Hermione likes to think she's special. She knows she's smarter than everyone else, knows that she could easily be jumping grades if she was in a Muggle school. Her Potions work is flawless, even if Draco gets better grades and Harry gets help from the Half Blood Prince, and her grasp on Defense Against the Dark Arts is second only to Harry. She's special in the way that's actually useful, the way that'll help her get ahead in life and hold a good job, let her take care of herself and be independent instead of a twittering little salesgirl at some place like Madam Malkin's.

Still, she sees Ron kissing Lavender and wonders why, if she's so special, she's the one on her own.