Summer Writing Series Challenge (June 28)
Challenge: A look at Harry & Hermione through someone else's POV. (Friend, foe, mentor, stranger,
animal...be creative!)
Title: Pets Mart
Word Count: 1,006
Words failed her as she watched him pace the room. She could watch that raven-haired man endlessly day in and day out for eternity. She sighed quietly as he sat at his desk and began writing again. Harry Potter was writing another letter and that would mean he'd need her to deliver it. Hedwig blushed under her feathers as she imagined him tying the letter to her leg and stroking her feathers lovingly. Harry, I wish you could know. She sighed inwardly as she ruffled her feathers. She tilted her head slightly as she watched him feverishly scribble the words that she would undoubtedly deliver to his human companion, Hermione Granger.
For a witch, she was tops, the best in her generation. Hedwig could see why Harry doted after her so. The snowy white owl sighed again, wishing she were Hermione but she'd have to be an anthropomorphmagus to even come close to competing with the lucky human. For all intents and purposes, Hedwig liked Hermione well enough. The girl needed to get her own owl but that didn't matter, Hedwig knew when Hermione wanted to send something to Harry, actually when anyone wanted to send something to Harry and didn't have the means to do so. And Hermione always wanted to do things that were nice for him.
Hedwig ruffled her feathers, gazing contently at the back of Harry's head. He looks so much like a Romanian raven feather from behind ... She thought dreamily. She heard the scratching of a mouse on the windowsill but paid it no mind. When she was absorbed in her Harry, she couldn't be disturbed. She straightened when the scratching of his quill stopped and looked at him expectantly. Please tie it to my leg ... She commanded him mentally.
Harry stood and crossed the room to the fidgeting bird. "Hedwig, are you ok?" He said concernedly as he stroked her feathers. He didn't catch the shiver that went down her spine or the nervous tremble of her beak as she nipped his finger lovingly. "You had me worried for a second." He said with a laugh that sounded like delicate wind chimes to Hedwig's ears. "Could you take this to Hermione for me?" He asked quietly.
How can I refuse you? She thought as she fought desperately to keep her leg from trembling. She lifted it so gracefully, it surprised her and she had to control herself once again to keep from flitting about the room excitedly. That's how you control your impulses, Piggie! She thought to herself with a regal air.
"Thank you, Hedwig, I'll leave the window open for you." Harry scratched under her chin and she almost lost her composure but she reigned herself in and nipped dazedly at his finger once again.
I'll be back with her reply ... She thought to him giddily and flew out the window. She cringed at the stumble she'd made but relaxed when he didn't notice. Oh, he's asked her out on another date this weekend ... She smiled as the words magically transferred from the parchment to her mind. She really makes him happy ... I love that, he smiles more often. Hedwig sighed dreamily as she soared over the clouds, guided magically to her destination.
I love it when she runs her fingers through my hair. He thought happily. It makes me want to ... The ginger cat sighed happily as a loud rumble poured from his throat.
"Is my sweet kitty happy?" Hermione said in a sing-song voice.
Crookshanks nudged her hand and let out a scratchy, croaky meow of a sigh. You bet I am! He added as he began to kneed her leg. Oh, right there, yeah ... That's the spot! The ginger cat nipped playfully at her other hand as Hermione scratched at the base of his tail. With a sigh, he collapsed into her lap.
"I wonder what Harry's doing ..." Hermione said dreamily, issuing another meow from Crookshanks.
Whatever it is, it's not as heavenly as this ... He replied silently. He was in heaven and that Harry fellow was not. He was a nice enough fellow, always making Hermione smile and laugh and Crookshanks could understand why he acted the way he did during the whole Sirius = Grim fiasco. I'm just glad that cat-hating weasel isn't around much! He thought darkly. Loving that 'rat' ... Too bad they didn't really know or it might have been different. What's that smell? Oh ...
There was a fluttering of wings on the windowsill and Crookshanks hopped out of Hermione's lap before he was surreptitiously dumped when she stood.
"Hedwig!" Hermione said with a smile. She crossed the room and stroked the bird's white feathers as she was offered a new letter. "Thank you for delivering this to me." Hermione said happily and handed the owl a treat. She read over the parchment and laughed before setting out her own writing supplies and replying.
So, is it another date? Crookshanks meowed to the visitor.
It is. Hedwig chirped in reply.
The two magical beasts looked at the smiling woman as she carefully wrote her letter.
She chooses her words wisely. Hedwig hooted after a moment. If I didn't know she was a Human, I'd think she was spawned from Athena herself ...
That stupid Athena business again? Crookshanks snorted.
Hedwig jutted her beak in the air imperiously. All I care about is Harry's happiness...
Oh, the owl gets testy ... Afraid that Hermione has stolen your precious? The half-kneazle drawled.
"Thank you for waiting, Hedwig." Hermione said apologetically. "I didn't mean to take so long with my reply." She stroked the owl's feathers and smiled gently as Hedwig nipped her finger. "Keep an eye on our Harry now; we don't want him running when the big day gets here." Hermione said with a sweet laugh.
He'd be stupid to run. Hedwig hooted in reply.
Run from what? Crookshanks mewled in confusion.
The white owl turned her head around before taking flight once more. Who's the stupid one now? She chirped sarcastically before flitting off into the night.