Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

The Leader Returns

Percy adjusted his scarf as he walked briskly down the cold streets of a quiet Muggle neighborhood. The weather was unseasonably chilly, and though it wasn't anywhere near the catastrophic freeze he remembered, the creeping cold gnawed at him, bringing back unwanted memories.

He tugged his coat tighter around him, scanning the streets. His mission today was twofold: to gather basic supplies and to observe. The Muggle world had a way of bracing itself for disasters in ways the wizarding world often overlooked. If he was going to protect his family and anyone else who followed him, he needed to think outside the confines of magical solutions.

His steps slowed when he noticed a group of people near a row of parked cars. They were hurriedly stocking up their trunks with bags and boxes. Percy furrowed his brow. Most people didn't carry out large-scale shopping trips without reason. His curiosity piqued further when he saw what they were packing: puffy coats, thermal blankets, and crates of canned goods.

Something about the group seemed... familiar.

Percy hesitated, then strode toward them. "Excuse me," he began, his voice polite but firm, "what are you preparing for?"

One of them, a broad-shouldered young man, turned sharply at the sound of Percy's voice. His eyes widened in shock, and then he spoke a single word that made Percy freeze in place.

"Leader."

Percy's breath caught in his throat. He stared at the man, trying to process what he had just heard. Before he could respond, a second person—a woman with sharp features and auburn hair—turned around. Her eyes widened as well, and her voice trembled slightly as she said, "Boss."

Percy blinked, stunned. Leader. Boss. Those were the titles they had called him in the bunker during the freeze. The titles he had never wanted but had accepted out of necessity.

The rest of the group turned quickly, their expressions shifting from confusion to shock to something like relief. They stood frozen, staring at Percy as if he were a ghost.

Percy could only stare back, his mind racing. The faces were familiar now, though they looked younger, healthier, untouched by the horrors he remembered. The silence stretched on, and for a moment, Percy wondered if he had imagined it all.

Finally, the auburn-haired woman broke the silence. "Boss?" she asked again, her voice softer this time, almost hopeful.

"Jenny," Percy said quietly, his voice thick with emotion.

That was all it took. The group surged forward, enveloping Percy in a tight embrace. Arms wrapped around him from every direction, and for a moment, the memories of the freezing cold bunker were replaced with the warmth of familiar faces.

"You're here!" Jenny said, her voice muffled against his coat.

Another man, shorter and stockier, laughed shakily. "It's really you."

Percy didn't know what to say. He simply stood there, letting the moment wash over him. These were the people he had tried so desperately to protect in the bunker—the people he thought he had failed.

After what felt like an eternity, they all pulled back, though the awe and relief in their expressions didn't fade.

Percy cleared his throat, trying to steady himself. "We can't talk here," he said, glancing around. "Let's go somewhere private."

A tall, lean man with close-cropped hair nodded. "We know a place. Follow us."

The Warehouse

They led Percy through a network of narrow streets until they reached an old, unassuming warehouse. The building's exterior was plain, with weathered bricks and a faded sign above the entrance.

"This way," the tall man, Justin, said, unlocking the door and holding it open.

Percy followed the group inside, his curiosity growing with every step. As they entered the main floor of the warehouse, his eyes widened.

The space was massive, filled with rows upon rows of shelves stocked with supplies. Coats, boots, gloves, and other winter gear occupied one section, while another was packed with non-perishable food and bottled water. There were crates of medical supplies, tools, and even fuel canisters.

"You've been busy," Percy said, his voice tinged with both admiration and disbelief.

"We had to be," Jenny said, walking alongside him. "After everything... we couldn't risk being unprepared again."

Justin gestured for the group to follow him as he led them toward a smaller room at the back of the warehouse. Inside was a makeshift meeting room, complete with a long table, mismatched chairs, and a chalkboard covered in notes and diagrams.

"Let's talk," Justin said, gesturing for Percy to take a seat at the head of the table.

Percy hesitated, glancing around at the faces that were so familiar yet felt like strangers in this moment. Slowly, he moved to the chair and sat down, his mind swirling with questions and emotions.

"What do you know?" Percy began.

The group exchanged glances, their expressions grave.

"We know enough," Jenny said. "But we've been waiting for you, Boss."

Percy's stomach tightened as the memories of the bunker resurfaced again, blending with the reality of the present.

"Start at the beginning," Percy said firmly, leaning forward.

Justin nodded, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. "Alright. Here's what we know."

Cliffhanger