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. :)

Rising Storms

A Harry Potter and Percy Jackson crossover

Chapter 42:

Harry

Everyone was shocked when Harry was dragged back into the water...

James stood up with shock and ran down the stands to speak to the judges. "What just happened?"

"We don't know," said Ludo Bagman. He wiped his brow with his handkerchief.

"Well, someone get him out!" James was perplexed, looking at each of the judges and headmasters.

"James, my boy," Dumbledore said. "The task is still ongoing."

"No, it ended when all of the champions and their hostages broke the surface of the water."

"We can't do anything to help them or else they forfeit," said Crouch.

...

Sirius and Remus looked at each other as James left their side to run down the stands. "What is going on?" Sirius asked.

Remus shook his head. "I don't know," he said. He was holding their one-year old son. "Let's go find out."

They walked down the stands carefully and arrived next to James just as... "James, my boy," Dumbledore said. "The task is still ongoing."

"No, it ended when all of the champions and their hostages broke the surface of the water."

"We can't do anything to help them or else they forfeit," said Crouch.

"Like hell you can't do anything!" Sirius said, angrily starting forward.

Remus placed Regulus in Sirius's arms to distract him from his anger. Then he turned to Crouch and Bagman. "Tell me... the task ends when the champions get their hostages to breach the surface of the lake, correct?"

"Well, yes?" Bagman replied, looking at Dumbledore and Crouch. They looked confused with the questioning.

"Then, when the four champions and their hostages breached the surface of the lake, the task ended?" Remus asked slowly. Sirius and James grinned at what Remus was doing.

...

Draco and his friends let out shocked yells as Harry was pulled back under the water. They weren't the only ones, but they stood up to see what was going to happen next. The remaining champions, their hostages, and Daphne swam to shore, where they were immediately treated by Madam Pomphrey. The observers watched the water, hoping that Harry would come up soon.

"Let me go see what is going on," Severus said, passing by them. He could then be heard stating to Susan Bones, "Please stay here. I'm going to see if he is okay." Severus reached the other adults just as Remus started questioning the ministry workers.

"Tell me... the task ends when the champions get their hostages to breach the surface of the lake, correct?"

"Well, yes?" Bagman replied, looking at Dumbledore and Crouch. They looked confused with the questioning.

"Then, when the four champions and their hostages breached the surface of the lake, the task ended?" Remus asked slowly. Sirius and James grinned at what Remus was doing. Severus smirked at the situation.

"Yes," Crouch huffed. "Get to the point."

"The point is," Remus said, trying not to laugh. "That you contradicted yourselves. First, you said that you 'can't' help Harry because the task is still going on. Then you agreed that all four champions only had to breach the surface of the lake with their hostages to end the task... Which you just admitted they did. Harry and his hostage breached the surface of the lake, ending the task, and removed his transfigurations before being dragged under the water." He sounded smug.

"Well, headmaster," Severus said, drawing everyone's attention to himself. "Are you going to help your student now that the task is over?"

Before Dumbledore could confirm or deny, Daphne's scream drew everyone's attention back to the lake. Harry was laying face down in the water, before slowly sinking. James threw off his cloak and dove into the water. He was so worried about his son that he didn't even think about using a summoning spell on him. James quickly swam through the lake, grabbing his son before Harry could be submerged again. He held him close, keeping Harry's head above the water, and swam back to shore. "He's not breathing," James said to Severus, who met him at the shoreline and helped him carry Harry to flat land.

Severus nodded and got to work. "I don't want to send him into shock, so I'm doing this the muggle way." He was explaining to James as he started CPR.

James watched Severus pressing hard on Harry's chest. Fifteen presses, and the other champions and their hostages came to stand a little ways away. Two breaths into Harry's mouth. Sirius and Remus came to stand nearby. Fifteen presses. James felt his heart clench in fear. Two breaths. Daphne's soft cries sounded behind him. Fifteen presses. Flashes from a camera. Two breaths. Harry's body convulsed, and Severus straightened as Harry turned towards him and coughed up the lake water. James let out a shuddering sigh of relief.

