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

Part 2

Chapter 7:

Harry

Pages in a book were flipped through and a long slender finger ran over the page in the quiet of the Library. Words flowed across the page, showing the reader's progress. Outside the window, the leaves were just changing color in the cool November weather.

"It's hard to imagine that only a few days ago we were in December in New York," came a soft voice from the door.

Harry looked up at the door, seeing Daphne. Then the question filtered through his brain. "Yes," he said. "It is a little hard to imagine." He looked out the nearby window. A leaf slowly fell to the ground when a squirrel ran along a branch of the closest tree.

"How has your research been going?" Daphne asked. She smiled when Harry turned to look at her again.

"Not well." Harry shook his head. "I can't find any spells that would help us find Percy. I tried using a 'Point me' spell while we were there, but my wand just kept spinning on my palm. This book isn't helping either. It doesn't work between worlds, and I can't go back until after I marry Susan. Also, it works better if I have a stronger familial relationship with Percy."

Daphne nodded. "Well, then I guess there's only one thing to do. Plan the wedding and wait until you go back."

Harry shook his head, smiling. "Alright. When will Susan and Aunt Amelia get here?" They had been staying in Potter manor, and would continue to do so until Susan becomes the second Mrs. Potter.

"About five minutes ago," Daphne said, looking at her nails with a small smirk.

"Why didn't you say so?" Harry asked, jumping up from his chair. He rushed past his wife towards the door.

Daphne laughed, catching up with him and stopping him from running down the stairs. "Slow down, love. They won't be mad if they have to wait for you to walk down a flight of stairs."

Harry took a deep breath, running a hand through his long hair. "You're right. No pressure."

James and Peony were keeping Amelia and Susan company as they waited for Daphne and Harry. "Are you excited about the wedding, Susan?" Peony asked, excitedly. The two youngest redheads were sitting a little ways away from the adults.

"I am," Susan replied with a smile. "I can't wait. To be honest, I would be happy with a small wedding, just adding myself to the current relationship and maybe a small reception."

"That's it?" Peony asked, curious. "Don't most girls want expensive and lavish weddings?"

Susan tilted her head in thought. "I don't know about 'most girls'," she said. "But I don't want an expensive and lavish wedding. That money could be used for something else... like the home, future children, charities that mean a lot to us, businesses, or further education."

Harry smiled as he and Daphne walked in during Susan's response. He was happy that she had put a lot of thought into her answer. "That sounds like a plan," he said, making everyone jump. "Oops."

James and Amelia laughed at the situation. While they had also jumped, the looks on Susan and Peony's faces were hilarious. Even Daphne had giggled slightly at the embarrassed duo. Harry bit his lip, trying not to laugh. James stopped laughing to say, "Come, Harry, let's discuss this."

Harry and Daphne walked over, watching as Susan and Peony also walked back over to the guardians, and everyone sat on the available furniture. Harry was bracketed by his wife and his fiancé on a three-seater couch in front of the fireplace. To their left, James and Peony shared a loveseat. On their right, Amelia had her own loveseat. Once everyone was settled, Harry said, "I think Susan's idea was perfect." He smiled at his fiancé.

"That may be," Amelia said. "But, there's still the flower choice, the colors, the cake, the bridesmaids, the groomsmen, the music, and the vows."

Harry groaned, placing his forehead on Daphne's shoulder. "I don't remember all of these decisions in our wedding planning."

"That's because mother was throwing a fit about having everything her way in an elaborate wedding." Daphne scoffed.

Harry lifted his head, hearing the snickers, and said, "Thank Merlin you put your foot down about it being our wedding and not hers." Daphne nodded.

"Ready?" James asked.

"Not really," Harry said, but turned to Susan. "What would you like, my dear?"

Susan giggled slightly at the look on his face. "I was thinking white calla lilies and white roses for the flowers."

Harry's eyes widened. "Lilies for my mom and white roses for pure love and friendship?"

"Yes." Susan nodded.

Harry pulled her into a sweet chaste kiss. "Thank you," he told her when he pulled away.

Susan blushed. "W-would you like a chocolate or vanilla wedding cake?"

"Either would work for me." Harry kept his eyes on Susan, ignoring everyone else except Daphne who he was holding hands with. Daphne gently squeezed Harry's hand in approval.

Susan nodded. "How about vanilla cake with a layer of strawberry slices and caramel drizzle?" She watched as her aunt wrote that down on a parchment when Harry nodded enthusiastically.

"That sounds delicious," he said.

"Colors for the wedding," Susan asked.

Harry thought about it. "How about silver and gold? That would make things elegant, without dragging the majority of our house colors into the mix. There are so many dark colors for my family, and silver is one of the two main colors of your family. We could have the bridesmaids wear gold dresses, and the groomsmen wear gold ties with their black dress robes."

"You really thought about it, didn't you?" James asked, drawing everyone's attention.

Harry nodded. "It's important for Susan."

"I love your choices," Susan told Harry. "This will look so beautiful!"

"I agree," Daphne said, looking thoughtful. They continued the wedding planning for another hour before they broke for the day. They had a lot to do.

As the late November chill settled over the land, Harry found himself pulled in two different directions - his worry over Percy and the pressing matter of his upcoming marriage to Susan. With each passing day, the weight of responsibility grew heavier on his shoulders. One morning in December, as Harry sat down to Breakfast, he found a letter waiting for him, the paper worn and weathered, as though it had traveled far to reach him.

"That was delivered by Crow just a few minutes ago," James told him.

Harry nodded. Opening it, he read the words penned in Clarisse's bold handwriting:

'Harry,

Gaea is rising. The earth trembles with her fury, and the demigods are struggling to hold back her forces. We need your help. Annabeth, Leo, Piper, Jason, and Grover are finishing up the ship. They will be heading west to California in about four months, give or take. Please meet them there if you don't make it here in time.

-Clarisse'

Harry's heart sank as he read the words, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on him. Gaea, the primordial goddess of the earth, was stirring from her slumber, her awakening heralding a time of chaos and destruction. Harry distractedly ate his food, looking despondent. "I have to research something," Harry said suddenly.

With a sense of urgency driving him, Harry threw himself into research, scouring ancient texts and scrolls for any information on Gaea. The more he learned, the more he realized the magnitude of the threat they faced. Gaea's awakening threatened not only the demigods but the entire mortal world as well.

As the weeks passed, Harry became consumed by his quest for knowledge, his determination to stop Gaea's rise burning brightly within him. Amidst the chaos of his research, Harry stole precious moments with his wife Daphne, cherishing each fleeting second they had together. They walked hand in hand through the snow-covered gardens of Potter Mansion, the crisp winter air tinged with the promise of more snow.

He also found himself finalizing the plans for his wedding to Susan. Despite the weight of the world pressing down upon him, he refused to let it dim the joy he felt at the prospect of spending his life with her. With each decision made and each detail finalized, Harry felt satisfied. In January, Harry's resolve remained unwavering. With his wedding to Susan drawing closer, and the threat of Gaea's rising looming on the horizon, he knew that the days ahead would be fraught with danger and uncertainty. But, he would have both girls by his side to help him through this...