucille shrugs off Negan's warning hand, crossing her arms as she says, “She's growling at Harry and acting aggressive. I will not have you put him or anyone else in the room in danger. Shiva is lovely but she's a tiger and you should have left her at home. If you were that nervous about coming to this meeting without a guard, then you should have brought the guard anyway.”
Shiva punctuates Lucille's point by snarling at Harry.
Ezekiel gives in with a disappointed frown, “Alright, I see what you mean. Do you perhaps have an empty room with a sturdy door?”
Negan turns to say to someone behind him, “Clear out the laundry room. Make sure the storage room is closed and the washing tub cleaned and filled with fresh water. Get as many people on it as you can.”
Ezekiel is appeased by the compromise and says, “I have food for her in the truck, inside a cooler. I'll go grab it, excuse me.”
It takes a long minute for Ezekiel to tempt Shiva away. Harry finds it hard to relax, even with the increasing distance. He doesn't know what her problem is but he's not amused.
“That man!” Lucille huffs. Paul laughs, making Lucille realize what she said aloud. She smiles sheepishly and says, “Oh, don't mind me. Zoey, Harry, why don't you take Paul to the council room. Negan and I will follow up as soon as we are done with Shiva.”
“Sure,” Zoey chirps, turning to Paul to say, “Come on, this way!”
Zoey gestures to Harry with her head to follow, which he had already been planning to. Harry gives Lucille an amused smile before following, Paul falling into step next to him. Harry can hear Sirius silently following along.
Paul takes another look around, “You guys did good for yourselves. How did you find this place?”
Zoey glances over her shoulder, “We found it just before winter and I guess by sheer luck. Ma was the one that found it and she's the one that named it.”
“Why'd she name it Sanctuary?” Paul asks curiously.
“Mainly? She wanted a place people felt safe living in.”
“‘Mainly’? Is there another reason?” Paul presses politely.
“It's personal. Anyway,” Zoey rebuffs, opening the door to the council room and letting them in. “Here we go. Ma said to just help yourself to the refreshments.”
There is a table along the wall that once held Harry's picture and the maps they used to systematically look for him. The table is filled with all kinds of finger foods and snacks, a large water jug, a coffee dispenser with the necessary condiments and even a large pitcher of juice. It's definitely a show of wealth and power this community is capable of. The large round table is still there, with more seats but any maps or papers that were being used here were also cleared away.
Zoey closes the door behind them. No one else is in the room at the moment, so it's quiet and a little eerie. Paul examines the room a bit more as he meanders towards the food table.
“So you're from Hilltop?” Zoey asks.
Paul nods, studying the food and drink choices. His face is carefully blank and Harry has no idea what the man is thinking. “Yes,” Paul says, glancing at Zoey before flicking his eyes at Harry and then back down to the table. “Hilltop is where I currently call home. There are thirty nine people living there right now.”
Paul hesitantly grabs a half sandwich and examines it, looking pleasantly surprised to find meat inside, “Looks like Sanctuary doesn't have any issues with fresh meat. Do you guys hunt or…?”
“Diego goes with our hunter Owen every couple weeks,” Zoey supplies easily. “They usually bring back a deer or a couple of pigs. We keep chickens in a back area on the ground floor, they give us a lot of eggs. We trade with you or The Kingdom-” Harry notes how Zoey seems to dislike the name from how she says it. “For the fresh stuff.”
“Cool,” Paul nods, taking a bite of the sandwich. He keeps it in hand as he starts circling the room slowly to look at everything. Harry settles himself against the wall nearest the door, where Sirius had silently stood the entire time. Harry looks at his Godfather. Sirius takes a moment to meet Harry's eyes and nods minutely.
Assured, Harry relaxes a little. Sirius doesn't think Paul is a threat.
“So,” Paul starts, still slowly circling the room and studying everything. “You're Harry.” He's not even looking at Harry as he says this. He simply takes another bite.
“Yes,” Harry replies in the same tone. He catches the glimpse Paul makes before the older man could catch himself.
Paul nods again, “Thought you'd be taller.”
Zoey giggles and Sirius snickers. Harry rolls his eyes, “So I've heard.”
“Glad they found you,” Paul says earnestly. “The other runners were happy to hear about it, too.”
Harry blinks, more than a little taken aback. Harry knew Negan had asked the other communities to keep an eye out for him but he didn't think they had kept looking all this time. Was it Negan pressing them on it or pure kindness on their part? “Thank you,” Harry manages after a few silent moments.
