Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

Expanding the Network

The dome was quiet as Harry walked through the grounds, the chill of the frost outside seeping into his thoughts despite the warmth within. After the success of the supply transfer to Zhang Yi's sanctuary, Harry felt a flicker of hope—but it was tempered by the knowledge that many more sanctuaries might need their help.

Harry stepped into the Great Hall, where Percy, Luna, Neville, and Grintok were already gathered around the enchanted map of the world. Tiny, glowing markers pulsed on the map, representing sanctuaries that had joined the Memory Keepers network.

"Good timing," Percy said, looking up. "Another sanctuary's reached out. This one's in northern Russia."

Harry frowned. "Russia? That region must already be deep in frost."

"It is," Grintok said, tracing a clawed finger across the map. "But they've managed to survive by tapping into underground hot springs and creating insulated villages. Their leader, Ekaterina Morozova, is interested in joining the network, but they're hesitant about revealing their location."

Neville nodded. "That makes sense. If they're in such a hostile environment, any breach in security could be fatal."

"They're cautious, and rightly so," Luna added, her tone dreamy but firm. "But if we can gain their trust, their knowledge of surviving extreme frost could help all of us."

A Message from Ekaterina

The enchanted mirror on the table flickered, and a strong, clear voice filled the room.

"This is Ekaterina Morozova," the voice said. A moment later, her face appeared in the mirror. She was a middle-aged woman with sharp, intelligent eyes and silver-streaked hair tied in a loose braid. The background behind her was dim, but Harry could make out heavy wooden beams and the faint glow of a fire.

"Ekaterina," Harry greeted her, inclining his head. "I'm Harry Potter, part of the Memory Keepers. We've heard about your sanctuary, and we're glad you've reached out."

Ekaterina nodded briskly. "The frost is relentless here, but we've held strong. My people have survived by utilizing geothermal heat and protective wards. However, our supplies are running low, and the frost shows no signs of slowing."

Percy leaned forward. "How many people are in your sanctuary?"

"Roughly seventy," Ekaterina replied. "Mostly magical, but we have a handful of Squibs and Muggle-borns. Our community was already isolated before the freeze began, which is why we've lasted this long."

Harry exchanged a glance with Luna, then asked, "What do you need most? Food? Tools? Medical supplies?"

"Food and medical supplies, primarily," Ekaterina said. "Our crops failed weeks ago, and our healers are struggling to keep up with frostbite and illness. If your network can provide aid, we'll share what knowledge we have about surviving in extreme conditions."

A Test of Trust

As the meeting continued, Grintok and Percy worked to coordinate a plan for delivering supplies to Ekaterina's sanctuary. The enchanted mirror transport system was still in its early stages, and the harsh conditions in Russia added another layer of complexity.

"We'll need to reinforce the mirror's magic to account for the extreme cold," Grintok said, studying the map. "If the wards protecting their sanctuary are even slightly unstable, the transport could fail."

Neville stood, already making notes. "I'll prepare a supply crate with seeds for hardy crops and some potions to help with frostbite. Luna, can you help me?"

Luna nodded. "Of course. I'll also add some enchanted charms to the crate, something to bolster their wards."

Ekaterina's voice interrupted their planning. "Before we proceed, I must ask—how do you keep the Memory Keepers network secure? If our location is exposed, it could put all of us in danger."

Harry answered without hesitation. "Every communication mirror is warded with goblin-crafted protections. Only those connected to the network can access the mirrors, and even then, the information shared is encrypted with ancient runes. Your sanctuary's location will remain a secret."

Ekaterina's sharp eyes softened slightly. "That is reassuring. If this test run succeeds, we'll consider full integration with the network."

Sending the Supplies

The next day, the Memory Keepers gathered in the Great Hall to prepare the first shipment. Neville and Luna had packed the crate with care, filling it with seeds, potions, enchanted tools, and even a few books on advanced warding techniques.

Grintok stood beside the enchanted mirror, his clawed hands hovering over its glowing surface. "The modifications are complete. The transport spell should hold, but you'll need to monitor the receiving station on your end," he told Ekaterina.

"Understood," she replied. Her image flickered on the mirror, showing her sanctuary's receiving platform—a sturdy wooden table surrounded by runes etched into the stone floor.

Harry placed a hand on the crate, his expression calm but focused. "Let's send it through."

Grintok muttered an incantation, and the crate shimmered before disappearing in a flash of light. Seconds later, Ekaterina's mirror image shifted as the crate materialized on her platform.

"It worked," Ekaterina said, her tone a mix of relief and admiration. She opened the crate, inspecting its contents. "This is more than I expected. Thank you, Memory Keepers. This will save lives."

Strengthening the Alliance

After the successful delivery, Ekaterina stayed connected to the network, sharing insights about surviving in extreme cold. She described how her people had created geothermal heating systems using natural hot springs and reinforced their wards with ice-resistant magic.

"These techniques might be useful for other sanctuaries," Percy said, making notes as she spoke. "Especially those in colder regions."

Ekaterina nodded. "And if you ever need our help, we will provide it. Your network has already proven its worth."

A Growing Connection

As the connection ended, Harry looked around the room at his team. The Memory Keepers were growing stronger with every new sanctuary they connected to, but the freeze was advancing just as quickly.

"We've done good work today," Harry said, his voice steady. "But this is just the beginning. There are still more sanctuaries out there—more people who need our help."

Percy nodded. "And we'll find them. One step at a time."

As Harry stared at the glowing map, his resolve hardened. The frost was merciless, but the Memory Keepers were building something stronger.

Together, they would ensure that hope endured.