99. World’s First Trillionaire. 

10 months ago.

"Sir, are we a real estate company? We already own so much land… How much more?"

Chris looked at his assistant and sighed, since he often asked that question himself many times before. "I know."

"It's not even farmable land… It's just dirt. Only magic can make it worth something."

"..."

At that moment, Chris' eyes opened wide, as if a light bulb went on. 'Magic, of course, it was real, and he could use it in abundance.'

…

Present,

"Mr. Lestrange, after that epiphany, I went on a purchase spree. I bought as much land as I could in desolate parts of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia—then I hired immigrants. A lot of immigrants—paid well, of course.

"Since we had so much land, I believed we could do something about it. So I asked Mr. Greengrass for suggestions, and he informed me that wizards can make water out of thin air and that you have flying brooms. So, while my muggle team was busy establishing the Happy Farms, buying loads of machinery, and training people. The wizard team was busy watering the land, spreading the fertilizers, irrigating it more, creating lakes, and dispersing salt on dense clouds.

"Then, we started to grow crops. Of course, it didn't work everywhere, but in many locations, it did. In the beginning, the whole project was just a simple money drain, but after getting some expert advice from non-magical people—like scientists. I was able to add a few things and get more help from your new wizarding team.

"Currently, we're the biggest private farm owner in the world. The Happy Farm is the biggest agro-company in the world—our production is legal and cross-checked by the tax department—Congratulations on being the world's first trillionaire, Mr. Lestrange."

"..."

Happy felt his hands shake. It was an unimaginable amount of money, even for him. "What should we do with so much money?"

Chris shrugged, smiling ear to ear. "You can quite literally dictate the direction of world geopolitics with mere words now. No need to use magic—you're one of the big men in the shadows."

Happy first took a deep breath to calm himself down. Then he took out a checkbook and wrote one for five billion. "Here… I don't even know how to thank you, Chris. Investing in you was the greatest decision of my life."

Chris didn't shy away from taking the check since he did work hard for it. But after reading the number of zeroes, he did feel speechless, and almost tearful. "I… I should be the one thanking you. You picked a man in rags and made him this… but if you can, please deduct a few billion from my cheque and give a bonus to all the employees."

"Don't worry. They will get it too. This one's just for you. Ah, by the way, I once read somewhere that there are precious asteroids in space to mine. Since we have so much money, why don't we start a private space rocket company with the goal of mining the heck out of the Solar System?" Happy suddenly put forward a dream plan that finally shocked Chris once again.

Honestly, Chris felt tired and worded it. "Sir, I would love to work on it but… Can I get a week-long vacation? I wanted to go on a vacation and spend some time with my son in the Caribbean. In the meantime, I'll try to look for talents who can make your dream a reality—if not, we can try poaching Nasa talents."

"Of course—go on, Chris. Have a fun vacation. Take the company jet. I, in the meantime, have a battle to win." Happy muttered and stood up. "So strange… I've surpassed most people's imagination when it comes to wealth, with such ease. Yet the wizarding world remains so backward they can't think beyond being magical Hitler." Happy muttered wearily.

Chris knew the gist of what was going on. Happy had told him about Voldemort once. "I wish I could have helped you, Sir. It's a shame the world will never know what you're doing for them."

"I'm doing this for myself, Chris. I want peace, and it would remain a dream if the Dark Lord isn't taken down. Anyway, I won't stress you with the details. You deserve a vacation—just go." Happy pushed the man out of his apartment and closed the door.

After that, he returned to sit on the couch and glanced at the documents. "More than a trillion… Does it even mean much to me? It's just a tool at the end of the day… food is enough to make this Happy very happy."

"Quack!"

"Yes, Koko is happy too. What do you think we should do with so much money, Koko?" He asked.

"Meow?"

"Pfft… We can't just eat it, buddy."

Happy laughed, but his heart was beating very fast that day. He knew the wealth was meaningless if Voldemort wasn't dealt with. And honestly, Happy wasn't afraid of Voldemort's magical prowess, but rather the fact that he could make Horcruxes. This meant that if he wasn't careful, the Dark Lord could keep on rising again and again, forever.

"I think Harry will appreciate my new gift for his first tournament task."

…

Hogwarts,

The school was in an enchanting mood at all times. The boys went wild after the women of Beauxbatons, especially the Vela. Meanwhile, the girls had a bigger pool to choose from than the boys of Beauxbatons and Drumstrang, since the Bulgarian school didn't have that many girls.

The Goblet of Fire was placed in the Great Hall itself by removing the sitting benches and tables since there were too many students. After that, names were thrown in it one by one, or at least were attempted by a few.

With much fanfare, many students from the school placed their names in the fire. Some got aged as a punishment, and some were simply thrown at the wall, breaking their bones. The goblet was by no means lenient on them.

