Count Your Blessings

Dreamweaver - Yes, Draco should be more furious after discovering that it was Pansy but we have only seen the story from Hermione's perspective. We don't really know what transpired after he dragged her out of the hall. But we will. Muahahaha. Madam Pomfrey is one of my favorite characters to write about. I like to make her a closet romantic and of course she wouldn't tell Draco... *shifty eyes* at least not on purpose. The Pansy/Draco romance, for me, has always been based on name, looks, and blood. For some reason, I could never picture them together as a 'happy' couple. She's far too conniving and deceitful to make Draco happy. And Draco, a matured but snarky one, is the the best! The Ron/Luna thing just popped into my head and I quite like it but no, sorry Ginny isn't going to explain anything. She enjoys watching Ron scratch his head in frustration because he's too oblivious.

angeles - There will be more Pansy-butt kicking as the story goes along and it won't be by Hermione either. MUAHAHHAHHAAH. The suspense!

PixieStick - There IS some one trying to find out who gave the potion to Hermione but we just haven't seen it. Snape has told her how to help get past the symptoms of the potion and she had so much on her mind, literally, that it's hard for her to concentrate. As long as there is an antidote brewing, she will suffer through it. Also, Draco can't just dump Pansy because they're 'supposed' to be together, even if he hates her to a million pieces. It's his duty and he's accepted it but doesn't mean he'll have to be faithful or fall in love with some one else.

MissKitty1990 - Thank you for your comment!

A/N: This is...finally...from Draco's point of view. We'll dive deep into the past, what makes his mind tick, and learn a few things we didn't know about our favorite blond Slytherin! This is Draco's POV on the incidents that occurred. I really wanted to write it from his perspective so sorry if it may seem a bit redundant.

------

Three weeks. Three very long eventful weeks. Draco had been summoned by the Dark Lord almost every night. And every night he had to endure the verbal backlash from his father, his aunt and even the Dark Lord himself. Why wasn't he doing his job? Why wasn't he recruiting more Death Eaters? It wasn't that simple. Slytherins are very self obsessed and they'd only join if there was something in it for them. He had gotten Crabbe and Goyle, Pansy, Millicent, even Daphne to join but Blaise and Theodore were different stories. Theodore's father was put in Azkaban after being caught trying to kill a bunch of Muggles outside of Muggle London. He was the most reluctant to join, not because of what happened to his father but because of his name. If they had lost the war, which they wouldn't, then Theodore's name would be blown to smithereens and where would he be? Blaise was almost the same story, but he just didn't want to muss up his pretty face.

The night after Hermione broke...no that wasn't exactly true. They were never really together so there couldn't have been a break up. Draco hated himself for what pain he caused her but he had told himself, time and again, that Granger was using him. He was just being a savior. Wasn't he? Pansy, of course, wasn't too happy that Draco deserted her in favor of trying to chase after Granger and proceeded to yell, poke and prod her finger in his chest. He had enough and pushed her aside, leaving the room. He halted as he turned around the corner and felt guilt bludgeon him like a Hungarian Horntail's tail.

Her sobs echoed across the corridor and he noticed quite a bit of people in the paintings murmuring about how to calm her down. One elderly man with a lantern beside Draco whispered to him, "Why don't you buy her some chocolate? It always works whenever I have a spat with my girlfriend, the Fat Lady."

Draco sneered and glared at him, "She's not my girlfriend, so sod off before I light your portrait on fire."

"Coulda fooled me," the man said with a shrug before wandering off into another portrait.

He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. Hearing footsteps and the descending sound of Hermione's cries, he knew she had left. Finally being able to pull himself from the wall, Draco managed to get to the Slytherin dormitory without incident.

Draco poured his time and energy into the Dark Lord's work over the past three weeks. Yet, he couldn't get his mind off of Hermione and the sounds she made when they last spoke. Her glossy chocolate brown eyes were the death of him. He couldn't look at any sweets without thinking of her! Draco was in a foul mood most of the time. He had gotten little sleep because of his duties to the Dark Lord, which included searching for ways to get the Dark Lord inside the castle and finish off Dumbledore. Snape was helpful during these times and let him skip classes in favor of the Dark Lord, but that didn't mean he was exempt from homework. He had homework pilled to his ears. That combined with Pansy's awful whining about not spending enough time with him, threatening to cheat on him with Blaise (which he knew they had something, he wasn't daft) It was when she mentioned Theodore did Draco finally put an end to her sniveling.

