A/N: Day 18 of NaNoWriMo! I think I have 1 more chapter until Percy's first real chapter! :D

And Day 19, because I couldn't finish this all in one day after already writing over 3,000 words on the 18th.

Rising Storms

A Harry Potter and Percy Jackson crossover

Chapter 20:

Harry

The Great Hall fell silent as Harry and James stepped inside. All eyes fell on Harry, even the eyes of the two victims, and whispers spread quickly. Harry looked around at the suspicious looks and hurried over to his friends when his dad gave him a gentle push.

"Hey, Harry," Draco said with a hug. "I'm glad you're okay."

Harry hugged Draco tightly. "Thank you for your help. Without you, Dad wouldn't have found me."

"Don't worry about it. You're my friend." Draco smiled at Harry when the dark-haired boy pulled away.

"You're my friend, too, Draco," Harry said, smiling before he looked to see if his dad was still there. He was talking to McGonagall and Dumbledore, and he looked over to check on Harry.

"So, what happened, Harry?" Blaise asked.

Harry bit his bottom lip. "I was given a diary that took over my mind and body." He shuddered at their gasps. "The diary belonged to You-Know-Who, and the last message I saw from the diary was his true name." Harry's eyes were still wide with horror. "Tom Marvolo Riddle turned into 'I am Lord Voldemort'."

"That's not a Pureblood name," Theo said.

Harry shook his head. "I looked it up while I was recovering at home. He was born to a nearly-squib witch and a muggle."

"The Dark Lord is a halfblood?" Blaise whispered.

"Hush," Draco said. "We can't have the other houses hear you call him that." Blaise and Theo nodded in response.

…

The rumors slithered through the stone corridors of Hogwarts like shadowy whispers, casting an ominous cloud over Harry Potter's return to the castle. In the hushed conversations of students from Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff, tales were spun of Harry's alleged involvement in the Chamber of Secrets, and dark suspicions lingered in the air.

As Harry walked through the crowded hallways, he couldn't escape the furtive glances and hushed conversations that ceased upon his approach. The weight of the rumors pressed on him, a burden he had not anticipated upon his return.

In Gryffindor Tower, huddled whispers reverberated among the red and gold-clad students. "Did you hear? They say Harry unleashed that monster on the students last term."

"Probably planning to do it again. Slytherins always have a hidden agenda."

The sentiments echoed in Ravenclaw Tower, where the atmosphere crackled with skepticism. "Word is, Harry's plotting to restart the attacks. We need to be cautious."

"And the teachers? They're letting him back without any consequences?"

Even in the cheerful confines of Hufflepuff House, doubt lingered. "I heard Harry was behind those attacks. Why isn't anyone doing anything about it?"

The rumors reached the ears of the Hogwarts faculty, casting a shadow over the once-celebrated return of the Boy Who Lived. Whispers among the professors hinted at the uncertainty surrounding Harry's reappearance.

"Should we be wary of Potter's return? The attacks stopped, but can we be sure he won't start them again?" Professor Flitwick queried during a staff meeting.

"I've heard the same rumors. The students are concerned about his presence," Professor Sprout added, her brows furrowed with unease.

Even Professor McGonagall, typically resolute, expressed her reservations. "We cannot afford to ignore the concerns. The safety of the students must be our top priority."

Professor Snape scoffed. "He hasn't started attacking other students since he got back. To be honest, he isn't looking as pale as he was last term. And, he's no longer carrying around that black diary. Or do you not pay such close attention to your students?" He smirked at his fellow teachers.

Unbeknownst to the Hogwarts community, the attacks had indeed ceased with the destruction of Tom Riddle's diary. The mystery of the Chamber of Secrets had been unraveled, and Harry, far from plotting malevolent deeds, sought to resume his studies and rebuild his life.

In the hallowed halls of Slytherin, where loyalty to Harry ran deep, a sense of frustration and injustice prevailed. Blaise Zabini, Draco Malfoy, and the other Slytherins rallied around their housemate, the weight of the unfounded accusations heavy on their shoulders.

"He was a victim too, and now they treat him like he's the villain."

"It's absurd. The attacks stopped, but they won't believe it."

In the Slytherin common room, an air of defiance simmered. "We need to show them the truth. Harry's not our enemy. We won't let them tarnish our house's name."

As the rumors continued to circulate, Harry faced an uphill battle to clear his name. The specter of suspicion clung to him like a shadow, and the truth became elusive amid the sea of whispers and doubts.

Little did the Hogwarts community know that the very danger they feared had been eradicated. The monster of the Chamber of Secrets was no longer a threat, and Harry's return signified a chance for redemption and a new beginning. As he navigated the treacherous waters of distrust, Harry clung to the hope that, in time, the whispers would be replaced by the undeniable truth—the boy they accused was not a villain but a survivor, determined to rise above the shadows that sought to drag him down.

