[HPforGrownups] Chapter Discussions: Chapter 3, the Advance Guard

[Wendy St John]

No: HPFGUIDX 76165

Ali wrote:

"(Q 4) Is Hedwig's ability to follow Harry's orders, as we later find 
out that she has pecked Ron and Hermiony, an indication of her 
having a special talent or are all owls capable of more than 
messenger duties?"

Now me (Wendy):

I think Hedwig is special in that she is not a post owl, but is Harry's
familiar. I don't remember off the top of my head if JKR ever uses this
term specifically, but I think that's the general idea of allowing Hogwarts
students to bring a "cat, owl or toad" - that wizards and witches can have
a special animal companion (perhaps more than one) who can assist them
magically, in small ways. This isn't a new concept - medieval witches were
said to have familiars who were companions and also assisted them in
casting spells and other magical activities. These animals were often
imprisoned and tortured along with their humans during witch persecutions.
Hedwig is Harry's familiar, just as Crookshanks is Hermione's, and both
animals have special talents (beyond that of regular owls or house cats).
And yes, I'm aware that JKR has said Crookshanks is part Kneazel (so not
just a regular house cat), but I think this just gives him a wider range of
potential "magical" abilities. From what we see in OoP, I think the
relationship between Mrs. Figg and her cats (specifically Mr. Tibbles)
could also be considered as human/familiar. If so, then this sort of bond
would be available not only to witches and wizards, but also to squibs and
perhaps even Muggles as well. So, I think this is the reason Hedwig has
"special" talents in comparison to a post owl. Based on the fact that in
the Potterverse, all owls seem to be able to deliver letters in a rather
intuitive manner, I would guess that all owls have the potential for this
sort of communication with humans (or wizards and witches at least), but
that the average post owl just wouldn't ever have the opportunity or
inclination. Since Hedwig and Harry have a special relationship as
wizard/familiar, this allows them to communicate on a deeper level. 

Purely speculative. But that's my story and I'm sticking to it <nods to
bboy for stealing his line>

:-)
Wendy