The Speaker and His Wraiths

Warnings

We Are Being Watched

Harry blew out a breath as he sat down on History, ignoring the pointed look Hermione gave him.

"You're late!" She hissed with a scowl.

"I can't find Hedwig." Harry muttered at her. "It's been nearly a week, why's she not back yet?"

"You sent Snuffles another letter, right?" Ron leaned over to ask.

"Yeah, I apologized for ending our little call early." Harry rolled his eyes, "It wasn't my fault in the slightest but y'know. It's how he is."

"I'm really disappointed in him." Ron scowled, "He shouldn't've said what he did."

"Ron, we talked about this." Hermione sighed, "He's been so unhappy-" She cut herself off, looking behind Harry at the window. "Is that Hedwig?"

"What?" Harry whipped around to see his snowy white owl sitting on the ledge outside the window to the classroom, tapping the window gently. "Hedwig!"

Harry stood, and then he ducked his head to slowly make his way to the window. Luckily he was in the back of the classroom so not very many people noticed him, and double luckily was that the few who did were all Wraiths and chose to mind their business.

"Hey girl, what're you doing here?" Harry murmured as he opened the window, "You should be at the Owlery." When she hopped onto his arm with a little owl noise he noticed two things.

One, a little note tied to her leg.

Two, one of her wings was bent out of shape and she had tucked it close to her body protectively.

Making his way back to his seat, less subtly but much more carefully with his injured owl in hand, he felt harsh wrath bubbling up inside him as he sat down.

"Is that Snuffles' reply?" Hermione inquired, and then she caught sight of his face. Harry didn't know what expression he was wearing, but it must've been pretty bad. "Oh no, what happened?"

"Hedwig's injured." Harry seethed quietly. He yanked his hand back after Hedwig squeaked when he tried to examine it.

"Was she attacked?" Ron frowned, eyes flicking between Harry and Hedwig.

"Probably." Hermione frowned as well, "Whoever it was, they were definitely trying to read your mail, Harry."

"You think?" Ron blinked.

"The only reason to injure his owl would be to read Harry's mail." Hermione scowled at Ron, "What, you have any better ideas?"

"It couldn't have been Snuffles, Ron." Harry said, finally looking away from Hedwig when Ron opened his mouth. "He sent a response, see? He wouldn't hurt her and then just ship her back. That would be pointless, even if he was still angry with me."

"Ah, right." Ron winced.

"I'll get the note." Hermione reached out, gently unwrapping the note as Harry pet Hedwig's head with an apologetic expression.

"I'll take her to Professor Grubbly-Plank." Harry said as soon as Hermione tucked the letter away, and then he stood. "Professor Binns? I'm terribly ill and need to be excused."

"Ill?" The ghost turned to him a little dreamily.

"Yes, awfully sick." Harry confirmed, ignoring the raised eyebrows from his Gryffindor and Ravenclaw Wraiths around the room. "I'll be going to the Hospital Wing."

"Right... yes..." Binns went right back to his droning lesson and so Harry stalked out of the room.

He headed for the staffroom, going down the many staircases as quickly and as gently as possible with Hedwig on one forearm, and he arrived at the two guarding gargoyles without incident. Everyone was in class, so nobody could question him.