Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

A Shadow from the Past

he sanctuary was buzzing with activity as another group of refugees arrived, their faces weary but filled with hope as they passed through the shimmering Entry Bubble. Harry stood near the Gatehouse, personally welcoming the newcomers alongside Draco and Luna.

"More every day," Draco muttered, scanning the crowd. "If this keeps up, we'll need even more housing expansions."

"We'll manage," Harry replied, his eyes softening as he watched a child cling to her mother's hand. "We always do."

Suddenly, a runner came sprinting down the main road from the Arabian Oasis, his expression urgent.

"Harry Potter!" he called out, waving his arms. "There's a man—he just came through the Oasis gate. He's unconscious! Looks like he's been in the desert for weeks!"

Harry turned sharply. "Where is he now?"

"The hospital," the runner said, catching his breath. "A passerby saw him collapse and carried him there."

Harry exchanged a glance with Draco and Luna, his heart racing. "Let's go."

At the Hospital

The hospital wing was quiet, the air filled with the faint hum of healing magic. Harry entered quickly, his eyes scanning the room until he found the bed in question.

A pale, worn-out figure lay motionless beneath the crisp white sheets, his sallow skin even more sunken than Harry remembered.

"Severus Snape," Harry murmured, his voice heavy with disbelief.

Luna stepped forward, her expression curious but soft. "He looks like he's been through a lot. More than just the desert."

Neville appeared at Harry's side, carrying a tray of restorative potions. "Is that... him?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"It is," Harry said, his mind racing. Snape had been presumed dead for years, his fate sealed in the Shrieking Shack during the Battle of Hogwarts. And yet, here he was—broken, battered, but undeniably alive.

The Healers at Work

The head healer, Hanna Abbott, approached the group, her brow furrowed. "He's severely dehydrated and malnourished, but he'll recover. His magic is intact, though faint—it's probably what kept him alive for so long."

Harry nodded. "Thank you, Hanna. Let me know when he wakes up."

As she left, Draco crossed his arms, studying the unconscious man. "Snape. Of all the people to show up out of nowhere."

"Where has he been all this time?" Neville wondered aloud.

"We'll find out soon enough," Harry said, his voice steady. "For now, let's make sure he's stable."

The Refugees' Stories

As they waited for Snape to wake, Harry spent time speaking with the newly arrived refugees. Many had come from regions still struggling to recover from the freeze, their stories filled with tales of hardship and survival.

One man, his face weathered by the cold, spoke of a rising tension in the world outside. "The dungeons are spreading faster than anyone expected," he said. "And they're not just spawning creatures—they're changing the land itself."

Harry frowned. "Changing how?"

"Forests becoming wastelands. Rivers turning to ice. It's like the dungeons are consuming everything around them."

The words stayed with Harry, a heavy weight in his chest as he returned to the hospital to check on Snape.

A Flicker of Consciousness

When Harry entered the hospital room again, Snape's eyes were flickering open. He groaned softly, his hand moving weakly to shield his face from the light.

"You're safe," Harry said, stepping closer. "You're in my sanctuary."

Snape's dark eyes focused on Harry, his expression one of disbelief and faint irritation. "Potter," he rasped, his voice barely audible. "Of course."

Harry smirked faintly, relieved to see a hint of the old Snape even in his weakened state. "Welcome back."

Snape tried to sit up, only to fall back against the pillows. "The desert..." he murmured. "The path..."

"We'll talk when you're stronger," Harry said firmly. "Rest for now."

Unanswered Questions

As Harry left the hospital, his mind churned with questions. What had Snape been doing in the Arabian Oasis? How had he survived the freeze? And what did he know about the growing threat of the dungeons?

For now, the answers would have to wait. But one thing was certain: Severus Snape's return was no coincidence. And whatever secrets he carried could change everything.