An Understanding: A Harmony Story from Harry Potter

Hermione Granger woke up to remind herself that she was safe and sound in the Burrow. The events of the couple of days had taken a toll on everyone. Between Alastor Moody being killed and George losing his ear and all of them risking their very lives to safely get Harry to the Burrow.

Speaking of Harry Potter she looked over at the clock on the wall it was a little after midnight on July 31st making it his seventeenth birthday. He was now a legal adult in the eyes of wizard law so his shield of protection was now officially expired which was why it was so important to get him here.

Needing a drink of water Hermione got up to make her way to the kitchen careful not to wake up Ginny when she heard a soft whimper come from the living room.

She peeked around the corner to see Harry on the couch clutching something in his hands and tears were rolling down his face as he sniffled.

"Harry?"

He looked up at her and then looked back down as if he were embarrassed.

"Harry are you okay-"

"I'm fine"

"No you're not," Hermione said coming over to sit next to him. She didn't know why he was trying to shut her out they had been friends for almost six years now and given her own personal feelings for him she was concerned.

"It's stupid" he tried to shut her out again

"Harry whatever it is that's got you upset isn't stupid" she insisted softly laying her hand on his shoulder "it's your birthday I don't want to see you upset on your birthday"

"I don't care"

"Harry please show me what you have in your hand"

"No"

Harry tried to turn away and put his hands in his pockets but Hermione moved quicker and she managed to pry his sweaty palms open. This whole time he had been clutching a single long snowy owl feather.

Hedwig's feather.

Realization hit Hermione like a ton of bricks and she felt terrible no wonder he was so upset and distraught.

His beloved pet owl had been killed while on the way to the Burrow; hit by a Killing Curse traveling by her master's side as always.

Hermione should have known Harry would have been mourning Hedwig since it was his birthday and he had received him as a birthday present six years ago; she was surprised he kept it bottled up for the past four days. However he could only keep those emotions bottled up but for so long.

Harry of course didn't even get bury Hedwig since they had destroy the side car he traveled in with Hagrid and her body laid limp in her cage was destroyed along with it.

All Harry had left was that lone feather and it looked like he was going to hold on to it for dear life.

"Oh Harry I'm sorry…"

"I found it in my jacket pocket" Harry confessed "it's all I have of her now"

"It will be okay-"

"NO!" Harry snapped angrily out of grief "no it won't Mione if it weren't for me Hedwig would still be alive!"

"Harry-"

"Hagrid should have never given her to me!" he cried "he should have left her at the owl emporium at least she would have been purchased by somebody who didn't have a damn target on his head!"

"Harry don't say that"

"It's true Mione and you know it"

"I loved her" Harry went on to say "I know she was just an owl but she was one of my best friends hell she was the first friend I ever had period"

Hermione's heart sank to see Harry this way as he continued to stroke Hedwig's feather as he muttered

"I'm sorry Hedwig…I'm so sorry"

Hermione gently took Harry's face and turned him to face her so that he was looking in her eyes now. She ran her thumbs across his cheeks to wipe some tears away

"Harry please listen to me" she said soothingly "I know you loved Hedwig and trust me she loved you too and she knew that you loved her too"

"She couldn't have asked for a better owner and you took very good care of her; Hagrid wouldn't have given her to you otherwise he knew you would love her"

"I guess so"

"Harry I know so" Hermione reassured "did you know Hedwig used to nibble at my finger and flap her wings around if she felt I wasn't writing my letters to you fast enough"

That brought a bit of a smirk to Harry's lips and he nodded

"To be fair I told her to do that"

"And she certainly listened to your instructions"

"You do know that her name means female warrior" Hermione went on to say and that made Harry chuckle a little

"You would know that"

"It's true and she lived up to her name too and like a true warrior she was right there with you up until the very end as long as she could"

"Yeah she was" Harry said, "I know it's selfish but I wish she was still here"

"She's still with you Harry" Hermione said placing her hand on his chest "in your heart she'll always be with you"

Hermione blushed a rosy pink when she realized that she was touching her best friend's chest. The chest of the boy she happened to fancy too and quickly took her hand back

"I'm sorry that was a bit cheesy-"

"No" he said catching her hand in his "I liked that"

"You're welcome," she said "if you want we could always put her feather in your scrapbook for memories"

"I think I'd like that"

"Happy Birthday Harry"

"Thanks Hermione"

The of them stayed up until the wee hours of the morning on that couch as they both reminisced about the beloved snowy owl.

The feather laid on the coffee table in front of them.