First-Name-Basis: A Oneshot
Sirius’ heart thundered against his chest.
He was facing the door to Professor McGonagall’s office.
“Go on, mate,” Remus whispered, “It’ll be alright.”
“The worst she can do is say ‘no’,” Peter pointed out.
“There’s no reason to be afraid,” James bracingly said, “It’s just Professor McGonagall!”
“Just Professor McGonagall?”
The group of eleven-year-olds meekly spun around.
Professor McGonagall was standing behind them, eyebrows raised.
Evidently, she hadn’t been in the office after all.
“Hi, Professor,” Sirius weakly said, “Err…can I talk to you?”
She opened her door and gestured for him to follow.
“Good luck, mate,” James quietly said.
Sirius took a deep breath and entered the office, closing the door after him. Professor McGonagall instructed him to sit and he did so. She sat on the opposite side of the desk and, surprisingly, offered him a chocolate biscuit.
He accepted, feeling considerably better.
“Now then, Mr. Black,” Professor McGonagall crisply said, “What did you want to tell me?”
“Actually, that’s just it,” Sirius admitted.
He hesitated and stammered, “Could you…err…could you…?”
“Could you call me ‘Sirius’?”
Professor McGonagall gave a start and said, “Excuse me?”
“It’s just…that’s my name…”
“I know that it’s your given name,” Professor McGonagall replied, “However, it is traditional for professors to refer to their students by their surname.”
“Yeah, I know,” Sirius quickly said, “But…well…I’ve never really been one for tradition.”
She folded her hands and asked, “Other than skewing tradition, is there a particular reason why you want me to refer to you by your given name?”
“Well…” Sirius hesitantly said, “It’s just…my parents and I don’t exactly see eye-to-eye…and…I’ve realized…that…well…I don’t really like being a Black. Unfortunately, I can’t change my last name until I’m seventeen. But, in the meantime, I’d like to ensure that I’m not constantly reminded of it.”
Professor McGonagall stared at him for quite some time.
At long last, she said, “Very well. I believe that we can skew tradition just this once.”
Sirius grinned and cried, “Thanks, Professor!”
“You’re welcome, Sirius.”
His grin turned into a smirk and he asked, “Can I call you Minerva?”