1. Yes someone who attends majlis, pay attention to the discourse and takes note is regarded as a seeker of knowledge without a shadow of doubt. Majlis is an institution of learning too.
2. Reading a book such as Al-Kafi etc with proper understanding and contemplation is considered verification of the tradition you mentioned.
3. Indeed the Hadith regarding fatima is authentic. And it simply means Allah’s pleasure is connected to that of Fatima. Allah is happy with a person when Fatima (as) is happy with that person and vice-Versa