Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

The Calm Before the Storm

The grounds of Hogwarts were bathed in the golden light of a perfect autumn day. The leaves had turned vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, and a crisp breeze carried the scent of fallen foliage. The Black Lake shimmered under the afternoon sun, its surface smooth and unbroken.

Harry stood at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, watching as a group of Hogsmeade villagers set up a small fire pit near the edge of the newly built farmland. The air was cool enough to make the warmth of a fire inviting, but not so cold that they needed heavy cloaks.

For the first time in weeks, the tension hanging over the grounds seemed to lift.

"It's perfect," Luna said, appearing at Harry's side, her gaze fixed on the fire pit. She had a bundle of sticks and marshmallows in her hands, an excited glimmer in her eyes.

Harry smiled faintly. "It is. But it feels... strange."

"Strange how?" Luna asked, tilting her head.

Harry exhaled, his breath visible in the crisp air. "Too quiet. Too calm. After everything we've been through, it's hard to believe we could have a moment like this."

Luna smiled softly, handing him a stick. "Sometimes, even the storm needs to rest. You should enjoy it while it lasts."

Moments of Normalcy

The fire pit became a gathering place for the day. Neville arrived with a basket of freshly harvested apples from the greenhouses, while Hagrid brought a cauldron of homemade cider, spiced and steaming. Percy joined them later, carrying a few bottles of butterbeer and a stack of parchment he quickly abandoned in favor of joining the others.

Harry watched as the group gathered around the fire, roasting marshmallows and swapping stories. The crackle of the flames mixed with the sound of laughter, a rare and welcome break from their constant preparations.

Neville sat next to Hannah, who had arrived that morning with a fresh shipment of medical supplies. The two of them talked quietly, occasionally passing marshmallows back and forth.

Luna leaned against a log, humming a tune to herself as she skewered a marshmallow and held it over the flames.

"This reminds me of the bonfires we used to have in the village," Percy said, sitting down beside Harry. He held out his marshmallow, watching it puff up and turn golden. "Mum would always make sure we had enough sweets to last the entire night."

Harry chuckled. "She'd have loved this."

"She would," Percy agreed, his voice quiet.

Planning Ahead

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the horizon in hues of pink and gold, Harry and Percy stepped away from the fire to talk.

"We've got about three weeks of this weather, give or take," Percy said, gesturing to the serene landscape. "It's the perfect time to finalize the wards and start moving more supplies into the dome."

Harry nodded. "It's also a good chance to test the greenhouses and the hospital systems. We need to make sure everything works before the first real frost sets in."

Percy crossed his arms, his gaze thoughtful. "And we should bring in more people. There are still survivors out there—Muggles and Squibs who won't stand a chance without us."

Harry hesitated. "If we bring in too many at once, we risk exposing what we're doing. We need to be careful."

"I know," Percy said. "But every day we wait, more people are left out in the cold."

Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We'll figure it out. For now, let's focus on what we can do today."

A Moment of Reflection

Later that evening, as the group began to disperse, Harry lingered by the fire. The embers glowed softly, casting a warm light against the darkening sky.

Luna approached, a half-finished marshmallow in her hand. "You're still worrying," she said simply.

Harry looked at her, startled, then shook his head. "How can I not? There's so much left to do, and not enough time to do it."

Luna smiled faintly, taking a bite of her marshmallow. "You're always looking ahead, Harry. But sometimes, it's okay to look around. The world hasn't frozen yet."

Harry followed her gaze, watching as Neville helped Hagrid pack up the cider cauldron and Percy joked with Hannah about his clumsy attempt to roast a marshmallow. The air was filled with laughter and lighthearted conversation, a stark contrast to the weight they all carried.

For the first time in weeks, Harry allowed himself to relax, if only for a moment.

"Thanks, Luna," he said quietly.

"You're welcome," she replied, her tone soft. "You'll need your strength for what's coming."

The Calm Before the Freeze

For the next few weeks, the weather remained perfect. The team worked tirelessly during the day—reinforcing wards, transporting supplies, and finalizing the hospital's setup—and spent their evenings by the fire, sharing stories and enjoying the fleeting peace.

Harry knew it wouldn't last. The freeze was coming, creeping closer with each passing day. But for now, in the golden light of autumn, they found moments of normalcy, moments of hope.

And that, Harry thought, was worth fighting for.