Paul turns away with a shrug, “Don't mention it.”
Harry looks at Zoey, who shrugs. Paul takes another bite of his sandwich as he finishes his slow circuit of the room. Then, they all kind of… descend into an awkward silence. No one knows what to say to each other. Paul finally finishes his sandwich, to which Zoey wordlessly brings him a cup of water to wash it down.
“Thanks,” is all Paul says.
The doors finally open after another agonizing five minutes, allowing a stream of people in. The noise level instantly racks up as Ezekiel, a stranger, the Council, Negan and Lucille enter. Harry unconsciously steps closer to Sirius as the doors close.
“Alright, everyone! Please help yourself to the refreshments!” Lucille calls out over the din. “We will begin the meeting in a few minutes!”
Zoey manages to manoeuvre through the small crowd of adults to Harry's side. Harry appreciates having her near him. It soothes his nerves a little. Then, Sherry squeezes around a speaking Ezekiel and Negan to approach Harry.
“Hullo, Sherry,” Harry greets at the same time as Zoey's, “Hey Sher.” and Sirius’, “Hey!”
“Hey guys,” Sherry waves a little awkwardly but smiling genuinely. She looks at Harry and says, “Tina told me what you did. I just wanted to say thank you. So much.”
Uncomfortable, Harry just nods and asks, “Is she your sister?”
Sherry smiles wider, “Yeah, my baby sister. She's still getting checked out by Doctor Carson. I can't even tell you how amazing it is to not only her but me as well. It's been really hard since…” Sherry shrugs and gestures uselessly. “Well, since this all happened and we've had more than one close call. So, thank you.”
So that's why Tina seemed familiar to Harry and why Sherry asked that question during introductions. She must have immediately thought about Tina when seeing Harry in action healing Negan's arm. Harry really appreciates her restraint.
“Glad I could help,” Harry replies, smiling a little.
Negan's voice cuts off whatever Sherry was going to say, “Okay, everyone plant your ass in a seat! Let's get this shindig started!”
Harry spies Lucille putting her head in her hand. He feels some sympathy for her; she's trying really hard to make this professional and dignified but Negan has no diplomacy skills whatsoever. There's also the fact that Ezekiel brought his tiger to Sanctuary, even though he was explicitly told not to. The power move definitely made things more tense between them as well.
Sherry smiles, “I guess it's time!” She gestures for them to come as she turns to go herself.
Harry takes a deep breath. He and Sirius share another look. Sirius places a bracing hand on Harry's shoulder, “This is what we planned. We'll be fine.”
Zoey takes Harry's hand, “Come on. Ma's saving us some seats.”
Sirius squeezes Harry's shoulder firmly and then they all make their way to the table. Harry's heart is practically galloping with nerves he never had before the Commune. If there is one thing Harry took away from that awful place, it's a new appreciation for being anonymous. Harry is used to being known and being watched, judged, measured. His old life was basically one long line of infamy stemming from something he didn't even do on his own. He had wanted to just be a normal person, like everyone else and hadn't really known that until he got here. It had been nice to be unknown and now, he's making himself known.
To protect Zoey.
Ezekiel, the stranger that can only be George and Paul are confused when Harry and Zoey join the table. Sirius doesn't take a seat. He looms menacingly behind Harry, crossing his arms and making it clear he isn't to be messed with. Harry isn't sure about this - pun not intended - serious Sirius. Harry may not have many memories of his Godfather but he knows the man had once been fun-loving and mischievous. It's just strange to see a frown instead of a smirk.
“What are these kids doing here?” George asks a little gruffly. He's a bald man with a full scraggly beard, thick limbs and a hearty, strong body. “I thought this… Summit of yours was to discuss serious issues and vaccinations. Kids shouldn't be here for this.”
“While normally I would agree with you,” Lucille answers with a strained smile, having stood and placed a hand on Negan's upper arm to keep him from saying something stupid. “What we have to discuss today directly pertains to Harry,” Lucille gestures to Harry.
George points to Zoey, “What about her?”
Zoey stands before Lucille can reply, “Harry is my brother! I'm staying.”
George scoffs and looks at Negan, “And you're going to allow this?”
“Yes, I am. You got a problem with that?”
Ezekiel frowns and lightly shakes his head, “I agree with George, Negan. Harry aside, this isn't a discussion to have with a child present.”
