Okay, so here's chap 4. Sorry for the delay. I mentioned in the previous chapter that this one was going to be lighter, but I thought that it was the right time to present some characters. Hope you all like it :-).

Enjoy!

Chapter IV- In Good Hands

Hermione's heart raced furiously and could feel adrenaline rushing through her body. She hadn't felt that sensation since the war. Right then it felt as though it was happening all over again, she had to fend for herself, alone. Her hand automatically searched for her wand and clasped it tightly.

Realizing that there was a child present Hermione kept her wand, in a firm grip pointing down, but was ready to strike anyone who wanted to harm her.

"Well, she's my nanny, Gramps." Serena stated, like if it was obvious.

Hermione saw the man's eyes flare even more, if that was even possible. She had forgotten that the elder Malfoy lived at the manor as well.

Narcissa Malfoy was standing in an elegant poise, scowling at her husband, for an unknown reason to Hermione. Luscius Malfoy, stood in all his glory, beside his wife and granddaughter in arms. His steel gray eyes shooting daggers at Hermione.

"Nanny?" Lucius set Serena down. "This Mudblood is my granddaughter's nanny!" He bellowed.

His right hand tightening over his snake cane, that concealed his wand.

"Lucius!" Narcissa scolded. "Watch your language in front of Serena."

"You're worrying about my language when there's a filthy Mudb-"

"Stop." Draco interrupted his father's rant.

"Excuse me!" Lucius took a slow step towards his son.

"I said stop." Draco squared his shoulder.

He wasn't going to let his father intimidate him like when he was younger.

"Are you defending this Mudb-"

"Don't finish that word!" He knew his father wasn't going to back off until he got his way, but neither was Draco. "And I'm not defending her."

He really wasn't, the mere reason of him intercepting was because he didn't want to explain to Serena that vile word. He hasn't uttered that word for nearly ten years and he was planning on keeping it that way.

Draco glanced at Granger, to see her reaction, but he was met with brown eyes full of hatred. He flinched at the intensity of gaze, but found that it wasn't directed at him. It was towards his father.

"What's a Mudblood?" Serena's voice rang.

Everyone gasped and glared at Lucius for introducing her to that dreadful word.

Draco pinched the bridge of his nose. He was hoping Serena wouldn't catch what Lucius was saying.

"Serena that is a bad word and you shouldn't be saying it." Narcissa slightly scolded, knowing it wasn't the child's fault.

Serena crossed her arms over her chest. It wasn't fair that her grandfather got to say that word and she didn't. What did that word mean anyway, Mudblood? It also bothered Serena that she didn't know the reason of why Gramps was mad. Was it because he didn't know the meaning of the word, too?

"Lucius you should take this 'conversation' elsewhere." Narcissa frowned.

"This is my house and I'll converse anywhere and with anyone I want, with the exception of that!" Lucius rudely pointed at Granger.

Hermione's blood was boiling, her hand was shaking, ready to hex the eldest Malfoy into extinction.

"That has a name," Hermione said through gritted teeth, "and if you've forgotten it's Hermione Granger." She held up her chin, proudly.

"I will not have someone like you speak to me that way." Lucius did the inevitable and drew his wand out, towards her.

Hermione's heart started racing even faster, it would probably explode out of her ribcage any minute now. Her brained was screaming to hex the old git for once and for all, but one look over to where Serena stood, stopped her.

Serena held an almost scared expression and her eyes had glazed with unshed tears. Hermione knew that if she did something to Lucius, Serena would never trust her, again. Blast it all! She wasn't going to let him hex her. What's the right thing to do?

Draco was beyond furious at the way his father was behaving in front of his daughter. He didn't need to look at Serena to know that she was scared. Taking a quick glance at Granger, he wondered if she was going to defend herself.

Granger was standing there, like the proud Gryffindor she was, disgusting. Her wand arm was at her side instead of pointing it at Lucius. Suddenly she did something that blew Draco away. Granger actually withdrew her wand, putting it away. She wasn't fighting back? What the hell?

Draco knew his father and he knew that the evil smirk on his face meant that he wasn't going to back down. Not even if Granger was defenseless. Draco let out a frustrated sigh. Why must Granger be so…so…ugh. He couldn't even put it in words!

Hermione withdrew her wand, determined that she wasn't going to be the one to inflict fear upon Serena.

