Chapter 10
NOTES: thank you for reading and leaving reviews, sorry if I haven’t replied, there have been so many wonderful comments though, so I have three chapters to edit and add for you all.
This is the first of those three.
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.
Chapter 10
The trio had been on the move for only twenty minutes as the sun fully set, leaving the three surrounded by the dark eerie woods.
Daryl continued to follow the trail for as long as he could, nightfall had caused it to be difficult to see much ahead, light of the moon and stars blackened by the dark clouds above.
He was cursing his luck that he couldn’t find his own trail, the hunter was irritated, feeling like a failure, he had done this so many times before he could do it in his sleep, the issue was he couldn’t see the ground in front of him while he was carrying Harry.
He kept an eye out, to try and spot the campfire that Merle was meant to start, but there was no orange glow to be found in the distance.
It was probably stupid to leave the safety of the cabin so late, they should have stayed like Sophia wanted to, they wouldn’t be trekking through the dangerous woods in the dark.
If he had been by himself, he would not need to worry so much, but having two children with him was making it harder to remain silent and move through the woods at a faster pace.
It took another ten minutes of walking before Sophia was irritated by walking with hardly any light to guide them, she had stumbled and tripped over trees and rocks as she walked. The young girl had steadily informed Daryl that she’d had enough of the woods to last her a lifetime.
Daryl didn’t blame the young girl one bit, he was raised around the woods and felt at home in them, but having the extra addition of walkers now, the woods held less comfort for the hunter than they once did.
Harry had awoken at some point along the way and was still tucked snuggly in the sling.
The young boy remained quiet as they moved, Daryl didn’t want to stop to let him down, two stumbling kids would mean more noise, even if it meant he could see the ground better, he wasn’t taking the chances of drawing in the dead.
Daryl was helping Sophia to her feet once more after she had stumbled to the ground, when he heard the snapping of a branch behind him, quickly moving the girl so she was safe behind him he readied to defend.
Turning around he raised his loaded crossbow ready to fire.
The hunter paused at the sight of his gruff older brother, exhaling in relief, Daryl lowered his weapon.
“Well now I know why you were taking your sweet time princess” Merle sassed affectionately, eyeing Sophia behind the younger hunter with a happy grin on his face.
Carol stumbled along following Merle, she hadn’t seen the younger girl right away as she stood behind Daryl, stepping aside the hunter brought Sophia forward.
The moment Carol laid eyes on her daughter she gasped at the sight, letting out a sob of happiness, tears began to fall from the thin woman’s eyes, “Sophia!” the woman sobbed, rushing forward to embrace the young girl.
“Momma!” Sophia called hurrying into the crying woman’s arms. Merle and Daryl watched on as the two reunited. Glad they had never once given up on the two kids.
Harry wiggled in the sling asking to be let down and Daryl quickly eased the small boy out of the blanket wrap, placing the happy child on the ground safely, immediately Harry reached out to Merle.
“Come here lil Bit, you two had Merle all worried about ye’s,” picking Harry up, Merle sat the boy on his hip, holding him close.
“I missed you” Harry informed the older man shyly as he wrapped his thin arms around broad shoulders. The kid was getting accustomed to physical affection and didn’t fear being attacked by the three adults with him, no longer flinching away when one of them reached out for him.
Merle had never been an affectionate person, both Dixon's had been raised by a mean man who thought you were weak if you had any emotion other than anger, raising the two to be the gruff men they were now.
It was clear his brother now thought it bullshit, he was letting that concept go, especially under the circumstances. The older man had been worried like never before for the kids, even though he made sure not to show it.
They were so damn thankful they found the missing kids unharmed.
He couldn’t wait to get back to the farm to tell the stupid sons of bitches that they were right the whole time. The larger group had all given up on the kids, writing them off as dead, and telling them to stop wasting time.
The hunters sure as hell weren’t going to let them forget their failure to the two kids anytime soon.