Unlike most other Slytherins, Draco had a certain fondess of Theodore Nott. They were in the same boat. The only thing was Nott's father was caught and Draco's wasn't. Neither truly understood why the war between Muggleborn and Pureblood had lasted so long. Purebloods were a dying breed, as Nott had once told him in front of the emerald green flames in the hearth before they went to sleep. He also noted that Muggleborns seemed to be more intelligent, as they weren't home schooled like wizards were. How Nott knew these things, Draco didn't know but he also didn't pry.

If he had any friends, any at all, any true friends, he would consider Nott one. Although, he often wanted to stab with his butter knife whenever he mentioned Granger and how attractive she looked. He'd also bring up the fact that she may, or may not have, kneed him in the groin. That was enough answer to keep Nott at bay and with Blaise getting hot and heavy with his girlfriend, Draco knew that Hermione was safe from them, at least. Why did he care so much for her safety? It wasn't like she ever did any kind things for him. Hell, he still felt sore when he thought of the day she slapped him because he made fun of Hagrid. She packed so much punch for such a little girl that he often wondered if she was secretly a man. But he knew she wasn't, he had spent PLENTY of time with her in all her naked glory that there was no way she was a man.

That night, Snape had taken Draco out of school grounds and to Godric Hollow, where the Dark Lord was hiding. He bowed low when he entered and upon hearing the Dark Lord cough, he rose and joined ranks with the other Death Eaters. Draco was the youngest by years, yet his height and bulk towered over a few of the elder Death Eaters. Their years in Azkaban weren't kind to them and his father's time there wasn't either. Lucius looked as if he had been smacked with a House-Elf and his wand hand constantly twitched over the cane that hid his own wand. He had become more vicious once he was released, or broke out, whichever they wanted to call it.

Draco had constantly been on the wrong end of his wand during the summer breaks. Every question Draco asked, or whenever he corrected his father, he'd end up splayed on the ground writhing in unimaginable pain. He learned that summer not to say anything and to, as his father put it 'grow up and act like an adult.' He did just that and more. Hell, the Dark Lord was far more impressed with Draco than he had ever been with Lucius. That put both father and son on edge. Despite their mutual loathing for one another, they still cared and loved each other. They were bloody family for cripes sake.

"Well Ssseverusss," The Dark Lord hissed, raising a boney white hand, "Iss our plan almosst complete?"

Snape nodded twice and glanced down at Draco before speaking, "Yes my lord. In two months time we will be able to overrun Hogwarts."

"Excellent," Voldemort turned to Draco, "Any any newss on my future ssupporterss Draco?"

Draco gulped silently as Voldemort's crimson eyes bore into him. He nodded, just as Snape had done, "Yes, my lord. I have gathered at least half of the Slytherins..." He lied. He had been spending too much time with Hermione that he hadn't spent any time spreading propaganda out to the students.

He felt Snape's eyes on him again but remained planted firmly. Any sign of movement casts a shell of doubt around the Death Eaters and Voldemort wouldn't hesitate to crucio them to ensure they were telling the truth. Draco had become excellent at lying, thanks to his father's horrible parenting skills. The Dark Lord eyed Draco and moved on to other business about the Bulgarians, the French and even the Americans. All groups of wizards and witches who were either joining their side or creating armies against them.

----

Draco walked silently beside Snape after they returned to Hogwarts. He had his head down and was in serious need of sleep. Snape went so far as to nudge him awake when his head bobbed lower as they walked down the stairs. Perking up, Draco rubbed his eyes and looked to his Potions master.

"You did well, Mr. Malfoy," Snape said without looking at him. "I'm sure your father is very..."

"Save it, professor." Draco snapped, shoving his hands into his pocket as they climbed down to the dungeons. "All my father cares about is saving his neck"

"That's not entirely true," Snape replied, halting as they reached the Slytherin dormitory entrance. He grabbed onto Draco's arm to force him to stay, "Everything he is doing is for your family."

Draco scoffed and looked away, "Torturing innocent people is hardly considered endearing."

