Chapter 3

Henry read the newspaper.

His words to the Remus and James were vindicated when the broom finally hit the markets and was rated the "most impressive wizard-made thing in the sky". Every invested galleon rose to two but Henry still refused to pull out. Around July, Nimbus announced a new broom, Nimbus 2001, would be introduced in exactly one year. The share price rose even higher but Henry was not convinced.

"That's too fast!" Henry argued with Remus in Grimmauld Place over breakfast. "There must have been a real reason why they took four years before every new broom. A year is too fast. I want to clear my long position and go short."

Remus and Sirius exchanged looks with each other. Sirius was smiling at his nephew's use of proper investment terminology, while Remus was rubbing his forehead in consternation.

"All the experts are predicting further rise, Henry," Remus argued. "I'll pull out your profits but I'm not sure if going short is wise."

Henry pretended not to hear. He was scribbling on a notepad. "My total returns will be 518 galleons, of which I owe you 120, that leaves me 398. Cool. I want to stay short for 1000 galleons and clear my position just before end of my second year in Hogwarts. I'm predicting that my short-position will earn me a profit well over 700 galleons." In his mind, he corrected himself with the actual figures, '908.'

"On one condition," said Remus. "Your current profits, half of your pocket-money until you clear your position, and the 1000 galleons you obtain upfront by going short will be kept in a vault in Gringotts, not to be touched until your short-position is cleared."

Henry considered the condition. "That's fair," he agreed. After all, Remus was already doing the trades for Henry in his own account and plenty more to accommodate his whims, his interest in making sure he wasn't overexposed to the extent of having to cover Henry's losses was fair. "But that leaves me with very little for Neville, Jamie and Harry's birthdays, and I wanted to buy a pet before Hogwarts."

"Getting a pet for you is my responsibility," said Sirius helpfully. "But presents for your friends will be from your own allowance." The relationship between Sirius and Henry was developing well, but only when Gwenog wasn't looking. Gwenog and Carina were away for the day, having gone to visit her family in Swansea and the three of them were having an all boys' day. Henry decided to go for the kill.

"Uncle Sirius, Mr. Lupin," he began seriously. "Can I ask you a serious question?" When both nodded, he pressed on, "What's wrong with Harry Potter? Jamie told me that he has poor health and that's why he's always left behind. But his health seems okay to me."

Both men froze. Sirius turned slightly pale and he rubbed his forehead.

Remus responded. "It's not to do with his physical health, Henry." He hesitated. "You're far too young to understand and even if you weren't, I'd rather not reveal his secret. The thing is, it's best for Harry Potter and everyone else, to stay a good distance from him."

"How can you say that?" Henry asked angrily. "He's just a boy."

Remus looked helplessly at Sirius.

Sirius shrugged helplessly. "Be that as it may, Harry Potter has a serious affliction. There is no doubt about it. I give you my word that nobody likes what's happening to him or around him," he said with such sincerity that Henry had no doubt he was telling the truth. "But the alternative could be much worse."

Henry nodded and let it go. There was no point in alienating people he was dependent on in the eyes of the law. "So what's the plan for today?"

"There's the double game, Cannons v Arrows and Wasps v United," said Sirius. "We're joining James and Jamie for a proper lads day. For dinner, we'll drop by the curry-house."

"Ugh. Quidditch and curry... not again," Henry complained. Although he loved both, this was another opportunity to get to know Harry Potter better. "Didn't we just do that last week? Can you leave me with the Longbottoms or Mrs. Potter?"

"Sure," he said. "The Longbottoms are busy preparing for tomorrow's big party, so I'll leave you with Lily."

"Great!" said Henry, he got up from the table. "I'll get my box of magical warriors to play with Harry." He noted the dark look exchanged between Sirius and Remus but decided not to comment any further and ran to his room. He had bought it recently with his pocket-money, deciding to jump into the bandwagon.

A short while later, he was in the Potter living room with Lily and Harry. The others had left.

"I don't get you, Henry," said Lily. "I thought you enjoyed flying and Quidditch."

"I do," Henry agreed. "But I hate the crowded stands and rowdy fans. It's not worth it." He added, "And the curry afterwards..." he shuddered.