Daryl took notice that the little one was still just as small as when he went missing, looking even smaller held snuggled into Merle's strong arms.
He was at least thankful they weren’t starving, neither of the kids looked like they had suffered much in the ten days they had been lost, Daryl would have to ask them more about their time in the woods to be sure.
The kids had been resourceful and showed a lot of self-preservation that he could admire, it would serve them well in the years to come.
The mother and daughter continued their long overdue reunion, they were both crying in joy, thanking God for their good fortune, Carol had prayed every night for her daughter’s safe return, and she believed her God had answered. Daryl wasn’t a religious man, but he didn’t fault others for their belief.
The Hunter felt like he was intruding on such a private emotional moment, he was feeling awkward standing by watching.
Daryl was grateful for the momentary distraction Merle gave him when he asked what had led him to find the children out in the woods.
Daryl explained about finding the cabin and the kids in it, how it was pretty smart of them to stick to one place, especially as it was so well stocked with provisions.
Harry told Merle all about the food in the basement and how there was plenty left that could last a hell of a long time.
“Is it close by?” Carol asked having overheard the conversation, tears of joy still rolling down her cheeks.
“Bout half-hour walk back, as the crow flies” Daryl mumbled.
“It’s probably a better place to lay up for the night, head on back to the farm first light, we’ll get back there by nightfall tomorrow, sooner if we can make good time,” Merle said as he gently rubbed Harry’s back in comfort, something he had discovered the child liked.
“You’ll like it mama it’s nice there,” Sophia said in excitement. The girl was so thrilled to be back with her ma, she couldn’t stop the happy tears from falling.
“We had a stove fire and lots of food to cook, it was warm and cozy,” Harry said from Merle’s arms.
Daryl would agree it was cozy, it was the best place to spend the night, and now they were all together, it was like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders that he had been carrying around for the last ten days.
The hunter could have a night of rest, at least for one night.
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Sirius stumbled in an ungrateful landing as he exited the fireplace in the reception foyer of this childhood home.
He took a moment to glance about, spying the grime and dust coating every surface he could see. The townhouse had fallen even further under his mother’s care it seemed.
A popping sound, had him on alert as the family house-elf entered the room, making Sirius sneer at the unkept, dirty creature.
“Mistress’s disappointment has returned, the stain on the Ancient and Noble house. what can lowly Kreacher do for the traitor?”
The elf groused, squinting its beast eyes, and glaring at Sirius.
“Just as ghastly as ever Kreacher, can’t believe you're still alive, dirty rotten vermin” Sirius sneered, the elf had helped his mother in making his life hell when he was younger, following every order, even if it meant hurting the Animagus.
“Is dear Mother home?” The wizard inquired dreading the thought of being in the woman’s presence for even a moment longer than needed.
“Poor mistress was heartbroken, she was, first the stain ran away and bes all light and traitorous turning into a blood traitor, then the great master Regulus disappeared without a trace, heartbroken my mistress was” Kreacher moaned.
Sirius was getting impatient with the elf, he was half a second away from giving it a good kick when he heard footsteps from the hall.
Kreacher turned and left the room as quickly as he had entered, rushing out to where the noise had come from.
“Kreacher, who is it?” A gravelly voice called out, Sirius didn’t recognize the distinct male voice and was curious as to who was in the townhouse, who would his mother let in while the world was falling apart outside.
Stepping from the room Sirius found himself at wand point by someone almost identical in looks to himself, only the man was decades older indicated by the greying hair and wrinkles.
It took longer than Sirius would have liked to remember the man, his time in Azkaban surrounded by the Dementors making it difficult to recall the name. It hit him hard when he finally recalled the man before him.
“Grandad?” Sirius finally said, astonished the aged wizard had returned to the townhouse from his exile in France.
