Verified answer

Because Rowling does not like Owls!

Harry Potter is preternaturally lucky. This has been a theme throughout the books. In this case, a curse intended for him hit Hedwig's cage.

J.K. Rowling is a very clever author.

For an example of this sort of thing from another author, you should read "A Spell for Chameleon" by Piers Anthony.

I was sad about that too - I was joking around before I got the book that one of the main characters to die would be Hedwig - and it really was. Luckily the other people I thought would die stayed alive so thats good.

yeah man i almost cried for hedwig. innocent little owl who was just out in the fresh air that she was longing for weeks. and after that the explosion!? the most brutal death in all hp books:(

i guess rowling had to kill her off because one it would be more tragic for the story, and two harry and ron and hermione would have to lug around her cage and keep her shut up in her cage for months.

i kno!! it was so sad!! and fred and lupin and tonks and lots more died too =((((

but u gotta admit the part where ron punched malfoy was hilarriouse xDD