Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

The Factory Fortifications

Percy stood in the shadow of the old factory, staring up at its rusted exterior and shattered windows. The place had clearly been abandoned for decades, and nature was already creeping back in—vines twisted through cracks in the walls, and weeds sprouted from the crumbling pavement.

Justin was at his side, hands on his hips as he surveyed the structure. "Well," he said, "it's not much to look at, but it's got potential."

Jenny, standing on Percy's other side, gave him a sidelong glance. "Potential, huh? It looks like it's one stiff breeze away from collapsing."

Percy ignored their commentary, stepping forward to run a hand along the weathered brick. "This is it," he said finally, his voice steady. "This place can work. We just need to get it ready."

"Ready how?" Justin asked, frowning.

"Structural reinforcements first," Percy replied, pulling out his wand. "Then magical protections. We need this place to be secure before we can think about moving supplies here."

Jenny raised an eyebrow. "You're sure we can make this happen? The warehouse is functional. This..." She gestured at the dilapidated building. "This looks like a death trap."

Percy turned to her, his expression calm but resolute. "The warehouse isn't big enough to hold what we'll need if the freeze comes sooner than expected. This factory has space for living quarters, storage, and even workshops. We'll make it work."

Rebuilding Begins

Inside, the factory was even worse than it looked from the outside. Dust coated every surface, and the air was thick with the smell of rust and decay. Old machinery sat in disrepair, and puddles of stagnant water reflected the dim light filtering through the broken windows.

"Alright," Percy said, rolling up his sleeves. "Let's get to work."

He turned to Justin. "Start clearing out the main floor. We'll need space to set up wards and reinforce the structure."

Justin nodded and called over two other members of the group to help.

"Jenny," Percy continued, "catalog what we can salvage. If there's anything useful—tools, materials, even scrap metal—set it aside."

"On it," Jenny said, moving toward a stack of rusted equipment.

Casting the First Wards

Once the clearing and cataloging began, Percy focused on the magical fortifications. He walked the perimeter of the factory, his wand at the ready.

"Firme Parietes," he murmured, sending a wave of reinforcing magic into the crumbling walls. The bricks glowed faintly, the cracks knitting themselves back together.

As he worked, Percy felt a flicker of pride. He wasn't as skilled as a professional ward-maker, but he had learned enough over the years to manage the basics.

The biggest challenge came when he reached the center of the factory floor. Here, the magic of the land felt wrong—unstable, as though the building itself resisted his spells. Percy knelt, pressing his wand to the ground.

"Reparo Magicae," he whispered, focusing his energy.

The floor vibrated beneath him, and for a moment, Percy thought the spell might fail. But then the resistance faded, and a soft hum spread through the room as the magic settled.

A New Discovery

"Boss!" Justin's voice echoed from across the factory.

Percy straightened, turning toward the sound. Justin was standing near a pile of old crates, waving him over.

"What is it?" Percy asked as he approached.

Justin pointed to one of the crates, its lid pried halfway open. Inside were rows of neatly stacked cans and jars, covered in a thick layer of dust but otherwise intact.

"Looks like someone used this place as a storage site," Justin said. "Most of it's gone bad, but a few of these might still be usable."

Jenny walked over, brushing off one of the jars. "This is Muggle-made," she said, her brow furrowing. "But it's magically sealed. Someone enchanted this."

Percy frowned, examining the jar. "That's... unusual. Why would a Muggle storage site have magical seals?"

Justin shrugged. "Maybe whoever used to own this place wasn't as Muggle as we thought."

"Catalog everything," Percy said, his mind racing. "And let me know if you find anything else enchanted."

A Meeting of Minds

By the end of the day, the factory was cleaner and more stable, though there was still much to be done. Percy gathered the group in the center of the main floor, their faces streaked with sweat and dust.

"Good work today," Percy said, his tone firm but encouraging. "This place is already starting to take shape. Once we finish the structural reinforcements, we'll begin setting up living quarters and storage areas."

Jenny crossed her arms. "What about the magical protections? We'll need wards stronger than anything we've used before if this is going to hold during the freeze."

Percy nodded. "I'll handle the wards. But we may need outside help for the more complex spells."

Justin raised an eyebrow. "Who are you thinking of?"

"I'm not sure yet," Percy admitted. "But I'll find someone. For now, focus on the physical fortifications."

The group dispersed, leaving Percy alone once again. He stood in the center of the factory, his mind buzzing with plans and possibilities.

The Weight of Secrets

As night fell, Percy returned to the warehouse and retreated to his small office. He stared at the map spread across his desk, his hands resting on either side.

The discovery of the enchanted jars bothered him more than he wanted to admit. Who had sealed them? And why?

It was another mystery to add to an already overwhelming list.

For now, though, Percy pushed it aside. There was too much at stake to be distracted. He picked up his quill and began drafting his next set of plans.

The freeze was coming—and Percy would be ready.