The Final Release
Author hedwig5221
Title: The Final Release
Challenge: Ginny gets Harry to open up to her about Hedwig
Rating: G
Genre: Fluff
Word Count: 1487
Notes/Warnings: This is my first attempt at fanfic besides a little 100 word drabble I did months ago. JK owns all...I'm just playing. Thanks to my beta, queenb23more, for the comments and suggestions.
The Final Release
The wizarding world had greatly changed over the past two months. Voldemort was gone. Many of the Death Eaters were in Azkaban awaiting trial and would probably remain there for the rest of their natural lives. Witches and wizards who had fled the country began returning to their homes and rebuilding their lives.
Families were still trying to pick up the pieces after the final battle. Andromeda Tonks grieved for her husband, Ted, as well as Nymphadora and Remus. Their loss left a huge hole in her family. Luckily, she had Teddy, her beautiful grandson, who was so like his mother. Andromeda knew that Teddy missed his mummy and daddy; his hair hadn’t changed color much in the past month. However, life went on, and Andromeda would always be there for Teddy, as would his godfather, Harry Potter.
The Weasleys mourned Fred, but George especially seemed lost without his brother. Ron was working with him at Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes to help out until he got back to his old self again, or at least as close as he could. And luckily, business was brisk, as the magical community began to come back to life and laughter.
Percy Weasley was welcomed back into the family fold. He was still working at the Ministry, as was his father, Arthur, albeit with a new boss. The Wizengamot had met within 48 hours of the fall of Voldemort and appointed Kingsley Shacklebolt as permanent Minister of Magic. Kingsley was the most logical choice not only for his seniority amongst the Aurors, but because of his connections with the Muggle Prime Minister. The Wizengamot realized that change was afoot, and cooperation between the two worlds was important.
Harry was staying at the Burrow. After all the pomp and circumstance of defeating Voldemort, he was at a crossroads. He really didn’t have anywhere else to go, and the Burrow had always been home to him. However, he seemed at a loss.
Ginny noticed that Harry had been brooding again. Everyone else seemed too oblivious to his mood, but then again, Ginny knew him better than anyone except Ron and Hermione, and they were too busy snogging one another to really notice Harry’s moods.
Harry wandered outside to the orchard and sat down under his favorite tree. Ginny followed and sat down beside him.
“Hi, Harry.”
“Hi.” He had sensed her coming and didn’t bother to look up.
A comfortable silence fell between them. Harry picked at the grass; Ginny watched the clouds.
“You’ve been awfully quiet lately.”
“Had a lot on my mind.”
“Yes, haven’t we all.” She paused a moment. “I thought it was great, what you said at Fred’s funeral. I know he was looking down at the whole thing with a smirk on his face.”
“Yeah.” Harry cracked a small smile. “I think he would have enjoyed it…not sure your mum did, though.”
“Well, I think she understood what you were doing. Celebrating Fred’s life…he would have loved that.”
Silence again. Harry leaned back against the tree and began watching the sky with Ginny. A small speck began to come closer. Finally, Ginny and Harry both realized it was a post owl, an unknown owl. A pang of sorrow hit Harry and his eyes clouded for a moment.
Ginny immediately knew when his mood changed. She saw the expressions run across his face as he watched the owl, realizing that it wasn’t the snowy white owl he wanted to see, knowing he would never see her again. He hadn’t dwelt on Hedwig’s loss for months, but, today…well, she had been gone a year now and to Harry, it still seemed like just yesterday.
“Harry, do you want to talk about it?”
“Not really,” he started. “It’s just so hard.”
Ginny reached over and touched his arm. He took her hand and held it tightly.
“She was the first friend I ever had. Hagrid bought her for me in Diagon Alley just before I went to Hogwarts. I’d never owned a pet before.”
Ginny nodded. She knew this story. She remembered seeing Hedwig in her cage at Platform 9¾ that year, the year that Ron left for the first time, leaving her home alone.
