Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

Planning the Dome

Harry's flat was quieter than usual. Hedwig perched near the window, preening her feathers, while Harry sat at his desk, poring over maps of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. The faint aroma of tea drifted through the room as a kettle boiled on the stove.

The weight of the task before him pressed heavily on his shoulders. Building a magical dome large enough to protect both Hogwarts and Hogsmeade—and ensuring it could sustain life within—was no small feat. He needed to figure out the logistics, strengthen alliances, and prepare for the day when the spell, Gelida Ultra, would be cast.

Harry's thoughts were interrupted by a sharp rap on the door. He turned, wand at the ready.

"Harry, it's me!" called Neville's voice.

Relaxing, Harry opened the door to find Neville standing there, holding a bundle of parchment and looking determined.

"I've got the plans for the greenhouses and the livestock areas," Neville said, stepping inside. "I thought we could go over them together."

"Perfect timing," Harry said with a tired smile. "Come in. I've got the maps set up already."

Mapping the Dome

Neville spread his parchment out on the table, revealing detailed sketches of greenhouse expansions, potential farmland layouts, and a list of crops that could thrive in the protected environment.

"These are great," Harry said, tracing a finger over the designs. "I've been thinking about where to place the dome's boundaries. I want to include enough land for expansion but not so much that we stretch the spell too thin."

Neville nodded, pulling over Harry's map of the area. "I think you're right to keep the Forbidden Forest inside the dome—it'll be a refuge for magical creatures. But what about the new mountain range you created? Should we include that too?"

"Yes," Harry said firmly. "Those mountains could act as a natural barrier. If we ever need to expand further, they'll be our first line of defense."

As they worked, the map began to take shape. The dome would encompass Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Black Lake, the Forbidden Forest, and the newly added mountain range. Neville made notes on where to place fields for crops and grazing land, while Harry marked potential sites for creature habitats.

A Visit from Luna

Before long, there was another knock at the door. This time, it was Luna, carrying a small satchel and wearing her usual dreamy expression.

"Hello, Harry. Hello, Neville," she said, stepping inside. "I've brought some sketches of shelters for the creatures."

"Come in, Luna," Harry said, gesturing to the table. "We were just working on the dome's layout."

Luna unrolled a parchment covered in intricate, almost childlike drawings of enclosures for different magical creatures. Each design included features tailored to the creatures' needs: open-air pens for hippogriffs, shaded groves for Bowtruckles, and even an underground cavern for acromantulas.

"These are brilliant, Luna," Harry said, his admiration genuine.

"They'll need lots of space to feel at home," Luna said, her tone thoughtful. "And we should make sure there's room for creatures we might not know about yet. The world is full of surprises, after all."

Neville chuckled. "Leave it to you to think of something like that, Luna."

They worked together for hours, refining the plans and discussing logistics. The room buzzed with ideas and energy, and for the first time in days, Harry felt a glimmer of hope.

An Unexpected Letter

As the evening settled in, Hedwig swooped down from her perch, carrying a letter in her beak. Harry took it, his brow furrowing as he recognized the elegant script on the envelope.

"It's from Grintok," he said, breaking the seal. He read the letter aloud:

Mr. Potter,
We have identified several individuals and groups who may be willing to aid in your efforts. These include craftsmen, potion-makers, and even a few who specialize in magical wards. Additionally, we have uncovered a potential problem: whispers of Ministry inquiries into large-scale land purchases in Hogsmeade. We will monitor the situation discreetly.
Yours in service,
Grintok

"Whispers from the Ministry," Neville said, his expression tightening. "That's not good."

"It was bound to happen eventually," Harry said, sighing. "The Ministry doesn't like anything it can't control. We'll have to be careful from now on."

"What about the people Grintok mentioned?" Luna asked. "Could they be allies?"

"Maybe," Harry said, folding the letter. "I'll need to meet with them soon, but first, we need to finalize these plans. The dome is our priority."

Wrapping Up the Day

As the sky darkened outside, Neville and Luna packed up their things and prepared to leave.

"You're doing something incredible, Harry," Neville said as he slung his bag over his shoulder. "Don't let the Ministry or anyone else stop you."

"I won't," Harry said with a small smile. "Thanks, Neville. And thank you, Luna. I couldn't do this without you both."

Luna tilted her head, her eyes soft. "You're stronger than you think, Harry. Remember that."

After they left, Harry sat alone at the table, staring at the maps and plans they had worked on. The dome was coming together, but there was still so much to do.

As he stood to prepare for bed, Harry glanced out the window at the stars. The world outside was calm for now, but the chill he had felt in his future lingered at the edge of his senses.

He clenched his fists. He wouldn't let the freeze win—not this time.