"No — HEDWIG!"

The broomstick spun to earth, but he just managed to seize the strap of his rucksack and the top of the cage as the motorbike swung the right way up again. A second's relief, and then another burst of green light. The owl screeched and fell to the floor of the cage.

"No — NO!"

The motorbike zoomed forward; Harry glimpsed hooded Death Eaters scattering as Hagrid blasted through their circle.

"Hedwig — Hedwig —"

Meanwhile, the hooded Death Eaters were regrouping.

"Why's that Potter screaming like a moron?" Selwyn asked his companion as they took off after the lummox and his charge. His companion, though focused on the chase, gave it two seconds' thought. The only other critter there was the owl, the Potter they were pursuing was practically hysterical about its death, and since no imposter would go so far into method acting as to start breaking down over a bloody owl–

"Sonorus! EVERYONE, WE'VE GOT THE REAL ONE! GET OVER HERE!"


Author's Note: By the way, how did Hedwig screech? She must be a powerful owl indeed to live long enough to screech when everyone else hit by "green light" just drops on the spot.