“She was a very intelligent owl. One of the most intelligent I’ve ever seen.”
Harry’s eyes scanned the horizon as if looking for something. He sighed and looked at Ginny.
“Do you remember just before third year when I had to send her to Ron because of Aunt Marge coming to visit? She was so upset with me. But she never stayed angry long. She actually flew to Hermione in France and brought back my birthday present!”
“I didn’t realize that! But she did love you, Harry.”
“Yeah, I know. She could find anyone anywhere with just the name. When Professor Dumbledore was in hiding, she found him. When Sirius was in hiding, she found him. She was an amazing owl. Almost human in some respects.”
“She was. I remember when she was here with you before the Quidditch World Cup. She merely tolerated Pig. He is such a hyper little owl, and Hedwig was so, so…dignified.”
Harry looked at Ginny to see unshed tears glistening in her eyes. He wasn’t as fortunate as they began to fall.
Ginny squeezed his hand.
“Ginny, I just feel so empty.”
“I understand.”
“No, you don’t. I feel empty and sad and…and…I don’t know.” Harry’s voice hitched, and the tears flowed freely. “She had been upset with me for days because I wouldn’t let her fly free. I knew that we were leaving, and I didn’t want to take a chance of some Death Eater finding her.”
“Oh, Harry, I’m…”
“She hadn’t forgiven me…she was still mad at me when she died!!”
Harry wrapped his arms around his knees and buried his head. Ginny’s tears fell as well, but she didn’t make a sound. She just waited for the storm to pass.
“Well, that was pretty stupid, wasn’t it? Crying about an owl when so many have lost so much.”
“No, Harry. It isn’t stupid. You lost your pet, your friend. She was special to you, and you didn’t get a chance to mourn her when it happened. Everything began happening so fast. This feeling of loss has been building a long time.”
Harry took a deep breath. He wiped his eyes and cleaned his glasses. Although they were still rimmed in red, his green irises were clear when they looked into her warm brown eyes.
“Thanks, Ginny. I really needed that. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me. Thanks for waiting for me.”
Ginny finished wiping her eyes as well and smiled at Harry.
“Let’s go see what Mum has planned for your birthday tomorrow. And you are going to love what I got you!”
Hand in hand, they walked back to the Burrow. Harry’s step was a bit lighter. He glanced into the skies once more and thought “Goodbye, Hedwig. I know you are free to fly forever.”
Five years later…
Harry and Ginny walk along the streets of Diagon Alley. They have brought Teddy Lupin out for the day so that Andromeda could have a “girl’s day out” with her friends and play some bridge.
Teddy loves to come out with Harry. They always visit exciting places like Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes and the Quality Quidditch Supplies shop. Today, Harry is buying Teddy his first broom and will be taking him back to the Burrow to begin his lessons. Teddy almost bounces as he walks along with his godfather.
Ginny slows down as they start to pass Eeylops Owl Emporium.
“Wait, Harry. I want to go in here.”
Harry notices where she is going and is a bit reluctant. He already has an owl, although he is just an owl, not special. However, he follows his fiancée into the shop. He could never really deny her anything.
As they enter, a familiar hoot greets them. Perched just inside the door is a beautiful white snowy owl with gleaming amber eyes. At first, Harry is startled and almost backs away. But the bird jumps off its perch to Harry’s shoulder and begins to nibble him behind the ear. Harry smiles and begins to pet her.
“Mr. Potter! Well, I haven’t seen you in here in a long time! So you’ve met our newest acquisition, I see.”
“Where did she come from?”
“We haven’t had a white owl in over ten years. Last one was bought back in…oh, I can’t remember, but I think Hagrid bought it. The owl conservatory that bred that other owl sold us this one last week. Said it was time for her to go to her new home. Told us not to sell her until she chose her owner…that she would know. I guess she has found her new owner!”
“Yes,” said Harry. “I believe she has.”
Ginny grins. “Happy 23rd Birthday, Harry!”
