When Severus received an owl from the headmaster at dinner asking him to report to his office, despite his best efforts, he just sighed. A thought crossed his head 'why did I ever believe that life was going to be fair. I'm the worthless freak, miserable things are bound to happen to me."

When he got to the Gorgoyle, he saw that the headmaster wasn't in and so stood there, facing the wall, just in case. When Albus reached his office, he saw his son standing there, miserable and sighed. This was actually a happy occasion. He moved to keep his hand on Sev's shoulder and Severus flinched. Albus sighed and said, "It's alright. You didn't need to face the wall, come on in."

"Sit down Sev, lemon drop?"

"May I politely decline both?"

Albus hesitated just a second before nodding. Then asked, "Any idea why I have asked you to come here?"

"No sir."

"Think harder."

"I'm really sorry, sir. I tried my best to occlude my pain today and be a model student. I really don't know what I did wrong. But I am sorry and will do my best to rectify it."

"Occlude?"

Severus realised a little too late that he had given away another secret in his panic.

"Yes sir. I've been learning some occlumency. It started with you asking me to try meditation and stuff to get a hold of my temper and then I found occlumency which has been helping. I can show you the book I used and it is from the normal section of the library. Madam Prince even helped me choose which book to start with. You can ask her."

"I'm glad you took that assignment to heart and found something to help. And you really don't recall anything special happening today?"

"Is this something to do with my punishment?"

"No Severus, does the Young Potion Master Award ring any bells?"

"Oh, right. I'm sorry I forgot. It was private correspondence and did not need a guardian's signature or anything."

"Sev, you're not in trouble. I called you here to officially congratulate you. This is a huge honour. And after you told the poor woman that you can't attend the award ceremony because you are grounded, she was so flustered at never having received such a reply that she sent out two letters one to your headmaster and the other to your guardian, both of which came to me." Albus smiled, his eyes twinkling.

When Severus said nothing, Albus asked, "What are you thinking, child?"

"It might be considered disrespectful, sir."

"As long as it doesn't involve swearing, let's have it."

"You punished me, really hard, for brewing potions this morning and now you are congratulating me for the same thing? That sounds very hypocritical to me."

"Severus, I have never objected to your brewing. You like potions, you're good at it, I will always encourage that. You were punished for all the rules that you broke."

"Yes sir."

Albus decided not to dwell on the subject, "So with that settled, can I let the woman know that both of us will be attending the ceremony?"

"But I'm grounded."

"I'm ungrounding you for the day."

"Why?"

"Because this is really important."

"So all I have to do to get out of a grounding is to win an award?"

"Why are you looking a gift horse in the mouth?"

"If you are ungrounding me, can I go to Hosmeade instead of this ceremony? I believe it is a Hogsmeade weekend."

Albus tried hard not to rise to the bait, "How about after the ceremony I take you for dinner and ice cream to Hogsmeade and a treat at Flourish and Botts and perhaps even the Apothecary?"

"I'd much rather you just give me my allowance."

"Severus, I'm trying hard to separate the two incidents and celebrate where a celebration is called for. I suggest you do the same."

"But I can't pretend like you. And I don't want to go to the ceremony and it is not a school event so it's not mandatory and I don't want to go to Hogsmeade with you."

Albus took a breath and tried to appeal to Severus' rational and ambitious side, "Sev, this will be really good for your career. Did you get a chance to look at the other awardees? Many of your potions heroes will be there, you'll get to interact with them. You can't let go of such a big opportunity because you are sulking. And, the woman also mentioned how you asked her to find another way to send the cash amount."

"Will you let me keep it?"

"I haven't decided yet."

"But it is mine. I won it."

"I know that I don't have to explain the legalities of guardianship to you."

"Fine, whatever. I want nothing of it. May I be excused? I need to finish my homework before 9pm."

"Before 8:30, leave some time for a bath and brushing and stuff. I want lights out at 9."

"Yes sir." Severus gritted out.

Albus shut his eyes for a moment and said with all the calmness he could gather, "You will be attending the ceremony and with a good attitude. You won't like the consequences otherwise. The offer of the evening out in Hogsmeade is still open and I hope you'll take it but that is up to you. The ceremony is not up for discussion."

"What ever is?"

"Do you have the lines that I assigned to you last night?"

Severus pinched his eyes closed and whispered, "I forgot."

"I hope spending your Saturday sitting on your sore bottom all day with two incentive swats every hour, writing lines, will help you remember better next time."

"Could I get a reprieve from this punishment or the second caning instead of the day out in Hogsmeade? You're convinced that I deserve some sort of treat for this achievement, right?"

"Treat, yes. Cancellation of punishment, no."

"Then what's the point?"

"Achievements don't cancel out misbehavior, son. They never will."

"Yes, sir. May I be excused sir?"

"Yes, but in case you forgot, head straight to our quarters, you are grounded."

As Severus walked past him, Albus tried to touch his shoulder, but Severus shoved his hand away with a 'don't touch me'. Albus sighed and watched his angry son walk away.