Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any ideas behind it.
Special One
She heard the whispers and the things they said about her. She understood them, and she knew that they were true.
"She's a special one, that one," they said. "She'll serve a great wizard some day. Look at her! Have you ever seen another like her? And she's smart! She knows what's going on! Watch how her eyes follow you when you talk to her!"
Yes, she knew that she was destined to befriend and serve a great wizard. She was special – all the others were dull in appearance and rather stupid by comparison. She preened her glossy feathers and cast a gloating look at the others. There were plenty of browns and grays, even a sleek black that was handsome enough, and smarter than most. But she was the only white, and the most beautiful of all. All eyes immediately went to her. She reveled in the attention. Many made offers for her, but disdain and rejection was all she gave them in return. They were not her wizard, she could feel it. She was waiting for her wizard.
Then, one day, a large man came. She watched him carefully. This one could take her to her wizard. She knew that.
"I'll 'ave tha' one, thanks," the big man said. "'Ow much is she?" A price was given and she did not protest. This man could take her to her wizard.
And he did. As it happened, her wizard was waiting just outside. He was a scrawny little thing, weak-looking and rather pathetic. His eyes lit up the instant he saw her and she had to struggle to contain her excitement. This was her wizard!
Through the next few days, she learned more about her wizard. He was friendly and polite, and always gave her the respect she deserved. He talked to her when he was in his room, confiding in her. She listened. He liked to read late at night, when his hateful nest-mates were fast in their sleep – she never understood why wizards chose to sleep at night. It was during one of these reading sessions that her wizard looked up from his book, at her.
"Can I call you Hedwig, girl? It's a pretty name for a pretty owl."
And he was smart, too!