Title: The Final Release
Challenge: Ginny gets Harry to open up to her about Hedwig
Rating: G
Genre: Fluff
Word Count: 1487
Notes/Warnings: This is my first attempt at fanfic besides a little 100 word drabble I did months ago. JK owns all...I'm just playing. Thanks to my beta, queenb23more, for the comments and suggestions.
The Final Release
The wizarding world had greatly changed over the past two months. Voldemort was gone. Many of the Death Eaters were in Azkaban awaiting trial and would probably remain there for the rest of their natural lives. Witches and wizards who had fled the country began returning to their homes and rebuilding their lives.
Families were still trying to pick up the pieces after the final battle. Andromeda Tonks grieved for her husband, Ted, as well as Nymphadora and Remus. Their loss left a huge hole in her family. Luckily, she had Teddy, her beautiful grandson, who was so like his mother. Andromeda knew that Teddy missed his mummy and daddy; his hair hadn’t changed color much in the past month. However, life went on, and Andromeda would always be there for Teddy, as would his godfather, Harry Potter.
The Weasleys mourned Fred, but George especially seemed lost without his brother. Ron was working with him at Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes to help out until he got back to his old self again, or at least as close as he could. And luckily, business was brisk, as the magical community began to come back to life and laughter.
Percy Weasley was welcomed back into the family fold. He was still working at the Ministry, as was his father, Arthur, albeit with a new boss. The Wizengamot had met within 48 hours of the fall of Voldemort and appointed Kingsley Shacklebolt as permanent Minister of Magic. Kingsley was the most logical choice not only for his seniority amongst the Aurors, but because of his connections with the Muggle Prime Minister. The Wizengamot realized that change was afoot, and cooperation between the two worlds was important.
Harry was staying at the Burrow. After all the pomp and circumstance of defeating Voldemort, he was at a crossroads. He really didn’t have anywhere else to go, and the Burrow had always been home to him. However, he seemed at a loss.
Ginny noticed that Harry had been brooding again. Everyone else seemed too oblivious to his mood, but then again, Ginny knew him better than anyone except Ron and Hermione, and they were too busy snogging one another to really notice Harry’s moods.
Harry wandered outside to the orchard and sat down under his favorite tree. Ginny followed and sat down beside him.
“Hi, Harry.”
“Hi.” He had sensed her coming and didn’t bother to look up.
A comfortable silence fell between them. Harry picked at the grass; Ginny watched the clouds.
“You’ve been awfully quiet lately.”
“Had a lot on my mind.”
“Yes, haven’t we all.” She paused a moment. “I thought it was great, what you said at Fred’s funeral. I know he was looking down at the whole thing with a smirk on his face.”
“Yeah.” Harry cracked a small smile. “I think he would have enjoyed it…not sure your mum did, though.”
“Well, I think she understood what you were doing. Celebrating Fred’s life…he would have loved that.”
Silence again. Harry leaned back against the tree and began watching the sky with Ginny. A small speck began to come closer. Finally, Ginny and Harry both realized it was a post owl, an unknown owl. A pang of sorrow hit Harry and his eyes clouded for a moment.
Ginny immediately knew when his mood changed. She saw the expressions run across his face as he watched the owl, realizing that it wasn’t the snowy white owl he wanted to see, knowing he would never see her again. He hadn’t dwelt on Hedwig’s loss for months, but, today…well, she had been gone a year now and to Harry, it still seemed like just yesterday.
“Harry, do you want to talk about it?”
“Not really,” he started. “It’s just so hard.”
Ginny reached over and touched his arm. He took her hand and held it tightly.
“She was the first friend I ever had. Hagrid bought her for me in Diagon Alley just before I went to Hogwarts. I’d never owned a pet before.”
Ginny nodded. She knew this story. She remembered seeing Hedwig in her cage at Platform 9¾ that year, the year that Ron left for the first time, leaving her home alone.