“I'm not a child! I'm fifteen!” Zoey blurts out. Harry grabs the back of her shirt and forces her back into her seat with a hissed, “Not helping!” Zoey slumps into the seat moodily.
“That's not much better,” George dismisses absently, not even bothering to look at her. Zoey frowns and wrinkles her nose at him as he addresses Negan, “Listen Negan, I respect you and I owe you for saving my community. That being said, I will not be having this conversation with her present.”
For a long few moments, Negan doesn't respond as he stares at George. Then, he leans forward in his seat and says, “That's my daughter, George. The one I may have mentioned made runs on her own.” George looks at Zoey with a brow raised. Negan continues, “Now listen here, George and listen good. All of you,” Negan sweeps his gaze to Ezekiel and Paul. Lucille's smile slowly disappears as Negan continues talking, “If I, as her Father, had even an inkling that having her here would be bad in any God damn way, you can fuckingbet George's iron fucking balls she wouldn't be here.”
“Negan!” Lucille hisses.
Harry looks at Zoey and sees her smug smirk at Negan defending her right to be here. She really needs to stop that. It might make things worse and they need cooperation right now. Harry discreetly elbows her in the side. Zoey huffs at the sudden, unexpected pain and gives Harry a betrayed look. Harry shakes his head at her in disappointment. It's enough to make her balk and look down, chastised.
In the same moments, Ezekiel replies, “You don't need to be so crass, Negan. George had a valid point, even if his execution was lacking.” George scoffs. Ezekiel ignores him in favor of, “We are sorry for the offence, Negan but we had no way of knowing she was here by design. You have not mentioned anything else in your letter besides vaccinations and a threat to the future of our communities. This is a very serious topic not meant for the ears of children.”
Negan opens his mouth to reply. Lucille's smile is practically plastered to her face as she slaps her hand over his mouth and says, “I need to speak to my husband privately, excuse us. We'll only be gone a moment.”
Lucille grasps Negan's jacket and practically yanks the tall, broad man out of his seat to the door. Negan's startled yelp is sharp in the sudden silence and despite Lucille's aggravation, the door closes gently.
Everyone at the table only has time for one awkward look around before the door opens again. Negan enters first, his face blank with no sign of the earlier snark. Lucille's smile has gained a more genuine edge as they both retake their seats.
“Okay, my apologies for that,” Lucille says warmly. “Does anyone else have a problem with Zoey's presence here?”
Zoey whips her head to Lucille, utterly betrayed. Lucille gives Zoey a side-eye, making the teen settle back into her seat with a huff.
George raises his hand. Ezekiel studies Negan and Lucille for a moment before raising his hand as well. Paul glances between the other community leaders, then at Harry and shrugs, “She's not much younger than Rory. If they can make runs and kill the Empties, I don't see why they shouldn't be part of this conversation. We can't protect them from everything.”
Negan exhales out his nose sharply, his jaw grinding but he doesn't respond. Lucille's disappointment is palpable but she acquiesces, looking at Zoey apologetically, “Sorry, Zo. Can you please leave the room?”
“But-!” Zoey splutters, indignant and frustrated at being excluded. “But-! Dad!”
Negan's face twists, clearly reluctant but grits out, “We'll fill you in later.”
Zoey tries to find support at the table. Harry feels terrible that she's being excluded from something that she's actually at the heart of, even if nobody can know. Will this affect her ability to accompany him later on? He doesn't know if he can leave Sanctuary without her.
Zoey's bottom lip starts wobbling. They're making his sister cry. Unacceptable. Harry's restraint disappears and he stands abruptly. For some reason, the movement makes everyone flinch. Harry says boldly into the shocked silence, “If it's all the same to you lot, I'd prefer having her here.”
Zoey stares up at him in awe and dawning hope. George scowls, “Kid, I get it. She's your sister-”
“No, you don't get it,” Harry refutes, bristling at the tone. “And I'd appreciate it if you stopped bullying your way through this.”
“Harry…” Lucille moans quietly. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry can see Negan's eyes light up gleefully.
George finally stands. He's not even near Negan's height but he's still taller than Harry. George points at Harry with a darker scowl, “You have some nerve, kid.”
“My name is Harry, not kid,” Harry quips, staring the man down evenly. Harry isn't delusional to think he even looks remotely intimidating but sometimes, showing no fear is. “This Summit was my idea. I am the one that convinced Negan and Lucille to call you guys here.”
