Hello!

Becoming a Better person is going to be a long story- with twists and turns you may never expect.

Not fluffy- well maybe a tiny TINY bit.

This is going to be a long angsty fic, that will be different from how the seventh book was, voldermort doesn't die in seventh year instead sixth- all will make sense as you read.

This is my proper second fic – so don't flame guys!

This will have angst and darkness and a whole lot of Dramione.

I'd like to say a big thankyou to my Beta, WickedlyAwesomeMe , Seriously- You've helped me so much and I'm looking forward to working with you for the rest of the story!

I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER- JK OWNS ALL.

Summary

Draco and Hermione have a strange connection – he is bitter and dark; she is gracious and bright. They say true love is not real unless it is returned and Draco was determined to prove them wrong."– "I can't protect you forever!" "Please!"

Voldermort is dead- what happens when a new evil graces the wizarding world?

Becoming a Better Person

Chapter 1

Music: Lana Del Rey – Dark Paradise

The room had high ceilings and had a large majestic effect, which depicted the perfect picture of a starry night. The sky almost looked at if it was swirling, similar to the appearance of a black hole. Four large, rectangular tables were lined vertically, while the fifth was horizontally situated in front where the professors and higher authorities sat.

A happy chatter filled the room as the students discussed their holidays. The buzz portrayed exactly the same feeling in everyone- excitement. This buzz however didn't seem to reach two secluded students. They sat on either side of the room on the farthest tables; the first student sitting with a blank expression on his face and one hand in his blonde locks came from a house of snakes. The other sat uncomfortably, her face twisted into a worried frown, came from a long line of lions.

The two students seemed to create a bubble, isolating them from the rest of the wizards. They're gazes were locked; the girl showed worry – anticipating the worse. Although the boy was void of any emotion, there was this certain melancholic aura that seemed to surround his whole form. The girl held a happy glow deep inside, a certain sort of innocence the boy craved; she created a healing salve that could alleviate even his bitterest of wounds, and the boy wanted to say all the right things to make the brunette feel special.

The story begins with the girl, a pretty brunette – her face was pretty but quite unique. She did not have plump lips and doe eyes but instead a curved mouth, good bone structure and large brown eyes. Her hair was wavy and in the sunlight could shine golden. She had a tendency to carry a book around with her everywhere she went. Books were her salvation, giving her a little snippet of sanctuary she could drift off to. Whether it was a book of facts or fairytales, she could relate with it.

She had two best friends; the first brought fame to her. His name was famously known by everyone as "Harry Potter". He was her best friend since she was eleven and they had been through many adventures together. He sat at her left speaking animatedly with another Gryffindor, every so often scooping pea soup into his mouth.

Her second best friend brought laughter. His name was "Ron Weasley". He was the sort of boy that could make a joke out of a bad situation and eat a whole dinner to himself. The girl had this certain affection for the red-headed boy; whether it was brotherly love or infatuation she couldn't put her finger on it.

There was another man in this girls life - Draco Malfoy. She was his solace; it was quite saddening to say that she could not declare the same.

I sat with my hands intertwined on my lap; I bit my lip every so often. Harry and Ron were both leaning forward, engaged unsurprisingly in a conversation about Quidditch and I was frantically trying to catch the attention of none other than Draco Malfoy. He was resting his handsome face upon his pale hand. His platinum blond hair was ruffled and he seemed to be ignoring the advances of Pansy Parkinson.

I knew it was no use. I knew when he was in one of his moods. Finally, his grey eyes met mine. They were filled with a sort of understanding we both shared. Lifting my chin, I felt as trapped as a field mouse under the shadow of a predatory snake. His stare was chilling. I knew he wanted my company next to him, but he would never admit it. He was too proud.

I noticed him going to change his water into vodka, and I stood from my seat stumbling over to his table. I didn't miss his faint smile of victory at my surrender. Draco then turned to Pansy moving his pale hand back and forth as if to say "make room". A space was reluctantly made between Draco and Pansy, and I sat down on the bench feeling Draco's hand wrap around mine under the table before he ended the contact bringing it back to his grimacing face.

I opened my mouth about to say some meaningless chatter to at least sidetrack Draco's bitter mood, when a shrill voice behind me quickly cried, "Oh Drakie, how was your summer? My Mama said that Narcissa had been ill? Is she much better?"

Pansy looked over me with a haunted look on her face. Her father had been trialled for being related with the Death Eaters and it had taken a toll on her family. I could tell by the dark circles under her eyes from her lack of sleep.

Draco placed one hand on the table slowly. I could see he was gritting his teeth with annoyance. I gripped the bench, waiting for his venomous reply.

"Pansy, do you mind keeping your pug nose out of my business? Merlin, I can never get any peace surrounded by idiots like you."

I heard Pansy's sharp intake of breath and I turned to look at the slight glitter of tears in her eyes. I sighed; internally, of course and quickly spoke to fix Draco's mess.

"Forgive him," I whispered. "He's just in a bad mood, He never means it."

I watched as she nodded slightly before returning to her meal. Turning back, I was met with the pallid face of Draco. His eyes looked into mine and I understood he was he was silently saying that he meant every word that he said.

I shuffled closer to his tensed form and waited for his voice. I could feel Harry and Ron's eyes upon me. They hated it every time I came to see Draco, and they hated the fact that after Voldermort's death that we had developed this strange relationship. I remembered Ginny saying we fed off each other like parasites.

"I'm sick of this place, Hermione," he muttered, swirling his fork around his plate. "I should've apparated out of the bloody country when I had the chance."

"You don't mean that. I know you're angry, but everything will get better. I promise," I whispered the same words I had whispered to him many times before. I smiled the same smile I'd done for the nth time. It was funny looking at us this way. I used to hate him with the way he humiliated me in front of my own friends, ridiculing me for something as lowly as my blood, but everything changed after it happened.

Voldermort's death.

I stumbled forward, my wand locked in my hard as I surveyed the forest. Harry had run ahead and we left Ron back in the tent because of his injuries. As I continued, I heard a horrifying scream, the kind that chilled you right to the bone.

Doing a quick spin for precautionary measure, making sure no DeathEaters were lurking behind me, I surged on towards the source of the screaming. The forest all looked the same, the same oak over and over.

'I swear I saw that rock a minute ago!', I thought to myself as I tried to run faster, but my feet were tired after the days of searching - searching for those Horcruxes.

Why did we do this?

To save the Wizarding World of course!

Oh god, now I'm talking to myself.

"Harry!" I screamed coming closer to the terrifying scream. Bright lights shone through the branches, creating a kaleidoscope of brown and yellow. "Harry!"

Finally, after what seemed like hours of running in circles, I reached the clearing. In haste, I pushed forward, tripping on a root of a large willow. "Ah!" I cursed and gripped the rough branch in front of me to steady my shaking body. Gripping the sharp ridges in the branch, I leaned forward watched the battle ensuing before me.

Harry seemed to be leaping from side to side, holding a rather large beam of light at a Death Eater, who I could not recognise because his hood was covering his face. I jumped down from the perched position I was in and came from behind the Death Eater. Harry acknowledged me subtly and seemed to weaken his spell. Biting my lip, I quickly screamed "Expelliarmus" while pointing my wand at the dark form before me. The spell created a red jet of light and hit Voldemort's follower immediately.

He flew forward, spinning slightly before landing with a thump. His hood came away revealing the fluffy platinum hair of Draco Malfoy.

Harry strode towards me saying only two words.

"He's here."