"If I'm correct, you tortured innocent people. YOU raided alongside the others."

"I'm not saying that I'm exempt from my actions, Professor. I'm just saying..."

"Say nothing, Draco." Snape's black eyes bore into Malfoy's calm cool cobalt blue ones, "Act."

He pried his hand from Draco's forearm and raised his eyebrows, "Good night, Mr. Malfoy."

Draco watched Snape turn on his heel and march out of the corridor. He heard the familiar sound of the door opening and closing with a loud bang. Taking a much needed breath, Draco leaned up against the wall and brought his hands to his eyes. Since when has Snape become some sort of evil Dumbledore with his riddles? Why couldn't these people ever just tell him what was right and wrong? Oh right, because there wouldn't be any fun in that. Growing up sucks.

---

Draco had spent nearly every night in the hospital wing under heavy amounts of Sleeping Draught. He didn't have to tell Madam Pomfrey his problems, Snape had informed her that he was suffering from some illness but she knew exactly why. She was a smart cookie.

When Nott fell from his broom during practices, Draco offered to take him to the medical wing. He hadn't expected to run into Granger, but there she was in all her beautiful Gryffindor halo of beauty. He couldn't help but keep his eyes away from her and quickly moved them elsewhere when she glanced at him.

She moved past him and Draco had the sudden nerve to drop Nott on his arse, rush to Hermione and plant a big one right on her mudblood lips. But he didn't. He sat Nott down and took a seat opposite of him on another cot. Draco ran his hands through his hair, which he had begun to do a lot lately, especially when he was stressed.

"Go after her, mate." Nott nodded, grinning wickedly at Draco.

"W-what?" Draco sputtered, bringing his attention back to Nott where it had once been on Hermione's sad eyes.

"I'm not daft." Nott said, leaning back against the cot as Madam Pomfrey disappeared into the back where she held all her potions. "You fancy Granger."

"I do not," Draco scoffed, his eyes dancing between Nott and the door.

"Whatever. It's your funeral. Just don't let Pansy find out. She's had it out for Granger since the whole Hogwarts Express thing." Nott winced as he put weight onto his injured arm but looked to Draco. "For Merlin's sake, stop staring at me like I'm crazy, Malfoy."

Draco's jaw was unhinged and he was just staring at Nott. The wheels in his mind were tinkering slowly, putting pieces of an invisible puzzle together. He snapped out of it and closed her jaw, clenching it more like it.

"Granger is a filthy mudblood. The only place she belongs is under my foot," Draco tried to sound convincing but Nott's eruption of laughter caused his voice to fluctuate.

"You should try saying that with more umph. Look like you'd step on a kitten if it was near your foot, that'd always work." He sat back up when Madam Pomfrey exited with a tray of skelegrow and other items.

Leaning forward, Nott whispered, "Couldn't fool me though." He winked and Draco rolled his eyes, giving Nott a shove back against the bed where he let out a howl of pain after falling onto his injured arm.

Madam Pomfrey rushed to them and opened her mouth to scold Malfoy, who interrupted. "Is he going to be good enough for Quidditch tomorrow?"

She narrowed her eyes and nodded, "If you don't go around putting him in more injuries, then yes, Mr. Malfoy he will be good as new. Now, I have your sleeping draught and cot ready over there."

Draco took the cup of silvery liquid and walked behind the curtain, he undressed and took the drink like a shot, shaking as it slithered its way down his throat. He slept relatively well that night. No hint of a dream, not night mares, nothing. Maybe the sleeping draught was working. When he woke, Madam Pomfrey was looming over him with wide amber eyes. It startled him and he shot out of bed, knocking his breakfast all over the floor.

"Easy there, child," Madam Pomfrey laughed, waving her wand as the tray and food disappeared, "Just wanted to make sure you were still breathing."

Draco scratched the back of his neck and propped his elbow onto his knee. "What time is it?"

"Almost nine thirty."

His eyes widened and he threw the blankets from him, struggling to get out of the massive pile, "What the fuck! Where'd all these come from!"

Madam Pomfrey laughed as Draco plummeted to the floor. She pulled the blankets from him and moved them off to the side as the cot began to make itself.

"It was rather chilly last night." She explained, offering a hand to Draco, which he took.

