A/N: Thank you for all of the wonderful support! I really appreciate it. I would also like some reviews on how you like the story so far. Am I making things interesting enough? Constructive criticism, please... not destructive. :)

How did you like the last chapter? I'm sorry if you didn't like it when Bianca died... I didn't like it either. But, I had to.

Rising Storms

A Harry Potter and Percy Jackson crossover

Chapter 40:

Harry

Harry was glad to hear that the Dragon Handlers had taken the dragons to their true eggs directly after the first task. Fred and George's brother, Charlie had eagerly asked Harry to translate their apologies to the dragons for the deception, but that they had to so that the Handlers wouldn't have trouble with their boss. Charlie had hugged Harry tightly in thanks. Harry was embarrassed as he pulled away.

"Sorry," Charlie said. "I didn't mean to embarrass you."

Harry shook his head. "Don't worry about it."

"I just got excited over the fact that you smoothed over a situation that could have been a huge mess." Charlie grinned.

"I'm just glad that the dragon eggs weren't crushed." Harry turned his head when he saw his sister. "Sorry, Charlie. I've got to go."

"Bye, Harry." Charlie waved.

Harry jogged over to where Peony was being confronted by Ron and Hermione. "Hey, Peony. Doing okay?"

Peony looked over at Harry, relieved. "I'm okay, now. They were just asking about you."

"What about me?" Harry asked. He looked at Ron and Hermione. Ron looked a little uncomfortable, but Hermione was glaring defiantly at Harry.

"They were asking if you were really a dark wizard because you were speaking with the dragon." Peony scoffed. She wrapped an arm around her brother's waist.

"That's stupid. I'm a light wizard," Harry said. "You can't be dark just because you have a certain gift. It's like calling all wixen who have an Animagus form dark. Illogical and untrue." Harry rolled his eyes.

"You are dark!" Hermione Granger said. "You got me in trouble with Professor McGonagall, you attacked me in the hall with your magic, and you threatened my family! I'm sure you even went to kill them yourself!"

They were gaining a crowd now, and people were wondering if it was true. Harry's face didn't show his panic at the thought of people turning on him for something he didn't do. "Miss Granger, I'll say it again. Hopefully, this time, your simple brain will understand." The crowd quieted at his calm tone. "You broke school rules and got into trouble with the Deputy Headmistress. Then you insulted me and my mother. I had accidental magic flowing around me. And, I didn't threaten your parents. I passed on the warning I was given. What you did with that information, was on you. I have nothing to do with it. To be honest, I don't even know where you lived." Harry scoffed. "If you want to be delusional, fine... but leave me out of it." He turned away from Granger and said to Peony, "Come on, little sis."

They only got a few feet away when Granger yelled, "You death eater! I refuse to believe you had nothing to do with my parents' murder! You know how I found them that day!"

Harry turned. "No, I don't. I don't know how you found your parents dead. I wasn't there. And, in answer to your accusation about my person:" He took off the uniform jacket that he had to wear as a champion, and showed his bare arms. "I am no death eater. Good day, miss Granger." He turned around and walked back to the school.

"Aren't you going to stay to find out your scores?" Peony asked.

"Nope. It doesn't actually matter." Harry smiled down at her. "Cedric and the others deserve all the points for actually being champions."

Peony rolled her eyes.

The newspaper that came out a few days later brought everything out into the open. Rita had questioned what really happened to Granger's parents, and somehow managed to produce pictures of the crime scene. She went into a tirade about Muggleborns and Death Eaters, picking apart the scene of the murders. Rita also rehashed Harry's name coming out of the Goblet, wondering how it could have happened and if Harry was an attention seeking brat. Harry rolled his eyes at that. He kept reading. Rita went on to mention all of the comments Granger made about Harry: the trouble with McGonagall, the accidental magic in the hall, and the warning about the Grangers' murder. The way she said it was like Rita was accusing Harry of becoming the next Dark Lord. Harry threw the newspaper down in disgust.

...

When the Yule ball was announced, Harry was worried. Who would he take? Harry looked at the Hufflepuff table at Susan Bones. Then he turned to look down the table where he sat, looking at Daphne Greengrass. Maybe he should take a couple of days to think of this... it was a big decision.

Girls from both Hogwarts and Beauxbatons were huddled in groups and giggled every time Harry passed them. He shook his head at the silliness. Every time Harry got close to Susan, not even really ready to ask her to the dance, her housemates pulled her away from him while muttering about the 'cheater' and 'Cedric's glory'. Harry scowled at the words. "Why do they still think I am stealing Cedric's glory? I didn't want this shit."

