It started with my last car. Then it just sorta became a thing.

• Honda Civic Hybrid: Hagrid (because it’s ironic — that thing’s a damn lawn-mower)
• my first iPod: Hedwig
• wireless network: Patronus (password was an encrypted version of “Expecto Patronum”)
• newer silver iPod: Pigwidgeon
• MacBook Pro: Buckbeak

Last week I got an iPhone, and when the dude at the AT&T store asked me what I wanted to name it, I realized I hadn’t thought of a name for it yet. I told him to register it as “Jenny’s iPhone” — he actually mocked me for being unoriginal, though I can’t imagine what he would have said if I’d made him help me come up with an appropriately dorky name.

When I got home, I started brainstorming. It’s small, it’s black, it’s connected and super-useful, so my first thought was “Dark Mark.” Ugh. No way. I couldn’t think of any creature that fits that description. Errol was the closest, being gray, but he’s just so pathetic and old, and my iPhone’s awesome and new! I ended up settling on Patronus, even though I’d already used the name.

I’m not happy with Patronus though. It makes sense for a network because it’s this sort of general thing, but for something that I hold in my hand, it needs a real name. A real character. Someone important. Someone small and sweet and endlessly helpful. Someone loved, and loving.

I’ve got it: the iPhone is Dobby. <3

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