Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

The Jade Auction

The announcement from the Ministry arrived early in the morning, delivered by owl to every sanctuary leader. The parchment was crisp and official, the Ministry's seal embossed in gold at the top.

"To the Leaders of the Sanctuaries,

The Ministry invites you to a special auction to be held next week. This event will differ from our previous auctions: no items are to be brought or submitted by attendees. Instead, the Ministry has curated a collection of unassuming stones. Your task will be to determine which stones contain jade—using any magical or non-magical method at your disposal.

Rules: The stones cannot be touched directly during the evaluation process. Creativity and skill are encouraged.

We look forward to your participation.

Sincerely,
Kingsley Shacklebolt
Minister of Magic

The Announcement

Harry read the letter aloud to the others gathered in his office—Draco, Neville, Luna, and Percy. As he finished, he set the parchment down and leaned back in his chair.

"Well," he said, "this is... different."

Draco smirked, crossing his arms. "Leave it to the Ministry to turn an auction into a test of skill. They just can't resist making us jump through hoops."

Neville frowned. "Why jade, though? What's so special about it?"

"Jade has a long history in magical practices," Luna said dreamily. "It's used in protection wards, energy focus rituals, and even potion enhancements in some cultures. It's valuable and versatile."

"And they're asking us to identify it without touching the stones?" Percy asked, his brow furrowed. "That's not a simple task. Even with magic, there's a risk of missing something."

Harry nodded. "Which is probably the point. The Ministry wants to see how we approach the challenge—what methods we use and how effective they are. It's more than an auction; it's a showcase of skill."

Preparations

The following week, Harry and his team prepared to attend the auction. They spent hours in the Nigrum Anima brainstorming techniques for identifying jade without physical contact.

"We could use a spectral analysis charm," Draco suggested, pacing the room. "It detects the mineral composition of objects based on their magical resonance."

"Good idea," Neville said. "But what if the stones are enchanted to hide their properties? The Ministry might try to make it more difficult."

"Then we'll need backup methods," Harry said, leaning over the table where several diagrams and notes were spread out. "Percy, can you research any goblin detection methods? They're experts in identifying valuable materials."

Percy nodded. "I'll see what I can find."

The Auction Begins

On the day of the auction, the leaders of the sanctuaries gathered in one of the Ministry's grand halls. The room was spacious, its walls lined with floating candles that cast a warm, flickering light.

In the center of the room was a long table, upon which sat a cart filled with stones of various shapes and sizes. Some were smooth and round, others jagged and rough. At first glance, they looked completely ordinary.

Kingsley Shacklebolt stood at the head of the room, his calm and commanding presence drawing everyone's attention.

"Welcome, all of you," he said, his deep voice echoing in the hall. "Today's auction is unlike any other. Before you is a collection of stones. Hidden among them are pieces of jade. Your task is to identify them without touching the stones directly."

The leaders exchanged glances, murmuring quietly.

"You may use any method at your disposal," Kingsley continued. "Magic, tools, intuition—whatever you see fit. Once you've identified a stone you believe contains jade, you may bid for it. If you're correct, the jade is yours. If not, you'll lose your bid."

He smiled faintly. "Let the auction begin."

The Process

The sanctuary leaders stepped forward one by one, inspecting the cart from a distance.

Draco cast a Spectral Analysis Charm, his wand emitting a faint golden light as he moved it over the stones. The spell caused certain stones to shimmer faintly, but it wasn't a definitive result.

Luna, meanwhile, stood a few feet away, humming softly as she peered at the stones with a dreamy expression. "They feel different," she murmured to Harry. "Some of them have a... heavier energy. Like they're waiting to be discovered."

Harry nodded, using a Mineral Resonance Spell he had learned from Percy's research. The spell produced a low hum when he pointed it at one particular stone, which he marked mentally as a candidate.

Other leaders used their own methods: enchanted lenses, detection runes, and even magical dowsing rods. The room buzzed with concentration and quiet determination.

The Bidding War

When the bidding began, the competition was fierce.

Draco raised his hand for one of the shimmering stones he had identified, but Natalia, the leader of the Amazon sanctuary, outbid him with a smirk. "Nice try, Malfoy," she said.

Harry, meanwhile, bid on the stone his resonance spell had highlighted. He held his breath as the auctioneer called out, "Going once... going twice... sold to Harry Potter!"

He let out a small sigh of relief. Now all that remained was to see if his instincts—and his methods—had been correct.

The Reveal

After the bidding ended, Kingsley stepped forward again, his wand in hand.

"Now," he said, "let's see who identified the jade correctly."

One by one, he cast a revealing charm on the stones that had been won. Some glowed green, confirming their jade content, while others remained dull, much to the disappointment of their bidders.

When it was Harry's turn, the stone he had chosen glowed a vibrant green, its surface shifting to reveal the rich, smooth texture of jade beneath.

Harry couldn't help but grin as Kingsley handed him the stone.

"Well done," Kingsley said. "Your methods were sound."

Draco, who had also successfully identified a jade stone after losing his first bid, smirked. "Not bad, Potter. For once."

Reflections

As the auction ended and the sanctuary leaders began to depart, Harry felt a renewed sense of camaraderie among the group. The challenge had been unique, testing not just their magical skills but their creativity and resourcefulness.

And as he pocketed the jade stone, Harry couldn't help but wonder what new challenges the Ministry—or the dungeons—might present next.