“Sirius? You made it out,” the man sighed in relief, “I was sure you would perish in that putrid place before I could get you a trial, it is so good to see you my boy,” the older wizard said as he stepped closer, lowering his wand.
Sirius had to pause a moment to take in the words, his grandad was trying to get him an actual trial, he had thought this family would be happy to have him rotting away in Azkaban after the events of the last war.
His grandfather’s words had him confused and angered for many different reasons.
“Good to see me? If I recall none of you ever wanted me once I was sorted into Gryffindor,” Sirius growled unable to hold onto his frayed temper any longer.
“Perfect little Regulus was the ideal Heir, mother said I was blasted off the family tree.” Sirius sneered, he was once happy with the outcome of his sorting but now he was releasing all the pent-up resentment he had harbored for his mother.
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Arcturus stared at his grandson in shock and sorrow, how the house of Black could treat each other so poorly he would never know.
“You were never disowned, your mother never had the power, and I would never disinherit you over something so trivial as a Hogwarts house.” He explained, his daughter-in-law had been a power-hungry woman.
Her entire life she had been told about the future her parents planned for her, promised everything her heart had ever desired,
Marrying her cousin was just something she had to do to secure the family blood status and become the lady of the house, she had well and truly let the role go to her head.
“We are all more than our sorted houses boy, we have had many family members from different houses over the decades, your sorting was not an exception in the family,” Arcturus explained, standing tall, his grandson’s accusation disheartened the ninety-year-old wizard.
The elderly wizard had been devastated when he got the news his grandson was sent to Azkaban, Arcturus had written to the minister and the DMLE to get a copy of the report, but he was stonewalled every time, he as a Lord of an Ancient and Noble house, one of the sacred twenty-eight, couldn’t get them to even see him after the war.
Arcturus had no friends left he could turn to in the ministry, and as the war was over people were happy to go about their business, not caring that Sirius was rotting in Azkaban awaiting a trial that would never come.
Sirius winced at his tone, Arcturus was good at making the younger wizard feel like a chastised child who was being scolded when they were naughty. It felt good to be around family again, he was going to relish having his heir returned and work on rebuilding the house of Black back to its former glory.
“Now, come let’s continue our conversation in the dining room, there is much still we need to discuss, and I’m sure you are famished from your time in prison.”
The younger wizard didn’t argue as he followed further into Grimmauld Place, where they made themselves comfortable at the dining table.
Arcturus summoned Kreacher to make them something to eat and bring them a pot of tea.
“Where is mother? I would have thought she would come running to see who had entered the property” Sirius asked while they waited for the food to come.
Arcturus signed deeply this was not something he was expecting to inform his grandson of, he would have thought notice might have reached him and Bellatrix in prison.
“I’m sorry to be the one to tell you but your mother passed away, it was almost two years ago now, it seems no one thought to tell you on the island” Arcturus stated sadly.
It had been expected for some time as the witch began to fade away, Walburga had been deteriorating ever since the passing of her husband Orion, and the loss of her sons.
The witch, once a fierce woman, became broken by the trial’s life brought her leading her to wither away.
Arcturus exhaled tiredly, he wished his family didn’t suffer and decline to only a few, he wasn’t positive how many were left now as the goblins had stopped all access to outsiders, the family didn’t keep the books in any of the properties, it was all safely locked up in the bank for safekeeping.
Had they had the forethought that the world would become so I’ll fitted for traversing, they would not have had the family records sealed away in a vault.
Sirius sat still in his chair across from him, seeming lost for words at the news his mother was dead, Arcturus knew they had never gotten along, but the woman had been his mother, and the loss was seen on the young man’s face clear as day.
He might not express it in words, but the loss of a family member was always grievous.
Sirius had allowed some sorrow to surface, it was quickly pushed aside however as Kreacher returned with a mouthwatering sight. Arcturus was sure the younger wizard was salivating at the smell alone, he could not begin to imagine how long it had been since his grandson had last had a hot meal.
