"I think Hedwig must be up higher - I’m gonna’ go look for her," Harry jogged up the spiral steps that led to the higher levels, eyes flickering around and waiting for Hedwig’s white plumage to jump out at him. He found her asleep halfway up the tower, "Hedwig?" he nudged her gently, and her eyes blinked open sleepily at him, "Sorry - can you take a letter for me?" she ruffled her feathers, but gave a soft hoot that he took to mean "yes’, "This says Snuffles - but it’s actually for Sirius, okay?" she hooted again, and stuck her leg out obediently to let him tie the letter too her, and then hopped onto his shoulder to be carried to the window, "Be careful, okay?" she nibbled his ear affectionately, and then became suddenly heavier as she leapt from his shoulder through the window and soared away. He took a moment to watch her go, struck not for the first time, at how effortless she made it look, but he was distracted by the sound of voices below him - Draco and someone else. He made his way back down the stairs, curious as to who had joined them so early in the morning.