(AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know I have two other stories in the works that I've been neglecting. I promised myself I'd keep writing, and it seems the only way to do so right now is to write this new story. The other two will be updated soon, I swear. Anyway, this one takes place post-second war. Let me know what you think!)
Oliver Wood sighed from behind a copy of Witch Weekly magazine.
He'd been named to the publication's annual "Hottest Bachelor" list, meaning his own photo was smiling up at him from the magazine's glossy, animated pages.
Oliver Wood, starting Keeper for Puddlemere United, comes in at No. 3 on our list, the magazine read. Sources tell us that Wood, 24, remains single. The Hogwarts alumnus enjoys quidditch and exercise, and has been known to frequent Luchino Caffe.
Oliver tossed the magazine aside and rose to his feet. He had an off day from training and hadn't made plans for himself. A croissant from Luchino Caffe did sound good to him; he just hoped the Witch Weekly article wouldn't compel his fans to crowd the small café.
Fall was creeping toward muggle London and the air reflected so. Oliver's jacket felt too light as he walked briskly toward Tottenham Court Road and into Luchino Caffe.
"Merlin, he's really here!" a voice shrieked.
Oliver immediately realized he'd made a serious lapse in judgment. A gaggle of young fangirls was gathered in a front corner of the café, as if they'd spent the morning waiting on Oliver.
"Oliver!" one of the girls screeched. Oliver instantly recoiled as she approached him. She couldn't be older than seventeen. "Oliver, will you please sit with me?" she begged.
"Er," Oliver glanced around nervously. Luchino Caffe was a muggle establishment and the group had started to capture the attention of everyone inside. "Sorry," OIiver continued. "I'm just trying to grab a quick bite to go."
"Oliver," another fangirl cooed. This one was a bit older than the other, probably in her early twenties. Her chest was noticeably larger and her shirt was cut low enough to ensure everyone would notice. "How about you buy me a drink at the pub next door?" the woman offered.
"It's 10:00 in the morning," Oliver pointed out. The woman pouted and Oliver anxiously craned his neck to see if the front of the line was moving. What was taking so long? And how many more of these fangirls would he have to deal with? How could they manage to be so bold?
Three more women approached Oliver by the time he reached the counter to place his order.
"Two croissants and a small cappuccino, to go," Oliver emphasized the last part. He had no desire to stay, especially as one woman had a camera and was trying to take his picture.
Oliver scurried from the restaurant, brushing off several more women before he could shove his way through the door.
"Bloody hell," he muttered.
Great. Now he had breakfast and nowhere to eat it. He didn't want to return home. It was too nice of a day to sit inside. But he also didn't feel like lingering in public if women were going to pester him.
Truth is, Oliver wasn't too fond of the spotlight. Sure, he knew it came with the job description as a professional athlete. He also knew he was handsome enough to garner attention from fans. He'd had his fair share of dates and girlfriends, but he was determined to focus on his career for the time being. Puddlemere was second in the league rankings and many analysts were projecting them to reach the league championship. Oliver had been promoted to Puddlemere's starting Keeper two seasons ago, and he was getting antsy over winning the league cup.
Oliver felt like he'd have plenty of time later to find a girlfriend and an eventual wife and family. Right now, he just wanted to win, but all of the women throwing themselves at him were becoming a distraction.
It suddenly dawned on Oliver that his good friend and teammate, Angelina Johnson, lived nearby with her fiancee, George Weasley. The pair remained close friends since their Hogwarts days, and Oliver often found he could confide in Angelina.
"Wood," Angelina said in surprise as she greeted Oliver in the doorway. "It's our off day. I'm not training with you-"
"It's not that," Oliver said quickly. "I promise, no quidditch."
"No quidditch?" a voice echoed from inside the flat. "Well, this is serious."
Oliver stepped past Angelina into the flat, where he was met by George Weasley.
"Er, I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" Oliver asked awkwardly.
"Actually, yes, we were just about to sh-"
"You aren't interrupting anything," Angelina cut George off as she rolled her eyes. "What's up, Wood?"
