Chapter Eight
NOTES: thank you for reading and leaving reviews.
Warning: my editor app was not working so this only got run through Word editor.
Will have mistakes because I'm only human.
DISCLAIMER:
I do not own The Walking Dead or Harry Potter and anything you recognize is made by their creators. I do not get any money from this fix it is purely for entertainment only.
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Chapter Eight
They had been in the woods for days now, Harry had lost track, not that he was paying a great deal of attention to the sun.
They were both exhausted beyond compare, having to take turns sleeping in case the walkers attacked them, there were many to hide from.
They had found a few cabins and farmhouses around the woods to bunk down in, often managing to find food or a well with water. It was never enough to fill them, and they remained in a constant state of hunger and exhaustion.
When they were retracing their steps, they had to duck and hide from other walkers that were drawn in by the sounds they had made along the way, it made it impossible to stick to one direction causing them to lose track of which way to go.
They knew if they were seen then it was game over for them, they couldn’t run anymore, and both were not keen on trying to kill any as they were quite sure it would lead to their death.
Everything looked the same and they had circled around once or twice, they landed back at the same cabins over and over along the way.
“I think we should just stay here” Harry told the older blond quietly, he didn’t think he could go any further.
The cabin they found themselves at was one they hadn’t been to previously, there was rain tanks off to one side of the cabin and some strawberry bushes in the garden. From the outside it was looking like the best place to stay they had found yet.
“What if there are walkers here” Sophia whispered, she was getting better at remaining quiet, no longer did she feel the need to yell or cry every time they saw a walker.
“We go slow, stay low, any sign of movement we hide and back away when it’s safe. This cabin is sturdy, we can lay low inside and rest properly, find a small space and block ourselves in if walkers come by, if we remain silent enough maybe they will keep going.” Harry reassured the girl.
He had gotten over his anger from the first day quite quickly and began to solely focus on their survival. It was hard out in the woods where he didn’t know the wildlife that well, he wasn’t sure what plants were edible and what to avoid, Sophia hade as much of a clue as he did.
“Alright, we really could use the rest” Sophia agreed.
They made their way inside.
It was a single level cabin, all dark wood and rustic looking.
It had two bedrooms and an open space living area. They were lucky the place was completely abandoned, no sign of walkers ever being there.
The kitchen had a few cans on the shelf’s up high, Sophia had to climb up to reach.
There were all the normal household items in the kitchen, a wood burning stove in one corner and a really old looking fridge in another, neither wanted to check it out as the smell coming from the closed door was indication enough that the food was rotten.
The cupboards had plates and bowled, the draw had cutlery and other cooking utensils.
The lounge room looked inviting with two recliner chairs that housed plush looking pillows and hand knitted blankets.
A fireplace against one wall, the mantle decorated with two rifles crossed over.
Sophia pulled a stool to grab them down.
“Do you even know how to use one?” Harry asked the older girl watching wearily as she looked them over.
“No, but in times like these a little extra protection couldn’t hurt, as long as they work that is.” She admitted.
“The noise will just attract them to us anyway, if they work it would have to be used in an absolute emergency” Harry reminded.
“I know, but it will mostly just make me feel better to have one even if we never use it” Sophia clarified.
After they had explored the cabin some more, checking every room and looking in every closet, Harry had found a door with some stairs that went down, the place seemed to have a basement.
He wanted to make sure the basement was clear, and no walkers were in there.
After locating a flashlight in the kitchen draw and arming himself with a butcher’s knife, he braved the darkness.
He made his way down the stairs, it was quiet, no sound but the sound of his own breath and the creaking of his steps.
He had the sudden fear someone was going to grab his ankle through the stairs and make him fall, so he shined the torch about to look down and make sure nothing was there.
He made sure he did a thorough sweep of the area, luckily there was no sign of anyone.
One wall of the basement was lined with shelves that had boxes and containers on them. A few smaller boxes were piled against another wall to the far side. Harry couldn’t see any words to indicate what was stored in them.
He walked over to inspect their contents hoping to find anything useful.
He was surprised to find a box full of cans, pulling one out he gave a whop of excitement.
“Sophia come check this out” he called to the older girl.
“What is it, Harry?” She asked, she didn’t want to venture into the dark, it was still very scary for her.
“I found food” Harry called excitedly, it made Sophia exhale in joy, she forgot all about the fear and rushed down to see.
Harry had pulled a few cans of soup and beans out from a box and was rummaging in another.
