Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

A Place to Call Home

The air was calm inside the dome as Harry walked along its edge, inspecting the wards with Grintok. Over the past week, the shimmering barrier had expanded yet again, revealing another open acre of land to the west.

Harry crouched, running his fingers over the freshly thawed grass. The land seemed fertile, untouched by the frost outside. The magic of the dome continued to adapt, creating more space as the population grew.

"Another acre," Grintok said, standing beside him, his arms crossed. "The magic is working harder than I expected. It seems to anticipate the need before we do."

Harry straightened, his mind already racing. "This is different from the last expansion. We've been building apartments to maximize space, but this much land... it's enough for something more."

Grintok raised a sharp eyebrow. "What are you thinking, Potter?"

"Houses," Harry said simply. "Or townhouses. Something larger, where groups or families can stay together. Apartments are practical, but people need something that feels more like home."

Presenting the Idea

Later that afternoon, Harry called a meeting in the Great Hall. As the core team—Percy, Neville, Luna, Draco, and Grintok—gathered, Harry laid out the map of the newly opened acre.

"This is the latest expansion," Harry began, pointing to the new section of land. "It's fertile, flat, and large enough to build something different. I'm proposing we build houses or townhouses here, instead of more apartments."

Draco leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "Houses? That'll take more time and resources."

"It will," Harry admitted. "But it'll also give people a sense of permanence. Right now, everything feels temporary—apartments, rations, even the dome itself. Houses will remind people that we're building something lasting."

Percy adjusted his glasses, nodding thoughtfully. "It would be a morale boost. And we can prioritize larger groups or families who would benefit most from staying together."

Neville pointed to the map. "We could also use the space around the houses for small gardens or communal areas. It'd give people more than just a place to sleep—it'd give them a sense of purpose."

Grintok tapped his clawed finger on the table. "If we're going to do this, we need to plan carefully. Townhouses would allow for more people per structure, but individual houses might foster better cohesion among groups. Which do we prioritize?"

Harry glanced around the table. "Both. A mix of houses and townhouses, depending on the needs of the people we're housing. We can assign structures based on group size."

Luna smiled softly. "It's a good idea. A home isn't just walls—it's a feeling. This will help people feel safe."

Planning the Layout

Over the next several days, the team worked tirelessly to plan the new neighborhood.

Grintok's goblin crew marked out the area, dividing the acre into plots for a combination of houses and townhouses. Neville and Luna suggested leaving room for small gardens, while Fred and George, ever resourceful, proposed adding communal spaces like a shared firepit or gathering hall.

Draco took charge of designing the homes, ensuring they were practical and easy to build while still feeling welcoming. "We'll use a standard blueprint," he explained. "Basic structures, but customizable interiors so people can make the space their own."

As construction began, Harry visited the site daily, watching as the new neighborhood took shape.

Welcoming New Homes

The first house was completed within two weeks, its sturdy stone walls and warm wooden door standing proudly near the edge of the dome. A small group of five witches and wizards, who had arrived together a week earlier, were chosen to move in.

As Harry handed them the key, he saw tears glistening in their eyes.

"Thank you," one of them said, gripping the key tightly. "It's been so long since we've had a place to call home."

"You've earned it," Harry replied. "Take care of it—and each other."

Over the next month, more houses and townhouses were completed. Families and groups who had arrived together were given priority, their joy and relief evident as they stepped into their new homes.

A Neighborhood Takes Shape

By the end of the month, the acre had transformed into a thriving neighborhood. Children played in the small gardens, families gathered around the communal firepit, and neighbors shared meals in the gathering hall.

One evening, Harry walked through the neighborhood with Luna, marveling at the transformation.

"It's beautiful," Luna said, her voice soft. "It feels alive."

Harry nodded, watching as a group of children chased each other around one of the gardens. "It's more than just survival now. We're building a life."

Luna tilted her head thoughtfully. "You've given them hope, Harry. And hope is the strongest magic of all."

A Vision for the Future

As the dome shimmered faintly in the twilight, Harry stood at the edge of the new neighborhood, his heart swelling with a mix of pride and determination.

The frost outside was relentless, but inside the dome, life was thriving.

And for the first time in weeks, Harry allowed himself to believe that they could build something lasting. Something real.

A home.