Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

The Leaders' Call

The soft glow of the dome filled the early evening sky as Harry sat in his office, reviewing notes on the sanctuary's latest expansions. A faint, rhythmic pulsing caught his attention. He looked over to see his enchanted mirror flashing with a soft golden light—a signal from the Memory Keepers network.

Harry set down his quill, picked up the mirror, and tapped its surface. The glowing runes flickered briefly before the screen lit up, showing the faces of the other sanctuary leaders.

It was like a magical version of a video call, with each leader appearing in their own small window. Zhang Yi from China, Ekaterina Morozova from Russia, and a handful of others—leaders from sanctuaries scattered across the globe—all appeared on the screen.

"Harry," Zhang Yi greeted, his sharp eyes scanning the screen. "It's good to see you."

"Good to see you too," Harry replied. "How's everything on your end?"

Updates from Hogwarts

"I'll start with an update from here," Harry began, glancing at his notes. "The dome is still expanding, though it's slowed down a bit. We've just built a new neighborhood with houses and townhouses, and the marketplace is thriving. We've also assigned leadership roles to help manage resources and responsibilities."

Zhang Yi nodded approvingly. "Smart move. As your sanctuary grows, decentralized leadership will make all the difference."

Ekaterina, her face framed by the dim light of a fire, added, "And the dome's expansion? Is it stable?"

"It is," Harry confirmed. "Grintok and the goblins have been monitoring the wards. Everything is holding steady."

Zhang Yi leaned forward slightly. "How's your food supply?"

"We've expanded the greenhouses and added rooftop gardens to the apartments," Harry explained. "Neville Longbottom is overseeing agriculture, and so far, we're keeping up with demand."

Updates from Other Sanctuaries

Zhang Yi gave a brisk nod, then began his own update.

"Our shelter is stable," he said, his voice calm but firm. "The underground geothermal systems are holding, and we've managed to expand into a second chamber for storage. Food supplies are tight, but sustainable. We've also started growing fungi and hardy crops that can thrive underground."

Harry frowned slightly. "Any new arrivals?"

Zhang Yi's expression darkened. "A few. But it's dangerous out there. The frost is spreading faster than anyone predicted. We've lost people trying to reach us."

Ekaterina spoke next, her voice low and serious. "In Russia, the frost has consumed almost everything. Our wards are holding, but only barely. We've started using layered enchantments to strengthen our protections, but it's a constant battle."

She paused, glancing at Harry. "We've also begun rationing food. It's not ideal, but it's necessary."

Another leader, a witch named Lila from South America, chimed in. "Our sanctuary is in the Amazon, hidden beneath the canopy. The trees provide natural protection against the frost, and we've enchanted the area to mimic the rainforest's warmth. We're thriving for now, but communication with the outside world is nearly impossible."

A Common Challenge

As the updates continued, a clear picture began to emerge: while the sanctuaries were holding, the frost was advancing faster than anticipated, and resources were becoming increasingly strained.

"We need to strengthen our network," Zhang Yi said. "Sharing information and resources is the only way we'll survive this."

Ekaterina nodded. "Agreed. We've been experimenting with new warding techniques. I'll share the details with the network—it might help reinforce your domes and shelters."

"And we'll share our advancements in agriculture," Harry added. "Neville's developed some magical methods for growing food that could work in other sanctuaries."

Lila offered a small smile. "I can send information about the protective spells we've used in the rainforest. They might help with maintaining warmth in harsher climates."

The Importance of Hope

As the call began to wind down, Harry looked at the faces on the screen and felt a renewed sense of determination.

"We're all fighting the same battle," he said. "And every time we connect like this, it reminds me that we're not alone. We're stronger together."

Ekaterina's sharp features softened slightly. "The frost may be relentless, but so are we. As long as we keep working together, there's hope."

Zhang Yi nodded. "And hope is a weapon in itself."

The leaders exchanged a few final updates before the call ended, the mirror's glow fading as the runes dimmed.

Reflections

Harry sat back in his chair, staring at the now-dark mirror. The challenges ahead were daunting, but the connections they had forged through the Memory Keepers network were a source of strength.

They weren't just building sanctuaries. They were building a global alliance—a united front against the frost.

As the dome shimmered faintly in the evening light, Harry felt a renewed sense of purpose. The frost might be relentless, but together, they were stronger. And they weren't giving up.