A/N: Here is part 3 (Chapter 11) of Rising Storms! I hope you enjoy it.

Rising Storms

A Harry Potter and Percy Jackson crossover

Part 3

Chapter 11: Battling Shadows

Harry

The morning sunlight filtering through the curtains did little to brighten Harry's mood as he sat at the kitchen table, a stack of newspapers piled beside him. Each headline was more damning than the last, casting shadows over his efforts to clear his name. "Potter's Dark Ambitions Revealed," one read, while another declared, "The God Who Would Be Dark Lord." The relentless campaign against him was not just a test of his resolve, but a brutal assault on his character.

Harry rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on him. He had hoped that by speaking out and engaging with the community, he could stem the tide of slander, but the newspapers, spurred on by his detractors, seemed hell-bent on painting him as a villain.

Among the loudest voices against him were Ron Pruitt and Molly Pruitt. The former Weasleys had turned their backs on Harry, driven by motives he could scarcely understand. Ron, bearing the heavy legacy of Grindelwald, seemed determined to cast Harry as a figure as dark as his own biological father, perhaps to deflect scrutiny from himself. Molly, who had raised Ron as her own, stood staunchly by his side, her disillusionment with Harry complete and vocal.

Daphne walked into the kitchen, her presence a soothing balm to his frayed nerves. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, her concerned eyes meeting his. "It's getting worse, isn't it?" she asked quietly.

Harry nodded, unable to mask his frustration. "They won't let up. It's as if they've decided who I am, and nothing I say can change their minds."

"You know who you are, Harry," Daphne said firmly. "And so do the people who truly know you. We just have to find a way to show everyone else the truth."

Harry sighed, knowing she was right but feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. "I need to do more than just defend myself. I need to counter these attacks, expose their lies for what they are."

"And you will," Susan chimed in, joining them with a reassuring smile. She had been listening from the doorway. "We'll help you. We're in this together."

Buoyed by their support, Harry spent the day strategizing with Daphne and Susan. They decided to reach out to more allies, gather testimonials from those he had helped, and compile evidence of his many acts of bravery and kindness over the years. They planned to present this evidence not just in casual gatherings but directly to the press, to hold a press conference where Harry could speak his truth openly and answer any questions thrown his way.

The following day, Harry reached out to his contacts, setting the wheels in motion. Among those he called were old friends from Hogwarts, members of the Order of the Phoenix, and even some former adversaries who had seen firsthand his dedication to the wizarding world.

As the date of the press conference drew near, the attacks seemed to intensify. Ron and Molly Pruitt appeared in interviews, casting doubts and aspersions with a conviction that stung Harry deeply. But rather than let it defeat him, he used it as fuel, a reminder of what was at stake if he failed to clear his name.

The morning of the conference, Harry stood before a crowd of reporters, his heart pounding but his resolve firm. Daphne and Susan sat in chairs by his side, their presence strengthening him. He addressed each accusation with calm and clarity, presenting evidence of his innocence and the positive impact of his actions both as a wizard and a god.

The majority of the press didn't believe him about his godly status, he could see from their faces, probably thinking that he went crazy... Harry could only sigh and try to be as honest as possible through the press conference.

As the session drew to a close, Harry felt a cautious optimism. The road ahead was still fraught with challenges, but for the first time in a long while, he felt he had regained some control over the narrative. The fight to clear his name was far from over, but Harry was ready to face whatever came next. Harry helped Daphne up from her seat and took his wives home. They needed to rest and he needed to think...