"I could have suffocated." Draco snapped, unable to find fault in Madam Pomfrey.

"Oh no dear, that wouldn't be good at all," She replied sarcastically, her voice airy and motherly, "Then what would Ms. Granger do?"

Draco was busy buttoning his shirt when he heard Hermione's name. He looked up at Madam Pomfrey with wide eyes, "What?"

Madam Pomfrey covered her mouth, "Oops. Silly me." She walked around the cot and Draco cut her off with a few short strides.

"What about Granger?" He demanded, moving each time she tried to pass.

"Oh, it's nothing dear. She watched you sleep for a few hours last night is all. Love and devotion in her eyes," Madam Pomfrey sighed romantically and left a stunned Draco rooted in his spot. His fingers still on one button.

Granger was watching him sleep? Blimey. What has this world come to?

---

He slipped on his Quidditch gear and was just about to leave when Pansy caught up to him. She grasped onto his arm and leaned up to kiss him but he tilted his head back ever so slightly to make her lips touch his chin instead.

"What is it, Pansy?" Draco asked, pulling his arm free. His eyes darted to the exit, wondering if he should just bolt right then and there. He didn't want to feel Pansy's touch, especially when she did the same thing to Blaise and half the other students.

"Draco, you haven't come see me in weeks." She cooed in his ear, tracing her hand up and down his arm, "Blaise says that..."

"I don't give a damn what Zabini says, Pansy. Now are we finished? I have a game to play," Draco snapped at her, prying her hands from him and gripping tightly onto his Firebolt.

He wanted to smash her over the head with it but it's ruin his broom and her head would be too thick to do anything substantial. Pansy grabbed him as he was about to turn and he noticed that she was trying her hardest to find something to keep him there, just for a little bit.

"I know what's up with Granger," Pansy blurted out, watching Draco's eyebrow pique and his attention on her.

He held his broom to his side and tilted his head, "Go on..."

"You know how she practically jumped Snape a few months ago? And how she's always jumpy whenever Scarface or Weasel touch her?" Pansy looked excited and was beginning to bob up and down on her heels.

"I vaguely remember that," Draco lied. He had been one of the students who watched in sheer horror as Hermione lunged for Snape and kissed him. At first he thought his eyes were playing tricks, but no it was real. He had gone to Snape's office to talk about some Death Eater meeting when Hermione stepped out looking relieved and yet stressed. When their eyes met, he knew...deep down that something was wrong.

It didn't take long for Draco to snoop around Snape's desk while Snape was putting things away. But he had always wondered who was stupid enough to slip an illegal potion to Granger, and get away with it. Sure there were rumors that Granger had lost her marbles and was practically begging to get screwed -- hence the wager between Nott and Zabini, along with the rest of the Slytherin boys. It had taken Draco weeks to threaten most of them into not going after Granger. He used the excuse that she was close to Dumbledore and if they tried anything, then he'd be there in a flash.

In reality, he didn't want to see anyone, let alone a fellow Slytherin bumping and grinding uglies with his Granger. His Granger. His Hermione? That sounded too weird.

Pansy's hands caressed the Slytherin emblem on his chest, causing him to return to look at her. She prattled on without hesitation, "Well, I found a potions book that I got from my great great aunt or some one like that and..."

She was literally bouncing up and down, "I made the potion that makes Granger go crazy whenever a boy touches her! All I had to do was slip it into some chocolates, make her upset and I knew she'd gorge her fat little face in them."

Draco's eyes widened in sheer anger, he clenched and unclenched his jaw. Pansy seemed to notice his sudden stance and quieted. Draco had to remind himself to play it cool, and he did so.

"What?" He growled, shelving the need to slam Pansy against the wall and punch her several times in the face, making her black and blue marks more prominent. But a Malfoy didn't hit a girl, even one like Pansy. "You did what!?"

Her eyes lit up when he pushed her lightly against the wall, apparently thinking that he was so impressed by her that he'd shag her silly right then and there. His little Malfoy wouldn't get up for her at this point, if anything it'd turn around and cut itself off before going anywhere near her snatch.

"Isn't it brilliant!?" She whispered, putting her filthy hands all over his chest, "I was going to brew more...you know for Potter's girl but..."

