A/N: Last chapter! I really hope you've enjoyed this story. There's a lot of dialogue here, so hopefully you can follow alright. I'll be honest... I really struggled writing all the physical fluffiness. How do people do it without endlessly describing every movement and glance? Suggestions appreciated.

I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters. xoxoxo

Deciding that late-night tea was best enjoyed in front of the fire, they grabbed their mugs and headed for the sitting room. Hermione was glad to have the mug to keep her hands busy, because now that their mutual feelings were out in the open, she wasn't entirely sure she could keep those hands to herself. She stood waiting for him as he cast a quick nonverbal charm to stoke the fire before following him to the couch. Draco pulled her into his lap as he sat, taking her mug from her hands as he did so to place it on the coffee table. As he wrapped his arms around her form, she couldn't help but curl up and sigh as she rested her head on his shoulder with her arms around his neck - how is this already so comfortable? She couldn't help but wonder.

"You know, I've called you so many things and you never really let me know which ones you approve of or not."

"Hmm... I'd better hear them all so I can judge them properly." As she spoke, she tucked her head just under his chin, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath of his scent.

"Well," he began, "there's 'darling' which seems to be a favorite since it's gotten so much attention this evening."

"Obviously." She couldn't help but smile at the sound of it, knowing now that it was real and it was meant for her.

"I already know that 'princess' is out, based on your reaction every time it's used to reference you in the paper."

"Now, now... Let's not be too hasty. You know how all those things in the Prophet sound completely false when they're out of context." He couldn't help but chuckle. Literally every time she was referred to by 'that ridiculously demeaning word' (her words) in any context - printed or otherwise - she lost her damn mind.

"Hermione?" he leaned toward her, "Would you like me to call you 'princess'?" He smiled and practically purred the question as he glanced down at her. Her giggle and averted eyes were a dead giveaway.

"Alright, I'm a bit ashamed to admit it - but it does sound so much better when you say it." She raised her eyebrows and peeked up at him through her eyelashes. "It was obviously only a matter of proper pronunciation."

"I see. So 'princess' makes the cut." Draco soldiered on, attempting to keep his voice light and playful.

"Dearest."

"Lovely. A bit formal, I think, but perfect for certain occasions." Draco smirked at her clinical observation and continued.

"Pumpkin."

She laughed out loud now and looked him in the eye. "That is just ridiculous."

"Muffin."

"No."

"Angel."

"Dreadful."

"Sweetness." When he spoke now, it was a low hiss near her ear, and Hermione couldn't be certain if her fierce blush was due to the word itself or the proximity in which it was spoken. He seemed to know exactly which names she preferred.

"Ummm…. I'm going to have to hear that one again."

Smiling, Draco obliged, this time adding a gentle nip to her earlobe which caused some serious goosebumps and a slight giggle to escape her lips.

"I think that is acceptable." She attempted a tone of mock-professionalism, but was well-aware he could see right through it. They both chuckled and Draco waited for the quiet to return before speaking again, this time looking at her instead of the fire.

"Love."

At the sound of that one syllable, her breath hitched and she sat up, looking him in the eyes. Gone was his playful tone, and she felt the weight of what he was actually trying to say - she knew it as well as he that there was no going back from this point. As he searched her eyes silently for confirmation of all the hopes and wishes he had placed on this girl, he only had to wait a moment before she answered with one syllable of her own.

"Yes."

Who leaned in first - no one could say - but in that moment, their lips met with all the passion that pent-up secret feelings typically bring to a situation. Hermione laced her fingers behind his head and raked them gently through the soft hairs at his nape while Draco held her in his arms and relished in her warmth as he barraged her mouth with kisses.

After several heated moments, the late hour caught up with her and Hermione couldn't help but stifle a yawn.

"So we've discussed everything you're allowed to call me…" she smiled as she reached for her mug to take a quick sip.