George's disbelief is plain and looks to Negan, who nods. George sits down and returns his attention to Harry to ask, “Why?”
“I am the one that vaccinated everyone,” Harry says boldly.
Ezekiel sits up abruptly, staring at Harry intensely. Paul looks unsurprised. George's face drops and then he pales.
This was why Harry didn't want to be identified immediately. He wanted to see for himself what the other leaders were like before they knew. Knowledge of his abilities would skew their impressions because they would be much too polite to avoid offences. Now he knows what he's dealing with for the short term.
“Zoey will be staying, end of discussion,” Harry says unwaveringly, staring George down until the man reluctantly nods.
“Fine.”
Harry looks around the table and finds no other protests. Satisfied, he gets right into it. “Now, thank you all for coming. Despite the rough start, we do appreciate you all coming today. Though I am the one that called for this Summit, it was mainly to bring our people closer together so that we can thrive, not just survive. Sure, we are allies but the only thing keeping us that way is the trade agreements. How can we respond to threats effectively when our communities are strangers to each other?”
“Well said,” Ezekiel says with a nod and asks, “How would you propose we achieve such a thing with how things are?”
“Well…” Harry replies slowly, looking at Lucille. She's smiling now and nods a little. Harry returns his attention to the matter at hand. “What is the main reason people fear to go out?”
“The undead assholes, duh,” Dennis answers sardonically.
“More specifically,” Harry stresses, ignoring Dennis’ tone. “They fear being infected, through bite or… or scratch and becoming one of them when they die. Lucille,” the woman in question looks at him in surprise. “How has Sanctuary's morale been this past week?”
Though taken aback by the sudden question, Lucille answers, “Through the roof, actually. It's just so… palpable how much of a difference it made to everyone's general mood. I don't think we've had any incidents of fighting recently, either.”
“Negan, how have your men been?” Harry asks.
Negan tilts his head, “Actually, now that you've mentioned it, they've been pretty fucking great. Less whining and shit's getting done faster.”
“Morale is up, people don’t fear the world as much as they used to. Now, the reason I brought this up is because… okay, I'm going to be blunt here,” Harry warns. “Humanity faces extinction. Our futures teeter on the edge of a knife, civilization as we come to know it is gone. Survivors fight and kill each other out there to live another day. Groups and communities wage war on each other for scant supplies and safety. We are separated and huddling by a dying fire, hoping things will get better but they won't. Not unless we come together, as one people, to build a safer future for everyone.”
Harry can see that he has their full attention now. Paul speaks up, “The letter mentioned a threat.”
Sirius places a hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry nods and sits, allowing his Godfather to take the floor.
“Almost a month ago, I was a soldier for the Commonwealth, a massive and powerful city of roughly fifty thousand people.”
Everyone pretty much blows up, talking at and over each other, hands flying and voices raised. Lucille stands and puts her fingers in her mouth. The whistle is shrill and startling, the entire room silencing almost immediately.
“Sit down,” Lucille firmly demands.
Everyone retakes their seat.
“Thank you,” Lucille says in a far more gentle tone. “You were saying, Sirius?”
Sirius chuckles a little but sobers, “Obviously I'm not with them anymore but I'm the only one that has intel on them. Intel that we are freely sharing with you as a warning of what to expect. They may have fifty thousand people but most of them are regular citizens that still have regular jobs and families. The remains of the United States Army is under the command of the Commonwealth and they have access to enough supplies to keep them going for a decade.”
“It sounds like we should be welcoming them then, to join up and shit,” Gavin blurts out, gaining some agreeing nods.
“Oh, be my guest. I guarantee you won't make it to the streets before they have you strapped to a table to be experimented on,” Sirius says almost serenely. There's a tightness to it that bespeaks experience.
“What?” Joseph asks, aghast.
“They do what now?” Arat asks flatly.
Sirius nods soberly, “This is how the Commonwealth operates. They are trying to find a cure. In their minds, whoever controls the cure controls the world, which in a way is true. To find a cure, they need plenty of disposable bodies from outside the Commonwealth to experiment on. My team's job was to scout for such communities or even groups of survivors to mark for later pick-up.”
“You sick fucker,” Sherry says faintly.
“Hey,” Harry snaps, jumping to Sirius’ defence. His Godfather stops him with a simple head shake.
