I don't own them. It's all JK Rowling's. I'm just borrowing them for the moment.

Severus was not happy.

In fact, he was quite upset. He could not believe he lost Hermione's challenge. He thought he would have won easily as cooking was not too different from making potions. But somehow, Hermione managed to make a better apple crumble than he did as judged by their colleagues.

So he had to serve a forfeit of Hermione's choosing.

"Severus, you look so severe in your black clothes. I think you should wear something more colourful."

Severus glared at Hermione. "Be careful, wife," he growled.

Hermione playfully swatted him on the arm. "Oh, lighten up, you!" she said, smiling. "I think you'll like this forfeit. My mum has a friend with young children, and they will be having a birthday party for her five-year-old son this Saturday. I think it would be splendid if you were to dress up as a clown and entertain them at the party."

Severus widened his eyes in horror. "No! Surely, you jest!"

Hermione laughed. "Oh no, Severus. That is your forfeit. You will dress as a clown in the most colourful outfit I transfigure for you. You will wear face paint, and a big, bushy wig. You will also smile and entertain these children."

Severus scowled. "And if I refuse to do this?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "The consequences will be severe. And I mean it, Severus. No scheduling detentions to get out of it."

Severus sighed. "All right, witch," he said gruffly. "I'll do it, but I won't like it. In fact, I can guarantee you that I will hate it."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh, lighten up, you great big bat! It'll be fun. You'll see."

And that is how Severus found himself dressed up as a clown, entertaining a group of five-year-old children in a Muggle park.

A/N: Prompt issued by luvsev: Severus is made to do something he does not want to do. What is he made to do, why does he hate it, and who makes him do it? Without the disclaimer and A/N, this story contains exactly 300 words according to Microsoft Word. Thanks go to WriterMerrin for the Saturday evening beta-reading.