Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

The Gatehouse

The morning was crisp and still inside the dome as Harry walked to the site where the mysterious bubble had appeared the day before. The grass was undisturbed, but Harry's thoughts churned. The couple who had arrived—Anya and Viktor—had confirmed what he already knew: the freeze was worsening, and people were desperate.

The dome had already proven to be a lifeline, but the random nature of the bubble's formation had left Harry unsettled. If more people arrived, they needed a system—a place where newcomers could be processed, helped, and guided.

Standing at the edge of the dome, Harry envisioned what needed to be done.

"A gatehouse," he murmured, the idea forming in his mind.

Planning the Gatehouse

By mid-morning, Harry had summoned Grintok, Percy, and Draco to the site. He unrolled a rough sketch he had drawn earlier that morning, laying it on a flat rock for everyone to see.

"This is what I'm thinking," Harry began, pointing to the design. "The gatehouse will be the first point of contact for anyone entering the dome through one of these bubbles. It'll provide shelter and a place for them to share vital information."

Grintok studied the drawing with his sharp eyes, nodding slowly. "It's a compact design. Practical and efficient. What's the purpose of this section?" He tapped a finger on a square labeled "living room."

"The living room is for rest," Harry explained. "New arrivals will likely be exhausted. It'll give them a moment to recover before answering questions or being directed further into the sanctuary."

Percy pointed to the small square marked "kitchenette." "You're including a kitchen?"

"Just a small one," Harry clarified. "Some people will have traveled for days. We'll need to offer them food and water."

Draco crossed his arms, studying the panoramic window in the sketch. "This will give the gatekeepers a clear view of the bubble's formation point," he said. "And you're having two seats here for note-taking?"

"Yes," Harry confirmed. "The gatekeepers will record the names of everyone who enters, where they came from, and what conditions are like outside. That information will help us prepare for what's coming."

Grintok nodded, already considering the logistics. "It can be built within three days. Goblin construction is unmatched."

"Make it welcoming but secure," Harry said. "The first thing people see when they enter the dome will be this gatehouse. It needs to feel safe."

Building the Gatehouse

Construction began immediately, with Grintok and a team of goblins working tirelessly to bring Harry's vision to life. Within three days, the gatehouse was complete—a sturdy stone structure blending seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.

Inside, the living room was furnished with comfortable chairs and a low table, a space designed to put weary travelers at ease. A small kitchenette held basic supplies: a kettle, mugs, and a selection of non-perishable foods.

The bathroom was simple but clean, with running water thanks to a clever enchantment from Neville.

At the heart of the gatehouse was the panoramic window, which overlooked the bubble's formation point. A wide wooden ledge ran beneath the window, accompanied by two chairs. Stacks of parchment, quills, and inkpots sat neatly on the ledge, ready for the gatekeepers to use.

Harry stood inside the finished gatehouse, running his fingers along the smooth surface of the writing ledge. "It's exactly what we needed," he said softly.

Luna, who had come to inspect the building, smiled. "It feels peaceful. Like a bridge between two worlds."

Recruiting the Gatekeepers

With the gatehouse complete, Harry turned his attention to finding the right people to serve as gatekeepers.

He approached Hannah Abbott first. Her calm demeanor and experience at the hospital made her a perfect fit. She agreed immediately. "I'll make sure everyone feels welcome," she said with a determined smile. "It's important that they know they're safe."

Michael Corner, a sharp-eyed and detail-oriented wizard, was the next to join. "I'm good at taking notes," he said with a shrug. "And I'd like to help more."

Finally, Harry recruited a goblin named Darnok, who had years of experience managing records at Gringotts. "My skills are best used here," Darnok said briskly. "I'll ensure the records are accurate."

Harry gathered the new team inside the gatehouse, outlining their responsibilities.

"Your job is simple," he explained. "When someone arrives, you'll ask for their name, where they came from, and what it's like outside. Record everything. Once they've rested, direct them to Hogsmeade. Draco will handle the rest."

Hannah raised her hand. "What if the bubble doesn't form for a while?"

"Then you wait," Harry said. "But be ready. When it does form, you'll need to act quickly."

The First Arrival

The next day, the bubble returned.

Hannah was on duty when it appeared, shimmering faintly at the edge of the dome. She immediately sent a Patronus to alert Harry, and by the time he arrived, a small family had stepped through—a man, a woman, and a young girl.

The gatehouse team sprang into action.

"Welcome," Hannah said warmly, guiding the family into the living room. "You're safe now. Please, take a seat."

The family sank into the chairs, their exhaustion evident. Hannah handed them cups of warm tea while Michael sat at the panoramic window, quill poised over a sheet of parchment.

"Let's start with your names," Michael said gently.

The man cleared his throat, his voice hoarse. "Marek," he said. "This is my wife, Irena, and our daughter, Lila."

Michael wrote their names carefully. "And where did you come from?"

"Slovakia," Marek replied. "Our town was... it's gone now. Everything's frozen."

Michael nodded, his quill scratching across the parchment. "What's it like out there?"

"It's worse than we imagined," Irena whispered. "The frost doesn't just freeze—it takes everything. There's no air, no warmth, nothing."

Michael finished writing and looked up at Harry, who nodded.

"Thank you," Harry said softly. "We'll use this information to help others."

After giving them a chance to rest, Harry escorted the family to Hogsmeade, where Draco assigned them an apartment and explained the rules of the sanctuary.

A New Beginning

That evening, Harry returned to the gatehouse, finding Hannah tidying the living room.

"It went well," she said, smiling faintly. "They seemed relieved to be here."

Harry glanced at the parchment on the writing ledge, where Michael had recorded every detail of the family's journey. "This system is going to make a difference," he said.

As he stepped outside, the dome shimmered faintly in the twilight, its magic holding steady.

The world beyond the dome might be frozen and desolate, but inside, hope was growing—one arrival at a time.