In all her life during Hogwarts, Hermione knew one certain fact about Draco Malfoy; he was a coward when it came to standing up to his father. So when he came to stand between his father and her, she was speechless. Wondering if she was imagining things.

"Get out of my way, boy." Demanded Lucius.

"No." Said Draco, in a clipped tone.

He hated being a 'hero', if that was even the right word for what was doing at the moment. The thing was that he just couldn't stand there and do nothing. It wasn't for Granger's sake, but Serena. Draco didn't want his daughter to fear her grandfather.

"You're defending that Mudblood!" Lucius' eyes got wide with discuss and anger.

The eldest Malfoy's wand was unintentionally pointing at Draco's chest as he went to stand in front of Hermione. The tension in the dining room was rising every second.

All of a sudden, the eerie silence that had grown was broken.

"No!" Came a small girl's cry.

Serena ran to her Daddy and hugged his leg.

"Don't hurt him, Grampa." Her eyes were closed shut, as if bracing herself.

Tears were streaming down her rosy cheeks.

Abruptly, Hermione reacted on instinct and pried Serena off of Malfoy's leg and held her up in her arms. If Lucius was ready to strike, she didn't want Serena in the middle of it.

Serena buried her face on nanny Granger's neck and wrapped her arms around it as well. Her grandfather was scaring her. Did her Daddy do something wrong? Is that the reason Gramps is pointing his wand at him?

"Is Gramps going to hurt my Daddy?" Sobbed Serena.

Hermione felt an anger she had never felt before, not even during the war. She held on tighter to Serena, so her hand wouldn't go for her wand and hex the stupid, idiotic, self-centered Lucius Malfoy. Hermione's eyes were burning and tingling. No, she wasn't going to cry, it was just all of the rage building up inside her and she couldn't even do anything about it. All she could do was glare at Lucius.

Draco saw a torn expression in his father's face from Serena's comment, but managed to mask it quickly. He knew that his father loved his granddaughter, although he didn't show often or in front of other people. Draco has witnessed the way Lucius acts with Serena and it's completely different than the way he's acting now. One thing he was sure of was that Serena's words pierced through Lucius.

"See what you've caused." Interject Narcissa as she went to stand next to her husband. "You've scared our darling, Serena," She placed her hands on her hips, "Now put your wand away! Miss Granger is staying, since she apparently cares about Serena's feeling. I no longer have an appetite."

Narcissa was mad at her husband for reacting so irrational. Lucius had to learn to control his temper. Since they were back from their vacation, maybe it was time she took him to a wizard's anger management class.

Before departing to her room, Narcissa gave her son a kiss on his forehead. She also tried to give one to Serena, but the small girl was still clutching on to her Nanny. Narcissa bid a goodnight to Granger, but before she left she turned to around to face Lucius.

"I expect you in our room. We need to talk."

Since the end of the war, Narcissa was a changed woman. She didn't let men push her around, specially her husband. She loved Lucius more than he deserved, but she wasn't going to allow her family to go through another embarrassment because of his poor decisions.

Now their relationship was a new one, a better one. She had a say in everything which drew more communication between Narcissa and Lucius, thus them spending more time together. She knew that he enjoyed their time spent together, but didn't show it. Everything was perfect now. The only missing factor was a worthy daughter-in-law.

After Lucius reluctantly nodded at her, Narcissa left to her room.

"I'm taking Serena to her room." Said Hermione, still glaring.

"I'll be up in a bit." Draco responded, indifferently.

"No." Serena's voice was barely audible. "I don't want my Daddy to get hurt."

Lucius' face contorted into a pained expression, but once again hid it.

"He's not going to get hurt." Hermione said, before anyone spoke up. "Your grandfather was just performing a…uh…a security spell to check if you Daddy was okay."

She hoped Serena believed her sorry-of-an-excuse lie.

Serena raised her head, but her arms were still tightly around Hermione. She gaped between Draco and Lucius, noticing that her Grampa had put his wand away.

"Oh." Said Serena, wiping her tears with one hand. "Is my Daddy fine?"

Lucius was surprised that Granger hadn't gone off on what a bad person he was, instead she covered for him.

"Yes." Lucius said, clearing his throat. "Your father is well."

Serena smiled a tired smile. She was glad that her Daddy was okay.

