Steam curled into the air, the fine droplets of moisture adhering to the tiled walls and ceiling.

The gentle drip of water from the tap echoed around the large bathroom. Candlelight from the many lighted, floating tapers added a soft, warm glow.

A contented sigh from one of the two occupants of the large, marble bath, broke the still quiet that had settled around them.

“I still can't believe the war is over,” Harry Potter said, absentmindedly cupping water in his hands and letting it fall through the gaps in his fingers.

Sitting between his legs and leaning back against his chest, Hermione agreed. “I know what you mean. It still seems surreal,” she said, enjoying both the feel of the hot water and Harry surrounding her.

The war had been very brutal, both sides losing many lives. However, in the end the Light side had won.

Harry had spent 2 weeks in St. Mungo's following the Final Battle, battered and bruised.

His body had been ravaged by Voldemort's magic during the fight. Some of the spells would leave lingering effects for the rest of Harry's life. However, so far none had done more than cause an occasional headache.

Hermione dearly hoped that would be all they did. Especially now. Just one more issue needed to be addressed however, and Hermione was determined to discuss it.

“Do you think it's time to tell everyone? I mean now that Voldemort is gone…” Hermione started, hesitating. This was not the first time she had brought up revealing their secret relationship.

“Harry?” Hermione said tentatively, afraid she had angered him by bringing the subject up. In fact, she could feel the tension in his body at her words. Holding her breath, she waited.

Slowly, the tension seemed to flow out of Harry like water, and his shoulders sagged slightly. When he spoke, his voice was soft.

“Yeah, I suppose it is time,” he said quietly. “People will start to wonder now that we're moving in together. They will think something is going on between us. I know Ron will.”

At the mention of Ron, Hermione felt an ache in her heart. Even now, all these many months later, she still felt awful for turning Ron down when he had asked her out.

It had taken weeks of being awkward around each other before they had actually sat down and talked. In the end, their friendship was stronger than ever.

Ron had told her that after she had turned him down, he had thought a lot about what she told him. And realized, he said, that he actually did not love her the way he had thought. That he loved her as a sister. That had made her smile, relieved that they were back on good terms again.

It had taken him a long time to come to that conclusion he said, and even longer to be able to finally decide to talk to her about it.

“Knut for your thoughts?” Harry asked, interrupting her musings.

She laughed quietly, snuggling closer to him. “Sorry, I was just thinking about Ron. I guess I still feel bad for hurting him when he asked me out. But I'm glad too that we were able to get everything out in the open, and that we're still friends.”

“Yeah, I suppose you're right. But now we have a tougher issue. You told him there was not another guy. He'll either understand why you lied or be pissed at both of us for hiding it,” Harry said, his voice sounding tired, like he had said this many times to himself.

Which he had.

“I know, but we can't hide it forever, as much as I've enjoyed it. I just want to tell everyone now that it is safe. I want everyone to know how much I love you,” Hermione said, idly tracing patterns on Harry's arm.

Harry sighed, “I know, I do too. You do not know how many times I thought about telling someone. Or wishing that we'd be found out, just because I couldn't see how no one could see it, even if we didn't really show it in public. You know.

“And I guess the stress was hard too, not knowing if someone would finally figure it out. If Voldemort would figure it, out. I'll be glad I suppose, when this is all out in the open.”

“I know, Harry. I will be too. And we can do this, together,” Hermione said, reaching for his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.

“When do you think we should tell everyone?” Harry asked after a few minutes.

“Hmm,” Hermione said thoughtfully. She thought for a few minutes before her face light up and she said, “How about at the Weasley's family dinner next Sunday? Everyone will be there then. We can tell them all at once.”

Harry felt a sort of icy dread creep into his blood stream, making him feel cold all over. Why can't my life ever be simple? he wondered bitterly.

Sighing loudly, he said, “Yeah, I guess it's as good a time as any. Let's just hope no one decides to behead me.”

Hermione merely reached for his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze to show her support.

It was going to be a long week.