Neville and Susan were wandering slightly behind the group toward a stone building they had never seen before. It looked nice, if a bit cubeish... and HUGE. It was about double the height of Hagrid's hut.
Susan leaned against Neville, pitching her voice low. "So... his new son?"
Neville shrugged. "Obviously not genetic, but then again it IS Harry. For all we know, he time traveled and gave birth to Merlin or something."
She nodded. Being Harry's friend was a bit like riding a roller coaster that never stopped, but doubled in speed. She grinned. That said, they were all now coaster junkies.
Neville read the door as Harry wandered to go get Hagrid and introduce him to his new neighbor. "Goran Potter? Probably a guy, don't you think?"
The stone slab moved... Oh. Troll.
It smiled. "Hi!" In their defense, no one screamed. Hermione DID get pretty close to fainting again though. Neville of all people stepped forward. "Hello. Are you Goran Potter?"
The smile got bigger. "Yes! Are you Da's friends?"
Hermione seemed to feel much better since the HUGE creature seemed to have a firm grasp of the English language... and a massive stone door. "If your Dad is Harry Potter, then yes. I am Hermione, and this is Hannah, Susan, Terry, Neville, Tracey, Daphne... uh. Padma seems to have followed Harry to get Hagrid..."
Goran smiled, and held the door wide open. "Well welcome everyone. Da's just finished something downstairs he called the Merp 2, whatever that means."
As everyone hesitantly walked in, they viewed the stone house with awe. Everything felt like a normal room... just BIGGER. The windows were nice although they had stone shutters, and they were tall. There was a thick green carpet on the floor, a couple of inches thick that looked a bit like grass. The walls were stone... but it looked tinted, like it was sky.
Everyone jumped a little at a knock at the door. There was a stone hanging that could be used to knock without hurting one's hands, but clearly this was just a large fist.
Harry pulled Hagrid in. "Now now Hagrid, no need to knock."
Goran seemed to some how soften... oh. Neville realized he had been tense, and he had finally relaxed. "Da told me a lot about you, Mr. Hagrid. My name is Goran Potter."
Hagrid had a huge smile. It had been a LONG time since he had to look UP to someone, and Goran was four inches taller. "Now Goran, feel free to just call me Hagrid." They shook hands, causing a small shudder to go through the room. "Do you care for interesting creatures at all? Harry said ye may be interested in helping me with my duties around the forest."
Goran offered a stone chair to the man, while most of the children sat on the HUGE bed. Harry was pulling a WIDE eyed Padma over to another chair so they could sit at the table. The Troll turned his attention to Hagrid, his huge hands relaxed on the smooth table. "Now when you say interesting creatures..."
Professor McGonagall took a calming breath. It seemed Mr. Potter had... eased over a lot of the issues arising from last night. Well, it was most likely him... who else would 'donate' at such a specific time, so that all the paperwork that she was working on just sort of... vanished.
She had a small smile. As corrupt as the wizarding world was becoming, being on the OTHER side of the corruption was... well, an experience. Maybe a wealthy corrupting jerk who corrupted for the RIGHT causes... oh well. Too easy to go wrong, really.
Minerva called for one of the House-elves, and instructed that they should contact Harry Potter about what kind of food his new... son? Merlin she was not old enough to put with this kind of thing.
Thankfully Harry had suggested a working compromise, really. Hogwarts couldn't afford easily to construct a new home, but if Goran lived with Hagrid for a short while, maybe worked with him as Grounds keeper... Nothing in the forest would be able to do much to an INTELLIGENT troll. Frankly the thought frightened even her slightly. Trolls were so strong and magic resistant, they didn't NEED to know what was dangerous, or how to fight, or anything. They just... smushed anything that got in the way.
Put a mind behind that, and... well, Goran could handle the forest without issue. As she headed toward Hagrids hut, she almost tripped.
There was a stone building behind it. Not a bad looking one either, if a bit basic. Most certainly water-proof... in fact, it looked a bit better than Hagrid's Hut. Better constructed at least.
As she reached the... wow, this was a tall door. She picked up a stone hung by some cord with the words "Use to Knock" etched above it.
The stone door swung open... She kept looking up. Well, he was smiling. "Good afternoon Mr. Potter. May I come in?"
He smiled more, letting her enter where she paused. There were quite a number of students here, a gathering of 'Harry's troop' as they were unofficially known. They were chatting idly, with Harry and Ms. Patil sitting at the table. Harry seemed to be talking to a small house-elf, giving large hand gestures. She was shook from her thoughts as the large door swung closed... on stone hinges? Some sort of plastic layer inside them too. "This house is Amazing Mr. Potter."
"Thanks". The two vastly different Potters answered with matching grins. Goran offered her a chair so she could sit next to a happy looking Hagrid.
Hagrid leaned back. "So like I was saying see, Cerberus's are WAY misunderstood. Like soft pillows of fur they be, make no mistake. If you get a chance, play one some music and they be the most cuddly friends you ever met." He paused. "Ah, but smaller people get chewed on. Watch that, almost got in trouble once."
Goran's deep chuckle vibrated the floor slightly. "Back in my tribe, we ran into a Cerberus once. You would think it would learn to run after losing the first head, really." Hagrid nodded. "I always thought it came from the voting, you know? Like, one head goes and the other two are stuck in a tie. Can't decide if he wants to run or stay."
Goran sighed. "They taste burned. Even raw. Daemon hell hounds, don't suggest it. Now, if you ever get to eat a Giraffe!"
Hagrid had a shocked look. "Where did Trolls see a Giraffe?"
He shrugged. "We didn't know that is what they were called, we just labeled them 'Long Necked Tasty Ones'. Now that I think about it, we must have eaten our way through a zoo at some point. Zebras also, really worth the effort."
Hagrid was about to continue this slightly horrifying discussion about eating anything that walked when Harry popped into the conversation. "So son, see my friend Doreen here?" There was a small eep from the tiny creature. Harry pressed a hand on her shoulder. "Doreen has offered to handle your food needs, and help keep the house clean from mud and stuff. She normally works in the castle, so you have to be very nice to her, all right?"
Goran nodded, leaning down on his hands and knees to see the elf better. "Hello Doreen. My name is Goran Potter. It is nice to meet you."
Doreen looked almost unusually young to Professor McGonagall, but she supposed there were problems trying to find elves willing to help the large Troll. The tiny one stood tall. "Hello, Master Potter. I be taking care of food and cleaning."
Again, the Troll nodded. "Well Doreen, could you bring snacks for my friends? And some tea? Harry has told me much about tea. A large container, preferably."
Harry raised a hand, his eyes glowing. Not really focusing on the gasps from around the room, he focused as a mug the size of a small barrel formed from stone with a polished surface formed. With a grin, he waved a hand and "Number One Son" was etched on the side.
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