Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

The Arrival of New Faces

The morning sun filtered through the dome as the sanctuary began its day. The air was crisp and filled with the hum of activity—residents tending to the new crops, inspecting the orchard, and settling into the freshly built houses.

Harry stood near the gatehouse, sipping a cup of tea and watching as Michael and his team processed a steady stream of new arrivals. The dome had been expanding rapidly, and with it came an influx of people seeking refuge from the frost.

"Another group coming in," Michael called out, glancing at Harry. "You might want to be here for this one."

Harry raised an eyebrow, setting his tea down. He stepped closer as a family of three walked hesitantly through the shimmering barrier.

A Family in Need

The family was a mix of Muggle and magical blood, their clothes tattered but their eyes filled with hope. The father, a tall man with streaks of gray in his hair, carried a small trunk. Beside him, the mother held the hand of a young boy, who clutched a stuffed bear tightly.

"Welcome," Michael said gently, offering them a warm smile. "You're safe now."

The father looked around, his face a mix of relief and disbelief. "Thank you. We've heard rumors about this place... about the dome. We didn't think it was real."

"It's very real," Harry said, stepping forward. "And we're glad you made it here. What are your names?"

"I'm James," the father said, his voice steady but soft. "This is my wife, Clara, and our son, Finn."

Harry crouched slightly, meeting Finn's wide eyes. "Hi, Finn. Welcome to the sanctuary. You're safe now, I promise."

Finn clutched his bear tighter but nodded, his lips trembling into a small smile.

Assigning a Home

Draco arrived moments later, clipboard in hand, his usual brisk demeanor softening slightly as he saw the family.

"A new arrival?" he asked, glancing at Michael.

"Just came through," Michael confirmed.

Draco nodded, flipping through his notes. "We have a townhouse available near the orchard. It's fully furnished and ready for use. Follow me, and I'll show you the way."

James hesitated, his gaze shifting to Harry. "We're happy to help however we can. I can work, and Clara's a healer."

"We'll find roles for both of you," Harry assured him. "For now, focus on settling in and resting. You've been through enough."

A Growing Community

As the day went on, more arrivals filtered through the gate. A group of four witches, all former Hogwarts students, appeared just before lunch, their faces lighting up as they recognized Harry.

"Harry Potter!" one of them exclaimed, hurrying forward.

Harry smiled faintly. "Welcome back. It's good to see familiar faces."

"We heard about the dome," another witch said. "We've been trying to reach it for weeks. Thank you for building this."

"It's not just me," Harry replied. "The dome has a way of knowing what we need. We're all building this together."

The witches were quickly assigned housing near the market district, where they offered to help with potion-making and crafting magical tools.

Evening Reflections

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Harry walked through the newly expanded sections of the sanctuary, marveling at how much it had grown.

The vineyard glowed faintly under the moonlight, its vines stretching across the rolling hills. The orchard was alive with soft rustling as the breeze danced through the trees, and the vine fields showed signs of rapid growth.

Neville was already working in the cotton fields, organizing a team to process the fibers into usable materials. Luna was near the gatehouse, chatting with new arrivals and offering them small tokens of comfort—a flower, a trinket, a kind word.

Harry stopped near the edge of the dome, staring out at the frost-covered wasteland beyond. The frost pressed harder each day, but the sanctuary stood firm, its magic unyielding.

"We're doing something amazing," Neville said as he approached, his hands stained with soil.

Harry nodded. "But the frost isn't stopping. We can't stop either."

Luna joined them, her voice soft but steady. "The dome believes in us, Harry. And the people do too."

As the dome shimmered under the stars, Harry felt a flicker of hope. The sanctuary was growing, thriving, and drawing more people into its protective embrace.

Together, they would endure. And together, they would build a future worth fighting for.