Lily laughed. She had heard the story of his struggle with a particularly hot dish. "What would you like for dinner, Henry?"

Henry turned to Harry. "What do you fancy?" Harry was surprised and turned to his mother in shock. Henry was pleased when Lily smiled at her son and nodded.

"Fish n chips?" asked Harry doubtfully, as if he was certain that would not be available.

"Fish n chips," agreed Lily; in a stricter tone, she added, "with broccoli, peas and carrots."

Henry noted how swiftly she left the room, overcome by guilt at the delighted expression on her son's face at this very simple act. "Come on," said Henry. "I want to try out this new box of magical soldiers. I picked each piece individually."

The two boys eagerly started playing on the rug. "Go on, pick the first," said Henry.

Harry grinned and peered inside the box. "I'll take that big green dragon." A Common Welsh Green flew from the box and settled in Harry's palm.

Henry sighed in his mind, he had to direct Harry to proper books on magical creatures. "The Welsh Green is the most docile of the lot," said he, but Harry didn't seem to mind his new minion. "I'll take the black chimera." A vicious creature scampered towards him.

"I'll take the other Welsh Green!" said Harry excitedly.

"The knight."

And so on it went. Henry observed with interest that Harry made use of the stories he had read in the books he had directed towards him to make battles. To defeat his chimera, Harry sent a couple of spear-men like Belerophon. When Henry sent archers to fight his dragon, Harry ordered his two Welsh Greens to dodge the arrows until they were all spent, leading to a stalemate - except Harry's archers were useless for the rest of the battle.

It was a well fought war, but Henry had the upper edge, with his sharper intellect and strategic mind from the memories of his previous life, and his experience with the game. By the end of it, he noted how happy Harry was despite losing every single round.

"Dinner's ready."

Henry had noticed once again that Lily had sneaked inside in the invisibility cloak to observe her son laugh and play with his new friend. In all, he realized that there was only one way to resolve his confusion - the prophecy. It had to be something to do with the prophecy. Henry decided to let things play out as they were; him developing relationships with all sides, especially Harry, while at the same time inducing small acts from Lily and others towards Harry that would make him more included.

"You coming to the Longbottoms' tomorrow, Harry?" asked Henry as he dug into his fish n chips.

Harry hesitated and turned to his mother.

Henry turned to Lily as well. "Please let him come, Mrs. Potter," he pleaded. "It will be real fun. Please."

Lily sighed. "All right," she said, turning to Harry. "But for a short while only. We will return at six sharp."

Harry grinned brightly and nodded gratefully.

"Who all are invited, Mrs. Potter?" asked Henry.

"Well, it's to introduce you lot to others starting at Hogwarts this year," said Lily. "The Weasleys have a son who's starting Hogwarts this year, Amelia Bones' niece, the Patil twins, the Turpins, the MacMillans, Baron Greengrass and his family. I think that's the lot."

"Sounds fun," said Henry.

The party was fun indeed. The Longbottoms had arranged for several attractions in their large estate. There were carnival rides, magic shows, all kinds of fun things to do. The children were having a blast while also getting to know each other better before the start of the term.

Henry, however, left the others and walked towards Arthur Weasley when the Weasley family arrived.

"Hello, young man," greeted Arthur when Henry approached him. He recalled Ron and Ginny from his previous memories and wondered if he would feel the same connection with them again.

"Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," said Henry. He had met the man once after the initial encounter in Diagon Alley, when he had expressed his gratitude to him for his help. "How are you doing?"

"Very well, thank you, Henry," said Molly Weasley, leaning forward to give him a quick hug. She smiled. "And what's your name, young man?"

Henry turned around and saw Harry had also left the others and followed him.

He sounded very nervous at being asked a direct question. "H-Harry Potter, ma'am," he answered.

"He's my friend," supplied Henry. He held back a frown when he saw Molly's expression darken at the mention of Harry's name. She smiled politely at them and led her family away hastily. Henry saw that Harry had also caught the sudden change in mood.

"I just don't get it, Henry," Harry confessed. "What's wrong with me? You saw it, didn't you, with Mrs. Weasley?"

