It was only a dream, and it was the kind you never want to wake up from. But it happens anyway, and you're always sad and angry that it's over. They always say that:

"You know you're in love, because reality is better than your dreams."

But, it's like, when you're in love, but the person doesn't love you back… Does that quote mean anything? Because then your dreams really ARE better than reality; because then the pain isn't there, and you finally get to be with that person for a while; because you can be happy for a couple hours. Sleep is good, then. Because then you get to forget the pain you feel because you know that person will never love you like you love them. And you know they'll never want you like you want them. And you know that when you fell, they weren't there to catch you.

But what if that person is your best friend? What if you literally grew up with them, and then you have to watch them make a life with another person, and you have to pretend to be happy for them, but deep down, you're dying. And you have to put on a mask to let them know that you're alright, that you're so happy for them. And you are. But you wish, so desperately that you were the one that they're marrying. You want the girl that's walking down the aisle to the man of her dreams, when she's the girl of yours. You want the boy that's kissing the pretty girl in the white gown, when you want to be that girl in the white dress, kissing him with all you have. And you want to be the one that they wake up to in the morning, and you want to be the first person they see everyday; the last person they see every night. You know that she walks around in sweats and a baggy shirt (that happens to be yours) with no makeup on, and her hair's a total mess. And you know that he cries when he watches sappy romance chick flicks with you. You know that she's absolutely beautiful even when she's crying and when she doesn't have make up on. You know that he's perfect in every possible way. And when they're happy, you're happy. Even if it comes at a price. Because you know they'll save you the last dance, and you know you'll make it last forever. She'll kiss your cheek, and your heart will stop. And for one second, you can pretend that she's yours. Or, as you kiss his cheek and thank him for the dance, you can make believe that for one moment, for one small second, that you're all his.

Love always comes at a price, but you know you'll always do anything to make them happy, even if it breaks your heart every time.

And that's how true love works.

His face haunting her mind, dancing in front of her eyes, and she could feel him at her fingertips. She reached out for him, but she could never reach him; he always slipped through her fingers. She imagined her fingers running through his hair; his arms wrapped around her waist; his lips on hers.

Dreams are only dreams, though. And dreams only happen at night.

All he could see was chocolate colored eyes and curly dark hair. His silver eyes seek her out in the corridors; his long, narrow fingers longed to be intertwined with hers; her beautiful smile haunted his dreams; and he longed to hold her in his arms.

But these were only wishes, only reserved for a shooting star. A wishing star that would never come.

Hermione was happy, sitting in her bed; it was the only time she was truly happy. This was only because she knew she would soon be asleep, dreaming, and she knew she would be dreaming of him. And, only in her dreams, she would be with him. Only in her dreams was her world perfect and he was everything she needed him to be.

Only in her dreams, she could be with him. Which was something that could never happen in reality.

And, Draco stood on the balcony, staring at the stars. He was praying that there was be a shooting star, a wishing star to fall from the sky. And it was then, only then, could he even hope for a chance with the perfect girl. He searched the sky, reminded of the beauty of a clear night. He could really see the stars, and he prayed to a god he did not believe in for a wishing star to fall from the sky. Laughing at the impossibility of his silly prayer, he turned to go back into the school, to go back to his warm bed awaiting him in the Slytherin Common Room. But as he bowed his head, a flash of light caught his eye. His eyes shot up to the beautiful night sky. There was a shooting star! As quickly as he could, he wished for the girl. The star disappeared into the blackness, he sighed, and turned back into Hogwarts.

His prayers and his wishes were in vain. They would never come true.

She was his best friend. She was depressed, sad, but her face always lit up when she saw his. But it wasn't Ron's face. Oh no, it was his. Draco Malfoy's face. Hermione. She was perfect in every single way. Beautiful when she was crying, stunning without makeup. She had the biggest and strongest heart he'd ever known, and she was the most selfless girl in the entire world. Her smile could light up this whole town, and he was scared when it was gone. Her eyes were kind, but they could kill as well.

Hermione.

"Good morning, Ron."

It was the voice of an angel. He jumped and smiled at her. She looked well rested and quite happy.

"Good morning, 'Mione!"

Oh no, did he sound too excited?

"How'd you sleep?" She asked, her smile grew bigger as she spoke.

"Pretty well. How 'bout you?"

He didn't sleep at all. And as she spoke, he stifled a yawn.

"I slept AMAZLINGLY. I had the most PERFECT dream. And, I have a good feeling about today… I just feel like something good's gonna happen today, you know? Like something amazing is gonna happen." She sighed happily and hugged Ron. She was warm. Even in the tank top and shorts she was wearing. He looked down; she was on her tiptoes. When she let go, she looked around.