There was a clash and both Slytherins looked to the left. Hermione was standing at the top of the stairs while a suit of armor walked lazily around her making as much noise as possible. His eyes met hers for a second and he saw what he thought was a small blush. Did she hear? No, she didn't they were talking too softly.

Pansy peered out around him and grinned, 'Well, look who it is, Gone off to see your little..." He wouldn't let her finish.

"Shut up Pansy," He snapped, grabbing her wrist and tugging her away from the wall. His grasp on his Firebolt tightened as he literally tossed her out the front gates, "You're going to miss me beat the pants off of Potter if you don't stop rambling."

Pansy tensed at his grasp but then, as if she were taunting Hermione, put on a face of glee, "Oh...OH!" She said excitedly, poking her tongue out at the Gryffindor girl as they both moved outside.

He made sure no one else was around as he swung Pansy around and pushed her against the wall.

"You have NO idea what you have gotten yourself into, Parkinson." Draco snapped at her, venom dripping from his lips.

"Draco...I thought you'd be happy," Pansy cooed, her eyes pleading with his to see her side of the story, "Granger is just a know-it-all and she really deserves everything that's coming to..."

"No," Draco said firmly, pulling away from her, "She doesn't.Get your head out of your arse, Pansy. Or at least pretend you know what you're doing or saying. There is a fucking war out there and here you are playing mind games with everyone. If Dumbledore..."

"Dumbledore isn't going to find anything out, Draco." Pansy snapped at him, looking into his eyes with defiance. "He's a bloody coward and you know it. Why do you care so much about Granger all of a sudden? Don't think I don't know that you stare at her every waking chance. What you tried to poke your little Malfoy into her mudblood..."

"I wouldn't touch her with a ten foot pole, Pansy." Draco interrupted, watching a look of glee spread across her face, "But I also would risk my neck for a practical joke."

He pulled away from her and pushed her hands away when she tried to touch him, "It's time you grew up too or else you're going to get what you deserve."

Pansy opened her mouth to protest but Draco had already stalked off to the other end of the castle, heading to the pitch. She crossed her arms and pouted, watching Theodore and Blaise walking out.

"BLAISE!" Pansy cried, dashing over to him where she wrapped her arms around his waist. "Good luck at the game today."

"I don't need luck, Pansy," Blaise said matter of factly, wrapping an arm around him. He looked around as if he were trying to find Draco.

"He's probably at the pitch, mate," Nott said picking at the hairs on his uniform as they walked down to the pitch.

----

Draco had finally gathered his team together and had to swipe some Exploding Snap cards out of Crabbe's hands and tossed it to the side. They didn't have a care in the world. Hell, the only one who cared about the game, beside him, was Nott. He was the only one looking intently at Draco while he prattled on about who to block, what plays to do, and where the Gryffindors had the tendency to keep parts open.

Pansy's annoying voice floated over to Draco, followed by some soft piece of cloth. It got stuck in his hair and he had had enough of her. He pulled the handkerchief off of his head, balled it up, and threw it at the ground. Looking up, Draco pointed at her and shouted, "Watch it Parkinson. I will NOT hesitate to take points for interfering with a game!"

She looked put off and slouched back into her seat with her arms folded. Nott chuckled loudly while Blaise shot him a dirty look. Draco gave Blaise a look as if it say, so what? Madam Hooch blew her whistle and the two teams moved into the pitch. Everyone but Harry and Draco mounted their brooms and flew upward.

Harry and Draco stood across from another and extended their hands. He clasped his hand around Harry's and both tried as hard as they could to break the other's hand. It didn't work but it was worth a try. Draco glanced up and looked at Ginny and then back at Harry.

"Watch your girl, Potter." He warned, throwing a leg over his broom and flying into the air before Harry could say anything.

Draco spent most of the match looking for the snitch, coming blow to blow with Harry, who demanded to know what Draco had said those things about Ginny. Draco said nothing but it was evident by the boos in the crowd. He watched Harry look over and saw, as if in slow motion, a club come flying into the back of Ginny's head.

Harry raced to her but Dean had beat him to it. Draco rolled his eyes when Madam Hooch blew her whistle and steered his broom back down to the pitch. Draco passed Goyle and stuck his foot out, giving the oaf a bit crack in the side for giving Gryffindors three free shots.

