Eagle Owls

[caesian]

No: HPFGUIDX 97679

> owlery2003 ponders:
>  
> In Harry's GOF dream about flying to the Riddle House, he's carried there on the back of 
an eagle owl. On other occasions, we are referenced to "eagle owls" returning to the owlery 
at Hogwarts. We know Draco has an eagle owl. Any thoughts on Draco being an 
informational conduit for LV?
> 
Caesian replies:
I love the owl references in the series - I think there is alot to be inferred from them - but 
this particular reference is one of the most vague and cryptic (and fun!).  

The Eagle Owls certainly seem to have an association with the Slytherins, at least in these 
instances.  It may be that Harry rides an Eagle Owl in his dream because of the one he has 
seen bringing Malfoy sweets.  This very non-literal part of the dream could be symbolic - 
such as when Draco becomes Snape in his dream in PS.  Or, it may be that the Malfoy Owl 
really did bring word from Hogwarts.  I would have assumed, given the news the owl was 
bearing (that Barty Crouch Sr. had been killed by Voldemort's super-secret DE undercover 
at Hogwarts), that it was sent by Imposter!Moody - because I do not think other Death 
Eaters, or their children, were intended to know about the plan.  (Draco was not even told 
the details of the CoS plot initiated by his own father.)  

However, I don't know of another Eagle Owl in the story - and there seems to be 
little in the way of coincidence in the Potterverse.  Although I think it is unlikely that Draco 
sent word to LV in this case, I think it is clear that Draco reports to his parents, who have 
used that information to interfere at Hogwarts, and perhaps to do other things.  So far, he 
hasn't been very effective - but perhaps that will change.

Several important messenger owls, such as the one bringing the letter to lure DD away in 
PS, and the one that probably brings news to Imposter!Moody in GoF are seen at too great 
a distance to tell their breed.  It may have been that an Eagle Owl used by Voldemort, 
which came to Imposter!Moody bringing word of Crouch Srs escape, had waited to return 
news once he had been apprehended.

The Hogwarts owls are most often Tawny.  They bring Harry presents from Hagrid in CoS, 
and fly past the Dursleys window in PS (perhaps bearing news to Mrs. Figg of Harry's 
imminent arrival).

There are also Errol the moulting feather duster, and Pig, who is a Scops Owl?  Percy's owl 
Hermes is a handsome Screech Owl.  A Screech Owl delivered Harry's Improper Use of 
Magic Notice in OotP, but a Barn Owl delivered the notice from that same office in CoS.  
Arthur Weasley used a Barn Owl (which collided with the window) to send Harry word from 
the Ministry.  Sirius's owl, and the Howler owl were not identified, although the second did 
screech loudly.

And then there's Hedwig the White, who would be a bit more suspicious if it weren't for 
her temper, and the fact that she is a she.

Caesian - who counts the one time she dreamed about an owl as her only Harry Potter 
dream