Chapter 2

"One of the methods of manipulation is to inoculate individuals with the bourgeois appetite for personal success."

- ?

Green tea wasn't one of Harry's preferred cups, at least not when he had an option of something much sweater, but every now and then he'd indulge himself in something different. It was nine in the morning when Harry walked into a familiar tea shop, almost two weeks after arriving in Atlas, and was greeted by a smiling Ashley; who was just finishing up another customer's order. His order came out not long after he sat down in his new favorite chair, the local newspaper provided some entertainment until that time, and Harry's morning starting off with a content sigh after his first sip was taken. According to the news, as reliable as it was expected to be, there has been increased sightings of Grimm along the borders of every kingdom and not nearly enough hunters to keep them all at bay. This worried Harry, or more specifically he was worried about the many small towns and villages that lived outside the protection of the four kingdoms and thus were often consumed by the Grimm.

Harry's own study into the Grimm, although limited in some regards, revealed quite a bit more than even the greatest Atlas scientist was able to discover. For one, a Grimm was made up entirely of pure concentrated dark energy the likes of which Harry could only compare to the darkest of the magical arts, but with a far more savage undertone. They also possessed no internal organs, not even a brain or heart, and that any substance they consumed was quickly broken down by the energy they were made up of. In Harry's mind, it was as if some god wanted to make a bastardized version of life without putting in any of the work to do so. Finally, Harry discovered another fact that gave him personally one of the largest advantages that no other person on Remnant had over the Grimm. No matter how large or how old, all Grimm could be killed quite easily with the use of magic.

Even something as strong and ancient as an Alpha Megoliath, who had lived for hundreds of years without meeting a single creature that could stop its charge, was taken down by Harry with a single use of Avada Kedavra. Don't be too surprised at his use of a dark spell; Harry's a grown man and such a simple thing as good and evil spells was of the mindset of children. Not that the Megoliath had any real opinion on then when its body was suddenly turned to ashes by the bolt of green magic. Oh yes, Harry had hunted many a Grimm in his younger years and used his magic to wipe out who packs in a matter of moments. Naturally he did this far away from the kingdoms and not around other people if he could help it; he didn't want to be put in the limelight again.

Harry glanced down at his scroll to check the time, noting that his second meeting with Jacques Schnee was creeping up on him. This was the day he would both be getting his mine, the first of many he planned to take over, and would further sink his teeth into the S.D.C.. Harry smiled to himself for a moment; it was a slow process but he'd change Remnant for the better. Even if he had to drag them kicking and screaming into a brighter and happier world. He'd done it before and he's more than capable of doing it again.

"Free refill for my celebrity customer," Ashley spoke up, a pot of steaming tea in her hand and a big smile on her face; Harry smiled back and nodded in thanks.

"Finally figured out who I was," Harry teased just a bit, watching Ashley's cheeks flush in a cute way, "I'm flattered, really."

Ashley just rolled her eyes, more so to buy time for her blush to slip away unnoticed, before gracing the older Potter with a reply, "Well, after you first came in, I figured you had to be someone important. Low and behold, I'm serving tea to the Harrison Potter. My boss nearly had a heart attack when I told him."

"You give me too much credit, I'm just a humble businessman that has good taste in tea," Harry wasn't even trying to sound humble, not even a little, but the ease in his eyes spoke volumes about how laid back he really was.

"Right, and I just pour drinks for a living," Ashley said with a quick flash of a grin before taking off to get back to work, leaving Harry once again to his own personal thoughts.

"Hm, oh what's this?" Harry murmured when a rather interesting article caught his eye.

The article was in big bold letters, as writers tended to do to catch the attention of their readers, but it was what was typed after that was really eye-catching. Ghira Belladonna, the current high leader of the White Fang Activist Group, was announcing his intent to further boycott any merchandise sold by the S.D.C. until such a time as the miners were given better pay for their work and more safety equipment to avoid unnecessary loss of life. The boycott wasn't all that unusual, the White Fang had been doing similar things all across Remnant ever since their founding, but to come out and say it so blatantly was rather bold on their part. This Ghira had a set of brass ones, no doubt about that, to take on the largest dust mining company in the world.

The article further went on to say, with pictures included, about how faunus workers were being treated as little more than slaves at the mines. The picture might have been a little out of focus, but you could clearly make out the several massive cages filled with faunus of all ages. Jacques was going to have an aneurysm when work finally reached him, if he hadn't already heard, and all that money he spent trying to bury the truth was now wasted. Maybe Harry would send Mr. Belladonna a fruit basket.

