Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

The Dome Rises

The first light of dawn bathed the grounds of Hogwarts in soft gold, the mist rolling off the Black Lake like a spectral veil. Today was the day—the culmination of weeks of planning and relentless work. The dome was ready to rise.

Harry stood near the edge of Hogsmeade, where a secure Apparition point had been constructed. It was a small, unassuming clearing surrounded by wards and concealed by illusion charms. The goblins had outdone themselves, ensuring it would be undetectable to anyone outside the dome's protection.

"This will work," Percy said, standing beside him. His voice was confident, but his arms were crossed tightly, betraying his tension. "It has to."

Harry nodded, his wand gripped tightly in his hand. "Once the dome is up, we'll test the Apparition point. If anything goes wrong..."

"It won't," Percy interrupted, his voice firm. "We've gone over every detail. Grintok double-checked the wards himself. It'll hold."

Harry took a deep breath, letting the crisp air steady him. "Then let's do it."

Finalizing the Apparition Point

The Apparition point was a marvel of goblin craftsmanship and wizarding ingenuity. Grintok himself arrived early that morning to oversee the final enchantments.

"This is the keystone," he explained, holding up a polished obsidian disc inscribed with intricate runes. "It anchors the entire network. Without it, the Apparition point won't function within the dome."

Harry watched closely as Grintok placed the keystone into the center of a carved pedestal. The moment it settled into place, a ripple of magic surged outward, shimmering faintly in the air.

"Is it stable?" Percy asked, his voice tight.

Grintok smirked. "Of course it's stable. Goblin work is never sloppy." He gestured to Harry. "Your turn, Potter. Seal the connection."

Harry stepped forward, raising his wand. With a deep breath, he cast the final charm: "Nexum Proprius!"

A beam of golden light shot from his wand, striking the keystone. The runes glowed brightly, pulsing with a rhythmic hum. Then, just as suddenly, the light faded, leaving behind a soft, steady glow.

"It's done," Grintok said, nodding in satisfaction. "The Apparition point is active and secured. Only those who've been keyed into the wards can use it."

Harry exhaled, a small weight lifting from his shoulders. "Thank you, Grintok. This will make all the difference."

Raising the Dome

By midday, the entire team had gathered at the heart of Hogwarts. Goblins, wizards, and witches stood together on the castle grounds, their faces a mix of anticipation and nervous energy.

The dome had been designed to rise in stages, its magical layers weaving together like threads in a tapestry. The process would require precision and coordination, as well as immense magical energy.

Harry stood at the center of the group, holding the enchanted staff that served as the dome's activator. The staff had been crafted by the goblins, its surface etched with ancient runes that glowed faintly in the sunlight.

"Are we ready?" Harry called out, his voice carrying across the crowd.

Grintok nodded, standing near the edge of the gathering. "Everything is in place."

Percy stepped up beside Harry, his wand already drawn. "Let's get this done."

Harry took a deep breath, gripping the staff tightly. "On my mark."

The Spell

Harry raised the staff high above his head, his voice ringing out with the activation incantation:

"Gelida Ultra!"

The runes on the staff flared to life, and a surge of magic erupted from its tip, spreading outward in a blinding wave. The ground beneath their feet hummed with energy as the spell took hold.

Around the edges of the dome's perimeter, the enchanted stakes began to glow. One by one, they connected, forming a shimmering barrier of light that climbed steadily into the sky.

"Keep it steady!" Grintok shouted, his voice cutting through the rising hum of magic.

Harry poured more energy into the staff, feeling the strain in his arms and chest. Beside him, Percy added his own magic, stabilizing the process. Neville and Luna joined in, their wands raised, their spells weaving into the growing dome.

The barrier climbed higher and higher, its surface rippling like liquid gold. When it reached its peak, the dome sealed itself with a bright flash, and the hum of magic settled into a quiet, steady pulse.

It was done.

Inside the Dome

The change was immediate. The air inside the dome felt warmer, calmer. The frost that had lingered on the ground was gone, replaced by the soft, vibrant colors of autumn.

Hogsmeade and Hogwarts were bathed in a protective glow, their boundaries now completely shielded from the outside world. The Apparition point glimmered faintly in the distance, its wards blending seamlessly with the dome's magic.

"It's beautiful," Luna said softly, her eyes wide with wonder.

Neville grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "It worked."

Harry lowered the staff, his legs trembling slightly from the effort. He looked at Percy, who was staring up at the dome with an expression of quiet relief.

"We did it," Harry said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Percy nodded, his gaze unwavering. "This is it, Harry. This is how we survive."

A Moment of Triumph

That evening, the group gathered in the Great Hall to celebrate. The air was filled with laughter and relief, the weight of their work momentarily lifted.

Harry sat at the head of the table, watching as his friends and allies shared stories and toasted their success. The dome was up, the Apparition point was secure, and for the first time in months, Harry allowed himself to feel hopeful.

But as the celebration continued, he couldn't shake the lingering thought in the back of his mind. The freeze was still coming. And this dome, no matter how strong, was only the beginning of their fight.

Still, as he looked around at the people who had worked so hard to make this moment possible, Harry knew they would be ready. Together, they would face whatever came next.