"To be fair, Granger, I don't think we've uncovered all the possibilities just yet. I think it will take some more extensive research." He couldn't help but interject.

"Certainly...but what do I get to call you?"

"Call me anything you want, love." He stretched his arms overhead as he spoke. "I think I like it best when you just say my name, though."

"But I've called you Malfoy for years. That's not really anything special, is it?"

"No, no, no, dearest….my name."

"Is that so?" Making a mental note that 'dearest' was most definitely allowed, a flirtatious smile came to her lips and an idea of sweet retaliation came to her. She brought her hands to his face and turned his head slightly so she could plant light kisses along his neck and jaw before stopping at his ear to whisper, "Draaaco."

Attempting to keep his composure, although difficult, was not impossible. He shut his eyes and managed to squeak out the words, "What's that? I couldn't quite hear you…" with a smirk.

Hermione chuckled to herself. She knew he was powerless at this point, so she took things still further, bringing her hand to rest on his chest and continued her assault on his neck before breathing his name in his ear once more. Draco's response this time was a low rumble that seemed to rise from his toes and their lips met again with hungry passion.

He slowed their pace gradually to a last tender kiss before declaring emphatically, "Yes, madam, I believe you say my name quite nicely. I'd say your pronunciation is nearly perfect."

After another quiet moment watching the fire in the grate, Hermione stretched reluctantly and whispered "It's really late. I should probably go." She spoke the words, but stayed firmly planted in Draco's lap as he gently rubbed her back.

"Hmm... It's really late. You should probably stay."

"Draco…" she protested.

"Hermione…" His eyes were pleading. "It's nearly dawn already. I don't think it's necessary for you to try apparating this late."

"Are you sure?" she began, "I just...I don't.." her voice trailed off.

"Out with it, witch." he prodded.

"I feel silly saying it, but I just...don't want to go…. too far too fast."

"Don't feel silly, Granger." His voice was firm and reassuring. "I don't either. I promise I'll behave. Will you promise the same?" She looked at him and her jaw dropped in mock offense, but she was glad they cleared the air. She did trust him but she didn't want to go too fast and be left with regrets.

"Alright, then. Now that that is settled, let's find you something cozier for sleeping." Once they were both standing again, he grabbed both mugs from the table with one hand and wrapped his other arm over her shoulders, giving her a gentle squeeze. She leaned into him, wrapping her own arm around his back while her other hand rested on his chest. It was amazing how quickly she grew comfortable touching him when she had fought the urge to do so for so long.

After heading into the kitchen to put their mugs in the sink and shut off the light, Draco led her by the hand down the hall toward his room. He appeared calm, but he was a bit nervous to have the woman he adored so much in his room. He had certainly had daydreams about this scenario - some that made him blush - but nothing could really prepare him for it actually happening. She glanced around the room, seeming to take it all in - the tall windows with heavy drawn curtains, the lamp on the bedside table with the book he'd been reading before going to sleep, the bedclothes thrown back after he was startled awake by the banging on his door. She blushed at the memory of her brazen behavior but so happy that she did it. He cleared his throat and she was snapped from her reverie as he strode toward his bureau, "T shirt and sweats alright?"

"That's perfect."

He handed her his smallest pair of sweats and an old Slytherin shirt: Weasley would have a fit if he ever knew, which made it an obvious choice…."I'll just.." he cleared his throat. "I'll just step out so you can change." Damn that awkwardness….

"No, actually, I need the loo, so I'll just... I'll be right back." There was some comfort knowing that she seemed nervous too.

With Hermione out of the room for a moment, Draco took a deep breath and attempted to focus. So much had happened since going to bed a few short hours ago that now his mind was absolutely spinning. This girl - his friend, arguably his best friend - whom he had pined over for ages was here in his flat in the middle of the night after they both confessed some pretty serious feelings for each other, and she was going to sleep here. In his clothes. In his bed. He did not want to mess this up. As much as he wanted to carry out all of his wildest fantasies with the witch of his dreams right now, he knew he was in this for the long haul. He also did not want to freak her out. He knew what he needed to do - extra pillow, blanket… I'll tuck her in and kiss her goodnight, and head out to the couch. Need to go slow - you want this to work, right?