"I suppose Menagerie will be my next spot, one I'm done with Atlas. Hm, what can they offer me and what can I offer them?" Harry asked himself, pulling out his scroll to list down some ideas for a later date, "The chief problem is Menagerie is an island that's two-thirds inhospitable desert, ironically due to the natural wildlife and not the Grimm. Nothing some hired muscle couldn't solve, or maybe a wandering bandit tribe looking to plant roots somewhere safe from the other kingdoms. Next I'd say is the food and dust they have to import just to survive, but that's easily solved once my business here is concluded. What else, what else?"

Harry would spend the rest of his free time just sitting there making plans, thinking of the best way to go about convincing a beaten and angry species that they don't have to fight the whole world. Eventually however, time would run out and Harry's scheduled appointment with Mr. Schnee was to take place.

CLICK. CLACK. CLICK. CLACK.

Two men rode in the Schnee family's personal airship, one dressed in all white and blue while the other wore a stylish black and red with just a hint of gold. Well, it was just two men of any real importance but there were several more S.D.C. security guards decked out in full combat gear. Their helmets covered the majority of their heads, including their eyes, while their white body army were stamped with the Schnee glyph on their breastplates. Held in their hands were the latest rifles produced by the Atlas military, as part of the deal Jacques managed to accomplish during his first year as the company's CEO. The sad thing was, in Harry's eyes, these men and women were little more than a PMC (Private Military Company) that hadn't broken off into the wider world yet.

"Quite a lot of security," Harry commented offhandedly, "For a simple trip out into the countryside."

"A necessity I'm afraid, for both your safety and my own. With the latest threats against both myself, my family, and my company as of late, I'm not willing to risk traveling so far away from Atlas without the proper protection," Jacques explained, his mood being rather sour, meaning he'd no doubt read the morning paper; Harry's smile was very subtle.

"Ah, I see, you can never be too careful after all. I assume they are also trained to deal with the unlikely event that we encounter any Grimm?" Harry inquired, noting how some of the younger looking security guards grew tense at the mention of Grimm.

"They may not be as flamboyant as Huntsmen and Huntresses, but they've received even more intense training than most Atlas soldiers. I pay for the best and I expect the best."

"Mr. Schnee, Mr. Potter, we're on our final approach to the mine. The foreman will be waiting for you on the landing pad," came the pilot's voice over the speakers, the luxury cabin shaking just a bit as they began their descent; raging winds and snow battering their ship relentlessly.

Within moments of touching down on the frost covered landing pad, an unfortunate reality of having a mine out in the snow covered wasteland that made up most of Solitas, both men stepped out into the cold. Harry with his thick black coat, the collar once again pulled up to break the wind before it could hit him in the face, and Jacques with an almost batching white one; once again with his family glyph printed on it. Harry noted how the foreman fidgeted in place, even if it was well hidden under her thick coat and the natural shivering that came with standing in such low temperatures for long periods of time.

"Mr Schnee, Mr. Potter, welcome to Site #2!" the foreman yelled over the raging winds, stretching out his hand for the two important men to shake, to which Jacques promptly ignored while Harry was much more polite, "If you'll follow me, I've emptied the mine per your instructions and the drilling machines have been shut down!"

"Drilling machines, I was under the impression that all dust mining had to be done by hand?" Harry asked as they made their way towards the impressively large mine entrance, where thankfully the wind broke against the small mountain and allowed them to speak normally.

"The actual dust does need to be mined by hand, but getting through all that rock would take too long. Luckily for us, the Atlas government approved research and construction of dust detection equipment. While it's not out on the open market yet, being still in its testing phase, someone with my connections was allowed to purchase one; as long as Atlas receives some of the profit of course," Jacques explained, motioning towards the rather smooth tunnel that had been drilled out and the smaller ones that required a more manual approach.

"Hm, that seems like a worthwhile investment," Harry had seen much more impressive technology, but for these people it was good enough progress wise, "So I take it you use it at each of your mines?"

"Only the larger ones that have proven their value without it. You see it sends out a pulse through the area, which is then received by several sensors, almost like a radar attuned specifically for dust. Since dust is more delicate than rock, it shows up differently on the scans and we can get a 95% reading. Or, at least that's how they explained it to me. To be honest with you, my experience is in the boardroom instead of the lab," Harry had to resist the urge to roll his eyes, wondering if Jacques spent the last night looking over this device's purpose and just told him what he himself managed to comprehend.

"Hm, impressive," once they arrive in one of the last remaining caverns that had still mineable dust, Harry came upon another discovery that made him frown.

Located in the center of the large cave was an assortment of cages stacked on top of one another with ladders leading up, like some sort of demented pyramid. So even here the faunus are treated like a slave force, kept in the mine itself so that all they knew was how to work. At one point in his life, Harry wondered why almost every civilization had slaves at one point or another. All the way from the very first civilizations, such as Mesopotamia, to countries five thousand years later. Even on different worlds, people still resorted to slavery.

"Hm, I see you've optimized your workforce by having them sleep in the work area," Harry pointed out, gesturing to the cages with his cane, "But doesn't the residual dust in the air make their lifespans rather short?"