“This place has so much stuff” Harry said. He continued to search every box on the shelf, pulling out bits from each one as he went.
“Rice, pasta, soup, powdered milk, canned vegetables, bottles and bottles of water, this could feed someone for quite a while.” Harry was so excited over the find and Sophia was overjoyed at the discovery before she suddenly turned very sombre.
“What if whoever lives here will come back?” Her question had Harry freezing in place.
He never even thought of the possibility. He was just so glad to finally have enough to feed them, he hated that Sophia was getting a feel for how he had felt his entire childhood, not that she was aware, no one should know what it feels like to starve.
“I guess we will have to hope they are nice, or that they won’t show up won’t we” Harry said after a moment of thought.
He felt quite guilty for thinking of them not coming back, the implication of the owner being dead left Harry feeling rather dejected.
The cabin didn’t look lived in for some time, a thin layer of dust on the counters and mantle indicating a lack of people, it was almost like a holiday retreat for someone, the boxes of food were the only indication of someone coming to stock the place.
They would be able to stay for a while with the supplies available, it was a good place to rest and recover from the days lost in the woods.
they took a box of goods upstairs to have their first real meal in days.
Harry had more experience out of the two when it came to cooking, sure Sophia helped her mother in the kitchen, but she was never made to cook full meals like Harry was.
Starting the fire of the stove was relatively easy if not a bit tedious for them, Sophia had the most experience in that as she was always present when it was lit at the campground of the Quarry.
It didn’t take long before they were sitting down at the table to enjoy a bowl of soup that Harry heated through on the stove.
Later that night they were settling down to sleep, being able to sleep at the same time for once. After their nice hearty meal, they had made a nest of bedding in the lounge room and curled up to go to sleep, both so exhausted, they were out almost instantly.
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Rick was so torn, he had been so focused on finding his wife and son that he hadn’t been able to process the new reality they lived in.
Being reunited with them was everything, and he was so consumed with their safety he wasn’t thinking clearly.
He was blaming himself for Harry and Sophia being lost in the woods.
It was going on five days now and it felt like they were doing nothing but bicker and squabble amongst themselves.
Daryl was injured while out looking and Merle had laid into the younger man about taking off on his own, it was tense around the camp they had made.
Carol was quiet, she was mostly talking to the Dixon’s who were the only one’s constantly still looking for the kids, something Rick felt incredibly guilty about.
They should all be making more of an effort, Shane wanted to give up on the search already and it was making Rick question the man’s integrity.
He was still trying to get Hershel to allow them to stay, Carl wasn’t ready yet and T-dog still needed Hershel to help with his arm. They all still needed time to recover from the stress of the CDC and the highway.
And Lori, God how Rick just wanted to yell and scream at the woman.
To be having a baby at a time like this was stupid and both a blessing.
He surprised himself when he didn’t want her to terminate the pregnancy, it was going to be hard on them and the group, but he just could never do that, it deserved to live just like everyone else.
Then there was Shane. Rick wasn’t blind to the man’s shady ways, he was sure deep down he was lying about Otis, and at the same time he was relieved his brother got back safe with the medical equipment to help save Carl.
Rick was a man with morales, and his gut was telling him Shane had helped kill a man, leaving him to the walkers so he himself could get away.
He was in two minds about it and with no proof there was little he could do without causing more tension among them.
On top of that Rick knew Lori and Shane weren’t as over as they claimed to be.
He saw the looks shared between the two, his wife was still sleeping with his best friend, and he was fairly sure due to the timing that the baby wasn’t his.
It saddened him to know that he was losing his wife to Shane, the other man had had a crush on Lori since they met but Lori never gave him the time of day.
The affair seemed to start only when Rick was in hospital, he was glad they had each other when they were so sure Rick was going to die and then later thought him dead.
But he was back and fine yet things between him and Lori were worse than ever, not that they were ever fine, always arguing and only staying together for Carl.
Rick didn’t know what to do with them, so he thought to just let it go for now, if Lori wanted to be with Shane now, he wasn’t going to get in the way. The world was hard enough right now without domestic fighting on top of it all.
They would just have to make sure it didn’t hurt Carl and the new baby along the way.
His focus for the time being was to find Harry and Sophia, he was preparing to head out with T-dog to search.
Merle and Angela were going to head the other way to look, along the river in the opposite direction. He hoped they found the kids soon, it was too dangerous out there and the kids were just so vulnerable.
