Hedwig: Owl of a Different Fate?
So, I'll be short about this one thing: The Terminus reading was amazing, and I moved my thoughts on it to my personal site, because I think they fit better there. The reading is on YouTube if you're interested.
NOW!
This post is about my first-ever post in Vault 27. (I make it now not only because I can't wait any longer, but because it seems certain Facebook people are getting a tad restless. :P) As I've mentioned before, this area of the site is for all the extra bits that I couldn't shoehorn into the book, some of which are just fun stories and tidbits, and some of which consists of extra pieces of canon from Jo. Each bit will originally be posted here, and then moved to the "vault" as they drop off the front page.
This is a fun one, and one of my favorite bits from the interview: Jo talking about Hedwig's original purpose in the seven-book series. It also speaks to why she had to die when she did, and why she was originally supposed to last so long.
We were talking about which bits of the book she had planned from the beginning - what pieces of canon she knew about as soon as she thought of Harry (and the answer to that question is, mostly, in the book; after publication I'll post the rest of this comment to fill out the answer). As it turns out, Hedwig, in the original incarnation of book one, had a very pivotal role that would demand her living through to the end of book seven:
Jo said (also beware book seven spoilers...but you've read it by now, surely):
"I had to work quite hard in finding a very particular way for that snitch to be caught because I knew I was going to do that later; initially, as my British editor can confirm, I had Hedwig catch that snitch. She wanted that changed, and I thought, 'Oh, God, back to the drawing board.'
Actually that's what sealed Hedwig's fate, because the plan was for Hedwig to open the snitch, because touched it first, but, by making it Harry, then it was time too kill her earlier. I think she was going to die anyway, eventually."
Do you think it would have worked better had Hedwig flown in and landed on his shoulder as Harry was about to enter the forest? Personally I like the image of Harry kissing the snitch better; it's an embrace of his fate and total surrender to the very power so many others were trying to master.
However, it might have saved Hedwig. Maybe she would have been killed anyway, in the same blow as Voldemort's AK? Or would she have flown off, and then perhaps died in the battle? I think she probably would have stuck close to Harry, perhaps with her talons digging deep enough into his shoulders as he faced Voldemort that she got the same blow. Ah, it's morbidly pacifying to imagine a more noble end for our fair bird...
I know I am not the first person to say this, but Harry had to be alone while walking in the forest. It was his battle, it was his choice.
Although she couldn't be there at the end, I'm still sad (over a year later) that she had to die.
P.S.-I just started reading vauly 27 and I love it!
HAy Mellissa
thank for a great book and the frist thing I read in a year and a half that wasnt Computer networking or other college texbooks . It was a great read and a good way to exscape all the crazy with newspapers sales here in Chicago this week
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for sharing your love for these books by writing your own. I will be snagging a copy later today in a small mom and pop bookstore in Canada.
Thanks for sharing all of the extras.
Can't wait.
Cheers,
Lyta
Although I'm very sad about the death of hedwig... minute, just drying my eyes... I think that J.K. did it well or as well as you could've. I've had similar fantasies and due to things i could not change without changing other things I didn't want changed I had to kill the characters father and best friend. Jo probably didnt want to kill hedwig (as I never wanted to kill his best friend) but she did what she had to do in order to maintain the story.
Hedwig had to die in the escape from privite drive because Harry no longer needed her to be his conection to the wizarding world. During the summers with the dursleys SHE (hedwig is a girl) was his only friend and compaion. Now having set off into the wizarding world for good and leaving the dursleys behind forever. Harry no longer needed that conection and friend because he now had Hermione, the Weasleys and the Order for the rest of his life (well there lives anyway). Also it was a reminder that the people and things that Harry loves are in danger and can die. Renforcing Harrys thoughts last year about Dumbledore everyone he had ever loved and was supost to love and protect him had gone first his parents, Sirius, Dumbledore and now Hedwig. This point gets renforced later when Dobby dies at this point in the book it is getting darker but we are ment to forcus on the Hallows so insteed of killing a human charcter that we are closer to rowling kills a creature who we love but are not relating our selves to as when a chacter that we love and see ourselves in when they die we start to feel like a part of us is now gone as if losing a loved one for real and that pulls all the infomation about the Hallows out of our heads and Rowling didnt want to do that because that is the only thing on Harrys mind after a day or two and that is what we are suposed to feel.
Yay for editors! (Who'd have thunk it?!)
I think it would have been perfectly horrible to have Hedwig's beak skrik-krikking at the snitch. Harry's kiss of the snitch is a (literal!)embracing of death. It also speaks of his hero's journey - from the enemy being the quidditch opposing team, all the way through to being "and the last enemy that shall be defeated is death". It HAD to be this way. Besides, no-one plays quidditch better than our boy Harry, certainly not a nocturnal bird!
