Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

The Auction Invitation

Harry sat in his office, a stack of reports and letters on his desk. The evening sunlight filtered through the large windows, casting a golden glow over the room. Just as he reached for his quill to sign off on a report about the latest resource shipment, a new letter appeared in a puff of smoke, landing neatly on the center of his desk.

He frowned slightly, recognizing the official seal of the Ministry of Magic. "Another letter from the Ministry," he muttered, opening it carefully.

The Ministry's Letter

The letter was written in elegant, looping script, its tone formal but inviting.

Dear Mr. Harry Potter,
The Ministry of Magic is pleased to announce the upcoming Second Grand Auction, to be held in the Atrium on the 20th of this month. Following the success of the first auction, this event will again serve as an opportunity for sanctuaries, organizations, and individuals to exchange unique and valuable items for mutual benefit.

We cordially invite you, as one of the key sanctuary leaders, to participate in the auction. You are welcome to bring one item to contribute. The item may be magical or non-magical in nature, but it must be significant in value or rarity.

As a gesture of transparency and collaboration, the Ministry itself will also be auctioning a select few items. Among these is a collection of enchanted rocks harvested from deep beneath the Department of Mysteries. These rocks are said to contain rare and precious gems, including jade, opal, and moonstone. The Ministry hopes that these unique offerings will further strengthen the bonds between sanctuaries and communities.

We look forward to your presence and participation.
Yours sincerely,
Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister for Magic

Harry's Reaction

Harry leaned back in his chair, rereading the part about the enchanted rocks. "Rocks containing rare gems?" he murmured to himself. "That's... unexpected."

Draco entered the office just then, carrying a tray of tea. "You look deep in thought. What's that?"

Harry handed him the letter. "Another auction. The Ministry's hosting it. They've invited all the sanctuary leaders to bring something to auction off."

Draco skimmed the letter, raising an eyebrow at the mention of the enchanted rocks. "Well, that's intriguing. The Ministry auctioning off items from the Department of Mysteries? That's not something you see every day."

Harry nodded. "I wonder why they're doing it. Gems like jade and opal could be incredibly valuable, especially to sanctuaries that are still struggling to establish themselves."

"Probably a political move," Draco said, setting the letter down. "They want to show they're willing to contribute, not just host. It'll make them look more neutral—like they're invested in helping everyone equally."

"That makes sense," Harry said thoughtfully. He tapped his fingers on the desk. "The real question is, what should we auction off?"

Deciding What to Contribute

Draco smirked. "You've got no shortage of treasures lying around. The real challenge is deciding which one will make the biggest impact."

Harry stood, pacing the room as he considered his options. "The last time, we auctioned off enchanted armor. It was practical and valuable, but I want to offer something different this time—something unique."

"You've been raiding the Black Tower recently," Draco pointed out. "You must've brought back something worth showing off."

Harry paused, recalling the trunk filled with items he had taken from the tower. Rare potions, mysterious artifacts, and crystals unlike any he had seen before.

"Maybe," Harry said, his mind racing. "But it needs to be something that represents our sanctuary—not just its resources, but its purpose."

Draco poured himself a cup of tea, watching Harry with an amused expression. "Take your time, Potter. Whatever you choose, I'm sure it'll have the room buzzing."

A Decision to Make

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Harry sat back down at his desk, the Ministry's letter still in front of him. He made a mental note to inspect the items he had retrieved from the Black Tower and to consult with his core team before making a final decision.

The auction would be more than just an opportunity to trade—it would be a chance to show the world what his sanctuary stood for.

Whatever he chose, it would need to reflect the strength, unity, and vision that had brought them this far.