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 48:

Harry

The aftermath of the battle in the Ministry cast a long shadow over Hogwarts as Harry Potter returned for his sixth year. He kept thinking about Umbridge throwing a crucio at him. She had been fired as soon as Fudge had broken out of his shock. And now, as a Slytherin, Harry found himself navigating a delicate balance between loyalty to his house and the growing threat of the Death Eaters.

The death eaters were more active than ever, their presence looming like a dark cloud over the wizarding world. There were attacks every week. Rumors circulated of their plans to overtake Hogwarts, plunging the school into chaos and fear.

Harry found himself spending a ton of time in the Library, studying ahead in his classes so that he wouldn't fall behind when he started his main quest of the year.

Ron Pruitt stormed into the library, his fists clenched at his sides. Hermione Granger followed close behind, her lips pressed into a thin line of disdain. They found Harry Potter sitting at a table, buried in his books, oblivious to their approach.

"Potter," Ron spat, his voice dripping with venom. "We need to have a word."

Harry looked up, annoyance flashing in his eyes at the interruption. "What do you want, Pruitt?"

"What do we want?" Hermione scoffed, her eyes blazing with indignation. "We want to know why you think you can waltz around like you're some kind of hero, while the rest of us suffer because of your incompetence."

Harry's jaw tightened, his patience wearing thin. "I don't have time for this, Granger. What's your problem now?"

"My problem?" Hermione seethed, her voice rising with each word. "My problem is that you've destroyed everything! My parents are dead because of you and your stupid obsession with Voldemort. And for what? So you could play the martyr and bask in the glory of being the 'chosen one'?"

Ron's nostrils flared with anger, his fists trembling with rage. "And what about my family, Potter? Did you ever stop to think about them? My mum—Molly Pruitt—she's not even my real mother. Thanks to you, I'll never know who I really am."

Harry's temper flared, his eyes flashing with defiance. "You think you've got it bad, Pruitt? Try living with the weight of the wizarding world on your shoulders. You have no idea what it's like to be me."

"Maybe not," Ron sneered, his lip curling in disgust. "But at least I'm not deluded enough to think I'm the savior of the wizarding world."

Harry shook his head, watching as his two ex-best friends storm out of the Library. With their actions, and the rising death eater attacks, Harry was thrown for a loop on how to deal with all of it. But amidst the turmoil, Harry remained focused on his mission—to destroy the Horcruxes and defeat Voldemort once and for all. The goblins let him know that they had found a way to track down the horcruxes finally, and they had a list of locations. With the help of his metamorphic abilities and the reinstatement of his time turner, Harry set out to grab and destroy the remaining fragments of Voldemort's soul.

...

Later that evening, Ron and Hermione sat in the Gryffindor common room, their anger still simmering beneath the surface.

"I can't stand him," Ron growled, his hands trembling with fury. "He thinks he's so special, so important. But he's just a selfish git who only cares about himself."

Hermione nodded, her eyes flashing with contempt. "He's always been that way, hasn't he? Ever since he first stepped foot in Hogwarts, he's been nothing but trouble."

"I don't know why we ever thought he was our friend," Ron muttered, his voice thick with bitterness. "All he's ever done is use us for his own gain."

Hermione's lip curled in disdain. "He's not worth our time, Ron. We're better off without him."

...

Using his time turner, Harry managed to grab hold of each Horcrux without missing any school, balancing his studies and his quest with a skill that impressed even the most skeptical of his classmates. With each Horcrux destroyed, Harry felt a glimmer of hope that victory was within reach.

But as the days passed and the threat of the Death Eaters grew ever more ominous, Harry knew that time was running out. When he learned of their plans to attack Hogwarts by the end of the year, he sprang into action, rallying his fellow students to evacuate the school before it was too late.

Draco Malfoy proved to be an irreplaceable ally in their time of need. With the help of a house elf, Draco ensured the safe passage of his fellow students out of Hogwarts, displaying a courage and determination that surprised even himself.

As the students huddled in their hiding place, in Potter Manor, awaiting news of the battle to come, Harry's mind raced with thoughts of the fight against Voldemort.

