Oliver Wood, Quidditch expert, was not known for making many mistakes. As an adult, he took the high road and avoided taking risks. He did not go for one night stands typically, and if he did protection was used to the fullest. He always warned his few partners that he wanted nothing serious. He figured that if they were after him after exchanging names and a few dances under the strobe lights in the latest, hottest wizarding club, they were not really worth getting to know personally. Then, there was quidditch.

Oliver was known for having one true love, his game. Though some women valiantly tried to hook the man's attentions from the game and into their beds, even those who he were dating experienced the run of the mill note in the morning explaining that he wanted to get in an early practice. Oliver Wood's relationships were as few as his one night stands.

There was one secret the famous keeper kept from the press, whom he evaded with expertise. Oliver Wood walked up the steps to the entrance gate of his large, secluded home. It was a three story building, with a brick front that curved around a courtyard. If this had been a muggle's home, expensive cars would have been setting in the roundabout gravel driveway, instead a fountain set in the center. It was a great lion with water spurting from its mouth.

As Oliver passed it, the water ceased and the lion turned his head in a nod. "Evening Master Wood," The obviously enchanted fountain spoke. Its voice was gravely, and hoarse as if it were suffering from an intense cold. "The perimeter is secure, and the wards are not tampered with. Muggle activity was nonexistent for today." It informed him and Oliver stopped and turned around. "How is she?" He asked tilting his head towards the house. "She let Delilah take her outside today, but the house elf could not get her to play much. It seems she is still unsure of herself." The lion's voice seemed saddened.

Oliver let out a sigh and nodded at the enchanted lion. "Thank you Mathias. You're a great guard," Oliver said and the lion let out a growl of thanks before resuming his position as the circulatory system of the fountain. The man walked into his home, muttering a quick incantation to lock the house, and was suddenly hit by a small force. He stumbled a bit but reached down and picked up the ball of life with a smile.

"Uncle Owwie!" Spoke the child with a grin. "Hullo there my 'kenzie girl how are ya?" He asked. She was Oliver's best kept secret, and his most painful.

~WishWishWishWish~

Oliver looked at the sleeping child and ran a hand through his hair. He was not used to this lifestyle, having a little one in the house. With his career as a keeper, it was difficult to maintain as well. It wasn't as if he planned to have a little one running around. Well, not yet. Not so early in his career.

Flashback

Oliver sat in the church pews, face solemn with dark circles under his eyes. Coach had let him off for the last few weeks of preseason practices. Had there been any other reason, Oliver would have resisted. This was something unavoidable.

"Your sister was a good woman," A faceless, nameless man told him. They were all the same, the other mourners. They did not know what to say to the man who had lost his sister and brother in law. "Hopefully those responsible will be thrown into Azkaban." At this Oliver finally lost his composure. "Y'think all they deserve is Azkaban eh? Nah, sir they deserve t'die for attackin' people in their home. Good people who didn't hurt anyone but earned an honest life." He found himself shouting venomously, accent sharp, earning concerned and fearful looks from those congregated in the small room. He stormed out of the doors.

The sun shined down on the field in which the hall resided in. Grass swayed oceans of green dancing in the small breeze that disturbed them. It would have been beautiful, if it were any other day. Oliver sat down in the grass with his head in his hands until a hand came to rest on his shoulder. "Mr. Wood," the voice said gently. It seemed familiar. He looked up into the blue gray eyes of his old head of house. McGonagall. "I am sorry about the loss of your sister Mr. Wood, and I know nothing you hear can abate that pain. However, there is the matter of Mackenzie. Your niece. You were named her guardian by your sister." She explained and the young man looked up at her.

Despite popular belief that he would shrug off this responsibility, and thrust her upon his parents, Oliver nodded. "I understand. I'll be ready to take her in later on this week. My mother will be taking care of her until I complete the accommodations for her to stay." He said and they both looked at the doors where a woman stood holding hands with a young girl no older than three. McGonagall nodded.

Before the week was out, Oliver and Mackenzie walked into the front door of his home neither prepared for what was in store for them.

End Flashback

Mackenzie had lived with him for a little over three months, and Oliver knew that he needed to find some sort of nanny for her, someone who would not reveal his secret. Someone he could trust. The question was who could do something like that for him. His house elf, Delilah, was wonderful in her aid with the small girl but she had other duties to see to as well. When he had hired, yes hired, the house elf parenting was not in the agreement.

Thus began the search…

~WishWishWishWish~

Hermione Granger was by far the smartest and most famous witch of her age. She was a hero, and the brains of the golden trio. Harry and Ron both respectively filled the places of the chosen one and the brawn. All three of them had grown and changed with the times, but Hermione's was by far the most dramatic.

Hermione had never been ugly, but now she boasted a pretty girl next door look. Hermione avoided make up like the plague figuring that all she needed was Chap Stick and lotion to keep her looking good. The only cosmetic torture she succumbed to was for her hair. The young lioness, as many were accustomed to calling her on account of her mane like hair, had found a simple curling shampoo. Well, with a few added charms it worked wonders. Instead of having a frizzy bush similar to that of her Hogwarts days, she had a mass of equally untamable, but more presentable curls. She was actually happy with it, as she had grown proud of her characteristic mane. Hermione had grown into a feminine figure with the right amount of curves and was not overly voluptuous. Her eyes were the same chocolate brown. They shined, and yet held a depth to them brimming with wisdom.

Hermione walked around the living space of the flat she shared with Harry and Ron. The trio had defeated the dark lord a year ago, and was simply trying to get used to life. Each had received a mountain of job offers from the ministry, newspapers, and even wizarding sports teams. Harry was still looking to be an auror, and Ron was taking his quidditch offers into serious consideration. The only person at loss was ironically Hermione.

She knew that jumping into a job offer would only cause her employer to try to endorse themselves using her fame. She did not just want a job to be handed to her, she wanted the challenge that every normal person faced when trying to start a career.

She sighed at the sight of her owl overladen with letters holding dozens job offerings. Hermione gave the worn down bird a treat, before setting the mail on the coffee table. The small wooden table was over flowing with mail for all three and looked as though it would collapse.

Hermione kept the prophet in her hands and started skimming through it for job offers. She could not take any of the articles seriously, but the employment section upheld her subscription to the newspaper. She skimmed through the offers, skipping over anything to do with the ministry, and higher end wizarding corporations, until she came across an ad that read, "Temporary Nanny Needed".

Hermione did not know why, but her eyes were drawn in immediately. The article said:

Young professional seeking nanny for his young charge. Preferably a woman who is skilled with children and can handle the energy of a three year old. Due to discretion, please owl this address and a date for an interview will be set. The identity of the employer will be withheld until the suitable nanny is chosen. Pay is to be negotiated.

She sat there thinking. It said temporary and she felt that in this time she could hold up her part of the rent while subsequently seeking another form of employment. She quickly wrote a letter in response to the ad and smiled. It was perfect. With that, Hermione bustled off to the kitchen to make tea with Anna Karenin at hand. She might as well have gotten some reading done.

~WishWishWishWish~

So this is my very first Harry Potter fanfiction. All reviews are welcome, so is constructive criticism. This story is the result of a Hermione/Oliver itch that I've been experiencing, and is just a way to get it out of my system. I have been really hesitant about writing a fanfiction, but today I just let go. I really hope that you all enjoy and review. You are much appreciated. With love, ~Readerfreak10.