Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

Harry's Solo Expedition

The morning was crisp as Harry stepped out of the dome and into the world beyond. The air felt different now—still cold with winter's touch, but no longer the bone-chilling freeze that had gripped the land during the frost. It was bearable, even refreshing, in its natural state.

He adjusted his scarf and started walking from the Entry House to the Black Tower, choosing to take the long route. He wanted to feel the world outside, to see it without the dome's protective influence. Snow still blanketed the ground, but there was a softness to it now, as though the land was finally able to breathe again.

Harry's breath formed clouds in the air as he trudged along the familiar path.

A Changed World

As he moved, Harry noticed the quiet. The shadow creatures that had once prowled the land seemed to have disappeared—or, at least, retreated. The only signs of life were the small, strange shadow bunnies that darted here and there.

"They're harmless," Harry thought, watching one hop across his path. "Almost... peaceful, compared to what we faced before."

The change in the air and the absence of danger made the journey feel surreal. Just weeks ago, this trek would have been deadly. Now, it was almost serene.

Entering the Black Tower

The Black Tower loomed as Harry approached, its dark, jagged silhouette cutting through the cloudy sky. Steeling himself, he entered, the familiar hum of ancient magic greeting him as he crossed the threshold.

Inside, the tower felt quieter than before. The oppressive energy that had once filled its halls seemed subdued, though still present in the background.

Harry decided not to venture too deeply into the tower. Instead, he retraced his steps to the Crystal Room, where they had previously found the Core and Ranking Crystals.

Raiding the Crystal Room

The Crystal Room glittered with an array of crystals, their colors and shapes casting faint reflections on the dark walls. Harry wasted no time.

He unshrunk a sturdy trunk from his bag and began collecting the crystals, carefully organizing them by type and size.

Core Crystals gleamed with shifting hues as he placed them gently into compartments.Ranking Crystals pulsed faintly as he packed them, their glow seeming to acknowledge him.Unique crystals—Frostveil Shards, Heartstones, Shadowsteel, and others—were meticulously stored.

By the time he finished, the room was nearly bare, its treasures safely packed away. He shrunk the trunk again and slipped it into his backpack, satisfied with the haul.

Exploring New Rooms

Curiosity drove Harry to open other doors in the tower.

Behind one, he found what appeared to be a storage room, filled with rare artifacts and magical trinkets. He selected a few promising items—a small enchanted compass, a shimmering cloak that seemed to radiate warmth, and a curious black orb that pulsed faintly when held.

Behind another door, Harry discovered what could only be described as a science lab and potion room.

The Potion Room

The shelves were lined with jars and vials, filled with both rare and once-common potion ingredients:

Unicorn hair and Phoenix feathers, shimmering with magical energy.Dragon scales and basilisk venom, potent and dangerous.Herbs and plants, some extinct in the world outside the frost.Bottles of completed potions, their labels faded but their contents still vibrant.

Harry's eyes widened as he realized the value of what lay before him. Carefully, he began collecting the ingredients, organizing them into compartments in his enchanted bag.

"This is a treasure trove," Harry thought, adding a few completed potions to his collection. "Neville and the healers are going to love this."

Heading Back

With his backpack considerably heavier, Harry decided it was time to return. He walked back through the tower, noting the stillness that persisted.

Outside, the air felt warmer than when he'd entered, the snow glinting softly in the weak winter sunlight. The journey back to the dome was peaceful, the shadow bunnies hopping alongside him for part of the way.

Back at the Dome

Once inside the sanctuary, Harry wasted no time sorting his findings.

The crystals were taken to Nigrum Anima, where Luna and Draco would catalog and study them.The artifacts were placed in the research wing for further examination.The potion ingredients were delivered to Neville and the medical team, who were stunned by the sheer rarity and volume of what Harry had brought back.

"Harry," Neville said, holding up a jar of shimmering powder. "Do you even know what this is?"

"Something good, I hope," Harry replied with a grin.

"It's incredible," Neville said. "These ingredients could supply us for years."

End of the Chapter

As Harry finally returned to his quarters, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction. The tower still held its secrets, but for now, he had brought back enough to strengthen the sanctuary for months to come.

And though the frost was gone, Harry knew the real challenges were still ahead.