Disclaimer; I don't own Harry Potter, but I wish I did.

A/N I cant let you know what Hermione's dream was about just yet...you will know soon enough. ;)

Thunder and lightning…

My heart was pounding as I sat up in my bed. A loud clap of thunder penetrated my quiet room and it had startled me awake. I looked at my clock and realized I had slept through two of my classes. That potion had really knocked me out, and what was worse I didn't remember any of my dreams for class this afternoon. I got dressed quickly and ran down the stairs to the common room. Was Draco awake yet? I couldn't worry about it, I ran out the portrait door and down the hall to grab something to eat before my next class.

Ron and Harry were standing there by the doors.

"I am so late," I called to them. "I know you are still mad at me, but tell me you took notes that I can borrow for History of Magic and Charms." I looked pleadingly at them.

SLAP!

I stumbled backwards a few steps. What had just happened? Had Harry smacked me?

"What the…."

SLAP!

I fell on the ground, and looked up at the two of them. Ron was blood red, and Harry's emerald green eyes looked upon me with hate.

"You bitch." Harry yelled, "How could you? With him? Our worst enemy? You make me sick" he spat.

Ron just stood there glaring at me.

"What are you talk…"

"Don't play that game with us Hermione, we found out all about it, you are a liar. You said you weren't ready for a relationship, but what you really meant was that you wanted to go off with MALFOY?" Ron screamed in my face.

By now a whole crowd was gathering in the entryway of the great hall and several students were snickering.

"Let me explain" I cried "I never meant to hurt you; I was going to tell you when I was sure what I wanted. I love him" my face was red now, and eyes full of tears.

Just then I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"I hope you are not talking about me MUDBLOOD," Draco stood behind me, arms crossed, and Pansy stood next to him, arms interlocked.

"Draco?" my voice faltered, "why are you saying that?" I couldn't breathe.

"You dare call me that? You filthy little trashy whore. I only wanted to brag that I screwed the Gryffindor virgin. You bought everything I told you hook line and sinker. Loser. I would never love anyone other than a pureblood" He smiled at Pansy who was smirking in my direction.

"See Hermione, your precious little ferret doesn't want you and neither do I, I loved you, and you told me you only wanted to be friends, you didn't want a relationship. But you only wanted to FUCK Malfoy. That's fine, you do whatever you want. I should have known you were too good to be true." Ron turned around and walked out of the hall, up the stairs towards Gryffindor tower.

I laid there on the floor, Harry followed Ron up the stairs, not looking back to see the total state of rejection I lay on the floor in. Draco and Pansy walked away with the rest of the Slytherins. The hall was empty, and I was alone. How had this gone so wrong? For the first time in my life, I was happy, and now the next minute it was dashed away. I stood up slowly, and headed for the lake. I needed to be alone. Screw Snape's stupid homework, screw everyone. It was still raining and storming outside as I walked to the lakes edge and sat on a rock. My tears were undistinguishable from the cold pouring rain. I was soaked from head to toe, but I didn't care. I wasn't going back in the castle. I would go see McGonagall as soon as possible and tell her I wanted to take my N.E.W.T.S early and leave this place as soon as I could. Where was I going to sleep? I couldn't go back and see his face, his eyes. He would haunt me forever. The first person I opened my heart and mind to betrayed me in front of everyone. I recalled all of the times we had spent, how could it have ended like this? I sat there in the cold rain until my body was shivering, and I felt numb. It had begun to get dark. My sore body walked slowly towards the castle. I peeked in the door and saw no one. I walked as quietly as I could up the stairs to the gargoyle statue and said "peanut brittle balls" and the stairs opened. I walked up and knocked on the door.

"Come in" said McGonagall.

"Hello headmistress, may I talk to you?" I said quietly.

"Yes, please. Take a seat." she said as she pointed to a chair opposite her desk. "What is it my dear?"

"I want to take my N.E.W.T.S. early, and leave Hogwarts on the next available train."

"You cannot, you are Head Girl." she replied "Is this about the little episode in the hall earlier?" Her eyes full of concern.

"Yes, but it is much more. I was in love, and I thought he loved me, but it was just a cruel joke, he never loved me. I am too hurt to stay here and see him everyday for the next 3 months. Please…" I started to cry again. "I just can't."

"My dear, no man is worth this, you have so much promise ahead of you." she said handing me a tissue.

"That's a perfect reason to graduate early, get out there and start my life. I can put all of this behind me and move on." I choked out.

"And you think running away is your answer? You think you can walk away from Hogwarts and forget your friends and your loves and never look back? It's not that simple Hermione. Your experiences here shape your life in the future."

"I don't have any friends anymore Professor. Ron and Harry hate me, they were all I had."

"Don't you think you should have been honest with them then about your relationship with Mr. Malfoy?" she asked, her eyes gleaming.

"You knew?" I was shocked. I thought we had done a good job hiding everything from the entire school.

"Of course I knew, it was in your eyes, and his as well. Things are not always as they seem. Now, do you still want to leave school?"

"Yes" I said in a small voice, I could not face anyone ever again.

"Well, I'm sorry but the answer is no. You missed an essential potions class today and I cannot let you take your N.E.W.T.S. without it. Professor Snape is quite upset with your absence and was prepared to fail you, but I have spoken with him and he has agreed to let you make it up in detention. You may go now." she said without another glance up at me. I got up and ran.

"HERMIONE!"

"HERMIONE"