One Day They'll Know Your Name

By any other name

The next week was full of classes that seemed to both fly by and crawl at a snail's pace. Charms was interesting, because after Professor Flitwick called his name for role, he fell off his stack of books. Harry had automatically "corrected" him on his last name under his breath and Draco almost suffocated trying to hold in the laughter. He had corrected most of the professors under his breath, and each time the friends around him stifled giggles. Potions continued to be his favorite, with Charms a close second.

Ron's older brothers, Fred and George, had taken his last name joke and run with it so far the original couldn't be seen with a telescope. They could be heard calling for "Harry Penopscott" and "Harry Loliscotulous" in between classes.

Finally the day he had been waiting for arrived. Friday was the day he would have Herbology. After the double Potions class, he and the other Slytherins headed down to the greenhouses with the Ravenclaws. Professor Sprout greeted them cheerily.

The lesson was interesting enough, but Harry hoped they would be able to be more hands on soon. As the class was released, Harry heard a cheerful voice from behind.

"Mr. Potter!" It was Professor Sprout.

"Porcupine," he muttered. Apparently it was louder than he intended because as he turned, the professor looked almost angry. "Sorry, Professor. It's a running joke aimed at my last name," he hurriedly explained.
"Every time someone says my last name, we all come up with a random word to replace it and laugh about it while trying not to get caught because it sounds weird." Her face cleared and she chuckled.

"I was wondering about the rumors of you saying random words every time you hear your name. It is humorous now that I know the full story behind it. That isn't what I wanted to talk to you about, though. You asked me to look into Sirius Black's trial. Here's the letter I just received back today."

She handed him a letter that only had a single sentence on it besides the greetings.

There is no information about a trial for any Sirius Black on file.

Harry stood for a moment, taking in the information. "He wasn't given a trial then. Is there anyone we can talk to to see about rectifying that?"

Professor Sprout thought for a moment. "Madam Amelia Bones," she said. "She would be the one to go to. I think you should write the letter, though of course I'll help you if you would like. You're his godson, and
you are the heir of the Potter line, which, although not very powerful, is old."

"Isn't one of her relatives in your House? I recognize the last name. Susan Bones, right?" Harry asked.

"You have a good memory. Susan is Madam Bones' niece."

"I think I will write the letter myself, but thank you for the offer. It will seem more sincere if an eleven year old uses the language he is comfortable with than if he uses language that only an accomplished adult would use. I might also ask Miss Bones if she will write to her aunt as well. She's pretty good friends with Neville."

Professor Sprout agreed, then sent Harry off to lunch. As he went, Harry was formulating the letter in his mind.

Harry quickly wrote the letter at lunch, making sure to sign it with Potter, then headed over to Hufflepuff table, with Draco trailing behind.

"Hey, Neville," Harry greeted. "How have classes been?"

"Hey, Harry. They've been ok. I can't seem to get any of the charms right though. I'm afraid I might be a squib after all."

Before Harry had even opened his mouth, at least three people had spoken up in Neville's defense.

"You are not a squib! You wouldn't be here if you were!" and other similar comments were given. Harry smiled, glad his friend had found such a good place with people who believed in him. Luckily, one of the girls who had spoken up was Susan Bones. Harry had remembered her from the Sorting.

"Bones, right?" he said. "Your aunt is Madam Amelia Bones? I had a question for her, but I'm worried that she won't look at it if it comes from a random eleven year old, even if that eleven year old is Harry Tentaculous." He said the last name with a huge grin as all the first years giggled. "Would you be willing to write to her too and ask if she'll just take a look at it?"

"Sure, Yeti. I'm writing her a letter now to send after Charms. I'll just ask her to read your letter in it," she replied. The first years all giggled again at the last name. A few of the older years close by snorted as well.

"Great! Thanks Bones. I owe you a favor of equal value."

Susan smirked. "I'll take an autograph," she said. "Not because you're famous, but because the last names are amazing and I want to remember whatever one you think up now forever."

Harry laughed outright and agreed. She handed him a piece of paper and a quill and Harry thought for a moment. He grinned suddenly and bent over the paper. A moment later he handed her the paper and the quill back and she laughed as she read what he had written.

Harry Noodlebrains

"Noodlebrains?" Neville asked. "Why that name?"

"Dudley used to watch a show and that was one of the nicknames in it. I just remembered it."

The first years laughed and split for their classes, or in the case of the Slytherins, free time, which they had decided to use to nap since they had Astronomy that night.

Astronomy was interesting, but it happened so late. Luckily it was on Fridays so they would be able to sleep in on Saturdays. Harry was too tired to think about anything and fell asleep right away after class,
thankfully with no dreams.

The next day, he woke up at around noon, feeling refreshed. Flint had explained to the first years that Snape usually insisted that everyone be at all meals, but since it was Saturday and they had had Astronomy the
night before, they were allowed to sleep in. They did, however, have to appear at lunch. Harry saw he was the only one awake and quickly went to bounce on Theo's bed to wake him up. This had become their morning ritual, wake Harry, Blaise, and Theo up, whoever woke to the alarm first, and leave Draco and the hulking giants for when they were done. After getting up and going to lunch, Harry and Draco met up with Ron, Hermione, and Neville to spend the rest of the day outside, even though Hermione wanted to spend it in the library. The boys quickly convinced her that not getting enough sunlight was just as bad for tests as not studying enough, and they spent the rest of the day in the sun