Dear Hedwig,

I can't believe that you're really gone. It's hard to accept. I never really got to tell you how much you meant to me, even though you were a bird and not human. I know you still understood what I was saying to you. Animals, or in your case birds, often do, especially when you're close to them. You gave me a beacon of light when I was surrounded by darkness at my aunt and uncle's house. I wish we had meet sooner.

I will forever remember the beauty of your wings. The wisdom you held in your eyes. The strong way you would flap your wings when you flew. It's a sight that I will never forget. Nor will I forget how you tried to protect me and Hagrid from that Death Eater. I've cried so many tears since then. It hurt to lose you. I bet you'd think I was being pathetic.

But you were very special to me. I loved you very much. So much that I can't even write it down in words. And I certainly can't tell you now how I feel. I guess it's true what they say. We always put off today what we can do tomorrow yet tomorrow never comes. Then it's too late.

I guess that's why I'm writing this letter. In some way I hope that it will reach you and you'll know how I really feel about you. I still remember the first time I saw you. You were a gift from Hagrid on my eleventh birthday. One of the best presents I have ever gotten, and I haven't gotten that many. Actually, you were the first gift I had ever gotten. Did I ever tell you that? My family never celebrated my birthday. So I held you close to my heart. I loved how you nibbled on my fingers and ears when you wanted to show me affection. And I love how you helped motivate Ron and Hermione to write to me on those summer vacations.

And I must apologize for my uncle forcing me to keep you in that horrible cage. I know you grew so bored and frustrated. I hate myself for not figuring out a way for you to get some exercise sooner than it had actually happened. I was a bad owner back then. Hopefully I learned from my mistakes and you had a better life after that.

But what hurts me the most is how I had to destroy the sidecar your body was in after you had died protecting us. It still eats me up to this day. I cry so much when I think about it. I'm crying right now. My tears have spotted the bottom of this letter. You would probably hit me with your wing for acting this way. But it still hurts far too much. I miss you a lot. I hope that you are free now. They say that animals don't have souls, I'm not sure if I believe that. Whether you do or not, I like thinking that you are up in Heaven flying around the clouds and over the golden streets feeling no more pain and watching over me. It helps ease the pain still inside of me.

If you don't mind I would like to look at your death as a form of coming of age. My innocence died with you. I am no longer that little boy but a growing man. I thank you for all you have done. I will never forget you as long as I live. I love you so much. I will always love you. Thank you for your friendship and for protecting me like you always did.

Your friend always,

Harry Potter