Harry Potter and the Deep Freeze

The Portraits Awaken

The Headmaster's office at Hogwarts had become Harry's sanctuary within the sanctuary. The room, now his personal command center, brimmed with scrolls, maps, and enchanted mirrors. Late into the evening, Harry worked at his desk, going over notes from the latest DEI expeditions and reports from the sanctuary's growth.

The crackle of the fireplace was the only sound in the room, until a faint rustling broke the silence. Harry paused, quill mid-air, and turned his head toward the walls.

The portraits that lined the room, dormant since the Freeze began, were beginning to stir. Faint murmurs rose, followed by the sound of shifting fabric and clearing throats.

Harry stood slowly, his gaze locked on the largest portrait above the desk. Dumbledore's painted figure leaned forward, his blue eyes twinkling with curiosity.

"Well," Dumbledore said softly, "it seems I've missed quite a bit."

The Portraits Speak

One by one, the other portraits began to stir. Headmasters and headmistresses of the past stretched, yawned, and murmured amongst themselves as though waking from a long slumber.

"What happened?" asked Phineas Nigellus Black, his tone sharp as ever. "Why have we been silent for so long?"

"More importantly," chimed in Dilys Derwent, her kind eyes fixed on Harry, "how have you managed to keep Hogwarts standing through such chaos?"

Harry held up his hands to quiet them. "I'll explain everything, but one question at a time. Let's not all talk at once."

The room settled, and all eyes turned to Dumbledore's portrait.

Dumbledore's Questions

Dumbledore smiled faintly, his expression both gentle and serious. "Very well, Harry. Let us begin with the obvious. What happened to the world? The last I recall, Hogwarts was as it always had been, and now... this?"

Harry took a deep breath. "The Freeze happened. About a year ago, the weather started getting colder—unnaturally cold. I knew something was wrong, so I began preparing. The goblins found a spell, Gelida Ultra, that could create a protective Dome. I used it to shield Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, the Black Lake, and the surrounding area."

"And the rest of the world?" Dumbledore asked, his voice quiet.

Harry's expression darkened. "Frozen. Everything outside the Dome is either buried in ice or struggling to survive."

The portraits exchanged grim looks.

Phineas Speaks

"So," Phineas said, his tone skeptical, "you've become not just a leader, but a king, have you? Ruling over your sanctuary with a crown and a throne?"

Harry raised an eyebrow. "I didn't ask for any of this. The people here look to me because I've kept them safe. That's all."

Phineas sniffed. "A convenient excuse for leadership, Potter. Let us hope you wield it wisely."

Dumbledore raised a hand, silencing Phineas with a single look. "What you've done, Harry, is extraordinary. To protect so many—Hogwarts itself would be proud."

Dilys and the People

Dilys leaned forward, her painted frame glowing faintly in the firelight. "And the people? Who are they? Wizards, witches, Muggles?"

"Everyone," Harry said. "Wizards, Squibs, Muggles—it doesn't matter. The Dome protects anyone who finds their way here. We've even built homes and facilities to accommodate them all."

She smiled warmly. "You've built more than a sanctuary, Harry. You've built a community."

The Mysteries of the Dome

Dumbledore's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of concern crossing his face. "And the Dome itself? Have you considered its nature? A spell of this magnitude is rarely without cost."

Harry hesitated, his thoughts drifting to the Dome's mysterious behavior—its expansions, its creations, its uncanny ability to meet their needs.

"I've thought about it," Harry admitted. "The Dome has done things we didn't expect. It expands, it builds, it adapts. But so far, it hasn't harmed anyone. It seems... protective."

"Protective," Dumbledore echoed, his tone contemplative. "Or perhaps, it is invested in your success. Magic often has a will of its own, Harry. Be cautious."

The Frozen World

Another portrait spoke, this time an older wizard with a deep, resonant voice. "Have you ventured beyond the Dome? What lies in the frozen world?"

Harry nodded. "We've sent teams out. It's... desolate. But there are dungeons scattered across the world—places filled with resources, dangers, and mysteries. They've become key to our survival."

"Dungeons?" Dumbledore asked, his curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"

Harry explained the dungeons—how they appeared seemingly at random, each one unique in its resources and challenges. He described the expeditions, the discoveries, and the growing cooperation between sanctuaries worldwide.

The Weight of Leadership

As the conversation continued, Harry found himself answering more questions than he could count.

"How have you managed supplies?"
"What of the Ministry?"
"Are there children here? How are they educated?"

Through it all, Harry answered patiently, detailing the sanctuary's progress and the challenges they faced.

Finally, Dumbledore spoke again, his voice soft but firm. "Harry, you've taken on a responsibility far greater than most could bear. But you are not alone. Remember to lean on those around you—they are your greatest strength."

Harry nodded, feeling the weight of Dumbledore's words. "I know. And I will."

A New Chapter

As the portraits settled into quiet murmurs, Harry leaned back in his chair, his thoughts swirling. The return of the portraits felt like the beginning of a new chapter for Hogwarts—and for the sanctuary as a whole.

Dumbledore's gaze lingered on Harry, his expression one of quiet pride. "You've done well, Harry. Better than I could have imagined. But there is still much to do. Stay vigilant."

"I will," Harry said softly.

As the room fell silent once more, Harry returned to his desk, his resolve stronger than ever. The sanctuary had come far, but the journey was far from over.