A/N: I actually have two versions to this story. I couldn't decide between them or what to do with them, so I decided to post both. Version 1 from Ron's point of view was written before the HBP came out, so there may be some things (cough Dursleys cough) that don't work completely anymore.

JK Rowling owns the magnificent Harry Potter.

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Hedwig's Flight

Ron/Version1

It was a dreary, grey day. The overcast sky spread over the darkened world below. I was out on the grounds with the others, dressed in formal black, and filled with an intense emotion I can barely describe. The rest of the world may have been rejoicing this moment, for all I knew, but I couldn't feel any bit of the happiness that it held. Wars don't have winners, remember? And now I knew how true that statement was. He was gone. And I missed him already.

The procession stopped at the top of the hill, where we all took a moment to gather around the fresh hole in the ground. The new Minister for Magic was giving a sermon, but I found I couldn't focus on his voice. It seemed so far away. Then some others were saying words. They were saying how great he was. I knew that, even when I was jealous, he was always my best mate and I felt lost without him now. Harry did defeat the Dark Lord. But he had been injured, and it turned out to be fatal.

Hedwig rested upon my shoulder. Her amber eyes looked like they were full of sadness in the dim light. Together we watched as they placed him in the ground. Hogwarts Cemetery. I think he'd be happy to know that he was being buried here. He always said that this place was home to him. He died too young to ever truly leave the Dursleys.

Hermione was crying silently next to me. I took her hand to comfort her as the people dispersed. We walked towards the lake and sat down. Hedwig made a soft, low hoot, that sounded more like a moan. We looked at her, and she looked back.

I think she'd been Harry's friend even longer than I had. She was his first true friend. She was always loyal to him. She had her little quirks (especially when she was in the same room as my owl, Pigwidgeon). She was the smartest owl I knew, and I think that Harry knew – she always honed in on Harry's position, she even found Sirius when he was around and in hiding. She understood everything Harry told her as if she was a human just like him. Maybe he told her some secrets he never told anyone else. I don't think I'll ever know, she'll keep them to herself till her dying breath. She loved him. And I'm pretty sure he loved her. Their special companionship is now lost with the rest of this…

She has no one to return to. She is completely alone; whereas, I still have Hermione. I feel such empathy towards her and her eyes reflect the same. I whisper to her that perhaps it's time she moves on. Her expression changes. There is the reproach. There is a speck of anguish. There is that intense emotion, the grief. She nips me on my hand. Ok, ok, stay a little while longer! She nuzzles me a moment later, as if to say sorry, and as if to say she understands how I feel, she feels the same.

Fly

Away

Leave behind these tears you shed

Fly

Away

Goodbye my friend, I will miss you more than you'll ever know

I feel the air of wing beats on my cheek and the tip of a feather as it grazes my head. She let go of my shoulder and took flight. Up, higher in the air and over the lake, her moan-like hoot echoing around the grounds. She looked back at me once, and I swear I saw tears in her eyes. Next moment and she was a speck in the sky above the world. Hedwig was now a free owl, though she didn't want to be. Goodbye Hedwig. You were as important to him as he was to you. I hope that you stay strong and live through this, for him. It would be my pleasure should we meet again. May you find your new home and not be so lost. Fly on, Hedwig. Fly on.

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