The arrival of Madam Amelia Bones at Hogwarts stirred a ripple of anticipation throughout the castle. Her authoritative presence, coupled with her reputation as a fair and just witch, brought an air of seriousness to the proceedings. The prospect of her inquiry into the recent events surrounding the Chamber of Secrets added a layer of tension to the already charged atmosphere.

In Professor Snape's office, Harry awaited the meeting with a mix of apprehension and determination. The stone walls seemed to close in, and the flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows as Madam Bones entered, her stern gaze fixed upon Harry.

"Mr. Potter," Madam Bones began, her voice measured and composed. "I am here to conduct an inquiry into the recent incidents at Hogwarts. Professor Snape will be present to ensure a fair representation of all parties."

Professor Snape, standing beside Madam Bones, nodded tersely. His dark eyes lingered on Harry, a flicker of something that could almost be construed as concern beneath his usual stoicism.

Madam Bones took a seat across from Harry, her gaze unwavering. "I understand that you were present during the attacks in the Chamber of Secrets. Is that correct?"

Harry nodded, meeting her gaze. "Yes, I was there."

"Can you recount the events as you experienced them?" Madam Bones prompted, her quill poised over parchment.

Harry took a deep breath, recounting the nightmarish events in the chamber, the echoes of Tom Riddle's malevolence, and the destruction of the enchanted diary. Snape's scrutinizing gaze remained fixed on Harry, the tension palpable in the confined space.

As Harry spoke, Madam Bones meticulously transcribed his account. When he finished, she set the quill aside and regarded him with a thoughtful expression.

"Mr. Potter, there is a cloud of suspicion surrounding you due to the rumors circulating the school. What can you tell me about your involvement in the attacks, and how can you assure the safety of the Hogwarts community moving forward?"

Harry, his determination resolute, addressed the accusations head-on. "Madam Bones, I swear I had no part in those attacks. I was trying to stop them. The diary controlled me, and I fought against it. I'm not a threat to anyone here."

Snape, though maintaining his characteristic reserve, seemed to acknowledge the sincerity in Harry's words.

Madam Bones leaned back, contemplating the information before her. "Mr. Potter, your account aligns with the evidence we have gathered. The attacks have ceased, and the source of the threat has been eliminated."

Turning to Professor Snape, Madam Bones inquired, "Do you have any concerns or objections to Mr. Potter's account, Professor?"

Snape, after a moment of silence, replied, "The events described by Mr. Potter are consistent with my observations. He was under the influence of an external force beyond his control."

Madam Bones nodded, satisfied with the responses. "In light of the evidence and testimony presented, it is my conclusion that Mr. Potter was as much a victim as the petrified students. He is not responsible for the attacks on Hogwarts."

With that, Madam Bones rose from her seat, the weight of her authority evident in the room. "I will make a statement to the school addressing these findings. Mr. Potter, you may return to your studies. Professor Snape, thank you for your cooperation."

As Madam Bones exited Snape's office, her determined steps echoed in the corridor. The truth, now acknowledged, would soon be disseminated throughout Hogwarts. The weight of suspicion lifted, leaving Harry to face the remainder of the school year with the chance for redemption and a renewed sense of purpose.

Harry fought back tears of relief. He couldn't believe that he could finally relax and not worry about people attacking him because of what he was forced to do by the diary.

Strong hands pulled him up from his seat and arms wrapped around his slight frame. The smell of potions, the forest, and the warmth of a fire came off of the robes pressed against Harry's cheek. A silky voice from above told Harry, "It's okay to cry with relief. You've survived something horrible and now the whole school will know that you are not responsible for this year."

Slender shoulders shaking, Harry let out a sob as tears flowed down his cheeks and his arms wrapped around the waist of his head of house. He let out the fear of the lost time and blank memories from last term. He let out the worry that he might go to Azkaban for attacking fellow students. And as the tears left him, a slight relief and joy hit him briefly. "I guess I annoyed him with all of the research I was doing that he upped the timeline and put me in the chamber early."

A sudden snort from his professor almost had Harry look up, but instead, he felt his eyes start to droop in exhaustion. Severus Snape looked down at the sudden weight leaning on him, feeling the arms around his waist fall away. Harry had fallen asleep on him! He let out a huff of amusement and shifted Harry around until he carried the small second year bridal fashion. The man swept from his office, his magic moving the door open and shut behind him, and he carried his young snake to the Slytherin Common Room and said the password to get in.

Students were spread out around the room, discussing what to do about the rest of the school badmouthing one of their own, when they saw their Head of House.

"Don't worry about that so much anymore," Severus Snape said. "Madam Bones came by to ask Mr. Potter about last term's events, and she has said that he is not responsible for the attacks. She's going to tell the whole school soon. I'm going to put Harry to bed, but you should go to dinner in the Great Hall." He walked to the dorm that Harry shared with Blaise and Theo, placing Harry on the bed that had the portrait of Lily beside it. He took the boy's shoes off and slid him under the blankets. Then he looked at the portrait.