“She was a very intelligent owl. One of the most intelligent I’ve ever seen.”
Harry’s eyes scanned the horizon as if looking for something. He sighed and looked at Ginny.
“Do you remember just before third year when I had to send her to Ron because of Aunt Marge coming to visit? She was so upset with me. But she never stayed angry long. She actually flew to Hermione in France and brought back my birthday present!”
“I didn’t realize that! But she did love you, Harry.”
“Yeah, I know. She could find anyone anywhere with just the name. When Professor Dumbledore was in hiding, she found him. When Sirius was in hiding, she found him. She was an amazing owl. Almost human in some respects.”
“She was. I remember when she was here with you before the Quidditch World Cup. She merely tolerated Pig. He is such a hyper little owl, and Hedwig was so, so…dignified.”
Harry looked at Ginny to see unshed tears glistening in her eyes. He wasn’t as fortunate as they began to fall.
Ginny squeezed his hand.
“Ginny, I just feel so empty.”
“I understand.”
“No, you don’t. I feel empty and sad and…and…I don’t know.” Harry’s voice hitched, and the tears flowed freely. “She had been upset with me for days because I wouldn’t let her fly free. I knew that we were leaving, and I didn’t want to take a chance of some Death Eater finding her.”
“Oh, Harry, I’m…”
“She hadn’t forgiven me…she was still mad at me when she died!!”
Harry wrapped his arms around his knees and buried his head. Ginny’s tears fell as well, but she didn’t make a sound. She just waited for the storm to pass.
“Well, that was pretty stupid, wasn’t it? Crying about an owl when so many have lost so much.”
“No, Harry. It isn’t stupid. You lost your pet, your friend. She was special to you, and you didn’t get a chance to mourn her when it happened. Everything began happening so fast. This feeling of loss has been building a long time.”
Harry took a deep breath. He wiped his eyes and cleaned his glasses. Although they were still rimmed in red, his green irises were clear when they looked into her warm brown eyes.
“Thanks, Ginny. I really needed that. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me. Thanks for waiting for me.”
Ginny finished wiping her eyes as well and smiled at Harry.
“Let’s go see what Mum has planned for your birthday tomorrow. And you are going to love what I got you!”
Hand in hand, they walked back to the Burrow. Harry’s step was a bit lighter. He glanced into the skies once more and thought “Goodbye, Hedwig. I know you are free to fly forever.”
Five years later…
Harry and Ginny walk along the streets of Diagon Alley. They have brought Teddy Lupin out for the day so that Andromeda could have a “girl’s day out” with her friends and play some bridge.
Teddy loves to come out with Harry. They always visit exciting places like Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes and the Quality Quidditch Supplies shop. Today, Harry is buying Teddy his first broom and will be taking him back to the Burrow to begin his lessons. Teddy almost bounces as he walks along with his godfather.
Ginny slows down as they start to pass Eeylops Owl Emporium.
“Wait, Harry. I want to go in here.”
Harry notices where she is going and is a bit reluctant. He already has an owl, although he is just an owl, not special. However, he follows his fiancée into the shop. He could never really deny her anything.
As they enter, a familiar hoot greets them. Perched just inside the door is a beautiful white snowy owl with gleaming amber eyes. At first, Harry is startled and almost backs away. But the bird jumps off its perch to Harry’s shoulder and begins to nibble him behind the ear. Harry smiles and begins to pet her.
“Mr. Potter! Well, I haven’t seen you in here in a long time! So you’ve met our newest acquisition, I see.”
“Where did she come from?”
“We haven’t had a white owl in over ten years. Last one was bought back in…oh, I can’t remember, but I think Hagrid bought it. The owl conservatory that bred that other owl sold us this one last week. Said it was time for her to go to her new home. Told us not to sell her until she chose her owner…that she would know. I guess she has found her new owner!”
“Yes,” said Harry. “I believe she has.”
Ginny grins. “Happy 23rd Birthday, Harry!”