"There you go," Severus said, patting Harry's back gently. "Cough it all up, Mr. Potter."

When Harry could finally breathe, he sat up and looked around. "I'm alive," he said, surprised. James pulled him into a hug, and Harry patted his back. "I'm okay, dad." He turned to Severus. "Thank you, Professor. I owe you."

"No you don't." Severus smirked at Harry.

They were given their scores, which Harry didn't pay any attention to, and were able to head back to the castle. Harry held on to Daphne who was holding onto him like he would suddenly disappear. Beside them, Peony was holding onto their dad, trying not to cry. On Harry's other side, Sirius and Remus were touching their son as they walked. "Guys, I'm fine now," Harry said as they made their way into Remus and Sirius's private rooms.

"Now," Sirius said, shakily. His face showed his anger and fear... "If it wasn't for James jumping in to grab you, you would not be here." He scowled even more, sitting on Remus's lap. "Dumbledore wasn't going to do anything to help you."

"It's okay, though. Dad did pull me from the lake, and Professor Snape saved my life." Harry looked into his godfather's eyes.

Sirius nodded. "Yes, he did."

"Remind me to send him a basket of ingredients," James said, holding Peony in his lap. The girl was almost catatonic as she stared at her big brother.

"We'll add to it," said Remus, running a hand through Sirius's hair. He glanced down at Regulus.

Daphne reached out to hold Harry's hand. Her face was still pale, but she was always pale. Harry gently held her close. "I'm sorry for worrying all of you." They continued to talk for a while before they had to split up and go their own ways. It would be a long time until they were able to fully relax for a while.

...

Mad-eye Moody approached Harry on his way to the Library. "Potter, I've been keeping an eye on you since the second task. You've got potential, but you need someone experienced to guide you."

Harry was wary of Moody's intense gaze and crossed his arms defensively. "I appreciate the offer, Professor, but the champions aren't supposed to cheat. I'll face the third task on my own."

Moody nodded slowly. "If you ever change your mind," he said before leaving.

A little while later, Harry was sitting at a table with piles of books about magical creatures surrounding him.

"Harry, mind if I join you?" It was Susan Bones, he noticed when he looked up. He gestured for her to sit at the table. "The third task is coming up. Have you thought about what challenges you might face?"

Harry shrugged. Looking back at his books, he asked, "Aren't you worried that your friends might have to drag you away from the attention seeker?"

Susan sighed sadly. "No, Harry. And, I'm sorry for how my house treats you. You don't deserve it."

Harry glanced at her briefly. "Thanks," he said as he went back to his books.

Later, Harry and Daphne were enjoying a quiet dinner by the lake, the soft glow of bluebell flames illuminating their faces. Daphne turned to look at Harry. "Harry, I've noticed you've been distant lately. Is everything okay?"

Harry hesitated, but nodded. "Just a lot on my mind with the tournament and all." Daphne, her hand reaching for his, offering a reassuring smile. Harry told her, "Moody offered to help me with the third task, but I told him that we aren't supposed to cheat and that I would face the task by myself. He left, but I don't know if he's really going to sit back."

...

Harry, Cedric, Fleur, and Victor were standing before the maze in nervousness. The band was playing behind them and the crowd was cheering. Harry rubbed his hands together as Dumbledore spoke to the crowd. Looking over, he saw Mad-eye Moody pacing. The man looked as nervous as he did. The cannon boomed, and the champions were inside the maze.

Harry looked around as he ran. Monsters could come out from anywhere. A left turn, a right turn, Harry was lost in the dark maze. What was he going to do? He held his wand in front of him on his palm. "Point me The TriWizard Cup." The wand spun around and around on his palm, before pointing in a single direction. Harry turned right and blasted his way through the maze.

