Unfortunately, Dawn was just one of those characters that is a great idea in theory but once their character arc is over, and they haven't died, they're just kind of there. I think it's safe to say Connor falls under the same category.
They're both pretty essential to the growth and development of the other characters in the show but they themselves are no longer interesting and are just in the way. The writers are forced to work them into the story and they end up in places where they don't belong and shouldn't ever be. Example: Connor & Cordy. I hate it so much I can't even talk about it.
Dawn wasn't as bad but she didn't start to show any signs of maturity til season 7 and at that point there was just too much else going on and she didn't fit anywhere.
They're both pretty essential to the growth and development of the other characters in the show but they themselves are no longer interesting and are just in the way. The writers are forced to work them into the story and they end up in places where they don't belong and shouldn't ever be. Example: Connor & Cordy. I hate it so much I can't even talk about it.
Dawn wasn't as bad but she didn't start to show any signs of maturity til season 7 and at that point there was just too much else going on and she didn't fit anywhere.