"Thanks, Gramps." She turned to her Nanny. "I'm tired."

Serena yawned.

Hermione excused herself and left the two Malfoy men, alone.

It was silent for a long moment, until Draco spoke.

"I would appreciate it if this never happened again, Father."

Draco knew that his father wasn't going to like what he was about to say.

"Serena is my daughter, therefore, what I do and say will go." Said Draco, as respectfully as he could. "You and Mum raised me, but now I am my own person and I will raise Serena the way I believe is right. If I would to ever need help, I will ask for it. I also expect my parenting skills not to be questioned."

Draco let out a deep breath he didn't know he was holding. He hoped his father understood, Draco didn't want to take any drastic measures.

"I am not questioning your parenting skill, Draco." Lucius said, snarling. "It's unacceptable! A mudblood for a pureblood's child!"

"I no longer acquire the same beliefs as you Father, so it doesn't matter."

"Doesn't matter?" He looked at his son like if he'd gone mad. "She's dirtying our home. What will people think."

This was an outrage!

"I don't care of what people think." Draco was growing terribly frustrated. "It's not like if I'm marrying her for Merlin's sake!"

Why wouldn't his father just let it go? Serena was his daughter. Plus, Granger was taking care of her, not Lucius.

"Merlin, no!" Lucius gave an involuntary shudder at the thought. "The answer is 'no' Draco. Granger leaves, tonight." He said, with finality.

"Granger, stays." Draco said, defiantly.

He was no longer the teenage boy that was scared easily and he wasn't going to give into his Father's threats.

"Not in my home." Lucius rivaled.

"Then you leave me no other choice, but to leave the manor." Draco stared right into his Father's gray eyes, letting him know that he was serious.

Lucius was stunned by Draco's reaction. He would rather leave the manor than to release the Mudblood. Lucius, of course, didn't want Serena to leave the manor and he wasn't going to let that happen. That little girl had completely altered his life, for good.

After the war life was good, but somewhat dull. Like if something was missing, but everything changed the day Serena was born. Every day from then on was different than the other. She had literally brightened his life.

"Draco," Lucius paused, "Granger, stays." He gritted his teeth.

Draco was not surprised that his Father gave in so easily. He knew that Lucius had a soft spot for Serena, although he never led on.

He nodded at his Father and excused himself, but was stopped midway to the exit.

"Why Granger?" Lucius was curious as to why it had to be her.

Draco smiled.

"She is one of the top nannies in wizarding London and one third of the Golden trio," He gave his father a knowing look, "Serena will be in good hands."

Without further explanation Draco left the dining room.

"In good hands?" Lucius scoffed. "We'll see about that."

oOo

Hermione entered Serena's room, with the child still clutching to her. Through out her life, Hermione knew that she was need by Harry and Ron. To help them with the mission of destroying Voldemort. She's always been needed and she knew that. Now, she knew that she was needed here, for Serena, but it felt different. Her actions have always been carefully thought of, but tonight she had reacted on pure instinct. She didn't have to think about it twice, nor once when she took Serena in her arms, in order to keep her safe.

After Hermione had taken Serena a bath and dodged 'killer' bubbles, Malfoy had arrived and excused her for the night.

Hermione was still a bit puzzled as to why Malfoy was so keen in keeping her. It slightly worried her. What if this was all some elaborate scheme to get rid of her? Did he want revenge? None of that mattered, Hermione was going to be on guard and accomplish her task. Nothing was going to stop her from reaching her goal.

Hermione entered her room, that was next to Serena's, and threw herself on the bed. She stare at the sealing of her four poster bed.

What a day. She sighed, thinking about her day.

First she finds out Malfoy married Astoria Greengrass, then that he was a widower, she was forced to hug Malfoy by a six year old and for the grand finally, she faced Lucius Malfoy.

The young brunette let a tired sigh as she got up and made her way towards the glass doors that led to the balcony. Hermione closed her eyes and relished the fresh, night air. The soft wind brushed against her ivory skin, making her fell care-free.

As she opened her eyes, Hermione saw a small, dark figure heading her direction. Squinting her eyes she made out the figure to be an owl. The owl stood on the railing and stuck out his small leg. Hermione recognized the small, brown owl and wondered why it was there. She took the parchment and a small, silver box with a red ribbon, that was attached to it as well. After giving the owl a treat Hermione walked back into her room and sat down at the edge of the bed.

