Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

The Leader's Burden

Percy leaned against a rusted metal railing on the warehouse's upper level, overlooking the rows of shelves below. The group had dispersed after the meeting, leaving Percy alone with his thoughts. The faint hum of generators echoed in the cavernous space, the only sound breaking the stillness.

His hands gripped the railing tightly. The weight of responsibility pressed against his chest, heavier now than ever. He had led these people before—in another time, another life. They had trusted him then, just as they did now. But that trust came with a cost.

He shut his eyes, flashes of the past bombarding his mind: the bunker, the cold, the endless sacrifices. And the screams.

Percy exhaled sharply, pushing the memories aside. "Focus," he muttered to himself.

Organizing the Chaos

Percy descended the stairs to the main floor, where a few members of the group were working. Jenny was taking inventory, her clipboard balanced on one arm. Justin was hauling a crate of thermal blankets onto a shelf.

Percy approached Jenny, his steps deliberate. "How are we on supplies?"

Jenny glanced at her list. "We're in decent shape for now. Enough food and water to last a couple of months if we ration carefully. Clothing's well-stocked, too. But..."

Percy raised an eyebrow. "But what?"

Jenny tapped her quill against the clipboard, frowning. "We're light on medical supplies. Bandages, potions, anything for injuries or illnesses—we barely have enough to treat a cold, let alone a serious emergency."

Percy nodded. "Understood. I'll add that to the priority list."

He turned to Justin, who was stacking another crate. "Justin, how are the backup locations looking?"

"The factory Jenny mentioned is promising," Justin said, wiping his hands on his jacket. "It's bigger than this place, with more room for storage and even some living quarters. But it's going to take work to make it usable."

"Define 'work,'" Percy said, crossing his arms.

"Wards, for one," Justin replied. "There's no magical protection on the place at all. We'd need someone who knows their way around advanced charms."

Percy frowned, making a mental note. He needed a ward specialist—but finding one without drawing attention to their activities wouldn't be easy.

The Weight of Leadership

After checking in with the rest of the group, Percy retreated to a small office in the back of the warehouse. The room was cramped and sparsely furnished, but it was private—a place where he could think.

He sat at the desk, pulling out a blank piece of parchment. The quill in his hand hovered over the page as he thought back to the meeting.

The revelation that someone else might remember the freeze weighed heavily on his mind. Who were they? What were they planning? And why hadn't they reached out?

The unknowns were maddening.

Percy began writing, creating yet another list:

Secure medical supplies.Scout and fortify the factory location.Identify trustworthy magical allies.Investigate the other survivor.

He stared at the final point, his quill tapping against the parchment. Whoever this other survivor was, they had to be found. If they were an ally, they could be invaluable. If they were a threat...

Percy didn't finish the thought.

Seeking Guidance

That evening, Percy stood outside the warehouse, staring up at the stars. The crisp night air bit at his skin, but he didn't move. His thoughts were heavy, and for the first time since waking in this timeline, doubt began to creep in.

Could he really do this again?

"Boss?" Jenny's voice broke through the stillness.

Percy turned to see her standing a few feet away, her arms crossed against the cold.

"You shouldn't be out here without a coat," Percy said automatically.

Jenny smiled faintly. "I'll survive. What about you? You've been carrying the world on your shoulders since the day we met you. Don't you ever let yourself take a break?"

Percy looked away, his jaw tightening. "I don't have time for breaks."

Jenny stepped closer, her expression softening. "We're not in the bunker anymore, Percy. You don't have to do everything on your own."

"Yes, I do," Percy said, his voice firm. "Because if I don't, who will?"

Jenny sighed, her breath visible in the cold air. "We're with you, you know. All of us. You don't have to carry this alone."

Percy glanced at her, the vulnerability in her eyes catching him off guard. For a moment, he let himself believe her words.

"Thanks, Jenny," he said quietly. "But I need to make sure this works."

Jenny nodded, stepping back. "Alright, Boss. But don't forget—we're here when you need us."

As she walked back inside, Percy returned his gaze to the stars.

"I won't fail this time," he whispered to himself. "I can't."

The freeze was coming, and the weight of the world felt heavier than ever. But Percy Weasley was determined to bear it.