As a writer, I can also see that it was a wonderful way to (as a previous commentator notes) strip Harry away from another of his attachments, to signal to the reader that the bloodbath is beginning, and to get rid of an inconvenience - all in one go! (I mean, was Hedwig going to go camping with them? Disapparate along with the trio under the cloak? Give away their position by continually returning to them? Keep them connected to home, hearth, families and friends with little communiques when they need to be cut off, alone, frustrated?!). Sadly, but truly, the bird had to die...
More nuggets, Melissa, pretty please with a fizzing wizbee on top??
As tempting as it would be to have Hedwig there at till the end, I don't think she could have been that pivotal. Harry had to reach that journey's end on his own. Another thought is that if she lasted that long into DH and was killed there in the forest, I think that would have been even more devastating for Harry, if that's possible.
Melissa, love Vault 27! I'm glad you've drawn attention to the comments on PotterCast.
I think it would've been perfect if Hedwig had caught the snitch! Her opening it at the end of book 7 would've been an excellent way tie her into the story, instead of her being just the pet owl! It also would've strengthened the bond between her and Harry, seeing as she would've been the one to bring his parents back in the forest scene.
Really excited for your book Melissa! Great work!!!
Actually, for dramatic reasons, I assumed that in DH Harry would need to have everything he treasured stripped away --his wand would be lost, Hedwig, and even Ron and Hermoinie --before he could go on and defeat Voldy. Forgot about the broomstick tho.
I should also admit that I thought both Harry and Voldy would have lost their wands --and that Ollivander would be making new ones using Fawkes' tail feathers which fell out in OotP (chapter 22): sorta on the right track, but not quite....
I will miss the excitment and anticipation we shared while waiting for the next book to come out.....
Melissa,
I kind of knew this site was here, but I hadn't explored it much. I'm going to rectify that soon.
I reserved a copy of your book at a local bookstore. I like to give local people the business.
Great seeing you at Terminus.
Wow. I knew Jo planned far ahead, but planning out the specific Hallows back before book one... wow.
Also, I like this version better, because it's so much easier to say that Hedwig didn't die this way. I mean, it never actually says that Hedwig was hit by a spell - just that there was a flash of green light and a squawk - remember what Fawkes did in OotP? Ate an AK spell with a squawk, and then an explosion. Hmmm.... notice any similarities?
Anywho, I also like Harry kissing the Snitch better, just because I can imagine Hedwig thinking the snitch is food or something, or choking on it or some such. I can't imagine it being as tender a moment if Harry has to wait for Hedwig to digest the thing and get out a stone.
I am wildly digressing here, but I just found a couple grammatical problems:
"because touched it first" shouldn't it be "she" or, at least "[she]" or "[sic]" or something, if those were Jo's actual words?
"then it was time too kill her earlier." You want the single o "to" right there.
Can't wait till the book comes out!
Ooh that is very interesting!
I can't wait to read your book Melissa!!!
<3
Melissa, I agree: There's something very powerful about the way Harry presses his lips to the Snitch and embraces his fate. ("I am about to die.") I sobbed through most of "The Forest Again," but that moment was especially poignant -- mostly, I think, because it was so intimately physical, and because it was a simple act with great symbolic weight. So, I'm glad we ended up with the version we got!
Thanks for posting these tidbits, by the way. I'm really looking forward to the book. :)
I'm very excited about your book. Congratulations! However, I still wish Hedwig could have survived. But I knew when I felt the shock of her death that book seven was going to be everything it should. But I like to think of her as being in that great owlery in the sky....
Now that you mention it, it's kind of speciesist of JKR for Sirius, Remus, and Harry's parents to join Harry on his final/forest walk, but not Hedwig. Surprising, given that often Hedwig was the only (magical) one who was there for Harry.
Equal rights/rites for owls! ;-)
And congrats again on the upcoming publication!
Awwwww noooo she could have survived!! I think it might have been a bit weird if Hedwig had flown onto the Quiddith pitch and caught the snitch or whatever... but any chance of Hedwig living and I'd take it! That death was so devastating. Imagine if it was your own pet! Oh well. Clearly this proves that Hedwig is not dead (.com), cause umm... I dunno. I just want to believe!
Aah Melissa the wait is killing me, I am sooo excited for your book! I'm going to go get it as soon as it's out of course, then pull an all nighter to get through it! I'd go camp outside my bookstore at midnight but... I'm too scared to, and I'm the only one I know who's cool enough to know about Leaky and PotterCast. :)
Whatever Kevin Welsh has said about my good self, lovely Melissa, it's all lies! XD But, I do agree with him on one thing: thank you for referring to us! We are VERY honored!
First of all, WOO! You can't throw us that titbit nugget of golden information and not give us more! If we are really nicely and give you coffee, wouldyou give us more?
And second of it, you're on YouTube - to be spoiled or not? Ooooh! Decisions, decisions...
It's an interesting idea about Hedwig catching the Snitch, but wouldn't that have been cheating? Of course, Jo invented the game, so she could say whether it was or not (laughs) Anyway, Melissa, I just read the UK magazine, SciFi Now, and guess who's on the back page being interviewed? You! That was a really nice surprise and they plugged Harry: A History too!
