Preserving the Heart of Astaria
A few weeks had passed since the last of the leaders had left to establish their own continents. Arcane Crossroads was flourishing, and the towns and villages of Staros were beginning to take shape. As Harry wandered the land, taking in the progress, his thoughts often drifted to the vast, untouched forests that stretched across the continent. Unlike the old world, where nature had been pushed to the fringes, here in Astaria, there was an opportunity to do things differently—to protect the natural world and live in harmony with it.
Harry had always been drawn to the wild, magical landscapes that filled this new world. There was something profoundly ancient about the forests of Staros—a deep, quiet magic that thrummed beneath the surface. It reminded him of the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts, but here, the magic was even more potent, more alive. He knew that this was something worth preserving, not just for their generation, but for the future of Astaria.
Sitting in his study one evening, Harry began sketching out plans for forest preserves. These wouldn't be small patches of land like in the old world, where nature had been squeezed into tiny, protected areas while cities and industry expanded around them. Here, they could do more—much more. He envisioned vast expanses of forest, untouched by development, where magical creatures could live freely and nature could thrive undisturbed.
The idea quickly took root. Harry spent the next few days traveling across Staros, visiting the forests he had come to love. Each one had its own unique magic, its own rhythm. Some were dark and mysterious, filled with shadowy trees and enchanted groves. Others were bright and alive, with streams of light filtering through the canopy, casting a golden glow on the forest floor.
One morning, as he walked through a particularly beautiful stretch of forest, Harry felt the quiet pull of the magic around him. The trees here were ancient, their bark etched with the marks of time. The air was cool, filled with the scent of damp earth and wildflowers. He stopped by a stream, kneeling down to let the water flow through his fingers, feeling the magic hum beneath his skin.
"This," he thought to himself, "is what we need to protect."
The next few weeks were filled with plans to officially designate these areas as magical forest preserves. Harry worked closely with the other UK witches and wizards who had stayed behind. Draco, while more interested in city-building, saw the value in preserving these forests. Even Fred and George, who usually thrived in bustling, lively environments, were supportive of the idea.
"If we want a place to go and escape from all the craziness," George had said with a grin, "then this is it."
Fred had nodded in agreement. "Plus, who knows what kind of magical creatures and plants we might find in there? Could be a treasure trove of new discoveries."
The first forest Harry chose to preserve was a dense, mist-filled expanse on the eastern edge of Staros, near the coastline. He named it The Veilwood, after the eerie, shimmering mist that often filled its depths, giving the forest an ethereal quality. The trees there were ancient, their bark covered in moss and lichen, and the magic of the place felt as old as time itself. It was a place where magical creatures roamed freely—unicorns, thestrals, and even a few bowtruckles had made their homes among the gnarled branches.
Harry made sure that the boundaries of The Veilwood were protected by powerful enchantments, keeping it untouched by the growing developments of Staros. Only those with the proper knowledge and respect for the forest's magic would be able to enter. It wasn't just about keeping the forest wild—it was about protecting the deep, ancient magic that lived within it.
Next came the Luminous Glade, a bright and vibrant forest nestled between two mountain ranges. Here, the trees were tall and slender, their leaves glowing faintly in the dark. Magical plants thrived in abundance, and the forest was home to a variety of creatures, both magical and mundane. The Luminous Glade had a peaceful, almost serene energy, and Harry could imagine it being a place of refuge for anyone seeking solace in nature.
Beyond that, Harry planned preserves in the Twilight Woods, a darker, more mysterious forest where the trees twisted and turned, their roots deep and tangled. It was a place where shadows seemed to have a life of their own, and the magic there was wild and untamed. Harry knew that this forest would be more challenging to manage, but he also knew that its beauty and mystery made it worth preserving.
As the preserves were officially established, Harry ensured that each one had its own unique protections. Enchanted boundaries would keep out anyone who didn't respect the magic of the land, and only those with permission would be able to enter. But more than that, Harry wanted the forests to remain as they were—wild, untamed, and free. They would be places of wonder and magic, untouched by the hands of civilization.
Draco, ever the planner, had suggested building small, hidden outposts on the edges of the preserves. "We'll need to monitor them," he had said. "Make sure the magic stays balanced and that nothing threatens the ecosystems we're protecting."
Harry had agreed. The outposts would be simple—just a few enchanted structures that could blend into the landscape, giving those tasked with protecting the preserves a place to stay. They would be staffed by wizards and witches who had a deep understanding of magical creatures and plants, ensuring that the preserves were cared for and that their magic remained intact.
One afternoon, as Harry stood at the edge of The Veilwood, watching the mist swirl through the trees, he felt a deep sense of accomplishment. This was what they had come to Astaria for—a chance to create a world where magic and nature could exist in harmony, where the mistakes of the old world didn't have to be repeated.
And while there was still much work to be done, Harry knew that the forests of Staros would stand as a testament to that vision. They would be places where the magic of the land could live on, untouched and wild, for generations to come.