Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

Secrets Within the Stones

Back in his sanctuary, Harry stood in the Nigrum Anima lab, the crate of enchanted rocks from the auction resting on a long table in front of him. His team gathered around, each person curious about the Ministry's mysterious offering.

Draco leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "So, Potter, what's the plan? Crack them open like eggs and hope for something shiny?"

Luna hummed thoughtfully, running her fingers along one of the stones. "They're not just rocks. I can feel it—they're alive, in a way."

Neville raised an eyebrow. "Alive? You mean magical?"

Luna smiled serenely. "Yes, but more than that. There's something... waiting inside them."

Harry nodded, his own curiosity piqued. "Let's find out."

The Unveiling Begins

Harry gestured to one of the stones, and Luna stepped forward to place it on a smaller table lined with protective enchantments. Neville prepared an assortment of tools—both mundane and magical—for extracting the gems.

Using a chisel enchanted to detect magical energy, Neville struck the first stone gently. A soft glow emanated from the crack, and as the rock split open, a smooth piece of jade tumbled out, its surface shimmering faintly with magic.

"Jade," Neville said, his voice filled with awe. "And it's enchanted. This isn't just any gem—it's infused with natural magic."

Luna picked it up, holding it to the light. "It feels warm, almost like it's alive. It's definitely tied to nature magic. Perfect for protective amulets or even healing charms."

A Variety of Gems

They continued opening the stones, each one revealing a different treasure within:

Opals that glimmered with a swirling rainbow of light, ideal for enhancing spell focus or crafting wands.Moonstones that shone with a silvery glow, their magic tied to divination and dreams.Obsidian shards, smooth and dark, radiating protective and grounding energy.

Each gem seemed more potent and magical than the last, their properties suggesting they had absorbed magic from their mysterious origin in the Department of Mysteries.

"These aren't just rare gems," Draco said, inspecting a piece of jade. "They're relics. Whatever magic they've been exposed to has made them stronger. More... alive."

A Special Stone

As the team worked through the crate, one stone stood out. It was darker than the others, its surface faintly glowing with veins of gold.

Harry picked it up, feeling a faint pulse of energy as it rested in his hand. "This one's different."

"Careful," Luna said softly, her silver eyes fixed on the stone. "It's powerful."

Neville placed it on the enchanted table, and Harry cast a series of diagnostic spells over it. The results showed an immense concentration of raw magical energy, far greater than the other stones.

When the stone was finally split open, the room was filled with a burst of golden light. Inside was a golden citrine, its surface etched with faint runes that seemed to shift and change as they looked at it.

"What is that?" Neville asked, his voice hushed.

"A key," Luna said, her voice distant. "Or maybe a guide. It's meant for something important."

Harry stared at the gem, its light reflecting in his emerald eyes. He didn't know what it was meant for, but he felt its significance deep in his bones.

The Value of the Gems

By the end of the session, the team had extracted dozens of gems, each one sorted and categorized based on its properties.

Jade: Tied to nature and protection.Opals: Enhancing magical focus.Moonstones: Divination and dreamwork.Obsidian: Grounding and defense.Golden Citrine: Unknown significance, but immensely powerful.

"We'll need to study these further," Harry said, placing the citrine in a reinforced case. "But I think these gems will be invaluable for the sanctuary—and for the other sanctuaries too."

A Letter to the Leaders

That evening, Harry drafted a letter to the other sanctuary leaders, detailing the gems he had acquired and offering to share the resources.

"The gems are not just beautiful—they're powerful. Each one has unique magical properties, and I believe they could benefit all of us. I'll be sending samples to each of you so we can study them together and determine their full potential."

He sealed the letter with his crest and handed it to an owl for delivery.

As the owl disappeared into the night, Harry leaned back in his chair, his mind already racing with possibilities. The golden citrine sat on the desk beside him, its runes faintly glowing as though waiting for him to unlock its secrets.

The mysteries of the gems—and their connection to the Department of Mysteries—were just beginning to unfold.