Hedwig dying was neccesary and Hedwig catching the snitch would have been wierd. My only issue with Hedwig is she should have been out of her cage. Being traped in her cage really bugged me.
I really am looking forward to reading Harry, a History. Congratulation on your accomplishment.
Best, ChiliMac aka LostLongbottom :D
From what I could see and hear (?!!) on YouTube the book sounds amazing; funny and well-written, I expected no less. Mazaltov Melissa, this is one for the fans, they need a pick-me-up and come November they'll get one!! Well done. Best, rotfang07
Melissa!
At the reading I could tell you were nervous but I didn't know that you were that nervous! Your reading wasn't fast at all...at least I didn't think it was :P
I was also in the group who hung out with you in the lobby. When that started I was worried that that would make you even more nervous but I am glad to hear that you enjoyed it. I really had a lot of fun chatting with you and I have a feeling that the memory of it will stick in my head for a while.
Oh...and I asked you if you would rather me pre-order your book or go to the store and kinda do some little advertising (making the display pretty, etc.). You told me that I should do whatever makes me happy :p I think that I have decided to go to the store. Hehehe....my local Borders already knows me as the Potter girl. It may be because I wrote them a letter about improving their parties before the seventh book came out and they got a bit mad about it....I swear it was a nice letter! So I think that it is my duty to go and help advertise your book! And who knows....maybe I could convince them to do a midnight release....
As for the Hedwig thing...I find it interesting that she wasn't planned to be killed from the start. I always imagined that she was. I think it was better this way. It would have been sadder if she died in the final battle and I really like how the snitch was handled.
Ooo...and as of 2 minutes ago....I just got the email...I have a chaperon for LeakyCon! So as long as my parents give in, I will get to see you there! Then again, if you do a book tour, I would see you much much sooner :p
Best of luck and you deserve the standing ovation you got!
-Shoshana
Oh, Melissa poor thing. Stage fright is one thing but you had stage.. stage.. we'll find a new word for your sufferings. I'm glad to hear it all went well and I'll be glad to finally hear it on Youtube. This process must be so exciting for you.. and well equally for me and Andrew Hall -you know the rowdy Facebook boys each trying to out bribe each other- as you may well know..
Thanks for including us in that post, forever grateful,
Kevin Welsh
Hi Melissa!
As soon as I am done writing this comment, I'll search for your reading on YouTube, silly me, it didn't occur to me that of course it'd be there.
I really do hope you get to be more relaxed next time. Those situations are almost always awful, but once you get rid of your nerves, they can be throughly enjoyable.
About Hedwig's fate, I think it's better the way it is. I'm sure it would've been poetic during The Forest Again, but what about during Philosopher's Stone? The owl catching the snitch for Harry is a bit odd, and surely against quidditch rules. And I think it's not as hilarious as Harry almost swallowing it, which was wonderful, ridiculous, and perfectly fair.
Melissa,
I loved hearing you read via youtube. I hope the next times you read get easier for you. I will treasure the story of Jo looking out the window at the tabby cat.
Heres hoping that the fun for you continues. I am ordering your book for my nieces in the USA - will do that today. Going to contact my web based book seller today to see if he will carry your book. In New Zealand we are getting the Beedle book along with the rest of the world. Hoping to have your book as well.
All the best - Katie in New Zealand (ps come visit! I'll let John Noe use my kitchen.)
I do hope the readings get easier for you Melissa, that sounds like a nightmare. (And I thought oral reports were bad!) It's good to know you have such good friends to help you out when your that freaked.
I don't think Hedwig would have survived much farther in the book than she did anyway. She would have just been a temptation to write letters to his friends. It also would be a giveaway if a white owl was flying around then suddenly disapearing. It would have given the trio's location away.
Hey Melissa,
I saw you in the lobby on the executive floor before the podcast and told my Aunt that you looked white as a ghost. At that time I didn't know about your reading later that evening, I talked to you for a couple minutes but you seemed oddly off kilter so I wished you a good show and left you alone. (I'm sure you don't remember)
I was fortunate enough to be front row at your reading then I was one of the handful that sat out in the lobby while you answered questions and had a much needed glass of wine =] It was such a great night, your book reading gave me goosebumps and I "can't wait" for it to come out. You are an amazing person that will do "Great Things".
Much Continued Success!!
Cindy
I have just watched your book reading on youtube, being an Australian I can't be at these events in person, and I thought it was wonderful. Your first chapter did actually bring back the excitement of that day.
But I am inspired to leave this comment by the second reading. I am a grown woman who is supposed to be a responsible school teacher and yet I find myself squealing with delight at the gorgeous image of Jo looking out of her window at Professor McG after writing Philosopher's Stone.
I didn't know who to be happier for; Jo for actually having that moment at that particular time, us for being able to hear these little nuggets, or you for the success you will have with this lovely ode to fandom.
Congratulations.