Draco looked around. Luna Lovegood's cryptic advice echoed in his mind, urging him to trust in his instincts and seize the opportunity when it presented itself. Draco called Dobby. "Dobby, can you take me to Hogwarts, and then when I ask, bring me back here?"

Dobby nodded slowly. "Dobby cans." He looked up at his old master.

Draco held out a hand. "Please take me to Hogwarts." Dobby instantly popped Draco to Hogwarts, and Draco said, "Thanks, Dobby. Please wait here and don't be seen until I come back." Dobby vanished from view and Draco made his way up the stairs to the Headmaster's office. He wasn't there. Draco frowned. Where was Dumbledore? Maybe the Astronomy tower, if he wanted to keep an eye on the school grounds and the village below.

Draco ran up to the Astronomy tower, slowing down and quieting when he heard death eaters wandering around wondering where the students were. When he got around them, he made his way up to the door of the tower. He opened the door and saw Dumbledore. "Dumbledore," he said.

The Headmaster turned. "Draco, my boy. I had hoped that you wouldn't have joined them." He acted sad.

"I didn't join them, you old fool." Draco showed off his bare forearm.

"Then what are you doing here?" Dumbledore looked confused. "Are you sure you didn't join?"

Draco scoffed. "I'm sure I didn't join that psycho. I'm here because I was told that the only way for Harry to beat 'him' was for me to disarm you. I wonder what that means, but I'll listen to their wisdom." Dumbledore looked shocked, so Draco sent a silent disarming charm.

Dumbledore let out a startled yell as his wand was ripped out of his hand. He tried to keep his wand, but the wand, and the hidden wand in his robes, flew to the young blond. "What have you done?"

Draco was surprised at the two wands in his left hand. He had to leave now. He would have to learn what had just happened later... Draco ran down to where he had left Dobby. He dodged the death eaters, making sure that he wasn't seen, and said, "Dobby." Dobby showed himself. "Please take be back to Potter Manor."

"Yes, young master Potter's friend." Dobby took Draco's hand and they appeared back at Potter Manor instantly.

Draco looked around, noticing that he was alone with Dobby in the room. He sighed, knowing that probably no one would know that he had left. "Please don't tell anyone that I left. I only left to help Harry with something."

Dobby nodded happily. "Anything for young master Potter!"

Draco smiled at the house elf as the excitable elf left. He hid the extra wands and then left the room to wait for news about the battle of Hogwarts.

When they got news that they could return to Hogwarts, Harry and Draco led the way back to the school after James Potter and Remus Black. They flooed into the antechamber beside the Great Hall, and stepping into the Great Hall, Harry saw Aurors standing guard over the captured death eaters. Voldemort's forces had been dealt a crippling blow, and the path to peace lay open before them, waiting to be forged by those brave enough to seize it.

The Aurors looked over at the students in surprise. One of them said, "You got here quickly. I thought you would come up from Hogsmeade."

James shook his head. "I brought them directly from the safe house."

Hermione Granger and Ron Pruitt rushed over to the Aurors. Hermione asked, "Where is Headmaster Dumbledore? He made it safe here, didn't he?"

The Aurors looked at each others warily. Amelia came into the Great Hall, speaking as she heard what was asked, "I'm sorry, Miss Granger. Albus Dumbledore is no longer with us."

Most of the students, and James and Remus, were shocked and/or sad, but Hermione and Ron looked confused. "When will he be back, then?" She was acting haughtily.

Amelia sighed in frustration. She had had a long day and she didn't want to deal this girl's attitude. "You misunderstood me, Miss Granger. Albus Dumbledore died during the battle with these death eaters."

Hermione and Ron's faces paled. They didn't know what to do now. How could their Headmaster be dead? He was the most powerful wizard alive! What would happen if You-know-who attacked again, with the leader of the Light being dead?

The death eaters were led away, and the whole school was taken outside to honor Dumbledore's death in a ceremony. Harry, James, and Remus are unsure of what to do... knowing that Dumbledore had caused all of their problems recently.