"Thank you for taking care of him, Sev," Lily said.

Severus nodded. "Please tell Potter that Madam Bones came by and I was there as his temporary guardian as she questioned him. She stated that Harry isn't responsible for the attacks."

Lily smiled. "That's good to hear. I'll tell James when he gets off work."

As soon as she said that, another woman stepped into the portrait. It was Dorea Potter. "Lily, dear, James just got home. He looks tired, but he might like to see your face."

Lily smiled at her mother-in-law. "Thanks. I'll head over now."

When she left, Severus was left with a fellow Slytherin. "Hey, Dorea." He smiled at her.

Dorea's eyes widened slightly. "Severus! How have you been?"

"I've been good. I am the head of Slytherin, now. I just put young Harry into his bed because he got some good news and he cried himself to sleep. I'm going to head to dinner now and have a house elf bring him some dinner when he wakes."

Dorea nodded. "Thank you, Severus. I'll let you go. Good night."

"Good night." He smiled as she left the portrait. Then he made his way to the Great Hall.

…

After Madam Bones made her speech and left Hogwarts, the Great Hall burst out in talk. No one could see Harry at the Slytherin table, so no one could see his expression about the revelation.

Ron swallowed hard, gathering his strength, and stood. He walked over to Draco Malfoy and said, "Malfoy, I'm sorry for the way I treated you last year and even last term. It was wrong for me to do so, and Harry doesn't like it when we fight. I never believed that Harry was responsible for the attacks. I actually thought that it was you, so I'm sorry about that as well."

Draco listened to the youngest male Weasley ramble and he glanced at his friends, who shrugged in confusion. "Okay, Weasley, I forgive you."

"Truce?" Ron asked. Then he paused slightly before adding, "For Harry?"

Draco noticed that Harry was a side thought in that offer… but he nodded. "A tentative truce. If you turn on me or on Harry, it's over."

"Got it," Ron said.

They shook hands briefly, before pulling away. Draco watched Ron walk back to his table and the twins speaking quietly to him.

"What was that about?" Daphne Greengrass asked. Her blue eyes were narrowed in Ron's direction.

Draco shrugged. "Apparently, Weasley wants a truce between us… possibly to trick Harry into believing that he's Harry's friend."

"Well," she said. "We'll just have to make sure that Harry doesn't get hurt by Weasley." Daphne drank the last of her juice before everything vanished. "Come on, let's get back to the common room and you can check on Sleeping Beauty." The boys snorted in laughter.

…

Monday found Harry going to class, dreading Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall. He didn't know what had happened at dinner on Saturday night, but everyone was avoiding him. They spoke in whispers as he walked through the halls, but at least he still had his friends surrounding him. Inside the Transfiguration classroom, Harry sat in the midst of all the Slytherins. He pulled out a muggle notebook and pen to write his notes. It was easier to write in a notebook so he had everything together, and then he would transfer the final project or homework onto a scroll of parchment.

Professor McGonagall stood in front of the class. she looked over her Gryffindors, and noticed that they were still uneasy. Then she looked over at the Slytherins and noticed that they were protecting Harry. " I would like to make a statement," she said. " Mr. Harry Potter was not responsible for the attacks last term. Madam Bones questioned him thoroughly, and learned what really happened. Mr. Potter was being controlled in a way that he could not fight. I am ashamed that my Gryffindors would treat someone so badly. I am ashamed that I treated him so badly." Professor McGonagall looked at Harry with a sad expression on her face. She looked 10 years older than she had that weekend. "I am so sorry, Mr. potter. I hope you will one day forgive me."

Harry looked up from his notebook. Looking at her face, he noticed that she was telling the truth. She really was sorry for the way she had acted. "I believe you, Professor McGonagall," he said. "And I forgive you. "

She watched him look back down at his notebook, and then she began the lesson. Every so often she would sweep the room with her gaze, keeping an eye out for misbehaving. As she lectured, she noticed that Harry was taking meticulous notes. She was proud of him, because that is what Lily would do. Lily. Lily would be very upset with her over how she treated the boy.

When class was over, Harry and his friends went to their next class. Each class, it was the same thing. The teacher would apologize for how they treated him, and the students would act all shy and uneasy. All Harry could do was take notes and try to ignore them. What else could he do? They had to see it for themselves. They had to see that he was not going to attack anyone, and that he was healthier now that he was not being controlled by the diary.

By Friday, Harry was all caught up on his missed assignments, an entire month's worth, and he was staying on track with his current work. He and his friends continued their weekly study groups, now moved to the Library now that Ron had joined them. Even though Ron and Draco had reached a tentative truce, Harry didn't quite believe Ron yet… so he didn't want Ron in his common room to mess things up within the group. Harry was also back in Quidditch, and practicing harder than ever. He wanted to make his team proud, as well as his dad.

A/N: 3012 words