George reached for Oliver's bag of croissants, but jumped as Oliver suddenly exclaimed, "It's these women!"
Angelina and George stared at Oliver, both caught off guard by his outburst.
"What about them?" Angelina asked, an amused smile forming across her lips.
"They won't leave me alone!" Oliver sighed dramatically. "Witch Weekly named me one of their Most Eligible Bachelors," he was briefly cut off as George snorted, "and now women are stalking me during breakfast!"
"Poor ickle Olliekins," George chortled. "Women throwing themselves at him. What a terrible, rough life that must be."
"I'm serious!" Oliver whined. "I'm not interested in dating right now. Quidditch-"
"Yes, we know, quidditch," Angelina said, her expression still showcasing her amusement.
"So how do I get these birds to back off?" Oliver asked.
"Honestly, they might not be so bold if you had a girlfriend," Angelina pointed out. "It might not stop all of them, but I'm sure most of them would back off if they knew you were taken."
"But I don't have time for a girlfriend. I don't want one," Oliver reiterated.
"Do you want a boyfriend?" George asked, batting his eyelashes at Oliver. Oliver ignored him.
"What do I do?" he asked Angelina, desperation in his eyes. "I don't want to start dating someone just to put on a false front. That wouldn't be fair-"
Oliver stopped as a sudden idea dawned on him. It was genius, if he did say so himself.
"Say, Angelina," Oliver said, his tone shifting noticeably.
"Yes?" Angelina replied slowly. She didn't like where this was going.
"You could pretend to be my girlfriend," Oliver started, but he was instantly met with a cackle.
"Absolutely not," Angelina laughed. "Wood, we're teammates. We're not allowed to date. Besides, everyone knows George and I are engaged anyway. It would never work."
Oliver sighed in defeat. Angelina was right. It was a dumb idea. Unless…
"Well, do you know anyone who would be willing to pretend to be my girlfriend?" Oliver asked. It sounded so ridiculous when he said it aloud, but he was desperate.
"Actually…" Angelina trailed off as she thought. "We do know someone. I'm just not so sure she'd be willing."
"Who?" Oliver and George asked in unison.
Angelina rolled her eyes. "Think about it, fellas," she said. "What friend do we have in common who happens to be single and attractive?"
"I'm not falling for this trap again," George muttered.
"I'm serious!" Angelina said. "Just think. We've all known her for years. She's gorgeous and smart, though she insists she doesn't need a boyfriend."
"Who?" Oliver tried to picture every mutual friend he and Angelina had. Alicia Spinnet was dating Lee Jordan. Oliver made a mental note to reach out to Alicia and Lee as he hadn't seen them in a while when it suddenly became clear.
"Katie!" he exclaimed as he thought of Alicia's roommate.
"Exactly," Angelina replied as George said, "Ohhh."
"Katie's single and easy on the eyes, plus she loves quidditch," Angelina continued. "The two of you would make the perfect couple."
"Fake couple," Oliver interjected.
"Yes, whatever," Angelina sighed. "Anyway, it might take some convincing. Ever since the incident, Katie's been a bit more carefree. She goes out with a different bloke every week, but insists she doesn't want anything serious."
Angelina was referring to the "incident" in which Katie was cursed during her seventh year at Hogwarts. The event landed her in St. Mungo's Hospital for months as she recovered, and it seemed to alter her outlook on life. Katie had always been friendly and fun to be around, but the incident instilled a "Live life to the fullest" attitude within her.
"That's perfect!" Oliver said excitedly. "She isn't looking for a boyfriend and I'm not looking for a girlfriend. It's the perfect situation."
Angelina and George swapped a look.
"Just be careful, Wood," Angelina said seriously. "You and Katie are friends. Please don't do anything to ruin that."
"Why would I? Like you said, we're friends. She and I already know each other and are comfortable." Oliver didn't seem to realize he was talking fast, a trademark sign that he was excited. Now he had a plan in place and would head to Katie's immediately. "Now I just have to convince her."
George clapped Oliver on the back and steered him toward the door. "Good luck with that, mate."