I make no claims to own Harry Potter, JKR does, nor Batman, as Bob Kane created him and DC Comics owns the rights.
Chapter Four – Black Pennies
They quickly gathered their possessions at Privet Drive then Harry, Ron and Hermione apparated to the Leaky Cauldron. After getting rooms for themselves, the three of them gathered in Harry's room to plan their next step.
"Tomorrow, we go to Godric's Hollow," Harry said. Then adding with a slight smile he added, "Unless of course something distracts us again."
Chuckling at Harry's discomfort, Ron said, "Only you would call meeting with goblins and getting Umbridge arrested a distraction, Mate."
Hermione asked to borrow Hedwig, so she could warn her parents of the police calling.
Down in the bar, a gray haired gentleman entered and paused at the door remembering the last time he was in here.
He walked over to Tom and asked if it would be possible to meet with the three people who just checked in and went to wait at a corner table.
As he sat down, Alfred began to remember his last time in the Leaky Cauldron, over forty years ago.
Flashback:
"Father, why did you want to meet here of all places," a younger Alfred asked.
Smiling at his impetuous son Marius Pennyworth said, "Because it is time to tell you about your family heritage."
Looking at his father like he was slightly mad, "What do you mean? I've been told stories about our family since I was a small boy."
Sighing, Marius began to explain, "Yes I have told you stories about our family, but I have only told part of the truth. Did you know that my name has not always been Pennyworth?"
Alfred looked at his father in shock and waited for him to continue.
"My family name was Black, a very old and powerful family of Wizards," he began. "However, they also believed in the purity of blood and power. When they had a child without any power they would cast them out on their own. My father came to me once I turned seventeen and told me, because I was a squib I had no place in their family. Someone without power wasn't worth a knut to him. So I left, with no family and no fortune to my name. I changed my name to Pennyworth as a reminder of my father's parting words to me. I had quite a bit of trouble in this new world, but was able to make my way in the world as a butler. During this time I met your mother and you were born a year later. The rest you know."
Alfred looked at his father with disbelief and stood up to walk away, but looked around at the odd people in the bar. He then noticed something he never had before, one of them was waving a stick as they read the paper, another was a gentleman in royal blue robes with stars and moons moving on them.
"You mean to say I am a wizard," he hesitantly asked his father.
"No my son, you are not," he answered. "You are a squib like me, you are able to see the magical world, but can not actively take part in it. I wanted you to know this as it is time for you to make your way in the world. Now that the war is over, I want you to go to America and find your own path.
End Flashback:
That was the last time he saw his father face to face. Fifteen years later, he and his mother were killed by an explosion according to the newspaper. But he had managed to keep up to date on the Wizarding World and knew this to be the work of Death Eaters.
Alfred had honored his father's request and went to America and met a young Doctor named Thomas Wayne. They became friends and Alfred agreed to work for him and his wife. When they had a child, Alfred would become his guardian if anything were to befall them. Sadly, a few years later Alfred would need to honor his promise.
Then in 1981 he heard the man responsible for his parents' deaths had been defeated and thought that chapter completely closed in his life.
Harry and his friends were talking in their room, when Tom knocked on the door.
"There is a gentleman down in the bar asking to speak with you and your friends, Mr. Potter," Tom said.
"Have you ever seen him before Tom," Harry asked.
"No I haven't at least not that I remember, he seemed to be a normal enough guy though," Tom answered.
"Ok, we will be down in a bit. Thank you Tom," Harry said.
As he closed the door, Hermione immediately began by saying, "Harry it could be a trap. You shouldn't meet with unknown people.
"Hermione is right, what if it is a Death Eater in disguise," Ron added.
Sighing Harry simply said, "I am not going to live in fear and I am going down to meet him.
The three teens walked down to the bar and were pointed to the table by Tom.
Looking up as the three of them approached, Alfred was stunned at the demeanor of the three teens. The looked driven and determined, especially the young man with dark hair. He had seen this look for several years in the eyes of Master Bruce.
"Thank you for seeing me, please be seated," Alfred said.
Hermione and Ron looked at Harry as he nodded, motioning for them to sit.
"You have us at a disadvantage sir," Harry began. "Who are you and why did you wish to speak with us?"
"Straight to the point," Alfred said with a smile. "So much like someone else I know. I asked to meet with you regarding stopping the Death Eaters and Voldemort."
Ron flinched and Hermione looked at Ron with disgust and then at Alfred with a calculating look in her eyes.
"You still haven't told me your name sir," Harry stated, his wand visible in his hand.
"My name is Alfred Pennyworth," he stated. "My father was a squib named Marius Black and I have come here to see if you would be willing to meet with my employer."
They each looked at the man with a touch of cynicism, before Hermione asked, "Why should we trust you and what does your associate want?"
"My employer, has an interest in stopping terrorists and simply wishes to discuss the situation here, and perhaps work together," Alfred said.
Rising from their chairs, Harry said, "We will think about it. Is there a way to contact you?"
Giving them a cell phone number, Alfred said, "I hope to hear from you soon."