Title: Illusions

Author: Ahallah Firesong (the Eternal Firesinger)

Pairing: LM/HP

Rating: R

Warning: First time HP fic author

Disclaimer: None of it belongs to me... unfortunately. (Trust me, the would be mating like rabid mosquitoes if they did.)

Notes: This is a Dictionary Drabble for the word 'contumacy.' Unfortunately, I couldn't seem to make it behave and go down to the required 500 words. ::sigh:: Oh well, sorry. Also – not beta'ed.

Word Count: 538

Harry hung limply from the chains that suspended him in the middle of the lush, dark bedroom, slivers of his green eyes sparking noticeably against black and silver hues. Naked save for the dark iron circling his wrists, the young man's body held patterns of bruises and crisscross makes, some fainting bleeding.

Lucius stalked around him, reaching out periodically to run gloved fingers or the tails of his short whip across the bared skin. "Well, Mr. Potter, what do you have to say for yourself now?"

Opening his mouth, the youth was silenced by a sharp strike across his shoulders from the whip. "That was a rhetorical question, child," he sneered. "Perhaps it's intelligence as well as obedience that you need to learn." Lucius halted in front of the hanging boy, lifting his chin with the well-worn cat-o-nine tails handle. "Well, well, well.... Finally, your fate rests in my hands. I alone shall be your judge, jury, and executioner." Harry merely scowled, ignoring the impossibility of appearing imposing while chained naked.

"Very well," Lucius took a step backward, folding his arms, "your punishment – "

"What?" the accused attempted to straighten. "That's not fair, Malfoy – you haven't even explained my crimes ye-"

SMACK

Lucius stepped back once again, bringing his hand down from the backhand. "Potter, you simply must learn to stay silent. Otherwise, this will become immensely agonizing for you, and even more satisfying for me," he smirked. "Now, as I was saying, your punishment shall be served out over a length of many years, seeing as you have been given indefinitely into my care. You will being by serving me tonight in any way I see fit." The stalking began again, the blonde slowly circling Harry, as fine, involuntary trembles started to run through his muscles.

"Your crimes," he whispered in Harry's ear, running his tongue over the shell, "are numerous, but I shall try to illuminate them here." Blowing on the spot, he ran his hands down his captive's chest, stopping to play with his nipples. "First, your stupidity. Clearly, illustrated so many times that I can't even begin to count. Second, your contumacy – "

Lucius was interrupted by a suppressed giggle. "What? Do you find something that I have down amusing, Potter?" He raised one eyebrow in question.

"No, no, no, sorry," Harry's body shook with suppressed laughter. "I'm sorry, truly I am, it's just..."

He stepped back and glared at the now severely shaking back. "Yes?" he drawled.

"That word... what was it – comup – "

"Contumacy."

"Right, that one. I mean, what the hell? Who actually uses that word in a sentence? Seriously..... Luce? Luce, where are you going?

Lucius turned back from the door. "Well it's obvious that this little tryst has been ruined, so I thought I could eat a bit before my bath."

Harry blinked at his lover, then tugged at his wrists. "Well then, could you let me down? Or at least let me take care of what you started?" he motioned at his obvious erection.

Smirking, the blonde turned back towards the exit. "No, I think not, Harry. I'll be back. In a couple of hours or so." The door swung shut on the shouted protests.

"What!?! Luce – Luce, come back! LUCIUS!"