"I wish I could place my name in it," Harry mumbled to himself while watching Cedric put his name in

"Happy would've probably tried it and gotten in," Hermione added from the side, jokingly, with a smile. "His luck was always devilishly amazing."

"Come on, all you do is talk about him these days," Ron grunted from her side. "It makes us depressed too… Now I also miss him."

"Me too." Cho Chang, who wasn't too far away, chimed in. "I… He saved my life… Please tell me if he contacts you again."

"Tell me about it too." Daphne Greengrass, who was just 'passing by,' added.

Hermione snarkily looked away, rolling her eyes. "Of course… I will."

"She won't," Ron whispered to Harry behind Hermione's back.

Bam!

She knocked on both their heads. "Stop mumbling… Professor Dumbledore is here. He's going to take out the names."

Soon, all the students excitedly watched, wondering who would represent their schools. Dumbledore soon took to the podium and gave a short speech.

"Now, the moment you've all been waiting for," Dumbledore said softly, but his voice reverberated all around. "The champion selection will now commence—But before we begin, a slight update regarding the prize for the winner is in order."

With a small nod from Dumbledore, the ministry's spokesperson came forward, Bartemius Crouch Sr. The man read from a piece of paper with a big smile. "He may not be here with us at the moment, but his excitement for this tournament remains unchallenged. By the suggestion and wish of Lord Happy Flamel Lestrange, I'm delighted to announce that the winner of this Triwizard Tournament shall be awarded ONE MILLION GALLEONS!"

"WOAH!"

"Nooo… Why can't I enter?"

"Yes!"

A mixed reaction came from the crowd. Some cheered, and some cried, but most were just in awe of the amount. With that much money, one could simply retire after winning the tournament.

"But that's not all." Crouch Sr. continued. "As Lord Happy Flamel Lestrange considers all wizards and witches his friends, he desires to award Quarter Million Galleons to the second position, and a hundred thousand to the third—Which means that all the contestants have already won at least the third prize."

Now this was a deal. They were going to be rewarded even if they couldn't win. Even the smallest prize amount was a lot, enough to make one's life.

"Now, let the selection begin!" Dumbledore spoke and dimmed the torches in the hall, then extended his hand toward the Goblet of Fire.

Woosh!

In no time, the first name came out.

"Drumstrang champion is… Viktor Krum!"

"The champion for Beauxbatons is… Fleur Delacour!"

After the cheers, the Hogwarts name came.

"Cedric Diggory!"

With that, the three champions were chosen, and the trophy was showcased. The shining piece of trash that became the root of all the troubles to come. But not this time, for now, it was a tool of a certain mastermind.

Woosh!

But abruptly, something more took place.

And at last, for the main event of the night. When no one was looking at the Goblet of Fire, the crimson blaze rose up through the blue ones once again and spewed yet another piece of paper.

Dumbledore caught it and read it under his breath with confusion. "H-Harry Potter?"

The crowd instantly reacted, and no matter how Harry tried to hide from the attention, he was pushed forward with repeated calls from Dumbledore. And after taking the burnt paper with his name, Harry was ushered into the room of champions.

Not long after came the rambling voices of the headmasters of other schools, and Dumbledore calmly came down the stairs and approached Harry.

"Harry, did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?" Dumbledore asked calmly.

The bickering insured, but in the end, Bartemius Crouch Sr. relented. "The rules are absolute… Mr. Potter, from this instance, is a Triwizard Champion."

Everyone's heads turned, and they glared at Harry, as if he stole all their hearts and kidneys.

BAM!

But just then, at the window, a loud thump resounded.

BOOM!

The glass window was then smashed open, and a big goose with a straw hat on his head came flying in. Within a glance, it was clear who the goose was.

"Koko?" Dumbledore and Harry exclaimed together.

"Woof!" Koko barked and placed a big gift-wrapped package down, near Harry's feet. "Meow."

Harry understood the meaning and picked up the object. He quickly unwrapped it, and it turned out to be a cardboard box. He wasted no time in opening it, and right there… in all its glory, was a shining, neatly polished broom the likes of which he had never seen before.

"I-It's from Happy?" Harry mumbled and picked up a small note. 'Congratulations on being selected as the champion. You might find this latest Thunderbolt broom from my company useful—it's not on the market yet. All the best… and good morning—from your greatest, mightiest, richest, most handsome best friend.'

Harry looked to his left toward the broken window. It was still night outside.

Then, he glanced at Koko and wondered about something radical. 'W-Was he supposed to give this to me in the morning? Wait… How did Happy know?'

Woosh!

Harry quickly placed the paper in his pocket. "It's from Happy—a birthday gift for me."

Dumbledore eyed Harry carefully and nodded. "Return to your dorms then—start preparing for the first task. You'll be notified about it."

…

Meanwhile, in Morocco.

"Koko? Where the hell are you?! Don't tell me you sent the damn broom early! KOKOOOOOOOO!"

The entire five-star hotel heard him that morning.