Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

The First Frostfall

The morning dawned pale and cold, the air heavy with a sharp stillness that even the dome couldn't keep at bay. Harry stood on the stone steps of Hogwarts, his breath visible in the crisp air. The trees inside the dome still clung to their vibrant autumn leaves, but outside, the world had begun to change.

Beyond the dome's shimmering boundary, frost coated every surface. Grass glistened like glass, and the bare branches of the Forbidden Forest sparkled in the dim light. The world looked beautiful, but it carried the weight of what was coming.

"It's starting," Harry said quietly to himself.

A Walk Through the Dome

Harry spent the morning walking through the grounds, checking on the various stations that had become critical to their survival.

At the greenhouses, Neville was already hard at work, directing a group of volunteers as they harvested the latest crops. Rows of enchanted vegetables and herbs were carefully packed into crates, ready to be transported to the storage vaults in Hogsmeade.

"How's it going, Neville?" Harry asked, stepping inside the warm, humid greenhouse.

Neville wiped his brow, his expression focused. "We're ahead of schedule. This batch will keep us stocked for at least another two months, as long as we ration carefully."

"That's good," Harry said, nodding. "Keep me updated if anything changes."

From there, Harry made his way to the creature habitats. Luna was perched on a low wall, tossing handfuls of glowing Frostbane Ferns into the Thestral enclosure. The skeletal horses nibbled eagerly at the enchanted plants, their dark eyes gleaming.

"They love these," Luna said, smiling as Harry approached. "It's like a warm meal on a cold day."

"How are they holding up?" Harry asked.

"They're restless," Luna admitted, her gaze drifting toward the shimmering dome. "They can feel the frost pressing against the wards. But they're safe here, and that helps."

A Gathering at the Apparition Point

By midday, Harry joined Percy at the Apparition point near Hogsmeade. A small group of Percy's Muggle allies had arrived, their enchanted necklaces glowing faintly as they stepped through the wards.

Jenny, the auburn-haired leader of Percy's group, approached Harry with a cautious smile. "This place feels... different," she said, glancing around. "It's warmer. Safer."

"That's the dome's magic," Harry explained. "It keeps the cold out and stabilizes the environment inside. You'll notice it even more when the real freeze starts."

Justin, another member of Percy's group, studied the shimmering barrier with wide eyes. "It's incredible. I've never seen anything like this."

"You're part of it now," Percy said, placing a reassuring hand on Justin's shoulder. "This is where we'll survive."

A Warning from the Forest

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the grounds, Harry returned to the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

There, he found Hagrid standing near a gathering of centaurs, their tall, proud forms silhouetted against the fading light.

"Hagrid," Harry called, his voice cutting through the quiet.

Hagrid turned, his expression unusually grim. "Harry, they've got somethin' ter say. You'll want ter hear this."

The leader of the centaurs, the same silver-maned figure Harry had met before, stepped forward. "Potter," he said, his deep voice steady. "The frost is not the only threat. Something stirs in the shadows—something old and angry."

Harry frowned. "What do you mean?"

"The freeze brings more than cold," the centaur said. "It awakens ancient forces, long buried beneath the ice. You must be prepared for what lies beneath."

A Quiet Resolve

That night, Harry gathered his core team—Percy, Neville, Luna, and Hagrid—in the Great Hall. The firelight flickered across their faces as Harry recounted the centaur's warning.

"What do you think they meant?" Neville asked, his brow furrowed.

"I don't know," Harry admitted. "But we can't ignore it. If the freeze brings more than just ice, we'll have to be ready for whatever comes."

Percy crossed his arms, his expression serious. "We've already reinforced the wards and secured the dome. If something tries to get through, it won't find it easy."

"But what if it's already inside?" Luna asked softly, her gaze distant. "What if it's something we can't see yet?"

The group fell silent, the weight of her words settling over them.

"We'll figure it out," Harry said finally, his voice steady. "We've come this far, and we're not going to stop now. No matter what happens, we'll be ready."

The First Night of Frost

As the castle settled into quiet for the night, Harry found himself standing at the edge of the Black Lake, staring out at the frosted world beyond the dome. The shimmering barrier cast a faint glow, a fragile line between safety and the unknown.

The air was colder than it had been that morning, the frost creeping closer with every passing hour. Harry could feel it in his bones—the freeze was coming.

But as he turned back toward the castle, his determination solidified.

The dome was holding. The people and creatures inside were safe.

And whatever was coming, Harry knew they would face it together.