It wasn't as flashy as the suite that Draco had gotten them in Chamonix, but a suite was a suite and Hermione loved it all the same. There was no Jacuzzi, but there was still a massive tub that could fit the two of them and last night that's where they had been –talking and laughing while eating chocolate-covered fruit from and off of each other. The latter had been the best part, naturally.

Hermione stood over the bed with her hands on her hips as she smiled at her dress. Draco had gotten it for her. She didn't know from where or even when, but what she did know was that she had found it hung up in the closet when she woke that morning. It was a simple black dress that stopped at the knee, but it hugged her perfectly in every way. They were supposed to be eating dinner in one of the hotel's restaurants tonight and she could hardly wait. She was just about to head into the shower for a lengthy bath when the fireplace activated in the adjoining room.

Hermione smiled and went out to meet Draco. He had told her that he would be out with Theodore Nott for a bit –someone who, she didn't say out loud, she was none too fond of. Not that she knew him very well (or at all), but he was on the Ministry's watch list for suspicious activity. She didn't believe Draco to be involved with him, but an association could be bad for him.

And here I am being a complete and utter hypocrite. Hermione sighed, but then she gasped.

"Malfoy?"

"Am I selfish?" Draco asked her. He was drunk. She knew it. Not a completely sloshed mess, perhaps, but drunk enough.

"Selfish?" Hermione repeated. "Selfish about what?"

"About you. Us. We are… We're a walking time bomb here for Merlin's sake. We shouldn't even be together. I mean, look at the circumstances of how we started dating. They're ridiculous!"

"Malfoy," Hermione said hesitantly. "You're drunk and you're upset. And you tend to say stupid things when you're either."

"But it's true!" Draco yelled. "I was lonely as hell and you took pity on me. Admit it."

"You and I both know that's not what brought us together that night."

"But it's the reason that we stayed." Draco frowned. "Isn't it?"

It was Hermione's turn to frown. "...I did want to ease your hurt. Truly. But why can't that be a consequence of what I felt for you?"

"Because it's not enough! Me, I'll always be a pathetic, alienated mess because that's how the whole bloody world seems to want me, but you? Your pity isn't going to last forever. Will it be enough, honestly, when, not if, things get worse for us? We're no picnic, Granger, and I can't just watch you leave me. If you did, I... I don't..."

Hermione watched as Draco grew wobbly on his legs. She was by no means strong enough to hold him up, but she damn sure tried. She held him up enough so he didn't fall right to the floor, but they did eventually sink to it –a slow descent until they were sitting on the lush carpet.

"What did Nott say to you, Draco?"

Draco closed his eyes when she said his name. Having had to say their given names at her parents' over dinner, now they sometimes slipped from their lips in intimate moments like these.

"He said a lot. Bottom line being that you'll always be in danger because of me. And he's right." Draco reluctantly admitted. "What happened at your apartment won't be the end of it. What if it's something worse next time? Everyone has their limits, Granger. You may meet yours and find that it's not worth being with me. I… I don't know what I'd do if that's what you ever decided."

"Shh, shh," Hermione cooed as she cradled Draco –his head resting on her shoulder with her fingers running through his hair. "It'll be alright. Trust me. It'll take a lot more than a couple of slurs thrown my way and a tossed apartment to run me off."

Draco raised his head and stared at her, his fear still clearly evident. "How much more?"

Hermione smiled as she cupped his face with her hand. "A horde of centaurs would have to suddenly sprout wings and fly their way to Zeus for a knitting party."

"Do I want to know who Zeus is?"

"If you want to have a lesson on Greek Mythology one day, then sure."

Draco laughed. "I really don't." He sighed then, forcing himself to fully sit up despite the brewing headache. "I love you, Hermione."

Hermione paused. Did he just say? He didn't say… Did he?

Draco could see the wheels turning in his girlfriend's head. She was caught off-guard –that much was sure. He himself was surprised at his words because not once had he ever thought about saying them until now. He knew that he cared about her. Deeply. But love? He had never been in love with anyone before, so how could he be sure? But then again, how could he not be sure?

"You're drunk." Hermione said.

Draco tilted his head in a nod. "I am. But that's not to say that I don't mean it. So I've been told, drunk people are the most honest."

Drunk people tended to regret what they did the night before too. Hermione thought miserably to herself. What if, when he was sober, he took it back? What if he wasn't ready and the liquor coursing through his system only made him think-?

Hermione's mental rant halted abruptly when Draco kissed her. It was slow and sweet and tasted of firewhiskey. A well-executed kiss, considering his blood alcohol content. A kiss that she moaned into as he snaked his arms around her and pulled her close. One that chased away any doubt that he'd meant what he said.

"You don't have to say it back." Draco told her once he'd broken the kiss in a tender finish. His words had eased the tremendous weight Hermione hadn't even realized she was carrying. "I wanted to say it, so I did. I can say it again tomorrow, sober, if you like."

Hermione couldn't help the upwards turn of the corners of her mouth. "I...I would like that."

Draco grinned. "Me too,"

Author's note: The L-word dropped! The L-word dropped!

That is all :)

Oh and lol to the guest reviewer who said it's time to move to America. I nearly cried with laughter. Thank you. White Bishop, I'm glad that you liked how the Theo situation was played out! Theo gave Draco an ice bucket dose of reality in an attempt to make him see that he and Hermione dating really is a serious matter. That and the fact that Blaise painted quite the fairytale-esque picture that's not exactly true. Draco and Hermione certainly have a lot to deal with and it won't be easy in the slightest. Having them, plus Theo, and Blaise together would be fantastic :)

-WP