Takes place during Harry’s fifth year, after the Winter Holiday
Hedwig groaned and shook her head. The last thing she remembered was flying through the great hall to see her chick and colliding with two other owls in mid-air. She had been doused with something and lost consciousness, awakening now. “Ugh, I’m going to get those two fat flying sacks! Stupid birds. Watch your damn flight paths. Flying into me like that.” She blinked and coughed. “Wait. Why do I sound like this.”
She stood up and fell over, falling on her rear with a feathery thump. “What’s wrong with me? I feel strange.” She looked down at herself and her eyes widened with horror. “What. The. Fu-“
“Well, she sounds okay,” Pomfrey said as she watched and listened to Hedwig’s tiny angry hooting. She waved her wand and looked at the results of the Animal Diagnostic Charm. “She seems healthy despite being shrunk and in a younger form.”
“Hey! Hey! Fix this! You have to fix this! I can’t deliver mail and take care of Chick like this! I don’t want to be a bloody owlet again! Big Heart! Life Saver! FIX ME!” Hedwig hopped up and down, beating her tiny wings and hooted and barked shrilly.
Hagrid smiled. “She just sounds a bit miffed so she must be feeling okay.”
“That’s a bit miffed?”
“Okay, maybe more than a bit. Let me go get Harry, he’ll want to see her and know she’s okay for the most part.”
-0-
Harry sat outside the Infirmary with his head in his hands. He trembled slightly, from nerves and fright. Katie sat at his side, rubbing his back gently and looked up at the sound of running feet.
“What happened?!” Hermione asked, breathless from running. “Someone mentioned an accident at breakfast?”
“Hedwig was flying down and two other owls collided with her midflight and their packages exploded. The other two owls managed to avoid the explosion and mixture of whatever but Hedwig got doused with it. Harry ran her up here with Hagrid and he and Madam Pomfrey are checking her out,” Katie explained.
“Oh no,” Luna said tearily and sat beside Harry, hugging him. “I’m sure she will be okay,” Luna said softly. “She is very tough.”
“I can’t lose her,” Harry said, voice heavy. “She was my first real friend. I got her the day I found out I was a wizard. I can’t lose her.”
“Do we know what was involved in the explosion?” Hermione asked.
“Professor Snape took samples of the remains,” Katie said. “He’s trying to figure it out.”
The door opened and Hagrid poked his head out. “Come on in,” he said, waving a giant hand at them.
“Is she okay?” Harry asked immediately, jumping to his feet.”
“She’s alright, mostly,” Hagrid said. He was fighting a smile and that alone was enough to relieve Harry. “You better see it though. I’ve never seen anything like it myself.”
YOU ARE READING
Extended Family
FanfictionThe continuation of The Family that Chooses You. Chapters will explore moments others wanted to see as well as additional ideas that I might have, with some alternate universe chapters as well. Each chapter will say when it takes place roughly. ____...