He sighed. "Come on," he said. "Let's join that girl there. She looks lonely."

Henry and Harry walked towards a girl who was eating candy floss on her own, away from the rest of the group. "Hey," Henry called out.

"Hi. I'm Susan Bones," she introduced herself. She observed them before saying, "The queue for the Boy Who Lived fan club is there."

Henry chuckled at her. "I'm Henry Black and this is Harry Potter. Harry lives with Jamie and gets more than enough of his brother; and I practically see him every other day. So we're not in awe of the almighty boy-who-lived. What happened back there?"

"Ernie MacMillan asked Jamie Potter how he defeated You Know Who," said Susan. "Jamie launched into this ridiculous story of how he sent a pure white light from his fingertips, which struck the Dark Lord like a bolt of lightning, and he went on and on - Parvati was looking at him like he was some sort of god, and then Jamie agreed to sign an autograph for her - and then the Weasley kids arrived and wanted autographs as well - that was when I left."

Henry sighed. He looked at the larger group and saw that Susan had it spot on. Jamie was enacting a fight, while Parvati, Ron, Ginny and Ernie were looking at him with devoted eyes. Parvati's sister Padma also stayed but her attention kept wavering from the boy saviour.

"Do you know who else is coming?" asked Susan.

Henry nodded. He looked around. "Most are here, I think it's just the Turpins and Greengrass left."

"Lisa and Daphne won't be coming," said Susan. "Lisa Turpin and Daphne Greengrass, I mean. Their families were invited to Malfoy Manor tonight and they're going there."

"Politics," Henry muttered, and Susan looked at him with a smile.

"That's what Aunt Amelia also said when I told her," said Susan. "I wanted to go with Lisa," she admitted. "She's the only girl I know who's starting Hogwarts this year but my aunt cannot publicly choose Malfoy over Longbottom."

"So -" Harry was getting bored of the political-direction of the talk. "Which house do you want to go into?"

"Hufflepuff, if I can," said Susan. "Or Slytherin."

"Slytherin?" asked Henry in shock. "Why would you want to go there?"

Susan looked slightly offended at his question. "It's where my aunt went. Honestly, it's the best place to go for career prospects."

Henry blinked. Why was a still-to-be-eleven year old worried about career and politics?

"My aunt doesn't want me to go to Gryffindor," she said. "They often end up doing the less well-paid jobs, and I don't think I qualify for Ravenclaw."

"That's not entirely true," Henry argued. "Uncle Sirius is very well-paid."

"But that's because of his Black heritage," Susan argued back. "The Blacks were always Slytherins before him."

"The Potters," Henry threw in. "James Potter is fast rising to be First Advisor to the Minister of Magic. Who knows, he could even run for the job himself! Mrs. Potter is an Unspeakable."

"Well, maybe not all of them do bad," Susan amended. "But generally, Gryffindors are less successful than the rest of the school. My aunt describes Gryffindors as lazy, ill-mannered, loud and brash -"

"Susan!"

Susan turned red when she saw her aunt and the Potters approach them. They appeared to have overheard the last fragment of their conversation.

James however found it very funny. "Spot on analysis, Miss Bones," he told her. "However, there's one more definition I would add to that list - 'mind-bogglingly charming'."

"In your dreams, Potter," Lily threw at him. "You were as charming as a flobberworm out of its tank in the middle of winter."

James spluttered. He looked mournfully at his wife for a moment before grinning widely and grabbing her by the waist. "I still got the girl, didn't I?"

"James!" Lily protested. "Stop it! The children!"

"I'm doing it for the children, dear," James shot back as he swept her in his arms and planted a quick kiss on her lips. "I have to defend the reputation of Gryffindor." He turned to Henry and Harry. "Moral of the story, boys, is this: a Gryffindor may very well be lazy, ill-mannered, loud and brash, but he always gets the girl in the end."

Henry smiled when James included Harry in giving his 'pearls of wisdom' and retorted. "We'll put that theory to test, Mr. Potter. I bet both Harry and I won't be in Gryffindor." He decided it was a good idea to break it to James nice and early so he didn't get a massive shock out of his son's sorting.