Harry heard noises, but couldn't make out what they were. He skillfully avoided the sphinx, a giant spider, and a blast-ended skrewt. Then Harry ran into Cedric and they tumbled to the ground. "Sorry," he said to the older student.

"It's okay," Cedric said. "I wasn't paying attention, either." He helped the fourth year up.

"Thanks." Harry looked around. "There's the cup." They walked over to the cup. "What do we do now?"

"You take the cup," Cedric suggested. "You saw it first."

"We'll take it together. It's a Hogwarts win, anyway." Harry looked back up at the sixth year. They smiled at each other before turning towards the cup and reaching out together. Their hands grabbed each handle of the cup at the same time and instantly felt the pull of a portkey. They landed harshly, and Harry looked around. "Something's not right. You should hide."

"No," Cedric said. "I can't leave you to face whatever is out there."

"You must. They wanted me here. I can't have you die here. Perhaps you hide and watch, and then we can leave later... alive."

Sounds came from deeper in the graveyard, and Cedric hid just in time as a figure came into view. The short figure moved forward to a large cauldron. He laid down a small bundle and then looked up at Harry. "Ah, Potter, our guest." He flicked a wand and Harry was raised and tied to an angel statue. As the boy struggled, the rotund man began to speak again. "You don't recognize me, do you?" He asked. "But, then again, you were just a babe. Your father and godfathers were my friends."

Harry gasped. "You're Peter Pettigrew. How did you escape Azkaban? I know they have anti-Animagus spells on their cells."

"I guess I can tell you. You won't leave here alive. I waited for the spells to weaken, and I transformed." Pettigrew smiled wickedly.

Amidst the eerie silence of the graveyard, Cedric Diggory crouched behind a weathered tombstone, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and disbelief. He watched in horror as Harry Potter stood before Peter Pettigrew and the resurrected form of Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord himself.

Cedric's mind raced with disbelief as Voldemort monologued to Harry, his voice laced with venom and malice. He couldn't comprehend how Voldemort had returned, defying the odds and shattering the fragile peace that had settled over the wizarding world.

As Voldemort's words dripped with contempt, Cedric gripped his wand tightly, his determination to stand by Harry's side unwavering. He knew that he had to be Harry's witness, to ensure that the truth of this night reached the ears of those who needed to know.

Peter Pettigrew, his arm wounded and whimpering in pain, trembled before Voldemort's wrath. Cedric's heart ached with pity for the traitorous wizard, but he knew that sympathy had no place in the face of such evil.

Voldemort, with a flick of his wand, bestowed upon Peter a new hand, a cruel reminder of the power he wielded over life and death. Cedric's stomach churned with disgust at the sight, his resolve to stop Voldemort strengthening with each passing moment.

As Voldemort called forth his Death Eaters, Cedric's grip tightened on his wand, his determination to protect Harry and stand against the forces of darkness burning brightly within him.

The air crackled with tension as Voldemort's menacing figure loomed over Harry, his wand poised to strike. Cedric held his breath, ready to leap into action at a moment's notice.

As the battle between good and evil erupted, Cedric emerged from his hiding place, his wand raised in defiance. He stood by Harry's side, a beacon of hope amidst the darkness, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Together, Harry and Cedric faced Voldemort and his Death Eaters, their courage and determination shining brightly in the face of overwhelming odds. And as the echoes of their battle reverberated through the graveyard, Cedric knew that he would do whatever it took to ensure that light triumphed over darkness, no matter the cost.

Some of the death eaters lost their masks in the fight, and Cedric recognized them. Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Macnair, Rowle, Rookwood, and Rosier. He would have to tell someone about their involvement.

Harry's spell connected to Voldemort's, forming a bright gold light, and ghosts swarmed around Voldemort to allow Harry and Cedric a chance to escape. The boys ran back to the cup and grabbed it together. Then they were gone.