“It seems far-fetched but for the last ten years of my life, I had no bleeding clue who I was,” Sirius states honestly. “The man that served the Commonwealth was John Doe. Since I regained my memories and miraculously found my Godson, I am instead Sirius Black. I'm not that man and never will be again. My only interest now is making sure Harry doesn't kill himself doing something stupid.”
Harry snorts.
Ezekiel looks at Negan, “Is this true?”
Negan nods, “Harry vouches for him and I trust Harry.”
“How are we supposed to defend ourselves against them?” George asks.
“The only reason they are looking for the cure is because they can use it to lure survivors in and in turn, control them,” Sirius answers. “If we take away that temptation by vaccinating people, it will weaken any future attempts to gain a foothold here.”
Ezekiel nods in appreciation, “Smart.”
“That's one part of it, though,” Sirius states. “Vaccinating people is all well and great but we are all running out of space to put them. Even now some share beds because there is a lack of space to put more beds! Expanding will be incredibly difficult and will probably need to be done more than once as more survivors are brought into the fold. Not only that but we lack the space to grow food and animals.”
“Are you implying that we all move into a new place together?” Paul asks curiously with a touch of hope.
Sirius points a finger at him, “That's exactly what I'm getting at and I have just the place in mind. There is an overrun military base some ways south-west of Sanctuary-”
“That's not a good idea,” Simon says, shaking his head. “We scouted that place a while ago. It's packed with those fuckers by the thousands and it's nestled in a heavily populated area, so any attempt on the place would bring hundreds of thousands on us.”
“Not to mention, how would we move everyone in safely and what would happen to the communities we built?” George asks.
“We already have ideas for that.” Negan leans forward in his seat and whistles sharply, saying, “We have a secret weapon.”
The door opens. Everyone jumps to their feet as a Biter is guided into the room by two Saviors using animal catchers.
“What the fuck, Negan?!” George demands harshly. “Are you fucking stupid?!”
“Calm the fuck down!” Negan yells leisurely, the ruckus making the Biter react aggressively. Harry already knows the game plan and wordlessly approaches it, lamenting Negan's dramatic flair. “Harry has another ability that will allow us to take the base. Watch!”
The fearful chaos behind Harry dwindles down to a low murmur as he stops in front of the Biter. It doesn't react to him, as he expected but it utterly silences everyone else. Harry reaches up and puts his hand right in front of the Biter's rotting, open mouth, twiddling his fingers for effect. It doesn't react beyond groaning and turning its head.
“Holy fuck,” someone murmurs in awe.
Just to make sure they can't explain it away, Harry braces himself and touches the Biter. It snarls and twitches but calms back down immediately.
“I think we've seen enough,” Ezekiel states grimly. “Please.”
Negan waves the Saviors away. They wrestle another animal catcher over its torso to keep its arms bound and then drag it out the door. Once the door closes, everyone retakes their seat. They watch as Harry returns to his seat, feeling the blatant stares boring into him.
“Okay, well, I'm in,” George says outright after a long minute of thinking.
Paul nods, “Yeah, it won't be hard to convince everyone.”
Everyone looks at Ezekiel. He's studying Harry intently again. He opens his mouth and asks, “What is your goal here?”
Harry tilts his head, “What?”
Ezekiel hesitates but decides to answer, “Your abilities grant you a unique, powerful position above even us. Our people would follow you in a heartbeat if you promised them the same things you are promising us. Why do you come to us and ask when you can go to them and take?”
“What would that achieve?” Harry blurts out in surprise. “I'm not interested in leading. Just thinking about it-” Harry visibly shivers, gaining a few chuckles. “Just no. I also have no interest in forcing people to make a choice. Regardless of what you and your people decide, they will be vaccinated and you will remain an ally.”
Ezekiel's brows go up. Then, he smiles, “Very well. I cannot guarantee my people will agree to a move like that but the vaccination will give them enough courage to try.”
“That's all we're asking,” Lucille takes over, giving Harry and Sirius a thankful look. “So now that all of that is out of the way, I would like to get some order in here. We have a lot to discuss and not a lot of time to do it before you must leave.”
Everyone settles in properly to finally get into the main purpose of the Summit. Lucille pulls out the maps and papers she had stashed in a storage cupboard. Harry feels a tap on his arm and looks over.
Zoey is grinning from ear to ear, utterly delighted. She leans over to whisper, “I have the coolest brother ever.”
The comment makes Harry ride a wave of warm happiness for the rest of the Summit.