Brightblade of the Goblin Nation had interacted with humans on many occasions, as was common for the wife of a clan leader. She also had experience with the customs and norms of other magical creatures. But there were times when her new son left her completely flummoxed.

It could not be normal for a child to be so quiet. When shown to a bedroom, Harry had pulled up the bedding and tucked everything in perfectly, then sat silently on the floor. When asked what he liked to eat, he listed things he had learned to cook. Left to his own devices for a short time, he found her kitchen garden and proceeded to weed, and then water it like a professional. Or at least like a 5-year-old who was really trying.

But after two weeks of being told he was their son and not a servant, he finally relaxed enough to ask a question.

"Ma'am, why do you call Freak Heartkin?" This was the invitation she had been waiting for.

"Oh, child! We have named you Heartkin because you are the son we chose. Your parents loved you very much. They planned for you and hoped for you to be healthy and happy. They named you Harry after your Mother's Father. It is a good and honorable name that you will use again when you are grown and rejoin the human world. Your most recent "guardians" called you Freak because they are vile creatures who are not fit to even be called "people". You must not use their name for you anymore. They do not deserve to hold any space in your heart or mind. The wizards will call you "The Boy Who Lived", but we will talk about that when you are older. You are now my son and I will always call you Heartkin of the Goblin Nation. There are those who might wish you ill because of things not your doing, but we will protect you and raise you as befits the child of a clan leader. I hope someday you will be comfortable enough to call me Momma."

As she spoke Harry's eyes grew wide, and then he began to quietly cry. The love in her voice was obvious, and he felt safe and cared for. He decided that Heartkin was the best possible thing he could be, and he would be it always.

"Momma."