That night Hermione did not easily fall asleep, and once she did the dreams she had were not exactly peaceful ones. In fact, the dream that she remembered most vividly the next morning involved none other than Draco Malfoy. In her dream Draco was a changed person- he was still spunky and bitingly sarcastic at times, but he was also quite sweet and kind to her.

She awoke with a bitter feeling in her stomach. She fought away any thoughts of something that could never be- a changed Draco Malfoy.

The next week passed by in a cloud of turmoil and despair. Hermione's emotions were so powerful that she knew they could be easily read on her face, so she avoided Ron at all costs. This, obviously, turned out to be just as damaging, and he soon suspected that something was up.

Hermione's plan to remain with Ron for awhile soon proved to be impossible. She had never been one to fight her feelings, and now was so exception. It was only a matter of days before she approached Ron with the fateful phrase, "We have to talk."

With a look on his face that let her know he sensed something, he nodded. "Go ahead."

She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and said, "I don't think we should date each other anymore."

"Okay," he said simply.

"I'm really sorry."

"Don't be. I just want you to be happy."

It felt as if someone had punched her in the heart, for Hermione knew that Ron meant every word of what he said. "Don't you want to know why? Don't you want to get mad at me and tell me it isn't fair, and refuse to speak to me again?"

"No. Don't get me wrong Hermione, I wish you didn't feel this way, but as long as this is what you want, it's what I want."

Hermione went up to her bed that night feeling extremely guilty, but at the same time relieved. What she just couldn't understand was how perfect everything had once seemed. A month ago, if you had asked her what she wanted, she would've told you she was looking for a nice, sweet guy that was fun to be around, one that she could have a conversation with. Ron was all of those things.

Perhaps she really had no idea what was good for her. After all, she had gotten everything she'd dreamed of, and she still wasn't content. There was more to it than that. Having your dreams come true wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

ooooooooooooooooo

A few weeks later Hermione decided she didn't want anything to do with the male sex. Love and everything that came with it was too complicated and she was satisfied being an independent woman. "I'm going to be a spinster," she joked to Ginny one day.

"Okay," Ginny replied, "then I'll be a weaver."

"What you earth are you talking about?"

"I don't know…" Ginny said slowly.

Silence filled the air for a few moments, and then Hermione burst out laughing. "Gin, do you know what spinster is?"

"A person who spins cloth?"

"No, silly! A spinster is a woman who never gets married."

"Oh," said Ginny, and joined in Hermione's giggles.

After they calmed down, Hermione continued, I'm serious, though, at least for now. I don't want to deal with guys anymore."

"Not even the ever-so-passionate Draco Malfoy?" chided Ginny.

"Oh yes, my secret lover," she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I knew it all along."

"However, it's a hopelessly romantic case, because he does not love me back. So alas, I shall have to live out my days with an unrequited love."

"If that's the way you want it."

An unrequited love was the next best thing to a real love anyway. Hermione hated Draco but she didn't mind pretending that she was actually in love with him because it amused her. All the books she had read always had some handsome, charming, romantic hero, and Hermione hadn't met any guys like that in real life. Of course, she didn't expect anyone to be a real life Romeo, but figured there had to be someone out there better than what she came across.

ooooooooooooo

Despite her resolution to forget about guys, Hermione found herself looking out for potential boyfriends during the next few months. She determinedly founds faults with every single one and convinced herself that she was never going to meet a guy she could be happy with.

To distract herself and forget her social troubles Hermione threw herself into her school work with even more zest than usual. This hard work paid off when Hermione became the recipient of a very special award presented to the top 7th year. The award ceremony was held in early May and Hermione was honored when she was presented with her own personalized plaque.

Harry and Ron came to congratulate her afterward. Things between Hermione and Ron had been more normal than she had ever hoped for. It was certainly not the way it used to be, but he made no mention of their failed attempt at a relationship and they carried on as friends.

To her surprise, Ron presented her with a bouquet of flowers and an awkward hug. "I know I probably shouldn't have, but I just want to let you know…" he turned red with embarrassment and mumbled, "I'm proud of you."

"You're sweet," said Hermione weakly.

"Good job," chimed in Harry.

Ron stood around for a few moments and finally muttered, "I'm going to get some food. Congratulations again, Hermione."

As she watched him leave Hermione noticed Draco out of the corner of her eye, sending her death stares. He was mad as hell he hadn't been the one receiving the award that night. She knew her father expected it of him and would be furious he lost out to a muggleborn. She triumphantly smiled at him and tried to convince herself that he was a conceited jerk. And he was- after all, she could remember only too well all the terrible things he had ever said to her.

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A/N: Sorry it took awhile to update, my school play just ended and I was really busy with that. Thank you all for reading and reviewing, and I promise the next chapter will be out sooner!