A/N: Here is part 3 (Chapter 5) of Rising Storms! I hope you enjoy it. Oh, it was requested that Harry have 7-9 ladies, but I don't know if I will mention all of them... Also, I'm sorry if I don't follow your expectations of the Greek gods and goddesses. I'm writing this the way that suits the story.

A/N 2: I took a while to focus on other (more pressing) stories that I have recently published last month... but yesterday, September 4th, I wrote 7 chapters! I will be uploading as many as I can today to make up for my absence...

Rising Storms

A Harry Potter and Percy Jackson crossover

Part 3

Chapter 5: Balancing Act and Rumors

Harry

Harry sat on the edge of his bed, the weight of his new reality pressing heavily on his shoulders. Being a god was not something he had ever imagined for himself. The responsibilities of being the god of Life and Death were overwhelming, and balancing his godly duties with his wizarding heritage was proving to be more challenging than he could have ever anticipated.

He ran a hand through his unruly hair, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Just yesterday, he had been in Olympus, trying to understand the vastness of his powers, and now he was back in London, seeking solace in the familiar surroundings of his wizarding family. Daphne and Susan were his anchors, their presence a reminder of the normalcy he craved.

Daphne, eight months pregnant, waddled into the room with a gentle smile. "Harry, you need to rest. You've been running yourself ragged."

He sighed, pulling her into a gentle embrace. "I know, Daphne. It's just...this is all so much. I don't know how to balance everything."

Susan joined them, her hand resting lightly on her still-flat stomach. Soon, within the next week she'd be out of the first trimester. Harry had been so happy this past month after finding out that she was pregnant too. "You don't have to do this alone, Harry. We're here for you. It's only been a month so you have plenty of time to learn how to balance this new life." She smiled, sitting next to them.

The warmth of their love was comforting, but it didn't erase the nagging doubts in his mind. How could he juggle his responsibilities without losing himself in the process? The thought lingered as he made his way to the kitchen, hoping a cup of tea might bring some clarity.

As he sipped his tea, a thought struck him. Perhaps visiting his old friends could ground him, remind him of who he was before this transformation. First, he would head to see his dad and Peony at Potter Manor. He wanted to tell them first... after keeping it all to himself and his wives for the last month.

When he arrived, the familiar surroundings of Potter Manor were a welcome sight. But as soon as he stepped inside, he felt the shift in atmosphere. Eyes turned towards him with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

"Harry, it's good to see you," James greeted him, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

Harry forced a smile, trying to shake off the unease. "Yeah, it's been a while. I just needed to see everyone, reconnect." As he made his way through the house, he couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversations. Whispers of "immortal," "god," and the most jarring of all, "horcruxes." He stepped up to his dad. "What's going on?"

James looked at the group inside the living room warily. "Someone started spreading word about your change in looks and demeaner," he said before looking back to his son. "I don't believe them, because you would never do such a thing, but these people believe that you have created horcruxes, like Voldemort did."

Harry's eyes widened in shock. "What?! That's absurd!"

"That's what I said," James told him.

Harry rolled his eyes, turning back to the crowd of people who seemed to be all from Hogsmeade. He raised his wand to point straight up at the ceiling. "I swear on my magic, my life, and the river Styx that I have not and will not create any horcruxes... ever." He paused as the villagers looked warily at him... then he grinned. "Lumos." A ball of light appeared before him at the tip of his wand.

A huge sigh of relief came from the people before him as the villagers started talking amongst themselves. James wrapped an arm around his son. "I sent Peony up to her room when they started arriving. I'll let her know that she can come down as soon as they leave."

Harry nodded, going back to watching the crowd who seemed to be discussing the vow and wondering about the 'old ways' returning. Harry heard one woman say that maybe talk of the old gods coming back was true, but he didn't see who spoke. As the villagers left Potter Manor, Harry turned to his dad.

"Just a moment," James said. He called for an elf and asked that Peony be brought down. As soon as she was there, James sighed. "Okay, let's sit down. I want to explain what is going on."

Peony sat down next to her brother on a couch. "Why were those people storming the manor and why did I have to go up to my room?"

James looked between his children. "The people of Hogsmeade heard rumors that Harry made Horcruxes to be immortal. They came here very unhappy, and demanded proof."

"What I don't understand," Harry said thoughtfully. "Is how they thought I had become immortal at the age of seventeen."

"I notice that you're not denying the immortal status," James said. Then he sighed. "I don't know. It would be impossible to tell if you were immortal until it had been a few years." He shook his head.

"Are all people really that stupid?" Peony asked.

"Just about," Harry answered.

Peony leaned over to lay against Harry's side. "Will you now explain the whole immortal thing?"

Harry sighed. "It's two-fold," he said. "I collected the three deathly hallows, so I'm the Master of Death... But then I became the Greek god of Life and Death when I went to save Percy Jackson." He ran a hand through his hair. "That's what I wanted to come speak with you about when I came here. I'm struggling over balancing my godly life and my wizarding life."

James ran a hand over his mouth as he leaned back in his recliner. "Son, I think you're trying to separate yourself into two different people. You are trying to be a full-time wizard or a full-time god."