"Is Harry up, yet?" She asked curiously. Ron smiled at the inquisitive look in her chocolate eyes.

"Yeah, he's jus—" Before he could finish, Hermione was darting up the stairs to the boys dormitory. This was the happiest she had been in months.

Ron smiled and laughed as he followed her up the staircase.

Harry awoke to the sound of Hermione's giggling. He opened his eyes and saw her sitting at the end of his bed. She was sitting on her legs, and she had the biggest smile he'd seen grace her lips for months and months. Her eyes were shining and happy. He sat up in bed, suddenly aware that he wasn't wearing a shirt. As Harry scrambled around, looking for a shirt, Hermione giggled.

"Oh, silly Harry." She laughed. "You honestly think I care if you're not wearing a shirt? You're my brother." She laughed again. Harry stopped in his tracks and brought Hermione in for a hug. She giggled as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Well, you're in a happy mood this morning, Hermione." He smiled.

"Yeah, well.. I had a REALLY, REALLY good dream! And.. I have a feeling something amazing is gonna happen today." She paused. "I saw a wishin' star last night!" She giggled and clapped her hands. Hermione was so happy, and Harry loved seeing her like this again.

"Yeah? Did you make a wish?" He asked with a playful smirk.

"Yes! And I think it's gonna come true today, Harry! I really do!"

"What'd you wish for?" He asked. Hermione gasped.

"Harry! I can't tell you that! Then it won't come true! D'you wanna ruin that?" She narrowed her eyes, her smile still in place.

Harry laughed and hugged her again, this time placing a kiss on her forehead. Hermione giggled and threw a shirt at him that she found on the floor. He pulled it over his head and ran his fingers through his hair and never took his eyes off Hermione. He wanted to burn an image of her happy in his mind so whenever she was sad, he could still see the happy girl he once knew.

"Harry, put some pants on! I'm hungry!" Hermione said and jumped on Ron's bed. Ron smiled and laughed when Hermione collapsed on his lap.

"Guys, I want you to know.. I'm really happy. And thank you sooo much for always being here for me. It means so much!" and she smiled. The boys blushed and each said, "no worries" Harry put his belt on and Hermione pulled Ron up and she ran down the stairs. She was jumping up and down at the bottom of the stairs. "Hurry!" When they reached her, she grabbed their hands and pulled them out of the common room. "Think it's okay if I go to breakfast barefoot?" She asked, still running to the Great Hall with Harry's and Ron's hands in hers. Harry was amazed at her warmth. And speed. She came to a stop at the entrance. She kissed their cheeks and raced inside. Harry watched her.

She paused and lightly tucked her hair behind her ear and bit her lip. Her right foot moved behind her left foot and it reminded Harry that she was a ballerina. Hermione looked so innocent, like a little girl, staring at him. And judging by the look on her face, Draco was staring right at her, probably looking just like she did.

Draco was waiting for her to come to breakfast. She saw her kiss Harry and Ron and then run into the hall. She stopped when she saw him, and she looked the most adorable he'd ever seen her. She looked like a little girl, biting her lip and blushing, twirling her hair around her finger. It took all he had to not run up there and kiss her. She was standing barefoot in the middle of the Great Hall, wearing black shorts and a green tank top with silver flowers adorning the bottom. Her nails were painted green.

Slytherin colors.

He was standing, staring at her. He wanted to kiss her, but he restrained himself. He slowly walked around the table, counting his steps.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6…

He was smiling. Her eyes were curious, but as he walked, they cautioned him. He slowed down.

19, 20, 21, 22, 23…

She was beautiful. Terribly beautiful. Perfect in every way. Her long hair was down and was running down her back, the tips touching her belt. Her big, bright eyes were happy, and he was glad to see the sadness gone for the moment. She was biting her lip and her left hand was behind her back. She was standing on her tiptoes, making her already long legs seem longer. Her shirt rose just a tiny bit, but enough to show the pale skin of her flat tummy. Hermione's eyes were following him, and he forced himself to break contact for a moment while he thought about what he was doing.

Draco, what are you doing? Look around you; everyone's watching you.

I don't care.

Draco paused. What exactly was he doing? Was he going to do what he wanted to do all along? Was he going to tell her the truth and apologize for everything that he's done to her over the years?

He stopped walking when he was directly in front of her. Hermione was smiling and looking at him. Draco realized how short she was compared to him; she reached up to his shoulders. He put his finger under her chin and raised her face to his. Her smile had faded, but her eyes were shining with happiness and curiosity. He was going to do it:

He was going to kiss the girl.