"They're just sheeple," said a silky voice behind him. Daphne stepped up beside Harry, saying, "They only believe what they want to believe, and follow the crowd. Were you going to ask her to be your date to the ball?"

Harry shook his head, giving her a small smile. "No, I was actually going to the Great Hall."

"Same," Daphne looked up into those green eyes.

Harry gave a small bow. "May I escort you to the Great Hall for Dinner, milady?"

Daphne blushed slightly at his actions. The crowd started whispering about their interactions, so she quickly said, "Of course, Heir Potter."

Professor Snape had his students that were going to the Ball practicing their dances in the common room so that no one from the other houses would tease them. Harry was especially glad for that. After dance practice one day, Harry got up his nerve to speak to Daphne. "Heiress Greengrass," he asked, getting giggles from the other fourth year Slytherin girls around her. "Would you do me the honor of going with me to the Yule Ball?"

Daphne looked at Harry's embarrassed face. "As in a date?" she asked, getting his embarrassment to grow as the other girls continued to giggle.

Harry's face was beet red. "Yes, as a date," he confirmed, trying not to look down at his feet.

Daphne thought about it for a minute, before nodding. "I'll agree to that, Heir Potter."

Harry gave a slight smile. "Will you tell me what color your dress might be so I can coordinate appropriately?"

Her eyes widened slightly. "Silver."

Harry nodded. He held out his hand, waiting until she put her hand in his, and then bowed over her hand with a kiss to the back of her hand. After the brief kiss, Harry straightened and smiled again. "I will wait for you here before the ball, unless you want to meet at the doors?"

"At the doors," Daphne said, blushing slightly. She watched him walk away after he let go of her hand.

Harry walked back over to his friends, trying not to fall to the floor due to his legs having lost their feeling. He flopped down into the chair he had been in before the dancing lessons, and hid his red face in his hands.

"Wow," Blaise said.

Theo snickered. "Great job, Harry. That took a lot of courage." He placed a hand on Harry's shoulder.

Draco got Harry's attention when he cleared his throat. "Well," he said, standing up. "No time like the present." He walked over to Daphne's group, and to the new addition to the group... his betrothed, Astoria. She was a second year, but as Draco's betrothed, she was obviously his first choice in date.

Harry watched Draco and wished he could be so confident while talking to Daphne. Over the next couple of weeks, girls would stare and giggle at Harry as he walked through the halls of Hogwarts. He ignored them, hoping that they would get the hint. "Hey, Cedric," he called with a wave to the older boy.

Cedric stopped, his friends standing around him confused and angry. "Hey, Harry. I wanted to thank you again for telling me about the dragons."

Harry heard the gasps from Cedric's friends and knew what Cedric was doing. He smiled warmly. "No worries. When I found out, I had to let the other champions know. It just wouldn't be right, otherwise."

"Agreed. And if I find out something about the tasks, I'll let you know." Cedric's eyes sparkled with mischief.

Harry laughed. "My thanks."

"Now, what's up?" Cedric asked.

"I just wanted to know if you wanted to join Victor, Fleur, and I in training sessions?" Harry tilted his head at some of the whispers around them. Some people were wondering if Harry and Cedric were together. Harry snorted out a little laugh, looking around them.

Cedric raised an eyebrow at Harry's snort, but said, "Sure, I'd love to join the training sessions. It's always a good idea."

"Cool," Harry said. He whispered to Cedric as he passed him, "They are wondering if you and I are together." Cedric burst out laughing. "Bye, Cedric." He walked past Cedric's friends and went to the Great Hall to sit with his sister for a meal. "Hey, Peony."

Peony looked up. "Hey, Harry. Who are you taking to the Yule Ball? Everyone has been asking me, but I don't know."

Harry grinned at her. "Not saying. It's a secret!" He poked her nose.

Peony swatted his hand away. "Come on, tell me. Please."

"Nope." Harry filled his plate.

"But I won't be able to see it!" Peony whined.

"Don't whine," Harry said. "It's unladylike." He looked up when a throat was cleared. It was Neville.

"May I speak to you for a moment, Harry?" Neville asked, glancing at Peony briefly.

"Sure," Harry said, following Neville out of the Great Hall. He turned and looked at the Hufflepuff.

"As you know, I've already asked Luna to go with me to the Yule Ball, but I also have feelings for your sister." Neville looked really nervous, but Harry was proud of his bravery. "I'm sure that your father has told you that triads are legal in the Wizarding World, so I'm wondering if you, standing in for your father - Lord Potter - would allow me the honor of inviting miss Potter to be my second date to the Yule Ball?" He swallowed hard and looked into Harry's eyes.

