Hedwig's Summer Holiday

The last morning of July.

Harry stepped out of the washroom in yellowed sneakers and a black checked shirt he had bought last year. Washed several times, it had faded slightly bluish, and two buttons were missing. He was still bleary-eyed with sleep.

Dozens of parcels were piled into a small mountain on the carpet beside his dormitory bed. They were birthday presents from his friends.

Hedwig stood right at the top of the pile.

Harry's eyes brightened, and he perked up a little. Rubbing at the corners of his eyes, he suppressed his delight and walked over. "Morning, Hedwig."

The owl tilted her head at him and gave a cry in response.

Hedwig was already a fully grown snowy owl. Her snowy feathers were flecked with a few black plumes, making it impossible to tell her true size from her appearance. In any case, she was a fluffy, soft-looking bundle that seemed wonderful to pet. Her dark, round eyes remained as clear and pure as they had been when he first met her.

The owl was soon set down on the carpet, where she began pecking at dry white mouse meat.

Harry sat beside her, smiling.

He had never thought of Hedwig as a pet he kept. She was more like a loyal companion.

If there was anyone who had always stayed by his side over the years, the answer was Hedwig. Whether at Hogwarts or back on Privet Drive during the holidays, Hedwig had even stayed with him in the cupboard under the staircase at the Dursley house. When he had run away on his own that year, it was Hedwig who had accompanied him onto the Knight Bus and all the way to The Leaky Cauldron.

When circumstances allowed, he fed her white mouse meat and specially