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They stayed in the cabin for another two days before Harry decided to go out and try to lay a trail to the cabin for anyone who was looking for them to find.
They had chosen to stay as long as they could but knew it might be harder to find them if they were a really long way away from the others.
He had ripped one of his white shirts up into strips and was going to tie them to a tree every few yards around the woods till he was far enough away that someone might come across them and find them there.
He only hoped he didn’t attract the wrong sort into coming to the cabin this way.
They hadn’t seen any other people the entire time they were lost, only coming across the dead every now and then.
Sophia stayed indoors, keeping the place secure while Harry quickly moved through the woods creating a few trails out in a star shape as best he could.
All the trails led to the cabin. It was easy to follow, and not once did he run into any of the walkers, something he was very thankful of.
As the day went on the path was completed and Harry was hot, sweaty and in need of a good bath and a nice hearty meal.
“Do you think it will work?” Sophia asked that evening over dinner.
“It’s hard to say, but at least we are trying, who knows if they might walk right by the area without knowing there is a cabin here.” Harry informed her.
He knew Sophia was missing her mother terribly, he often heard her crying at night while trying to get to sleep, the first few nights he was uncomfortable with it, he had never comforted anyone before.
As the night continued, he began to try to soothe the older girl, it was awkward to begin with, but Sophia had told him she was grateful for his effort and compassion.
They were only going to survive by sticking together and looking after one another and they were becoming great friends along the way, Harry was glad he could count on Sophia, she was becoming the greatest friend he could have asked for.
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Albus Dumbledore was tired, he had been up all night and had not had a moments of rest.
The reason being that last night one of the refugees had died in their sleep, the man had died of a heart condition he had long been suffering with, the only issue being he was infected by the disease that was plaguing the world and had come back to cause mayhem.
It was a terrible thing to discover that they were all carrying this illness and would all become one of the reanimated bodies once they had passed.
Albus was worried what this meant for the world.
The man thankfully had not killed or bitten anyone, but the panic and shock of the event had rocked the community of Hogwarts.
Death was at their door and there was nothing they could do about it.
People were coping as best as they could and coming together to help one another through the trying times.
It was times like these Albus was glad to have a wonderful team of staff onboard to be of assistance.
Minerva was doing far more now days then any deputy headmistress had ever done for Hogwarts before. She was in charge of the community welfare and housing, on top of her head duties, it was a lot for the woman to be taking on but luckily there were plenty of people she could delegate to.
Filius and Pomona were busy with both classes and maintaining the school’s stock of food and supplies.
Severus was always busy with his potions, he made any excuse to not be around the community as much as possible, the man likes his solitude, they were incredibly lucky to have the man staffed at the school, along with their Medi witch Poppy.
They were lucky the house elves were there to help cook and clean as they liked to do, the castle was very full, and more people continued to arrive as the months went on.
Today Albus was expecting Remus to arrive at the castle finally, the younger man had been off in the muggle world when the world went pare shaped, he was surviving with a small group of muggles who Albus had given his permission to bring along, the more people they saved the better.
Muggles might not be able to see Hogwarts from the outside but once passed the wards and then being keyed in by the headmaster or deputy they could freely move about without issue, it was getting them past the muggle repellent ward that was the challenge.
Albus had sent Minerva to the Shrieking Shack to help Remus get the two woman and three men, all muggles, into the castle safely, it wasn’t as long a wait as he was anticipating before there was a knock on his office door.
“Come in” he called to the group outside.
“Albus, Remus and his friends have arrived” Minerva called as she gently ushered the group into the room.
“Thank you my dear, it is much appreciated” Albus informed the witch before she took her leave.
“It is very good to see you are well my boy” Albus greeted the younger man.
“Like wise headmaster, thank you for allowing us sanctuary, it is getting harder and harder to live out there” Remus said, the man looked very haggard, his cloths were worn and threadbare, and he looked just as tired as Albus felt.
“I’m sure it is, we are living in very worrisome times, how about some introduction my boy?” Albus prompted.
“Yes sorry, these lovely people with me are, Jack Miller his wife Sandy, Sandy’s sister Becca Conner, and these fine men are Milo Jones and Haru Yamada.” Remus introduced the group he was with, indicating each member when he said their name.
“This is Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry” Remus announced, making the introductions.