Harry thought about it for a moment... drawing out Neville's nervousness. His father would have to have a talk with Neville at some point. "Heir Longbottom," Harry stated formally. "You may ask my sister, but tell her everything. That includes about Luna. If she agrees to go with the two of you, then you have my permission. Any talk about betrothals or courtship must go through Lord Potter."

Neville sighed in relief. "Understood, Heir Potter. Thank you."

The formal air disappeared and Harry wrapped an arm around Neville's shoulders. "Now, if you hurt her feelings, Peony's bat-boogie hex will be the least of your problems."

Neville nodded. "Agreed." They made their way back inside the Great Hall and over to where Peony sat. "Miss Potter," Neville asked, drawing her attention. "Would you do me the honor of being my second date to the Yule Ball?"

People gasped at the question as Harry sat back down beside his sister. Neville Longbottom was taking two dates?! Harry ignored all the background chatter as he watched his sister's face.

She swallowed. "And who would be the other?"

"Luna Lovegood," came the somewhat shaky response.

"And you would be treating us as equals? I wouldn't be second best?" Peony was having fun with this, Harry saw. He went back to filling his plate, knowing what she was going to answer Neville's question with.

"I would never treat one of you better than the other," Neville said. "If we enter this relationship..."

"Yes," Peony asked.

"Well, first we'd see how this date went, but if we enter this relationship, I'd treat you both equally. That I swear." Neville held his hands behind his back to hide the shaking.

Peony looked at Harry who just looked back at her in reassurance, and then to Luna who was smiling gently and nodding. Peony's warm brown-hazel eyes looked back to Neville. "I'll be your second Yule Ball date, Heir Longbottom," she said, smiling at his look of relief.

The Lovegood/Longbottom/Potter trio was the talk of the school all the way up until the ball. Everywhere they went, people was speculate on their relationship. Harry was just happy that his sister was happy.

The day of the ball arrived, and no one outside of Slytherin knew who Harry was taking to the ball. Harry stood with the other champions outside of the doors to the Great Hall. Beside Fleur was a Ravenclaw named Roger Davies. His fellow Ravenclaw, Cho Chang was standing holding onto Cedric's arm. Victor and Harry stood side by side waiting for their dates as the other students filed into the Great Hall. The last of the students were inside, when Tracy Davis and Daphne Greengrass came up the steps from the dungeons.

Harry's jaw dropped at how gorgeous Daphne looked in her slinky silver floor-length dress. Her blond hair had been piled onto her head with curls hanging down. At his staring, her cheeks pinked a little.

Victor gently elbowed Harry. "Stop staring and greet her," he said.

Harry nodded. He swallowed. He cleared his throat. When he heard muffled snickers beside him on both sides, he stepped forward and bowed to Daphne. "You look exquisite, Heiress Greengrass." He straightened from his bow, looking into those ice-blue eyes.

"Thank you, Heir Potter," she said, pink cheeked and smiling. "You look very handsome as well."

"You're making us look bad, Potter," Cedric said with a laugh.

Harry blushed. He offered Daphne his left arm, and she took it as Professor McGonagall came back for them.

"We're ready for you now," she said. She looked surprised at Harry's choice of date, but she smiled at how happy the couple was. "Line up and you may enter."

Cedric and Cho went first, and got the normal reactions of the three schools. Then Fleur was the envy of all the girls, and Roger was envied for his date. Harry smirked inwardly at the reactions. Victor led Tracy into the Great Hall like the gentleman he is. And then it was their turn. Harry smiled at Professor McGonagall as he passed her, leading Daphne into the hall. At first, there was shocked silence at his choice of date, then pandemonium as Harry smiled at Daphne. He was happy that she had agreed to go with him.

The champions and their dates danced the first dance together in a lively waltz that swirled the dresses of the ladies in a flashy but elegant display. Harry was dazzled by Daphne and the way that she looked and moved. She was beautiful and breathtaking.

"You're making me blush with all the staring," she said, looking away.

"I'm not sorry," Harry said. "You are stunning." The waltz ended, and they walked over to the table where the champions were to sit. The rest of the ball was much the same. Harry would flirt with Daphne, dance with her, and check on Peony often. Peony seemed to be having fun, switching off with Luna for dances with Neville. On one pass of the ball, Harry noticed that Susan was watching him. As soon as Susan noticed that Harry was watching her now, she blushed and looked away. Hmm... that was interesting. Her friends hadn't noticed her looking at him. He looked back at Daphne.

