Chapter 11: The Pub
Summary: Severus receives his OWLs results. Tobias tries to cheer him up.
Severus liked his job. Sure the work was hard and took a lot out of him, but the people there were nice enough. They tried to take it easy on him and were patient about explaining how things worked.
Severus was not used to physical labor. He came home tired and sore every night and went straight for bed. It was getting much easier though as he got used to it. He had also taken to doing pushups in the morning. Mr. Johnson had suggested it. He was one of his father's old coworkers. The man was friendly and for some reason was quite fond of him.
Severus also liked his uniform. It was the only brand new set of clothes he had and it almost fitted him perfectly. Severus of course preferred his second hand robes, but these were certainly the best muggle clothes he had ever owned.
Overall, Severus felt content. He was so busy with work he didn't have much time to duel on anything else. That was until his OWL results came in. They were just about to leave for work when a large barn owl got in through the open door and flew to him. It was carrying a parchment and a magazine. Severus put the magazine away and opened the parchment. He stare at it for a few seconds and then tossed it aside.
...
Severus sat in the kitchen with his father the next morning. He was still in a foul mood. He had been snappish and short tempered yesterday. No one at work had seemed to be put out by his behavior though, which irritated him more. They acted as if he was a child throwing a tantrum. Mr. Johnson had even ruffled his hair after Severus glared at him.
"What does 'O' mean?" asked Tobias suddenly.
"What?"
"From your report card. That's what it was, wasn't it?"
Severus sighed. "It means 'outstanding'. It's the highest mark you can get."
His father frowned. "So, when you get all o's, it's like getting straight a's." he concluded.
Severus nodded.
"Then why are you so pissed? It even said your paper got published in that magazine." asked Tobias, pointing to the magazine in the corner.
Severus sighed again. "It doesn't matter." he said quietly.
"What is that supposed to mean?" snapped his father.
"It doesn't matter, OK?" bellowed Severus, jumping out of his seat. "Nobody cares how good my grades are or how smart I am. Nothing I do will ever be good enough. I hate that damn school!"
"Is this because you split with that red haired girl from across the town?"
"It's not just her. They all hate me. They make fun of me and humiliate me all the time. I don't want to go back there."
Severus spat. He stormed out of the house and slammed the door behind him.
...
Severus made to walk home after work but his father grabbed his arm and started to drag him in another direction.
"Where are we going?" asked Severus scowling, but didn't try to pull away. Tobias didn't answer.
Severus suddenly realized they were heading to the pub. His father and the others always hung out there after work. Severus never accompanied them, though. He knew there would be lots of drinking.
"I don't want to go to the pub. You'd be drinking." said Severus.
Tobias glance at him for second then pushed him inside. He directed Severus to the bar and faced the bar tender. "Two lemonades." he ordered.
"You're drinking lemonade?" asked the bar keep with a raised eyebrow.
"My son here doesn't want me drinking anything good."
"Good idea. I'll have one too." said Mr. Johnson, walking over to them. He winked at Severus. Severus gave a small smile in return.
After they got their drinks, Mr. Johnson turned to them. "So, do you boys want to play pool?" he asked with a smile.
"Sure" said Tobias, moving to the other side of the room.
Severus followed them to the pool table but stood aside. "I don't know how to play. I'll just watch." he told them.
"Nonsense. We'll teach you. It's not that hard." said Mr. Johnson, handing him a stick.
Severus looked over at his father.
"Come on then." said Tobias with a nod.
Severus smiled and moved closer. It didn't take too long for him to get the hang of the game. He even scored a few times. Severus really enjoyed himself. He had never spend much time with his father before.
Severus' good mood didn't last long, though. As soon as they got home, Tobias went for the whiskey bottle and started drinking.
...
Severus was cleaning up after work. Mr. Johnson smiled at him. "You know Severus, It's really good of you to help out your old man like that."
"What do you mean? I'm not helping him with anything." asked Severus confused.
"Sure you are, lad. In all the years I've known your father, I've never seen him give up a chance for drinking like he did last night."
Severus pursed his lips. "He started drinking the moment we got home." he said bitterly.
"That doesn't surprise me. But he's been much better since you came. It wasn't easy for him when your mom left." Mr. Johnson dropped his voice. "He came to work drunk a couple of times. If someone had found out, he could have gotten fired. I think he's really trying now." he continued.
Severus looked at where his father was standing. Tobias caught his eyes and nodded at him.
Severus went over there, determined. "Dad, Can we go to the pub again? I want to practice that shot you taught me." he said.
Tobias only shrugged in response, but Severus thought he saw his face soften. It soon became a habit to spend their afternoon playing pool at the pub.