Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

A New Wave of Arrivals

The soft hum of the dome filled the early morning air as Harry walked along the perimeter, his wand in hand. The latest expansion had just stabilized, and the newly uncovered land was already being mapped for use. The sanctuary was growing steadily, but so was the frost—and the influx of people seeking refuge showed no signs of slowing.

As he neared the gatehouse, Michael Corner stepped out, a roll of parchment clutched in his hand. His expression was calm but serious.

"Harry," Michael said, holding out the parchment. "We've had another surge of arrivals. Thirty people since midnight."

Harry raised his eyebrows, taking the list. "Thirty?"

Michael nodded. "The bubbles keep forming closer together. It's like the dome knows we're going to need more space, but we're running out of time to prepare."

Organizing the Influx

Harry entered the gatehouse, where Hannah and a team of volunteers were working tirelessly to process the latest arrivals. The living room was full, with newcomers sipping tea and filling out intake forms. The mood was tense but hopeful, the warmth of the dome a stark contrast to the frost they had fled.

"Thank you for coming, everyone," Harry said, addressing the room. "You're safe now. We'll get you settled as quickly as possible."

He moved to a table where Percy was organizing housing assignments with Draco.

"We've got just enough space left in the new neighborhood," Percy said without looking up. "But if we get another wave this size, we'll have to double up in some of the houses."

"Start coordinating shared housing," Harry said. "We'll prioritize families and groups, but we can't afford to leave anyone without shelter."

Draco frowned but nodded. "I'll work with Grintok to speed up construction on the next set of houses."

A Meeting of Minds

That afternoon, Harry called a meeting in the Great Hall to discuss the sanctuary's rapidly growing population. The core team and key volunteers gathered around the table, maps and notes spread before them.

"We've had over a hundred new arrivals in the past week," Harry began. "The dome is expanding, but it's slowing down. We need to think creatively about how to manage the space and resources we have."

Fred leaned back in his chair, twirling a quill. "What about temporary housing? Tents, enchanted to stay warm and dry. It's not ideal, but it'll buy us time."

"Good idea," Luna said softly. "We could set up a temporary village near the edge of the dome. Add fire pits and communal areas to make it more comfortable."

Neville tapped the map. "I'll expand the greenhouses again, but we'll need more hands to keep up with the work."

"We'll organize shifts," Percy said. "Everyone who's able can pitch in, even newcomers. It'll help them integrate and feel useful."

A Visit to the Marketplace

After the meeting, Harry walked through the marketplace, which was now buzzing with life. Shops lined the cobblestone paths, their signs swaying gently in the breeze. The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted from Clara's bakery, while Fred and George's shop was packed with curious customers.

As Harry passed, Fred leaned out of the shop door, grinning.

"Harry!" he called. "Come in and see our latest invention!"

"Not now, Fred," Harry replied with a faint smile. "I'm just checking in on things."

George appeared beside his brother, holding up a small, glowing orb. "Frost Ward Lights," he explained. "Keeps an entire room warm, no spells required. We're going to make a fortune—or, you know, keep people alive."

Harry chuckled. "Good work, both of you. Keep it up."

The Bigger Picture

As the day wore on, Harry returned to his office, where the enchanted mirror from the Memory Keepers network sat on his desk. He stared at it for a moment, thinking about the other sanctuaries around the world.

They were all facing the same challenges: limited space, dwindling resources, and the relentless advance of the frost.

A soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Luna stepped inside, her expression calm but curious.

"You're thinking about the others," she said, taking a seat across from him.

Harry nodded. "We're holding things together here, but for how long? And what about the sanctuaries that don't have a dome like ours?"

Luna tilted her head. "We can only do what we can. But maybe, one day, we'll find a way to connect more than just our minds. Maybe we'll find a way to unite all the sanctuaries."

Harry leaned back in his chair, her words stirring something in him. A connection stronger than the frost—a network of hope and resilience.

For now, though, his focus was clear.

"Let's keep this place running," Harry said. "One step at a time."

Luna nodded, her gaze dreamy but resolute. "One step at a time."

As the dome shimmered faintly in the twilight, Harry felt a renewed determination. The frost was merciless, but so were they. Together, they would endure.