Her eyes were now on him too. "She likes you too."

"What? No she doesn't. She's probably trying to figure out how I'm going to die in the tournament so that Cedric can win." Harry's eyes were firmly on Daphne's and didn't see Susan's shocked face.

"So," Daphne said. "You wouldn't want to make out with her?"

"I didn't say that." Harry backtracked quickly, thinking Daphne was angry. "Wait! I mean, I'm here with you! I- Why are you laughing?"

Daphne wasn't the only one laughing, but she wiped her eyes and said, "Harry, you can have more than one wife. It's legal here, which is why Neville asked for your permission to bring Peony here."

"I know that," Harry said. "But I thought you were mad about me saying that I wouldn't mind making out with her."

"Not even," she said. She kissed him on the lips, briefly. "Who says you have to choose between us?" In Harry's shock, he hardly noticed her glance at Susan and wink.

...

Harry buckled down with his schoolwork, training, dating Daphne, and hanging out with his family and friends. He was going to get as many owls as possible so that he could make a life for himself and his future family, whoever that turned out to be.

The Slytherin common room became a hub for his strategic contemplations and moments of relaxation. Seated at a secluded table, Harry focused on his Transfiguration homework. Daphne, sitting beside him, ran a hand through his hair. "Harry, you've been immersed in those books for ages. Perhaps a break?" She suggested, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

Harry chuckled, closing his book. "You're right. Let's take a break."

As the couple wandered through the corridors, the Quidditch pitch beckoned. The golden hues of the sunset provided a backdrop for their leisurely stroll, and the enchantment of Hogwarts' magical atmosphere added a touch of wonder to their moments together.

Harry's days were a blend of rigorous training, honing his magical prowess, and anticipating the second Triwizard Tournament task. Whether it was refining spells by the Black Lake or practicing wand work in the common room, Harry embraced each challenge.

On occasion, Peony mingled with her brother and their Slytherin friends. Laughter and discussions about magical intricacies created an atmosphere of camaraderie that Harry cherished. The bond formed within the ambitious house became a source of strength for him.

The night before the task, Harry sat with Daphne, Peony, Draco, Blaise, Theo, and Tracy in the Slytherin common room. The presence of Daphne by his side calmed Harry immensely. "You're ready for whatever comes your way, Harry. We're behind you."

Professor Snape came into the common room and asked for Daphne and Tracy to follow him. Then he saw Peony. "Miss Potter, you better come too. You need to get back to the common room. I won't take points this time."

"Yes, sir," Peony said. She left after giving her brother a hug.

Harry was the last one up, waiting for Daphne to get back, but ended up falling asleep on the couch. The following day, at the edge of the Black Lake, Harry kept looking out over the crowds in the stands. He couldn't see Daphne, but that didn't mean that she wasn't there. His dad was there, Peony beside him, Remus and Sirius with baby Regulus were there, and most of Harry's Slytherin friends. He even saw Susan, who waved to him. He smiled nervously back.

"Ready," asked Dumbledore. When he had everyone's attention, he continued, "You have one hour to retrieve what the merpeople took. At the sound of the cannon," BOOM! Dumbledore glared at Filch, and didn't see Harry transfigure his legs into a tail and gills on his neck as he jumped into the lake.

Harry dove straight down, but stopped Fleur from swimming over some seaweed. "Grindylows," he said.

She nodded, "Thank you," she said through her bubblehead charm.

Harry motioned for Cedric, who also used the bubblehead charm, and Victor, who had tried to transfigure himself into a shark, to come over and told the other three, "The mer-village is in that direction." He pointed. "I visit them sometimes." He led the way, trusting that the others would follow him.

The village came into view, and the four champions swam closer. They went directly to their hostage and freed them. Harry hung back from the others as they swam back to the surface. He looked at the merchieftaness and asked, "Did Dumbledore or the judges ask you to let us get our hostage? Or did they ask you to attack?"

She looked warily at Harry, before answering, "Dumbledore asked us to use the Grindylows to attack a champion as they swam up." She winced. "He said that you champions shouldn't get complacent after getting your hostages."

Harry nodded in thanks for the candor. Then he grabbed Daphne and swam quickly after the others. He was zooming so quickly that his ears popped. Then he saw them. "Get out of the lake! Grindylows!"

The other champions picked up their speed, and they all broke the surface of the lake at the same time. The hostages woke up and looked around. Harry smiled at Daphne, and reversed his transfiguration, before a fiery tentacle grabbed him and drug him under the water.