Set sometime in Harry's sixth year, Hedwig is sulking about her ungrateful boy. Oneshot.
Hedwig was angry at her boy. She always tried her best to bring him his letters and parcels as quickly as she could. Most of the time he was a kind boy but he sometimes forgot to thank her. Today was one of those days. She'd dropped his letter off for him and waited for him to scratch her neck, something she rather enjoyed, but he'd just taken the letter and continued talking to another boy. She'd waited a little longer, turning her head to the side so he'd understand, but he'd just said something and to her and got up and left.
So now she was circling above the school, pouting. She always sulked on the wing if she could. The freedom of flying and the wind in her feathers helped make her feel better. These periods of sulking never lasted long. She knew she'd have all summer to sulk good and proper, when she'd be locked in her cage. She knew her boy hated her being locked up almost as much as she did but it was hard not to blame him a bit. After all, he was the one who always took her back to that horrible place.
After soaring for a while she did feel much better. Deciding a preening was in order she circled lower looking for a suitable place to land. She settled on the tallest tower, perching on the balcony ledge and began to clean her feathers. Running her beak along their snowy, white softness, she took pride in making them shine. The back of her neck was itchy, but maybe that was because she'd been thinking about her ungrateful boy. She turned her head to scratch the spot but couldn't quite reach it. Angrily she turned her head the other way; still unable to reach. She ruffled her feathers in frustration and then let them settle, continuing to preen those she could reach.
Hedwig let out a small hoot when she was startled from grooming some stubborn feathers under her wing, by a boy approaching the ledge she was perched on. He stood next to her in silence, looking out across the lake. She eyed him warily, but when he took no notice of her she went back to preening. She'd almost forgotten she wasn't alone when he spoke. He sounded sad. He continued speaking, a small, sad smile on his face. She looked around and seeing no one else thought he must be talking to her. She tilted her head to the side, watching him, wondering why he was sad. Maybe he wasn't appreciated either. Knowing how that felt, she forgot herself and took a step towards him. He reached a pale hand out towards her. Instinctively she backed away and his hand dropped, the small smile disappearing. She continued to watch as he turned his face back to the view beyond the castle. They stood in silence for a while longer, Hedwig still feeling the itch on her neck. Seeing a possible solution to this problem she approached the sad boy and very gently nipped his finger to draw his attention. He turned grey eyes toward her and reached out, ruffling the feathers on her neck. She arched her neck a little hoping the boy would understand. His fingers found the spot, reliving her itch and Hedwig fluffed out her feathers in satisfaction. And for a moment both Hedwig and the boy on the tower were content.