Draco's internal pep talk was interrupted when Hermione returned and he was rendered nearly speechless. She stood in the doorway, smiling shyly back at him as he could only gawk in her direction. Her hair was dry now and her curls were extra... just extra. His clothes hung on her curves in all the right places and her face...her eyes were wide and smiling and made him feel like he could take on the world or fall in a puddle at her feet all at once.

"Well hello, gorgeous." Who knew she would be such a vision in an old t-shirt...

"I don't believe we discussed that one." She smirked playfully at him.

"So, what's the verdict? Because it is 100% accurate." He dropped his pillow and walked toward her, wrapping her in his arms and raising her off her feet as he nuzzled into her neck. "This color suits you."

Hermione couldn't help but giggle, "I knew you chose this one on purpose."

"Of course I did! Slytherin colors and it's got my name on the back."

"Always the sneaky one. Well, it is quite comfortable - maybe I'll have to keep it." She teased.

"You should." He set her down again and kissed her forehead. Their height difference, Draco decided was just right.

"What were you doing?" She asked, pointing to the pillow and blanket that he had dropped on the floor. "Besides talking to yourself…"

He blushed that she'd caught him, but he chose to ignore it. "I was just heading to the couch. You can stay in here."

"That hardly seems necessary...I mean, I really don't mind." She paused and blushed before laughing. "Your bed is ridiculously large."

"It is - what can I say - I like my space…" He chuckled. "Are you sure?" He looked at her to make sure she was really comfortable and not just being polite.

"I'm sure." She assured him as she climbed in and burrowed toward the middle with a sigh.

He smiled at the sight of her - hair messy on his pillow and eyes half closed with sleep already - he really was the luckiest man alive.

"Alright then, Granger." He rubbed his face with both hands as he walked around the bed and shut off the lamp. Climbing under the covers, he rolled toward her and snaked one arm under her pillow and wrapped the other tentatively around her waist bringing her back flush to his chest. "Is this ok?" He asked softly near her ear.

She hummed in response as she burrowed still closer and squeezed his arm with both of her own before lifting his hand placing a soft kiss on his knuckles. "It's wonderful."

They lay there in a comfortable silence, listening to each other breathe for a few moments before Hermione ventured to speak into the darkness. "Draco?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you...this might be too soon to ask, but are you… serious? About us, I mean?"

Draco couldn't help but smile - her voice was so uncertain and she was about to ramble - a sure sign of her nervousness. "Am I serious? About us?" He repeated sleepily.

"Yes - I mean, I know this is early, but I really am not interested in something...casual...it's just, I've dated some and I just don't... I'm kind of an "all or nothing" kind of girl at this point in my life, and if that's not something you can decide right now, obviously I understand…" Ah, there was the rambling…

"Granger."

"Yes?"

"I would buy you a ring tomorrow if I thought you might say yes."

"Oh." The darkness hid her blush, but he could still here the smile in her voice.

"Is that serious enough for you?" His voice was low in her ear.

"Um-hmm…"

"Draco?"

"Yes, love?"

"I would say 'yes'."

"Good to know." He couldn't help but grin and hold her close.

"Goodnight, Draco."

He spoke softly as he kissed the back of her neck. "Goodnight, darling."

That's it! I hope you enjoyed this - I know there was some serious cheese here - but heaven help me, I love some cheese sometimes! I am toying with the idea of writing a prequel to this story - when they reconnect after Hogwarts and become friends (Simmons and all!) Does that sound like fun? Please review/comment and let me know what you think. xoxoxo

Update: I am posting the first two chapters of my prequel! Title is A First Time for Everything - check it out and follow for updates!