DISCLAIMER: Again...I do not own any of this...even portions of the plot are not mine...aaaaaahhhhhhh...*runs around like a mad-woman*

~*~Chapter One~*~

A young woman by the name of Hermione strolled through the small village in France.  She thought about how every day was exactly the same...nothing ever changed in this small town.  She was ready for something new...but deep down she knew that nothing would ever change.  So she continued on her way...greeting everyone she met.

Unbeknownst to her, every person in the town saw her as the odd bird.  She was the girl who always had her nose in a book...yet she was the most beautiful young woman in the town.  Young men would gawk at her...and the women of the town would gossip.  But Hermione knew nothing of any of this.  She viewed herself as a normal young woman with a thirst for knowledge.  Reading was her biggest love in life and she definitely preferred books to men...for she could never find a man with even half a brain in this town.  She wanted someone who would cuddle up with her, content with reading and talking.

Her thoughts drifted as she walked in to the local bookstore.

"Bonjour mademoiselle Hermione."

"Bonjour.  I brought the book back that I borrowed."

"But it's only been three days!"

"I just couldn't put it down!  Do you have anything new today?"

"No...haven't gotten anything new within the past week."

"Alright...well...I'll just borrow...this one!"

"But you just brought that one back last week."

"I know, but I just love it so much.  Handsome princes, daring sword fights, and the thought of true love."

"If you love it that much, you may keep it."

"Do you mean it?  Thank you so much!"

Hermione left the bookstore and headed back towards her house.  Her father was an inventor and he was going to go to a fair tomorrow.  She was sure that her father would win first place...she always had great faith in her father.  One day her father would become famous...and maybe then she could leave this small town and travel.

When she arrived home, she heard a tremendous crash and black smoke billowing out from the basement.  She ran to the cellar doors, hoping that her father would not be hurt.  She found him kicking his latest invention and mumbling that it would never work.

"You must have more faith in yourself, father.  It will work...you'll figure it out."

"Thank you, Hermione.  Did you get anything interesting in town today?"

"Oh, the kind book keeper gave me one of his books...it's my favorite!"

"That's great dear."

Her father turned back on his invention and Hermione headed back upstairs, her head buried in the book...lost in the story...hoping for an adventure of her own...someday...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm working quickly to get to some Draco (beast) / Hermione action...hehehe...that's when the fun begins!!  Remember to R/R...Thanks!  ~surfngurl~