Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

Preparing for the Auction

The early morning sun filtered through the windows of Harry's office, casting golden light across the stacks of parchment and books on his desk. A letter bearing the Ministry's official seal sat opened in front of him. The invitation was clear: the Ministry was hosting an auction, a grand event meant to bring together leaders and representatives from sanctuaries and communities across the magical world.

The letter's final line caught Harry's eye again: "We encourage each participant to bring an item of significance to contribute to the auction."

Harry leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers against the desk. The Ministry's auctions were known for being both extravagant and competitive, a mix of diplomacy and trade.

"We need to send something that stands out," he thought. "Something that shows the strength of our sanctuary without giving too much away."

Gathering the Core Team

Later that morning, Harry gathered his core team in the meeting room at Hogwarts. Luna, Neville, Draco, Fred, and George sat around the table, each curious about the meeting's purpose. Percy arrived last, his ever-present stack of parchment in hand.

"The Ministry is hosting an auction," Harry began, holding up the letter. "They've invited all the sanctuary leaders and communities to participate. It's meant to strengthen ties between us, and, of course, show off what each group has to offer."

"What do they want from us?" Draco asked, his tone skeptical.

Harry smirked. "They want us to bring something to auction off."

Fred leaned back in his chair, grinning. "Let me guess. You want us to come up with something flashy to outshine the competition."

George nodded. "Something that says, 'We're better prepared than all of you.'"

Luna tilted her head, her voice soft but thoughtful. "It should be something meaningful, not just impressive. Something that reflects the sanctuary's purpose."

Deciding on the Item

The team made their way to Nigrum Anima, the black building attached to the lookout tower. Inside, rows of enchanted equipment, magical artifacts, and rare materials gleamed under the soft glow of magical light.

"What about a set of crystals?" Neville suggested, gesturing to a shelf of carefully organized Core Crystals.

"Too revealing," Draco said, shaking his head. "We don't want them knowing how much we've gathered—or what we've figured out about them."

Fred examined a shelf of enchanted tools. "What about something practical? Like one of these Venomstone daggers?"

Harry frowned. "It's a good idea, but too small. We need something that makes a statement."

Luna wandered toward a display of armor sets, her fingers brushing over the smooth, dark surface of one piece. "What about this?" she asked, gesturing to a full suit of armor.

The team gathered around. The armor was sleek and elegant, coated in a shimmering layer of Shadowsteel Crystal, which pulsed faintly with silver light. Its enchantments were subtle but potent, designed to deflect both physical and magical attacks.

"It's perfect," Harry said, a small smile playing at his lips. "It's strong, unique, and shows exactly what we've been working on—without giving away too much."

Final Preparations

Over the next few hours, the team worked to prepare the armor for the auction.

Draco cast refinement charms to enhance the armor's appearance, making the Shadowsteel gleam brighter under the light.Fred and George added subtle enchantments to highlight the armor's defensive capabilities during the auction's demonstration phase.Luna carefully documented the armor's features, crafting a description that balanced intrigue and practicality.Percy worked on the logistics, ensuring the armor would be securely transported to the Ministry.

"It's going to steal the show," George said, stepping back to admire their work.

Fred grinned. "And if it doesn't, we'll just 'accidentally' enchant it to set off fireworks."

Harry rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Let's try to avoid causing an incident, shall we?"

Reflecting on the Event

As the preparations wrapped up, Harry returned to his office. The auction was a chance to showcase the sanctuary's strength, but it was also a reminder of how much work lay ahead.

The Ministry's invitation wasn't just about trade—it was about influence. The sanctuaries were forming alliances, and Harry knew they needed to stay ahead of the curve.

The armor, shimmering in its Shadowsteel brilliance, was a symbol of what they'd achieved so far. But as Harry stared at the letter on his desk, he couldn't shake the feeling that the auction would reveal more than just rare artifacts.

It would reveal who was truly prepared for the challenges to come.

End of the Chapter

With the Shadowsteel armor ready for auction, Harry and his team turned their attention to the upcoming event. The Ministry's gathering promised opportunity—but also the potential for conflict.

And Harry knew that every choice they made now would shape the sanctuary's future.