Jacques hesitated at this, wondering just how much to say and if he could really trust Harry, but relented, "There are plenty of homeless that desire jobs, enough to keep my mines going, and thus I'd have no need to get the proper filtering equipment to keep them safe from the dust. After all, when a work horse breaks its leg, you just put the animal out of its misery."

Harry just gave a brief smile, "Indeed, but now onto the reason we're here in the first place. Although, if you would be so kind, please ask your foreman to leave. What I'm about to tell you is considered a corporate secret after all."

After a few quick words, the foreman was gone and only Harry and Jacques remained. When Jacques did turn his attention back to Harry, he found the sharp dressed man holding a piece of purple gravity dust, about the size of a small coin, in the palm of his hand. Dust, even in crystal form, was still rather dangerous to hold; especially the ever unpredictable gravity dust.

"It's so interesting, how a single rock could be so valuable that people have managed to build entire kingdoms upon it. Wars have been waged, people have been slaughtered, and all over a special rock that grows ever more dangerous and rare," Harry said, squeezing his hand around the small crystal before opening it to reveal it had vanished into thin air, "But oh the things we can do with it. Some people sell it, other's steal it for their own gain, but only I have the ability to ensure the world never runs out."

Jacques made to comment, only for his eyes to shoot open wide and his jaw unhinge entirely. For with the very hand that Harry had crushed the gravity dust, he reached out and touched a large boulder that had yet to be removed from the mine. There was nothing special about the overly large rock, not a hint of dust was contained within, but in a matter of seconds it was transformed from a dull rock color to a mesmerizing purple. Every lass atom of the boulder was now crystalline dust ready to be shipped off onto the open market.

"By the gods," was all Jacques could get out, his mind racing with new found possibilities, but there was no doubt in Harry's mind that he now had the man's complete attention.

"Not quite," Harry chuckled as he turned around and approached Mr. Schnee, "While some people have overwhelming strength, or speed, or even the ability to teleport, mine is simply the ability of transmutation."

"Incredible, the things you could accomplish with such a semblance," Harry just looked amused, even if Jacques didn't notice, as if he knew some joke that no one else could understand.

"So, partners?" Harry smiled, holding out his hand.

"If you can hold up your end, which after seeing what I just saw I believe you can, then we're both about to make a lot of money together. So, yes, partners," the deal had been sealed by an ancient power, unknown to Jacques, and Harry was well on his way to making a better world.

"Now, about your workers. How willing are you to part with them?"

(Dash)

Harry had been in Atlas for a little over two months now, slowly but surely building a sturdy foundation for his business while maintaining his ever growing relationship with the S.D.C.. In fact, as he was getting ready in the very luxurious penthouse apartment he bought, Harry was about to head off to a dinner with the Schnee family. Jacques was now eating out of his hands, seeing as Harry's mine almost out produced his own, and the man was quick to insure he continued to keep such a valuable resource close.

Standing in front of a full body mirror, Harry had just finished buttoning up and tucking in a dark green dress shirt. This was followed quickly by a true black vest, a golden chain leading to a pocket watch of all things, and a black slim tie. Next came his normal black coat, just back from the cleaners, and was accessorized by an elegant looking green silk scarf draped over his shoulders. It should also be noted that the head of his cane had turned from a lion to a raven with emerald gems for eyes.

Harry smiled at his reflection and whispered, "If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward. Hermione always did enjoy his work."

With that said, Harry grabbed his keys and was out the door in a flash. The clicking and clacking of his cane was heard all the way to his car, which held a very sharp dressed driver awaiting his arrival. The man, looking to be about the same age as Harry, was from the kingdom of Vacuo. Dark skin, neatly trimmed beard, and a black duckbill hat were the more noticeable things about him.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Potter," the driver greeted with a smile, opening up the back passenger door for Harry to get in.

"How's it going Earl, family treating you right?" Harry replied with a smile.

It should be noted that Earl was an ex-soldier, from a time that such a thing meant something to people, and as such he was more than capable of protecting his client when the need arose.

"Yes sir, the missus sends her thanks for that fish pie recipe. Told me to be extra polite today," Earl said before closing the door and jogging back around to the driver side; getting in and getting moving with expert efficiency.

"Ah, that explains why today's paper is waiting for me," Harry grinned, reaching over to the rolled up newspaper before flipping it open to help pass the time.

"She also wanted me to invite you over for dinner this Thursday night. I told her you were a busy man, but she made me promise to at least ask," that's the thing Harry learned about the people that lived in the city of Mantle down below Atlas, they could be some of the nicest people.

"I'd love to."