James was stunned. He turned from Henry to Harry and looked at his son intently. "Not in Gryffindor - why ever not?"

Harry fidgeted uneasily. He hesitated before using Henry's previous explanation. "Hufflepuff is closer to the kitchens. It will be easier to sneak out for a snack at night."

James froze. Then, he burst out laughing. "Well said, Harry," he smiled at his son, who flushed at his father's praise. "At this rate, you will most definitely be in Gryffindor, but I know better than to bet against Henry Black." He hesitated as if he wanted to say something else, but changed his mind. "It's time for you to go home, Harry. Your mother will leave with you."

Harry's expression changed from happiness to reluctant acceptance. He nodded obediently. "It was nice to meet you, Susan. I hope we both get into Hufflepuff. Goodbye, Madam Bones."

"Goodbye, dear," said Amelia, slightly surprised at the early departure. She turned to Lily. "Do you have to leave so early? The children only just arrived."

"Unfortunately, we must," said Lily. She hesitated before taking her son's hand. "Come, Harry. You can watch television at home if you want."

"Bye, Henry," said Harry dolefully and departed with his mother and the other adults.

Henry looked at Susan. "Do you want a glass of coke?"

"Juice," Susan voiced her opinion.

"Do you reckon we should join the others?" asked Henry after they had taken two glasses of soft drinks from the attending house-elf.

"If you want," said Susan. "I'm quite content here with you." She smiled at him.

Henry smiled back at her. Perhaps it wasn't just the Gryffindors who got the girls.

"What did Mr. Potter mean about betting against you?" asked Susan curiously. "If it's not something personal."

"It's not," Henry responded. "I've been asking a friend of my uncle and Mr. Potter to invest in companies for me. I've been doing well so far," he said proudly, as if trying to impress the ambitious little girl.

"Really?" asked Susan curiously. She sounded mildly impressed.

"Spotted Nimbus releasing a new broom and made every invested galleon into slightly more than four."

Susan smiled at him. She was impressed. "My aunt was talking about Nimbus last week," said she. "She's investing in it as well."

Henry shook his head. "It's a bad time to get in now," he said sagely. "I predict they will fall rock bottom in a year."

Susan was slightly riled up. "Well, I'm sure my aunt knows better than a eleven year old about business!"

"How about a bet, then?" Henry suggested. "If you're correct, I'll do anything you want me to. If I'm correct, you'll do something I want you to."

Susan hesitated.

"Not so confident about your auntie's skill after all, eh?" teased Henry.

"You're on!" said Susan sharply. "But the forfeit cannot be illegal, immoral or against any school rules."

"Deal," said Henry, shaking hands solemnly to seal their arrangement, while thinking to himself, 'Like stealing candy from a six-year old.'

The rest of the party was uneventful. They joined the others and Henry was slightly disappointed by how Jamie had begun to act in front of his naive admirers. At some point, his eyes met Neville's and he realized he wasn't the only one thinking that.

"So, the Malfoys scored a political victory over the Longbottoms," said Gwenog the next night over dinner.

Henry raised his head and saw Sirius sigh.

"You could put it like that," said Sirius. "Turpin and Greengrass snubbed Frank's invitation and accepted Malfoy's. Amelia Bones snubbed Malfoy and came to Frank's. It's a 2-1 on Malfoy's favour." He took a sip of his wine. "But I sincerely doubt Frank and Alice were planning to make this a political move. I believe they did it solely to introduce Neville to a group of children who will be in his year."

"It's still a snub," argued Gwenog. "Perhaps we should try to mend ties with Narcissa and Lucius." Her eyes fell on me. "We haven't yet introduced them to the next patriarch of the Black family."

Sirius didn't respond. He knew better than to argue with his wife in the dinner table, and more importantly, he had begun to realize that his nephew was fully capable of looking after himself.

"Henry, dear," said Gwenog in a very artificial cheery voice, "Wouldn't you like to meet your other cousin? Draco will be in your year as well."

