AN:So I said I'd be taking a break, and I fully intended to, however I decided to write a lil bit more, I've been awake since the early hours of sunday morning, so please forgive me if it is a bit rubbish. please R&R and enjoy (:

They lay together, silently, wrapped in each other's arms, neither one wanting to let go. The morning sun was fighting to get through the curtains. Ebony was still fast asleep with a smile upon her face. Lucius sighed, he found it hard to believe that she had really come back, he prayed it wasn't just a dream. Ebony let a small moan leave her lips and fluttered her eyes open, she smiled at Lucius and extended a hand to his cheek. They could have happily stayed like that forever and they did for many hours until Draco started to knock on the door.

"Go away" Lucius said

"Father, you must come downstairs immediately" Draco said through the door

"Why?"

"Kingsley Shacklebolt,The minister of magic is here"

Lucius rushed out of bed and hurriedly put on some clothes

"Stay here Ebony" He said before heading downstairs to the drawing room where the minister was waiting.

"Lucius" greeted the Kingsley

"Minister" Lucius replied as he sat himself in his chair

"It appears as if I have awoken you this morning"
"Yes, something like that, minister" Lucius said

Kingsley laughed

"It is unlike you to be in bed so late, it is also unlike you to submit reports of such bad quality, as you have been these past few months"

"Ah, yes. I have not been feeling quite myself recently" Lucius said honestly

"Then maybe the rumours are true" Kingsley said in smooth, precise tones

"Rumours? What rumours?" Lucius asked

"That you have been courting a young lady, but, that is of course none of my business"

"You are quite right, it isn't your business" Lucius snapped

"Well, I sincerely hope that your reports will be back at your usual standard now that you seem to be yourself again, which incidentally is why I am here"

"Oh?"

"Yes, I thought it best to skip the other departments with this, you see, I need a full report on Ebony DiSilva, the aurors are sure she is a threat, I however am not convinced, all I want are the facts, there is no room for speculation in this report. Do you think you can do it?"

Lucius nodded nervously

"Yes, I'm sure I can manage it"

"Very well, take as long as you need, all of your other assignments will be given to other people, this is of utmost importance, good day"

With that Kingsley Shacklebolt left.

Lucius went back upstairs, Ebony was sitting at the edge of the bed, nervously. Lucius sat next to her and put an arm around her shoulders, she was so cold. Lucius looked at her, he thought that she still looked tired, she smiled at him all the same. Ebony yawned and nestled her head against him, waiting to hear what the minister had to say.

"I'm sure he knows about you…well, us" Lucius finally said

"How could he?"

"I don't know, but I wouldn't put it past him"

"This is a bad thing right?"

"No, it's not bad, he believes in your innocence after all"

"Good" Ebony said tiredly.

Ebony was still very tired, all those nights of not sleeping had really caught up with her, she fell asleep sitting where she was, Lucius carefully moved her further back onto the bed and made sure that she was covered. He went into his study and sat, thinking about how he was going to write the report. Lucius gathered up every piece of information that he had about Ebony and organised them in a folder carefully. He spent much of the remainder of the day reading over them, taking Draco's initiative and highlighting things that would probably be useful.

It was early in the evening when Ebony awoke again, she wandered off to have a shower before going to find Lucius. The shower water was very hot and scented like sandalwood. Ebony just stood there underneath the cascade of water for a while, enjoying it immensely. Once out of the shower, she felt refreshed, she put on a flowing cotton dress and went downstairs.

Draco was sitting in the kitchen, mixing up some potions, he was topless and Ebony noticed how he was covered in bruises, cuts and scars. Ebony gasped at the sight of him and Draco looked up.

"What happened?" She asked

"Father" Draco replied sinisterly