A short drive later and Harry's driver pulled into the Schnee's overly large driveway, which looked more like a parking lot with the amount of cars and finely dressed people moving about. It was just another bi-monthly ball hosted by the Schnee family to get all the wealthy and powerful together under one roof. Deals were being made behind closed doors, both legal and otherwise, while everyone got to see a man married into wealth flaunt what he managed to steal before anyone else. It made him some enemies, although show Harry a successful man and he'd show you ten others that wanted that man dead, but power and money provided quite a large amount of protection.

One of the many servants of the Schnee family wasted little time in opening up the passenger door for Harry. The sound of dozens of people trying to talk over one another grated on Harry's ears, but thankfully he was close to the main entrance and the sound of chattering monkeys was replaced by soft music. Harry was more than aware of the fact that many of the guests here weren't familiar with what it means to actually work for a living; not really. They all had soft hands, even the men, that bore no sign of proper struggle. Thankfully, among the crowd of ass kissers and boot lickers, Harry spotted someone he was familiar with. She may have been a rich girl, but Willow Schnee was anything but a chattering monkey like the rest of them.

They'd met not long after Harry and Jacques finalized their partnership, since he'd been invited to stay for dinner to celebrate, and boy had the two of them hit it off. Despite being a mother now, Willow still filled out her light blue dress rather spectacularly. Her hair was also now styled in a long braid instead of it's normal bun and a set of snowflake themed earrings hung from her ears. Although, judging from the annoyed look in her eyes in contrast to the polite smile on her face, Willow didn't look to be enjoying herself as much as everyone else. Harry's saving people thing made him move before anything else.

Willow Schnee may be a mother now, caring and nurturing to her little Winter, but there had been a time in her life where she was just as adventurous and outgoing as her father. Even if she was never trained at one of the four schools that occupied each of Remnant's four kingdoms, there wasn't a man or Grimm alive that survived the ferocity of her semblance when she put her mind to it. It was because of those years exploring with her father, who she oh so dearly missed since he moved away, that she didn't jump when a hand gently touched her bare shoulder and didn't belong to her husband. Instead, smiling slightly, Willow recognized the newest man her dear husband sunk his claws into.

Now she may not be the public figure of the S.D.C., something of which she had no idea how Jacques convinced her father to allow, but any person that enters her home was thoroughly vetted; especially with Winter still being young. Normally she'd find some skeletons, of one form or another, but everything on paper said Harrison James Potter was a saint without equal. He helped small businesses while still turning a profit, funded an orphanage in three of the four kingdoms, didn't appear to hold any hatred towards the faunus, and seemed to stay out of the media as much as possible. He was nice, too nice.

"Excuse me gentlemen, ladies, but I'm afraid I must steal Mrs. Schnee away from you all. Business and other such things," Harry flashed them a charming, bordering on condescending, grin as Willow allowed him to guide her away from the bunch of snakes.

"You'd think you a bully with how you just whisked me away from them; like children with their favorite toy being taken away," Willow chuckled just a bit, swiping a glass of champagne off a served walking past and taking a quick sip, "Still, thank you for dragging me away, I don't think I could stand another round of brown nosing."

"My pleasure," Harry said, "How have you been, Willow?"

"Well, I can't really complain. Winter is growing up so fast, Jacques is spending more and more time at the office, and managing a party every couple of months is starting to grow old. Still, things could always be worse. How about yourself, Harrison?" Willow inquired in return, wrapping her arm loosely around Harry's as they made their way through the crowded rooms and onto a balcony overlooking the garden.

"To be honest with you, Atlas is starting to bore me," Harry said rather bluntly, getting a very unladylike like snort from Willow.

"Yes, you do seem like the sort that enjoys to travel," Willow commented, "Much like my father, in fact. When I was just a girl, we'd fly to Vale and go camping in the forests just outside the kingdom."

Harry couldn't help but tease just a bit, "Oh really? The Willow Schnee liked roughing it? No butlers for miles around?"

"Hush, it's not polite to tease a lady," Willow chastised, but there was no heat behind her words, and playfully slapped Harry's shoulder.

"Oh, my deepest apologies," he didn't sound sorry in the slightest.

"I'm sure," Willow liked Harry, he wasn't boring, "But enough small talk. I know you're here to talk to my husband and I'm sure he could use the distraction as much as I did."

As they walked back into the party, only Harry managed to catch a shadowy movement out the corner of his eye. Which is why, with a tap of his cane against the stone floor, the entire home came under his protection.

"Indeed, let's all have some fun."

Otsutsuki no Yami: There's no proof that Jacques has an aura or semblance of any kind, so in this story he won't have on either.

muratira: Harry's position power wise isn't god level, not even the people in his own story could be considered god level, but he has grown with age. Harry won't be weak in CQC style fighting with a weapon, but at the same time he won't be able to go toe to toe with someone like Qrow, especially at his age. That doesn't mean he won't be able to use magic to make up for that shortcoming.

Haunton: That's a surprise.