He hovered lightly over on the Gryffindor side and glanced at Hermione, who looked frozen in place. Draco ducked, having the feeling that the crazy blond girl next to Hermione had thrown something at him. She stuck her thumb down and said something about wishing Crispy Snorlacks would eat his dry skin off. Strange girl.

During half time, Draco took his frustrations out on the locker room. He threw things around and even went so far as to punch Crabbe for snorting that Draco was overreacting. When they emerged, Draco had a determined glare on his face and he went straight up to look for the snitch.

He had to try and make things more fair, not know exactly why he wanted it, but he rammed into Blaise who had aimed his club at Ginny for the second time and shot him a warning glare. He knocked Katie out of the way when he thought he saw the snitch but quickly grabbed onto her robes to keep her on her broom and shot off before any one noticed.

Harry had flown next to him and looked at him. That's when he saw it, the glittering snitch behind Harry's ear. It reminded him of the time where he sat with the snitch mere inches away. Draco swooped down and straight toward Harry, who steered his broom out of the way. He had caught on. Both were neck to neck and jumped up then flew down as players flew past them.

He thought he saw Weasley give him the finger but he ignored it. Harry zoomed past him and rammed into his broom, Draco did the same.

"Watch it Potter!" Draco called out as he made an abrupt turn and flew straight up.

Harry looked straight as a bludger came flying toward him and flew up just as Draco had. He rammed into Draco again, this time by accident, but Draco's broom clipped the side of the wall and he went smashing into it. His face hit the hard wall, and a definite crunch echoed into his ear. Draco fumbled down and fell onto the ground with a loud thud. No one noticed as Harry had caught the snitch and Gryffindor won.

Madam Pomfrey rushed to his side but Draco didn't care. He lost the game and he felt like he lost a part of himself. It was overly dramatic but he didn't care at all. He shoved her away and stood, not bothering to wipe his face as blood dripped down his uniform. He had gotten used to pain that it hardly hurt, maybe a little sting. The teams gathered around and he shook their hands. His eyes met Harry's for a moment and Harry nodded curtly. Ron fake lunged at Draco but Ginny smacked him upside the head and drug him away.

Draco was furious but he let them have their win. His team was last to leave as Nott had gotten into a row with Blaise, who wanted to replace Draco as captain. Draco shrugged it off and left but not before yelling at his team and locking himself in the locker.

He didn't care what they thought. He had been through far too much to let ignorant children like them get the better of him. He was tired. Sick of being tired and tired of being sick. Draco leaned against his locker and banged his head against it. Tears began to surface whether he liked it or not.

He hated himself. He hated what he became. And most of all he hated the Dark Lord for making him this way. Tears flowed down his cheeks and across his face, washing the blood from his cheeks onto the ground. He wanted, just for once, to enjoy life and be a teenager. Not grow up to be a man so quickly, and for what? For a losing battle. For people who judged too quickly. Sure he judged, he had been raised that way but after witnessing all the horror it was to be a Death Eater...he wanted to be some one else. He'd trade places with Longbottom if he had the chance, hell he'd trade places with a Weasley. At least they had a happy family. At least their family only wanted the best and didn't demand it.

"Draco..." Her voice was like sweet lemon drops and he thought his mind was playing tricks.

Draco's body stiffened when he realized that it wasn't his imagination. She was really there. He looked up and at her, sneering slightly.

"What do you want? Come to gloat?" He snapped at her, trying to busy himself with something else, like laying waste to his Quidditch gear and pushing them harshly into his locker.

Her next words made his knees go weak, but he was hardly weak. He merely looked at her and made his peace.It didn't take long for the once shy soft spoken Granger to be overpowered by the fierce Gryffindor he knew lingered in her blood. They had their verbal blows, shouting, poking and even the occasional laugh.

Draco realized right then and there that she wasn't there because she needed him, she was there because she wanted him. He smirked at that thought and told her outright that he knew. She denied it, of course, just as he denied his feelings. Why waste what they had with words?

Their kiss was explosive. It was ten million times worth every Quidditch Cup in the history of Hogwarts. Her lips were soft against his and her breath warm. He felt her small hands at his waist, positioned awkwardly. She was perfect. She was his...

---