Summer Writing Series Challenge (July 7)
Challenge: A Proposal...
Title: The Witness
Word Count: 998
She had never seen him so nervous in her life. The first time going to Hogwarts was a childish twitch. Before he left to fight Voldemort was a slight shiver in a chill wind. No, the man was far more nervous than she had ever seen. Harry Potter continued to pace around his sitting room, looking into the mirror from time to time, his face paling each time he opened his mouth.
"Hermione, we've known each other since we were eleven." He started once again. "I can't think of a time when I wasn't happy you were in my life and I don't want you to leave it." He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "No, that won't work!"
As Harry went back to pacing, Hedwig let out a long sigh that sounded like an over-exaggerated hoot. She ruffled her feathers and watched as the human she so desperately loved started on his nervous path around the room once again.
I wish I could talk to him... help him in some way... She thought glumly to herself. Hedwig was happy for Harry, truth be told, she was jealous beyond belief that Hermione had captured his heart, but there was little the snowy feathered bird could do. She looked out the window into the heavens and sighed again.
"Are you alright, Hedwig?" Harry asked suddenly, startling the bird from her reverie. "You seem upset..." Harry stroked her white feathers and smiled lovingly at her. "Is my pacing bothering you? I'll stop, I'm just nervous."
Hedwig nipped his finger gently; trying to tell him that she was fine and only wished she could help. The gesture brought a smile to his face and he caressed her feathers once again.
"I wish you could talk back." He said quietly, stroking her feathers the entire time. "I can't put how I feel into words and I need some help..." He sighed and turned back to the mirror, practicing another proposal in the mirror.
Hedwig looked out the window once more and her eyes widened, a soft, blue-white light streaked from the heaven and struck her in the chest before she could react.
"Hedwig?" Harry called concernedly as he saw the phenomena in the mirror's reverse world. "HEDWIG!" He shouted when he saw her fall from her perch to the floor. He ran to his owl's side, but stumbled back a step or two when she began to glow.
What's happening?! Hedwig thought in a panic, feeling herself elongate, her wings change, her marvelously sharp talons pinching together. She hooted frantically before she passed out.
"H-Hedwig?" Harry asked tentatively, stroking her head carefully. "A-Are you alright?"
"Harry..." She whimpered. "Wh-where am I?"
"You're on the couch." He said quietly.
"You heard me?!" She shouted in surprise and opened her eyes. Harry Potter was looking at her with concern and worry in his eyes, but the biggest emotion she could see was a vast curiosity. "How can I talk?" She asked when her hand flew to her mouth. HAND?!
"You should look in the mirror." Harry said quietly, handing her one from the coffee table.
Hedwig took the offered device with shaking hands and held it up in front of her. She gasped at the beautiful woman staring back at her. "By Athena!" She whispered in reverence as she touched her long, curly platinum blonde hair and looked into her yellow eyes. "I-I'm Human?!" Thoughts began to swirl in her mind as she tried to figure out just how her beloved goddess had decided to grant her deepest desire.
"You seem as confused and surprised as I do." Harry said from the chair beside her. "Are you alright?"
Hedwig slid her hand under the blanket she was under, caressing her new body and smiling despite herself as she felt the full womanhood she'd been granted. "I think so." She said after a moment. She looked nervously to Harry and offered him a slight smile. "We both wished for the same thing and Athena's granted it." She said excitedly.
Harry shook his head in bewilderment. "Athena, the Greek Goddess?" He whispered in disbelief.
"The gods exist." Hedwig said with a smile, enjoying the fact she could smile at her beloved Harry finally. "They are hidden to those who don't believe, just as magic is to muggles." She rose to a sitting position and the blanket covering her perfect, athletic figure slipped off of her.
Harry quickly averted his eyes and blushed profusely. "I think I have something that you can wear, I'll be right back." He said nervously and dashed upstairs.
Hedwig watched him in confusion before looking down and blushing herself. "Ah, right, Human modesty." She said with a nod and drew the blanket to her chin with a slight smile. She looked under the covering and smiled to herself, examining the wonderful body she'd been given. I could... With Harry... She thought happily, her blush deepening as her fantasies flitted through her mind.
"Here you are." Harry said with a nervous laugh, handing her a T-shirt and a pair of sweat pants. "I don't have any women's underclothes here. I hope these will work..." He immediately turned around after Hedwig accepted the garments. "So, Athena granted your wish..." He said nervously. "You wanted to be Human?"
Hedwig was struggling with the clothes she'd been offered. "I..." She growled in frustration. "How do you put this on?" She said disdainfully. "I've seen you wear them, I just don't know how you work them!"
Harry laughed and turned around with his eyes closed. He reached for her head and helped her put the T-shirt on. He peeked then smiled, content that she had the long shirt covering her intimate parts. "The pants are the same, put your legs into the big end with the string in front..."
Hedwig sighed in relief when she was dressed and smiled up at Harry. "Thank you, Lo... Harry," She said quickly. Be careful! She hissed to herself.
A/N: Yes, another cliffie *argh* I can't seem to get with it this week! Harry needs some help and look who's going provide it ;) Sequel to Pets Mart.