Hermione was curious as to what to open first; the letter or the silver box. Deciding that the letter might explain what was in the box, she unfolded the parchment.

Hermione,

Hello my dear. I hope everything is going well. Serena seemed like such an angel -at this Hermione laughed-. The reason of this letter is to explain what's in the box. Knowing you, I knew you would choose to read this before exploring the contents in the box.

Inside the box there are two Nanny Protection bands. One is for you and the other for your charge. You must wear these immediately. Like I've said before The Perfect Nanny is not only the best Nanny agency just because of the name, but because of our extraordinary nannies and strategies. These bracelets are the most strategic methods in the agency and have worked above and beyond.

The first procedure is for your charge to wear the band. As soon as both the nanny and child have it on, it seals the contract. Meaning that the only way a parent could fire a nanny is if they were to raise their hand or wand upon the child. Once the contract is sealed the bands will create a special bond between the nanny and the child. This bond will activate whenever your charge is in trouble. If your charge was to ever be in any kind of life threatening danger, lost or need help the bracelet will automatically activate and Apparate the nanny to them.

The minute the NP bands are on, no one nor any magic can remove them, unless the contract is broken or reaches its end.

I've already informed Mr. Malfoy and he has agreed to these new terms.

I do hope you and little Serena like the special band design, I, myself chose. I wish you well, Hermione.

Until next time,

Diane Dimplestamp.

Hermione reread the letter again. She wanted to be sure she understood what was needed to be done. She was also somewhat intrigued that Malfoy actually gave in to the terms. He would no longer have the power to fire her. Apparently she was reliable enough to be Serena's nanny.

Hermione's heard of these famous Nanny Protection bands, but she'd never seen one. Acting like a child on Christmas day, Hermione grabbed the box and shook it next to her ear. Then unwrapped it and desperately took the lid off. Hermione gasped. Inside there were two over lapping bracelets. She took both silver bands into her hand and studied them carefully.

Both bracelets were identical. The platinum bands were roughly half an inch wide, designed elegantly with vines and flowers that were made out of diamonds. This must have cost Diane a fortune. She turned the bigger bracelet in the light and spotted a design that differed from the vines. Taking a closer look, she realized that it was her name engraved on it, Hermione J. Granger. Hermione examined the smaller band and saw her charge's name, Serena D. Malfoy.

Excitement surged through Hermione's body as she fit the platinum bracelet around her wrist. Finally, she was taking the first step towards her goals, by finalizing the contract. The only obstacle that made her slightly frown, was Serena's rejection of the band. What if the child didn't like the bracelet? Hermione knew this was going to be a tough one. Maybe it would be best if she snuck into Serena's room, while she was asleep, and put it on her. That way no one could remove it, not even Serena.

Hermione sighed and shook her head. She wasn't going to deceive Serena, not when the girl had clung to her like she did earlier that day. Hermione would just have to wait until morning and hope Serena would accept the NP band.

That should be interesting. Hermione thought as she placed the small bracelet back into the silver box.

A/N: Thanks to all of the people that have reviewed The Perfect Nanny. You guys don't know how much this means to me :-D. I'm also sorry for taking this long to update and for not answering to your reviews, but I promise to do it this time. I might answer your reviews a bit late, but nonetheless answer. Thanks for keeping up with me :-).

This is the Reviewers' Wall of Fame:

xvanniex, manitou2422, Emmiline-Zahara-Rose, randomfan17, KeliLose, lizzmalfoy, blondiexoxo, Megara Spoiler, Plagued Dark Thoughts, Dramione03, ThatAlieGirl, RiniBellMy, MalfoyHeirNulliel, SophieStarMalfoy, Beautiful-Liar13, S-chan-ToNbO-KYAAA, Spunkywave77, 90sgurl, xxbittersweet13xx, mehr03, Pau-0803, Touch the Sky, ReBl, and thanks to all of the anonymous reviewers.

A special thanks to xvanniex for taking time to read both stories and giving me back feedback. It really means a lot to me :-D.

I'll be posting the Wall of Fame every four chapters. Look out for your name next time ;-D.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, the next one is in the works. Please review and let me know what you guys thought and how Serena might react about wearing the bracelet.

Till the next chap.,

-Jacquesthevamp