The elf had made a well-cooked duck in gravy, along with some hearty vegetables, a bit of a heavy meal for the other man so soon but any meal to fill his belly would be well appreciated.
“Where are you getting this kind of food?” Sirius enquired “Isn’t everywhere overrun with the walking dead people?”
Arcturus paused before he answered his grandson, the dead were numerous and deadly, all shops closed pretty early on in the wake of the pandemic, there were few places to get food and clean water from, and he was pretty fortunate to have the resources available.
“I have Kreacher entering Black Manor for supplies, it is not as safe there as it is here with the wards compromised but the land is still fertile and producing harvestable products, I’ve made the livestock as safe as can be on the property,” Arcturus stated a moment before he dug into his meal.
He had ventured to the manor in the beginning when he fled France, hoping the ward stone was intact enough for him to repair the ancient wards his ancestors had laid.
Unfortunately, it was more damaged from the years of neglect, the fire that had caused such damage to the manor in the first place had compromised the structure beyond repair, it was not fixable, and having not much choice for shelter he had made his way to the townhouse.
“I see your time in Azkaban didn’t leave you unenlightened of the current devastation wrecking our once great country,” Arcturus asked, unsure of how long it had been since his grandson’s escape from the prison. The pandemic was surely the reason for his decision to break out.
“We were informed in Azkaban that some type of virus was going around and that the guards were no longer going to be manning the island. Made it easier to make my escape, I spent a few weeks making my way here, I was coming to search for a wand before heading out again” Sirius explained not even stopping while he continued to devour the exquisite food.
Arcturus glared at his grandson’s behavior.
“I know your mother would have instilled some manners into you, I would appreciate it if you would use them and not talk with your mouth full” the aged wizard griped, he would not have any family member acting like some uncivilized being.
Sirius had paused momentarily, fork left inches from his mouth at his words.
Grimacing the Animagus mumbled an apology before dropping the cutlery to his plate.
“I know it has been a very long time since you have been among civilized people dear boy, but you are home now and I expect you to behave as someone befitting your station, it is far too dangerous to be leaving, I think you should stay and take up the Heir duties,” Arcturus announced.
It was Sirius's turn to glare, the younger man had run away from home at sixteen to get away from the oppressive conditions his mother caused and to avoid the duties of an Heir, Arcturus was informed of such when Wilburga demanded the aged wizard use his head of house position to force the young man back.
Arcturus was not one to use his station and power in such a way and had informed the woman to talk it out with the young boy, unfortunately, his daughter-in-law didn’t ever attempt such a thing.
-Sirius had been told by his mother that Regulus had been made Heir over him when he entered Hogwarts and was not sorted Slytherin, it was a time Sirius could look back on fondly as he never wanted to be Heir in the first place.
If his grandad was correct and he was never disinherited, then his mother only told him such out of spite. -
“I wouldn’t have thought any of that mattered now, the world is ending grandad, we have no need for traditions, Lords, and Heirs, it’s a changed world, endless the magical world has pulled through and managed to overcome the virus?”
Sirius disputed, getting more enthusiastic in his speech as he continued,
“Not to mention if we continued with life as normal then you are forgetting the fact that I escaped Azkaban! I’ll be a wanted fugitive.”
Arcturus merely stared, he was holding onto traditions in a bid to stay sane in the current climate, it was a struggle to go through the day and not think about the terrible collapse of society.
The older wizard had seen it firsthand in France as the dead devoured any living thing in their path,
It was not safe out there in the world anymore, he had hardly checked in with any other magical folks since moving back to the townhouse, there was no one particularly worth writing to apart from his two great-nieces and neither had responded to his letters, he fears they might have not made it to safety.
“Despite the state of things, one must not forget where they come from or who they are. If we give up on centuries of traditions, simply because the world has fallen apart, we lose any grip on civilization and fall into anarchy.” Arcturus lectured heatedly.
