Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

The Dome's Surprising Growth

The dome shimmered faintly under the pale moonlight, its golden glow radiating a quiet hum that resonated throughout the sanctuary. The residents of the dome were fast asleep, unaware of the magic unfolding around them.

The wards pulsed softly, rippling outward as the dome expanded yet again. Four new acres appeared at the edges of the sanctuary, the freshly revealed land glistening with dew. But this expansion was different. The dome's magic, seemingly aware of the growing need for housing, scanned the existing structures within its borders.

It started with one of the new houses built in the previous expansion, examining every detail—its layout, dimensions, and magical enhancements. Then, as if mimicking a master builder, the dome copied the house precisely, replicating it across two of the new acres.

The process repeated with the townhouses. The dome scanned their design, from the shared walls to the rooftop gardens, and duplicated them perfectly over the remaining two acres.

By the time dawn broke, the new houses and townhouses stood ready, their stone walls gleaming in the morning light.

Harry's Discovery

The first rays of sunlight streamed through the windows of the astrology tower as Harry leaned on the stone railing, sipping a cup of tea. It was his moment of peace before the day's responsibilities began—a chance to take in the sanctuary he'd worked so hard to build.

But as his gaze swept over the dome's edge, he froze.

"What in Merlin's name...?" he whispered, his cup forgotten as he straightened, staring at the newly revealed land.

Where the night before there had been open space, there were now rows of houses and townhouses, perfectly aligned and identical to the ones already inside the dome.

Harry set his tea aside and bolted down the stairs, his mind racing.

Inspecting the New Land

By the time Harry reached the edge of the new expansion, a small group of early risers had already gathered, murmuring in awe at the sight before them. Percy was among them, clipboard in hand, his brow furrowed as he tried to make sense of it.

"Percy," Harry called, stepping up beside him. "What happened here?"

Percy gestured to the newly built structures. "It seems the dome... built these overnight."

"Built them?" Harry repeated, disbelief evident in his voice.

"Copied them, to be precise," Percy clarified. "Look at this house—it's an exact replica of the one in the original neighborhood. Same dimensions, same magical enhancements. The townhouses over there are identical too."

Fred and George appeared, both looking unusually serious as they inspected one of the houses.

"This is impressive," Fred said, running a hand over the smooth stone wall.

"Terrifying, but impressive," George added.

Draco arrived moments later, his sharp gaze scanning the structures. "The dome did this?" he asked, his tone skeptical.

"Looks like it," Percy replied.

Understanding the Magic

Grintok and a team of goblins soon joined the group, their sharp eyes gleaming with curiosity. The lead goblin crouched by one of the houses, tracing a faint line of runes etched into the foundation.

"This is advanced magic," Grintok said, standing and dusting off his hands. "The dome isn't just expanding—it's adapting. It's responding to your needs, Potter."

Harry frowned. "But why replicate the houses? We hadn't even started planning for this land yet."

Grintok shrugged. "The dome's magic is ancient, likely older than anything we've seen. It recognizes the sanctuary's need for housing and acts accordingly. I suspect this won't be the last time it intervenes."

A Growing Sanctuary

By mid-morning, word of the dome's new addition had spread throughout the sanctuary. Residents gathered near the new land, their expressions a mix of awe and excitement. Families who had been sharing cramped apartments began choosing houses, their relief palpable.

"It's like the dome is looking out for us," Luna said softly, standing beside Harry.

"Or preparing us for something," Harry replied, his gaze fixed on the shimmering edge of the barrier.

Neville approached, his hands covered in dirt from the greenhouses. "This changes everything," he said. "If the dome can build for us, we can focus more on food and resources instead of construction."

Percy nodded, his quill flying across his clipboard. "We'll still need to organize who gets what. There's enough space for now, but if the influx continues, we'll need a system."

Harry took a deep breath, the weight of the moment settling over him. "One step at a time," he said. "Let's get these houses filled first. We'll figure out the rest as we go."

Reflections

As the sun set over the sanctuary, Harry stood at the edge of the new land, watching as families moved into the freshly built houses. Lanterns flickered in the windows, and laughter echoed through the air.

The dome was more than a shield against the frost—it was alive, evolving to meet their needs in ways Harry was only beginning to understand.

For now, he chose to focus on the good. The sanctuary was growing stronger, and with it, so was their hope.

Whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together—inside the ever-expanding dome.