A Fluffy Little Olive Branch (A Drarry FanFiction)

Chapter One

   Over the past couple of years, Harry had got into something of a routine. His office, once a blank canvas, alive with possibilities at the start of his career as an Auror, was now decked with familiar photos, stacks of old case files he hadn't checked in months, a shelf full of books for reference, and a clock that tick-tocked reassuringly every minute of the day. He was too tired from his workload to ever think about changing anything, or sort through old notes that were no longer needed. It was enough just to tackle one case after the next.

His routine as well had become startlingly unvaried during the week. Whilst his friends had got married and were even starting to have children now, Harry's personal life, as far as romance was concerned at any rate, had flat-lined. It wasn't like he didn't still see everyone, especially at weekends; there were always Quidditch matches to go to, pubs to visit and films to watch, but at the end of it all Harry would go home to an empty house, filled with quiet, darkened rooms.

There wasn't much point in spending a lot of time there he felt, so he liked getting to the office early and staying there late, eating up the hours when other people were engrossed with the ones they loved.

He had become aware that there wasn't a tremendous amount of spontaneity in his life, but he found that sort of comforting after the volatile years he'd spent at school, dodging death at every other corner, or so it felt. His fieldwork provided a decent amount of drama and action after all, and after only a couple of years as a trained Auror he already had one of the best success rates in the department.

Occasionally, he would lament that he didn't have someone to share that with when he stepped through his front door. Ron, being his partner, already saw him most days and knew what he was up to anyway, which meant Hermione knew too. Of course he would have stories to tell when he met up with Luna or Neville, or at Weasley family gatherings, but it wasn't quite the same.

At times like this he would sigh, shake himself, and remember that he had a very happy life. He didn't need anyone else by his side to validate it. It just...might be nice. But without that inspiration, his office stilled, reminding him that routine and predictability had become his friends in all aspects of his life.

That was, until that morning.

He had taken the Floo early and arrived at the Ministry before most of his colleagues as usual, and headed down to the Auror division without more than a handful of people to say hello to along the way. All the doors along his well-walked corridor were closed as he came to a halt to unlock his own, stepping inside to turn on the lights to aid the weak dawn sunshine.

And there, on his desk, was a box.

The box had not been there when he had left the previous night, and he had most definitely locked his door like he always did. So for a moment, Harry just stared, possibly trying to determine the box's origin by sight alone.

Eventually he looked back out into the corridor, which was still empty, but he decided to have a wander up and down just in case. At the end, where the hall met the central lobby of the floor, he spotted Damien the receptionist and department office manager. He, like Harry, was always in on time, if not the very first on the whole floor, and nothing got by him. His whole persona was pristine, from his neatly buttoned waistcoats to his finely combed hair. If anyone would know how a mysterious box had appeared into Harry's office, it would be him.

"I'm sorry Auror Potter," he said, frowning. "As far as I'm aware, no one has had access to the offices. Shall I call security?"

Harry waved his hand at him. "No, that's alright," he said with half a smile. "Not being funny, but if I can't deal with a suspicious box, that would make me a pretty rubbish Auror."

Damien gave him a smile that showed his confidence in his abilities didn't doubt he could handle the box, and not for the first time Harry toyed with the idea of asking the younger man out. Until he remembered that not only did they work together, but Damien already had a boyfriend. Of course he did, he was the organised sort of man that had his life together like that.

So Harry sighed and made his way back to his office where the box, unsurprisingly, was still sat there. More people were starting to arrive for the start of the working day now, and rather than have to answer questions, Harry closed the door and pondered the new addition to his office in private.

After several spells he was almost certain the box had no magical qualities to it. It was just a regular cardboard cube, perhaps two foot high and wide, with no discernable markings on it to help him identify either the sender or the contents. That was, until he got a little closer, and looked properly at the lid. There were over a dozen holes pierced into the top, and Harry's eyes widened.

He could have been wrong, but holes were generally put in boxes because there was something alive inside that preferred fresh air to breath. Had someone put some sort of animal on his desk?

There was only one way to find out. So he edged over, wand at the ready, and carefully eased open the top flaps with a gentle charm. He didn't want to startle whatever was inside.

When nothing jumped out, he crept closer again, still with his wand out, and peered inside the box.

A fluffy baby owl looked back up at him with golden orb-like eyes, and hooted once.