“I’ve never needed the stupid pure-blood traditions to tell me who I am” Sirius growled, Arcturus could tell he was losing control of his anger, being reminded of why he left the family in the first place so soon after returning to the family home.
Arcturus signed, he didn’t want to fight with his possibly last remaining family member.
“You always have been free-spirited” the aged man replied.
“Alas, the wizarding world has not fared well from what Kreacher has told me. I’m unsure as to how many have survived up until now but Hogwarts and the ministry are still operating.”
“So, there are others at least, but I’m more concerned with finding my godson” Sirius informed him.
“Your Godson?” Arcturus hadn’t heard of Sirius taking on the role of Godfather, he had an idea of who it might be based on his grandson’s school friends.
“Yes, and I need to find him, he might be all I have left” Sirius replied, Arcturus could see the determination on the young man’s face, there would be no chance of convincing him to stay, not while the young child was out there somewhere in the world, his grandson wouldn’t rest until he was reunited with the Potter boy.
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The atmosphere had changed since bringing Randall to the farm.
Rick was taking to having Shane and Lori at odds with as much patience as he could.
Shane, his best friend had changed ever since they arrived at the Greene’s farm.
Lori had claimed to be scared of the ex-deputy and what he might do to keep her to himself, making things awkward for the ex-sheriff.
He knew Lori and Shane were still together behind his back, and having his wife whispering in his ear daily that he needed to do something was getting on Ricks's nerves.
Shane had admitted to killing Otis when out on the first attempt to leave Randell, he swore he did it only to make sure Carl lived, Rick had to accept it even if he felt sick too, he couldn’t be a hypocrite in this instance, after what he had done at the bar. He knew the situations were far from the same, but his son lived, and he was far too grateful for that.
Rick was still on the fence about keeping Shane around, he was causing trouble and splitting the group apart, trying to talk it through with the man was getting him nowhere.
He had been trying to make things right by not killing the young man they held prisoner, even if it did cause fighting amongst their group.
It was unfortunate it didn’t end like that, after his fight with Shane it was clear they needed to eliminate the threat posed to the group.
The only ones who didn’t get too involved were the Dixon brothers who only cared about the missing kids.
Rick was so engrossed with the safety of the group that he couldn’t find any time to help with the search. Leaving it to the two to handle for themselves.
Everything was such a mess, they had put it to a vote about whether or not to kill Randall, Dale was the only one to vote and argue for the young man, making good points, about being no better than the group they feared might come.
His efforts were not enough, the group had sided with Shane.
It was Carl who ended up being the one to make Rick change his mind once more, having his son walk in on him with a gun to the young man’s head was terrifying and eye-opening.
But the night had ended in such tragedy, a walker got onto the farm and attacked, it was the most heartbreaking moment for Rick, to watch as Dale suffered, gasping for breath as he bled out on the ground, slowly dying from the gaping bleeding hole in his chest.
The group all stood around in varying states of shock and distress, not knowing what to do to help.
Andrea cried over the dying man, begging for someone to do something to end his suffering, once Hershel made it known there was nothing he could do.
Rick couldn’t bear to be the one to shoot the man, it was Shane who had taken the gun from him and had taken the shot, Rick tried not to think about the look in Shane’s eyes as he held the gun to the dying man’s head, a look that said he was happy to be the one to end the man’s life.
Rick was told by others that the ex-deputy was dangerous, that he had been dishing out threats, Rick was beginning to see it more for himself now.
In the wake of Dale’s death, after the group had buried their friend and held prayer it was back to making sure the group was safe and the farm secure.
The Dixon brothers and Carol hadn’t returned by daybreak from their search, but Rick was less concerned about the trio than some of the others were. The Dixon’s were tough and could take care of themselves, he was sure Carol was being well cared for by the two gruff men while out in the woods.
Notes:
I hope you all enjoy it and tell me what you think, I love reading your feedback.
Stay tuned!
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