Hedwig

**Hedwig** is a character in the *Harry Potter book series*. She is the pet snowy owl of Harry Potter, purchased by Rubeus Hagrid for his eleventh birthday. She is his close companion until her death while saving Harry in the Battle of the Seven Potters during the Second Wizarding War.

## Biography

### Philosopher's Stone

In 1991, Hedwig was purchased at Eeylops Owl Emporium by Rubeus Hagrid for Harry Potter's birthday because he knew the Dursley family had never brought Harry any proper presents. When they left the shop, Hedwig was in a large cage, sleeping with her head under her wing. Harry later gave her the name Hedwig when he found it in a book, A History of Magic. When staying at Privet Drive that summer, she was let out of her cage and she kept bringing back dead mice. Harry took Hedwig to Hogwarts School when he began the first-year in September 1991.

In the first few days that Harry attended Hogwarts, Hedwig had not given him any post but she went to the Great Hall a few times to nibble Harry's ear and eat toast before going to sleep in the Owlery. A few days later, she gave Harry a letter from Hagrid. Harry gave her a note to give back to Hagrid. In spring, Hedwig took Harry a note from Hagrid to tell him that a dragon egg he had was hatching. Harry used her to send a letter to Charlie Weasley about the egg, and Charlie gave her a letter to take back to Harry.

### Chamber of Secrets

During the summer of 1992, Vernon Dursley wouldn't let Hedwig out of her cage because he wanted to cut Harry's communication to the wizarding world. Harry thought that Hedwig was the only proof he had that the wizarding world was not a dream, because Vernon had locked up everything else that he had from school. Hedwig was padlocked in her cage but she found it boring, so she kept hooting and annoying Vernon. He wanted her to go for good if she would not stop. However, one evening when Hedwig was sleeping, Dobby spoke to Harry in the bedroom and she was woken up when Dobby was screaming. Vernon locked Harry in the bedroom for days when Dobby had later ruined an important business dinner but a few days later, Harry and Hedwig were woken up by Fred, George and Ron in a flying Ford Anglia.

Hedwig knew they had to be silent and not wake Vernon up, and she stayed still. However, when Harry had gotten luggage together and was getting the car, she screeched because he had forgotten her. That woke Vernon up, and Harry had to run back and get her to pass to Ron. Harry let Hedwig out of her cage for the first time since June when they drove to The Burrow, and she glided next to the car. For the first day back at Hogwarts, Harry and Ron were late to getting the train because Dobby blocked the entrance. Harry's trolley that was carrying Hedwig in her cage hit the wall and fell. Hedwig began frantically screeching and Ron had to run to get her up. The crowd surrounding the scene were muttering about how cruel it was to Hedwig, who continued screeching.

Harry and Ron took the Ford Anglia to school instead, and Harry put Hedwig in the car. It was a tiring, long day for her that ended when they crashed into the Whomping Willow that then nearly killed them. Hedwig was angry at Harry about what happened for days.

### Prisoner of Azkaban

In the summer of 1993, Vernon let Hedwig out of her cage at night so she wouldn't get upset about being locked in. However, Harry couldn't use her to send any letters. Hedwig was gone for two nights leading up to Harry's birthday because she wanted Harry to get birthday cards. She had flown to Harry's friend Hermione in France to get her card. Harry didn't know so started to get concerned about her. Hedwig soon showed up at night on Harry's birthday, arriving with Errol and Hagrid's owl.

In the morning, Harry asked Hedwig to leave with Errol and stay with Ron for a week so he could pretend he wasn't a wizard while Marjorie Dursley was staying there. Hedwig wasn't happy but she agreed to leave, taking with her a letter for Ron about it. Seven days later, Hedwig flew to the Leaky Cauldron where she knew Harry was travelling. She was in his room waiting when he arrived.

## Notes and sources

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 5
2. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 6
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 8
4. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 14
5. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 1
6. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 2
7. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 3
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 5
9. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 6
10. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 1
11. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 2
12. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 3