Hedwig and the Starting point
She would have left deposits on his bed.
If she had anything to deposit.
She did manage to go once in his sock when he wasn’t aware.
It took talent.
She’s so proud of that one.
Yeah, she’s been only been let out a couple of times. Surely he didn’t think that she could rely on bread forever. Did he?
She could feel her internals turning.
She sat by the window again, making herself look as pathetic as possible.
“I’m sorry girl, but I can’t let anyone see that you’re coming from here.”
She hooted miserably.
She wanted meat.
Maybe taking pity on her, he relented slightly.
“Tonight. I’ll let you out tonight.”
She wasn’t coming back in this house.
Hedwig had been stuck with Harry and the Dursleys. She was beginning to get restless. Harry has kept her in his room, only to be let out three times.
It’s been two weeks.
Hedwig was still angry, but this time, specifically at the Dursleys.
They had been the ones to refuse her basic nutrition. She wasn’t allowed to explore the house or stretch her wings far.
She couldn’t believe that the Dursleys had the nerve to keep her cooped up like an unwanted pet.
Those awful people in the rest of the house would get what was coming to them.
She would make sure of this.
At exactly 10:56 pm, Hedwig took the the air with a vengeance.
She felt the air on her wings and loved it. She had missed hunting and was going to catch a few mice to make up for the starvation.
Over the next two weeks, Hedwig absolutely refused to go back into Harry’s room, and no amount of coaxing or begging could get her to go back inside.
She would fly by and give him looks that said “I don’t need you.” Afterwards, she’d fly just close enough for him to try and reach her, only to fly off again.
She would do it over and over again.
Harry was exasperated at this point.
“Ssst sst.”
“Psst”
“Hedwig!”
She felt a bit amused at his desperate behavior.
He got her attention once more.
He slowly rose one hand, making sure it was in eye view. He made eye contact. He picked up the piece of sausage and brought it to his mouth, and chewed as loudly and slowly as possible, emphasizing the sound effects.
He then shut the window and pulled the blinds back down.
She was no longer amused.
—
Hogwarts time finally arrived.
Harry set out for the train early that morning, eager to get out of there.
Hedwig spent all of that night preparing her parting gift to the Dursleys.
She dug up Petunias garden.
She hunted as many small animals as she could and she gathered up all of the corpses of the past little animals she’s fed on.
She broke through their living room window.
She tore up the sofa.
She left her gory parting gifts.
When Harry snuck downstairs to leave, his jaw dropped so quickly it cracked.
“Hedwig…”
“No!”
Hedwig, as gracious as she was, led Harry to platform 9 3/4.
It wasn’t hard to track the only magical area around muggles.
Harry, of course, didn’t know that it wasn’t normal for an owl to lead you to your destination.
But what he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.
Probably.
They arrived, just as Hagrid came out.
Oh right, wasn’t he supposed to come get Harry?
Oops.
“Harry?”
“Blimey, how did you find your way here? And what are you doing here so early?”
Harry pointed at Hedwig, offering no explanation.
“Oh. Alright then.”
Hagrid, bless his soul, did not question this.
“You’re going to want to cage this one up, Harry. Owls can’t ride along side ya.”
“Uh. About that…”
Hedwig, of course, put up a fight.
Three long scar worthy scratches later, Hedwig was confined into her cage.
“You’ll be wanting to get to the train early, cause of your popularity and all that. Come along now.”
Harry double checks that all of his items are still together after that fight with Hedwig knocked everything around.
“So, where is this platform, sir?”
He turned around.
Hagrid was gone.
Harry stood there blankly.
Grumbling, Harry ended up having to let Hedwig out again. All for nothing.
Flying alongside him once again, Hedwig led him through the wall.
“Harry, there ya are!”
“Why’s yer bird out again? You best be getting the little gal under control. I’ve got to be heading on now, but here’s the train.”
He points towards the big and very obvious train.
He leaves.
It’s just Harry and a loose Hedwig, three hours earlier than they are supposed to be here.
Harry doesn’t bother trying to wrestle Hedwig again.
There’s no one nearby, so they make their way onto the train to get settled.
Harry finds them an empty compartment towards the back of the train, knowing that everyone else will prefer the front. He’s hoping to avoid people here.
Hedwig chooses her own seat.
Harry looks up towards the ceiling.
He spends the next couple of hours listening to people board the train. Right before the time to leave hits, a red-haired boy opens the door and asks to sit there.
Harry invites him in.
“Mate, your birds loose.”
“Yeah.”
All Harry can do is shrug.
Hedwig sleeps through the train ride.
Harry met his supposed best friend or whatever. All is well.
Ron’s busy attempting some human spell when the last stooge comes walking in.
Ah yes, just like the movies she sat through watching in her past life.
She only made it to movie five.
Not like she remembers much. It’s been years.
In due time, Draco Malfoy comes in and starts some feud or something that leaves everyone ruffled.
She doesn’t bother to pay attention.
They arrive at Hogwarts and Hedwig follows after the first years.
Yes, she did count as the fourth person to Harry’s boat.
And yes, she did marvel at the scenery.
She bit Harry to get his attention to look at the water. He did not appreciate another mark, but looked down anyways.
Once they’re across the lake, the lady who must be Mc something approaches them.
“Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats-“
…
She takes a moment to speak once more.
“I understand that someone’s owl has traveled with them, and while I must ask that this does not happen again, I will take care of it for now.”
Harry doesn’t dare to admit that the owl belongs to him.
She leads Hedwig to another member of the facility who is able to guide her to the school owlery.
Hedwig willingly follows along because she forgot how annoying children tend to be. She was happy to get away from that.
She arrives at the owlery.
There’s a gap to get outside.
Perches.
Cold.
She thinks she could get used to this.