Author's Note: This is my first fanfiction, and I'll try to make it the best it can be! Check out my bio for more info. Read and Review! Flames accepted.

Summary: Jean Granger always said to find a man that will do whatever Hermione wants. But what if Hermione doesn't want to settle for average? She longs to feel the spark of love with a man, though it seems her pursuit is endless. After her break up with Ron, Hermione sets out on a sabbatical in Paris, France. What will happen when she meets a certain silver-haired that won't seem to leave her alone?

DRAMIONE. Post-Hogwarts and War, Draco OOC.

Chapter 1

He's kneeling on the floor, with one leg up, staring into her chocolate-brown orbs of eyes.

"Hermy, I love you. Would you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?" Waiting for a response, Ron glances up at Hermione to gauge her reaction. She unseeingly stares at him, and Ron begins to feel nervous. "Well, say something…"

"Ron, I can't." Hermione shakily says. Suddenly, Ron jerks up from his vulnerable position, and his expression turns from love to hate in a matter of milliseconds. "Why not? I mean sure, I knew you were stuck up, but like this? How could you? I thought you loved me!" He screams at her.

"Ron, stop, let me explain-"

"No. I will not let you explain. There is nothing to be said." He begins to stalk out of the room, but Hermione grabs his wrist tight, and begins to explain herself.

"I know we've been together for almost two years, but don't you see it? Our relationship was going nowhere. It was boring. Don't get me wrong, I love you, but it just isn't in a romantic way. I never felt a spark with you, a surge of adrenaline, or a rush of energy… I just don't think we're meant to be. I don't think you feel it either. The whole world thinks we should be together, but I think we both know we shouldn't." With an amused smile on his face, Ron looks down onto her face.

"Silly Hermy, that's a trivial problem. You'll get over it. I don't think we're meant to be together, I know we are." He replies.

"No, Ron, I just can't. I'm sorry. I… I've been planning to take a sabbatical. I can't love you in that way. I hope you find your true love someday. It's… just not me. Bye Ron. I'm leaving tomorrow."

"What? Hermione! No, you get back here right now-" He calls to her. But it's already too late, she's out the door, and Ron has no idea where or for how long Hermione is going to be gone.

The very next day, Hermione boards a plane to Paris, France.

"Bye, London. I'll miss you. Keep an eye on Harry, Ron, and the other Weasleys for me, will you?" Without a backwards glance, Hermione climbs aboard, and doesn't for one minute regret her decision.

"Attention, this is your captain speaking. We will be landing in Paris, France is approximately 20 minutes. Please keep your seatbelt fastened until we come to a full stop. Thank you, and welcome to France." Yawning, Hermione smiles awake as she hears the intercom message. Here's to a new life. Maybe even new love… she thinks absentmindedly. Before she knew it, Hermione was out of the airport and into a taxi. Casting a spell that allowed her to speak and understand French, she faced the driver.

"Closest hotel, please." She instructs him.

"Yes, yes, of course. Welcome to Paris, city of Love!" The driver grins at her, and she contentedly smiles back.

A short ten minutes later, she had arrived at a cute hotel that looked like a cottage that read: Hotel-Cottage: Bed and Breakfast or Long term stay – rooms for lease! After deciding to lease a room, Hermione settled in to her area and then exited the cottage, intent on finding a nearby coffee shop or café to read. To her right, she sees a cute but old bookstore that curiously reminds her of Ollivander's Wand Shop. Chuckling, she heads inside. Though the outside seemed run down, the inside is magnificent. Books line all the walls, with wonderfully lit alcoves to hide away and read. Tentatively, Hermione walks up to the counter, and sees a "Help Wanted" sign stuck to the cash register. Making a split second decision, Hermione decides to apply.

"Hi. I'd like to apply for a job here? Would that be okay? I'd like to work full time." She says.

Grinning, the old lady at the register responds, "Why sure, dearie. My name's Angela. Just fill out this paper. It's just me and my grandson working here right now, but normally it's just him. Working all by himself does seem to make him lonely and anti-social, I'm afraid. Could you begin working tomorrow, Monday?"

"Why yes, certainly! What's your son's name? I'm sure we will get along swimmingly. I could also help with the finances and things… I am rather good with numbers, you see." Hermione happily replied.

"Drake, his name is Drake. And that would be wonderful. I think he will like to work with a pretty young lady such as you. Go ahead and get to know the shop, and I or Drake will see you tomorrow!"

In Hermione's mind, tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.

The next morning, Hermione arrives at the bookstore before Angela or her grandson, Drake. She goes in through the back door, and begins to busy herself organizing the books and papers around the shop.

"Uh, hi. Are you the new girl?" Says a deep voice from behind Hermione. So busied in her work, she didn't even notice the man come in. She spins around to face him, and finds herself looking at a tall, lean, good-looking man about her age. But that's not what's striking about him. His eyes are the color of the moon, a vibrant grey-ish color that seem to be pools of molten silver. His hair, an almost silver-white blond, hangs just over the tops of his eyes, loose and shaggy. Snapping out of her reverie, she replies, "Oh, um, yes. My name is Hermione Granger. But please, don't call me Hermy. It gets annoying at times. But 'Mione or whatever is fine."

Something seems to shift in the man's eyes. Was that a look of recognition? Hermione wonders. Suddenly, a smirk forms on the man's lips. She looks at him suspiciously.

"What's the matter, Granger? Don't recognize me? That's ok, I'm pretty sure you'll remember soon… Oh yes, and welcome to The Livres Book Shop." And with that he walks to the back of the bookstore. Hermione just stands there, dumbfounded, at the scene that just unfolded. There is only one thought running through her mind. Malfoy?!

A/N: Well. That was the first chapter. Read and Review! As they say, Reviews make the chapters come faster…

~Pom