Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

Responsibilities of a King

The morning after the celebration, Harry awoke with a strange mix of emotions. The crown rested on a stand beside his bed, its golden crystal catching the sunlight streaming through the window. He stared at it for a moment, still not quite believing the events of the previous day.

The sanctuary had chosen him as their ruler, their protector. It wasn't a role he had sought, but it was one he now had to embrace fully.

The First Council Meeting

Later that day, Harry gathered his closest advisors in the Great Hall, which had been temporarily transformed into a council chamber. Neville, Draco, Luna, Percy, and Snape were all seated around a large circular table.

"Let's start with the immediate priorities," Harry said, addressing the group. "The sanctuary is growing faster than we anticipated. We need to make sure our resources, housing, and security are keeping up."

Neville nodded. "The new farmland is producing well, but we'll need more storage facilities if we want to prepare for the long term."

Draco tapped his quill against his notebook. "And with the increase in population, we'll need to expand the subdivisions again. I've already started drawing up plans."

"What about the dungeons?" Snape interjected, his sharp gaze sweeping the room. "The sanctuaries may be safe for now, but those dungeons are not static. The longer we wait, the more dangerous they become."

Harry nodded. "Agreed. We'll need more trained teams ready to explore them—and better equipment for those teams. Luna, can the Nigrum Anima handle that?"

Luna tilted her head thoughtfully. "We're working on it, but we'll need more samples from the dungeons. The crystals, the metals, even the creatures—all of it has untapped potential."

Percy added, "We should also focus on communication. If anything changes in the dungeons or the sanctuary, we need to know immediately."

The Weight of Leadership

As the meeting continued, Harry found himself marveling at how far they had come. Each of his advisors had found their place in the sanctuary, contributing in ways that made the community stronger.

Yet, he couldn't ignore the weight of the crown on his head—both literal and metaphorical. Being chosen as the sanctuary's king meant the people expected him to lead not just with strength, but with wisdom and fairness.

When the meeting ended, Harry lingered in the hall, staring at the map of the sanctuary spread across the table.

"You're handling it well," a voice said from behind him.

Harry turned to see Snape standing near the doorway, his arms crossed.

"I wasn't sure if you'd approve," Harry admitted.

Snape's expression was unreadable. "Approval is irrelevant. What matters is whether you're prepared to bear the responsibility. And it seems you are—surprisingly."

Harry smiled faintly. "Coming from you, I'll take that as high praise."

Snape inclined his head slightly. "See that you don't squander it."

A Visit to the Town

That afternoon, Harry decided to walk through Hogsmeade, accompanied by Neville and Luna. The townsfolk greeted him warmly, some even bowing slightly as he passed.

"Do you think they'll always look at me like this?" Harry asked Neville quietly.

Neville smiled. "Maybe. But it's not a bad thing, Harry. They trust you."

As they continued down the main street, a group of children ran up to Harry, their faces lit with excitement.

"King Harry!" one of them called, holding out a bouquet of wildflowers. "We made this for you!"

Harry knelt to take the flowers, smiling warmly. "Thank you. They're beautiful."

The children giggled and ran off, leaving Harry with the bouquet in hand.

"King Harry," Luna mused, her voice light. "It has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

Harry sighed but couldn't help smiling. "I'm still getting used to it."

A New Beginning

As the day drew to a close, Harry stood at the edge of the sanctuary, gazing out at the shimmering barrier of the dome. Beyond it lay a world still frozen and uncertain, but within the sanctuary, there was warmth, safety, and hope.

The crown on his head was more than a symbol—it was a reminder of the responsibility he had taken on and the people who believed in him.

For now, Harry resolved to do what he had always done: fight for those who couldn't fight for themselves.

The sanctuary was his to protect, and he would give everything he had to ensure it thrived.