Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

The Auction at the Ministry

The Apparition Point within the sanctuary hummed faintly as Harry and his core team arrived, the enchanted trunk containing the Shadowsteel armor secured in Harry's hands. Neville, Luna, Draco, Fred, and George flanked him, each dressed in their finest robes, with Percy trailing behind, parchment and quill ready for notes.

"Everyone knows the plan?" Harry asked, looking at each of them.

"Show off our brilliance without spilling all our secrets," Fred said, grinning.

"Keep an eye on the competition," Draco added, his expression sharp.

"And don't get into any trouble," Neville finished, eyeing Fred and George.

With a nod, Harry activated the Ministry's transportation portal, and the team was whisked away in a swirl of magic.

Arriving at the Ministry

The team reappeared in a bustling, ornate atrium filled with magical energy. The Ministry of Magic was a hive of activity, with wizards and witches from various sanctuaries milling about, some inspecting items they'd brought for the auction, others engaged in animated conversations.

"Over here!"

Harry turned to see Hermione Granger, her face calm but her eyes scanning the group critically. She was flanked by two Ministry officials, her clipboard clutched tightly in one hand.

"Harry," she said briskly, her tone polite but distant. "I'll escort you to the auction room."

"Thank you, Hermione," Harry replied, keeping his expression neutral.

Hermione led the group down a wide corridor to an expansive chamber. The room was grand, with vaulted ceilings and floating chandeliers casting warm light over rows of elegant tables and pedestals, where items were being prepared for display.

"Your table is here," Hermione said, gesturing to a spot near the center. "The auction begins in two hours. Use the time to prepare your item and observe the others."

Draco smirked. "Always so efficient, Granger."

Hermione's eyes narrowed briefly but she said nothing, turning sharply and leaving them to their preparations.

Setting Up

Harry and his team unshrank the trunk and carefully assembled the Shadowsteel armor on the pedestal. Its shimmering black and silver surface gleamed under the magical lights, drawing curious glances from nearby participants.

"This is going to steal the show," George said, admiring their work.

Fred added, "And if it doesn't, we'll just enchant it to give a little... unexpected demonstration."

"Don't even think about it," Harry said, his tone warning but amused.

Luna wandered off to examine the other items on display. "There's so much variety here," she murmured. "Artifacts, potions, enchanted tools..."

The Auction Begins

The room filled quickly as representatives from sanctuaries and magical communities took their seats. Harry scanned the crowd, noting familiar faces and a few unknowns. Ministry officials stood at the front, and an auctioneer took the stage, his voice magically amplified.

"Welcome to the Ministry Auction!" the auctioneer boomed. "Today, we bring together the finest treasures from sanctuaries and magical enclaves around the world. Let's begin!"

Items were presented one by one:

A Phoenix Feather Wand Core that sparked awe among wandmakers.An Enchanted Map that updated itself with weather patterns and magical activity.A set of Dragonhide Boots that were resistant to all elements.

Each item sparked lively bidding, with gold changing hands faster than spells.

The Shadowsteel Armor

When it was time for Harry's group to present their item, the Shadowsteel armor drew audible gasps from the audience.

"Our sanctuary has worked tirelessly to develop protective gear that embodies strength and resilience," Harry said, stepping forward. "This suit of armor, enhanced with Shadowsteel Crystal, is designed to deflect magical and physical attacks, providing unmatched defense in the most dangerous environments."

The bidding was fierce, with representatives from multiple sanctuaries vying for the armor. The final bid—a staggering amount of gold—came from a sanctuary leader from Scandinavia.

"It was worth it," Neville whispered to Harry as they watched the transaction.

Harry's Acquisition

As the auction continued, one item caught Harry's attention: a Chronomancer's Amulet, a delicate piece of jewelry imbued with faint golden light.

"It's said to enhance one's ability to sense and influence the flow of time," the auctioneer explained. "A rare find, invaluable to strategists and leaders."

Harry's gaze lingered on the amulet. Its potential to help him anticipate threats or plan for the challenges ahead was too valuable to ignore.

The bidding began, and Harry joined immediately.

Draco raised an eyebrow. "You're seriously going for this?"

"It's not just a trinket," Harry replied. "We'll need every advantage we can get."

The competition was fierce, but Harry's determination won out. When the auctioneer's gavel struck, the amulet was his.

After the Auction

As the auction concluded, Harry and his team prepared to return to the sanctuary. The Shadowsteel armor had secured them recognition and respect, and the Chronomancer's Amulet was now safely tucked into Harry's pocket.

"Successful day, I'd say," Fred remarked as they exited the Ministry.

George grinned. "And we didn't even need to cause a scene. This might be a record."

Draco smirked. "Let's hope the Ministry doesn't expect us to show off at every event."

Harry said nothing, his hand brushing the amulet in his pocket. He couldn't shake the feeling that it would play a crucial role in the days to come.

The Ministry Auction had solidified Harry's sanctuary as a force to be reckoned with, but the mysteries of the frost and the tower loomed ever larger.

And with the Chronomancer's Amulet in hand, Harry couldn't help but wonder: how much time did they truly have?