“Welcome to Hogwarts, I hope you find your time here most enjoyable, we have may refugees here from all across Europe, you are the first Muggles we have here among us but I’m hopeful you will not be the only ones, we have fairly a few residence who are squib born and get along with everyone here, we try to make sure everyone is well cared for” Albus was glad more people were joining them.
Having more able body people to help when thing needed doing and also to add to the population of the community was going to be a significant help, hopefully many other people survived and created community’s as well the human race was very resilient, and many would not allow this to be the extinction event it was becoming.
“Well, we will get you all situated in a suit I believe one with three rooms might do, you will have to share but we all have to make compromises these days, I’m sure you will be able to help your friends get accustomed to the dorm lifestyle” Albus said, nodding to Remus.
“I’ll have one of the other residents show you around and help you find your way, some of the more magical elements to Hogwarts might be a bit dangerous until you work them out” Albus said as he led the group to the ground floor.
“We really do appreciate you taking us in, Remus said normally our kind are not welcome in places like this” Jack piped up as they walked.
“I wouldn’t say not welcome, back in the day there were stronger laws involved, however with the situation out there the government can’t do anything about us here. We are a governing body all of our own now,” Albus informed the group.
“Either way, we are grateful, me and my wife are actually expecting a baby in about seven months now, it was going to be terribly hard to cope with that out there” Jack said.
“Congratulations, something to celebrate for sure,” Albus was please they were now safe and able to start a family.
“Remus after you are all settled, I’d like you to help me out with a quest of sorts” Albus informed the other man as they made their way downstairs and to the great hall, breakfast was over but the elves could be asked to whip up a snack for the newest residence.
“Of course, headmaster, should I come by your office?” The werewolf asked.
“Yes, I’m there most of the time now, lots to do,” the old man agreed.
He was hoping Remus would agree to go out and look for young Mr. Potter, the child was alive somewhere out in the world.
It would not be an easy task at all, it will be a journey that he will face many obstacles, Albus wished he didn’t have to put the man in harm’s way, the world was not a place go gallivanting about anymore.
Mr. Potter’s being found safe and cared for would be appreciated and Albus was sure Remus would not hesitate to go off to search for his best friend’s child.
He would give the man some rest though, before sending out if he agreed, perhaps even after the full moon.
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It had been officially one week since the kids had gone missing and the group besides the Dixon’s and Carol had written them off as dead.
After Glenn had announced that the Greene’s were keeping walkers in the barn, the majority of the group fell to mob mentality with Shane leading them to open the barn and shoot all the walkers in front of the Greene’s family.
It had devastated the farming family, it was like their friends and family, their loved ones, were being slaughtered right before their eyes.
Hershel had taken off to town to drink his sorrows away, young Beth had collapsed and was suffering due to shock.
Maggie was the only one holding strong, she had to for her family’s sake.
Rick and Glenn had taken off to return Hershel to the farm, they had been gone for hours.
Lori had tried to order Daryl to get them when too much time had passed.
She was not expecting the quite man to stand up for himself and tell her to do it herself and to piss off.
As she had not been able to find Merle to ask, she had no other choice but to try her luck.
She had crashed the car on the open road due to a walker and was brought back to the farm safely by Shane who had lied to her about her husband to get her to return.
Lori was pissed and was taking it out on the other members of the group, causing them to all avoid her now, including Carl.
She particularly didn’t appreciate Shane outing her pregnancy before she was ready to reveal it to the group. It felt like she was being judged extra harshly for her affair with the ex-deputy.
It was the end of the world she was entitled to enjoy what was left of it however she liked. The others she was only allowing to stay for the safety the number brought her, otherwise she would have had Shane kick them to the curb long ago.
When Rick returned with Glenn and Hershel in tow, they had another young man with them who was injured, there was another group about, and they didn’t seem all that friendly.
Lori was all for killing the guy there and then, he posed a huge risk to the group and was a waste of resources, but Rick once again with his bleeding heart though he knew better.
He was ready to spare the young man and drop him out further away from the farm once he was well enough, once again wasting resources.
Lori was planning on whispering to Shane to be the man to do something about this. Lori had him right where she wanted him and he would do anything for her, for her and his baby.
All she had to do was make it seem like it was all Shane’s idea.
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NOTES:
I rushed the last part sorry, I don't think I like writing Lori at all.
The OM characters will not be recurring characters, they might pop up once or twice more before Remus leaves but they will not be fixed members of the story, endless I decide to give Remus a love interest later but we will see.