Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

A Gathering of Leaders

Harry adjusted his cloak as he and Draco arrived at the Ministry of Magic's main apparition point. The vast atrium stretched before them, bustling with witches and wizards, some moving hurriedly to their destinations while others lingered in groups, chatting in low tones.

As they stepped forward, Hermione appeared from the crowd, her usual efficient demeanor softened by a welcoming smile.

"Harry, Draco," she greeted, giving a small nod. "Welcome. The Grand Hall is ready for your meeting, and the Ministry has ensured you won't be disturbed."

"Thank you, Hermione," Harry replied. "This meeting is important, and your help is appreciated."

Hermione's gaze flicked to Draco, her professional demeanor slipping slightly into wariness. "Malfoy."

Draco gave a polite, if not slightly smug, nod. "Granger. Always a pleasure."

Hermione sighed but waved for them to follow.

Arriving in the Grand Hall

Hermione led them through the winding halls of the Ministry until they reached the Grand Hall. The room was enormous, its high ceiling adorned with floating lanterns that cast a warm golden glow. A long table stretched down the center, surrounded by plush chairs, each marked with a nameplate for the sanctuary leaders and their seconds-in-command.

At the far end of the room was a series of display tables, each waiting for the treasures the sanctuaries had brought.

"This is perfect," Harry said, taking in the room.

"Good," Hermione replied. "Everyone should start arriving shortly. The Ministry staff will assist with any setup you need. I'll leave you to it."

As she turned to leave, Draco leaned toward Harry and muttered, "She's still as uptight as ever."

Harry gave him a look but said nothing.

The Leaders Assemble

Over the next hour, the sanctuary leaders and their seconds arrived, each bringing an air of authority and determination. Natalia from the Amazon Sanctuary was the first to arrive, her emerald green core crystal glowing faintly at her chest. Zhang Yi followed, his amber core crystal shimmering under the lantern light.

By the time all the leaders were seated, the room buzzed with quiet anticipation.

Harry stood at the head of the table, Draco beside him. "Thank you all for coming," he began, his voice steady. "This meeting is an opportunity for us to share not only our discoveries but also our challenges and successes. The sanctuaries are our future, and together, we can ensure their survival."

Opening Discussions

The meeting began with an update from each leader about their sanctuary's status.

Natalia spoke of the Amazon Sanctuary's progress, emphasizing their focus on sustainable agriculture and their efforts to train new recruits for dungeon exploration.

Zhang Yi detailed his sanctuary's expansion, noting their success in integrating Muggle technology with magical defenses.

Theo Carter shared stories from the Australian Sanctuary, where they had domesticated some of the creatures from their Beastmaster Dungeon to assist with farming and defense.

As each leader spoke, Harry listened intently, taking notes and occasionally exchanging glances with Draco. The sanctuaries were thriving, but the challenges of managing resources, training new arrivals, and protecting their communities were universal.