Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

Shadows of Ice

Percy sat at his desk, the flickering light of his lamp casting long shadows across the room. He stared at the parchment before him, his quill poised above it but unmoving. The words he wanted to write wouldn't come—not because he didn't know what to say, but because his mind kept drifting.

The memory surged forward, vivid and unrelenting.

Flashback: The Bunker

The air inside the bunker was stifling and frigid at the same time, a paradox of suffocating closeness and bitter cold. Percy pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders, his breath visible in the dim light from the enchanted lanterns overhead.

The room was packed with people—mostly Muggles and Squibs who had no other means of survival. They sat on the cold stone floor, huddled together in small groups. The children were the worst off, their small bodies trembling as the cold seeped into their bones.

Percy knelt near a group of them, his own teeth chattering. He pulled off his blanket and draped it over a shivering boy no older than five. The child looked up at him with wide, frightened eyes, his lips trembling.

"Stay close to the others," Percy said softly, forcing a reassuring smile. "You'll be warm soon."

He didn't believe his own words.

Everyone knew.

They knew there was no real hope left. The deep freeze had taken nearly everything—the land, the people, the light. Magical barriers fell one after another, and the Ministry's last desperate efforts to organize survivors had ended in chaos.

But they all followed Percy.

Why? Because he had made them a promise.

Percy stood at the center of the bunker, the makeshift leader of a group of frightened souls. "We'll survive this," he had told them weeks ago. "I'll make sure of it. Stay together. Stay warm. We'll get through."

So far, he'd kept his word. He had rationed food, redistributed blankets, and set up a rotation of spells to keep the lanterns alight. But it was never enough. Every day, the cold grew worse.

A low rumble from outside shook the bunker, and Percy's stomach dropped. The rumble grew into a roar, the sound of something massive tearing through the frozen sky.

"Ice!" someone screamed.

Percy didn't hesitate. "Everyone against the walls! Now!"

He moved to the center of the bunker, his wand drawn, his body trembling not just from the cold but from the sheer enormity of the threat.

Chunks of ice—massive, jagged, and deadly—began crashing through the ceiling. The protective wards around the bunker flickered and failed, unable to withstand the onslaught.

Percy stepped forward, positioning himself between the falling debris and the terrified group behind him. "Protego!" he shouted, casting a shield charm as a massive shard of ice plummeted toward them.

The ice struck the shield, shattering into thousands of pieces, but the force of the impact knocked Percy to his knees.

"Stay back!" he shouted to the others, his voice hoarse. "I'll protect you!"

He raised his wand again, bracing himself for the next impact.

The Present

Percy jolted awake, gasping as he was pulled from the memory. His hands gripped the edge of his desk, and sweat trickled down his temple. He was back in his flat, surrounded by the quiet hum of the city.

A sharp knock at the door broke the silence, and Percy's heart leapt into his throat. He forced himself to stand, steadying his breath as he moved toward the door.

When he opened it, Bill stood there, his long red hair tied back and a look of concern on his face. Fleur was at his side, her usual elegance tinged with worry. Behind them, Charlie loomed, his rugged appearance making him seem even more formidable in the dim light.

"Percy," Bill said, stepping inside. "What's going on? Your letter was... urgent."

Percy closed the door behind them, motioning for them to sit. "Thank you for coming," he said, his voice quieter than he intended.

Charlie raised an eyebrow. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Worse," Percy muttered.

Fleur's expression softened. "Percy, what eez it? What 'as happened?"

Percy took a deep breath, sitting across from them. "I don't know how to explain this in a way that will make sense. But you need to believe me when I say the world is in danger. A year from now, everything will freeze over. Completely. I've seen it happen."

Bill frowned, leaning forward. "You've seen it? What do you mean?"

Percy's hands tightened into fists. "I lived it. Or... I will live it. I don't know how, but I've been given a second chance to stop it."

The room fell silent. Fleur exchanged a glance with Bill, while Charlie leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.

"You're serious," Charlie said finally.

"Do you think I'd joke about something like this?" Percy snapped, his voice rising.

"Alright, alright," Bill said, raising a hand. "Let's say we believe you. What do you want us to do?"

Percy exhaled slowly, his resolve hardening. "We need to prepare. Gather supplies, strengthen magical defenses, and start rallying people we can trust. The Ministry can't know about this—they'll try to interfere."

Fleur tilted her head. "Why not go to 'Arry? Eef zis is so important—"

Percy shook his head. "Not yet. I don't know if Harry would even believe me, and I can't afford to waste time convincing him. This is bigger than all of us."

Charlie's lips quirked into a small smile. "Well, I've always wanted to fight a magical apocalypse."

Bill gave Percy a reassuring nod. "We're with you, Percy. Just tell us what you need."

Relief flooded through Percy, but the weight of responsibility still pressed heavily on his shoulders. "Thank you," he said quietly. "I won't let you down."

As his siblings and Fleur began discussing plans, Percy allowed himself a small moment of hope. This time, he wouldn't be the leader of a doomed bunker. This time, he'd be ready.