Henry raised his head and met his aunt's eyes. He took a deep breath. Perhaps he could still create a relationship with her if he allowed her to think she could use him as a tool for her own ends. He let his eyes light up, as if he were pleased to get his aunt's attention. "I'd like that, Aunt Gwenog," he said. But just when Gwenog was about to change topics triumphantly, he added. "Can Carina come with me to Diagon Alley for my Hogwarts shopping tomorrow?" He saw Sirius hold back a grin and lean back to observe his wife's reaction.

Gwenog's expression changed. But as a medley of emotions crossed her face, she realized that her nephew had subtly, or perhaps not so subtly, made a condition that she could use him for improving her own social status provided she relaxed her restriction on the two cousins from associating.

After a long and troubled consideration during which Sirius continued chewing bits of his rare sirloin steak without any desire to interfere, she sighed. "Very well," she said. "I suppose it is time for Carina to get new robes. I will inform Madame Routledge to expect Carina tomorrow."

"Yay!" Carina cheered. "Thank you, mummy! You're the best!"

In retrospect, Henry regretted it.

" - and that is where daddy first bought me an ice-cream. It was butterscotch, my favourite. Come on, Cousin Henry!" Carina ran, and as she was clutching tightly to Henry's wrist, he had no choice but to run with her. The girl had been jumping all over the alley excitedly, giving Henry a detailed account of every moment she had spent in the Alley.

"Two butterscotch ice-creams," Henry called out, after catching his breath. "Cones, please." He paid for it before Remus could join them.

"Carina, you know better than to leave my sight!" Remus rebuked her lightly. "Now, let go of your poor cousin's hand and don't drag him around -"

"It's okay, Mr. Lupin," Henry quickly cut in before Remus' scolding upset Carina too much. He knew she was acting like that because they were finally doing some cousin-things together instead of having to avoid each other all the time. He put an arm around her protectively. "We're bonding."

Carina looked at him adoringly and then reached for the ice-cream that was being served. "Mmm!" she moaned in delight, as she began licking the ice-cream.

Remus sighed in resignation. "When you're finished, go to the pet shop next door and stay there. Sirius told me to pick a pet for you. So go ahead and choose one."

In the Magical Menagerie, Henry wondered who the pet was meant for when Carina once again pulled him all over the place and talking non-stop. "Oh, stop it!" Henry finally told her off, when he nearly tripped near the snakes section. He instantly regretted it on seeing her lips quiver in hurt and distress. "Oh no, I didn't mean it," Henry pulled her closer and patted her head. "Let's go slow, okay? So I can actually think about what you say from time to time."

She laughed. "Okay," she said, and tried hard to keep herself under control. "What do you think about that cat?"

"Nah," Henry shook his head. "I'm not a cat person." He looked around. "I was thinking of getting an owl, so I could write to you from Hogwarts."

Carina's eyes glowed with delight. "Come on!" she squealed, dragging him towards the owls.

'Here we go again,' thought Henry, rolling his eyes, as he was pulled from the spot by his excitable cousin.

Soon, he had obtained a snowy-white owl. From his memories, he knew it wasn't Hedwig, and on enquiring, he found out that there was another snowy-white owl that had been purchased only a day ago.

"- yes, the Potters! Jamie Potter himself came here! He took a clever little kneazle kit - yes, yes, they took the snowy owl too for that other boy of theirs - wasisname - never mind, yeah -"

'So, Hedwig is back with Harry Potter,' thought Henry approvingly. The owl was clever and affectionate, she would do good to Harry.

"Don't you have phoenixes?" asked Carina with disappointment.

The shopkeeper laughed at her question. "Look here, little missy, there be no phoenix in existence today. They are a thing of myth and folklore, not real."

Henry frowned. Did Dumbledore not have a phoenix in this reality? He recalled the words of Death - that in his reality Fawkes was, like he was here, an agent of Death - Gellert Grindelwald himself - after he had reunited the Hallows.

"How can you be so sure?" Henry defended his cousin. "Perhaps they don't like to come out in the presence of humans."

"Well - then they wouldn't make a good pet, would they?" shot back the shopkeeper before leaving the two children.

"Don't you worry, Carina," Henry told her softly. "I have a feeling you will see a phoenix someday. And you know how my feelings tend to come true?"

Carina smiled beautifully at her cousin.

Author's Note: I like reviews. Just so you know.