Severus Snape: The Becoming

Proof

"What a handsome little boy, he looks just like his daddy!" trilled an older woman with pink lipstick and a purple hat as they walked back from the neighborhood park on that just beginning to be warm April afternoon

"Thank you" Aysel immediately answered, putting into practice what they had rehearsed

The charade wore on her. She wished she could have given Solomon a more traditional life. Maybe someday.

Solomon smirked and looked up at Severus with a raised eyebrow. Severus couldn't help himself and laughed. The irony was not lost on either of them. The little boy had the sense of humor of a war hardened veteran.

They quickly moved on from her before she could ask more questions and possibly dig up the ruse that they were a normal, non-magical family who just happened to live in the neighborhood.

Aysel looked back and forth between them and chastised them genially

"Nice you two. Very nice" 

"She didn't know us mum; she didn't know we were telling a lie" Solomon shrugged, enjoying the story telling a bit, it wasn't often he could tell a lie and it be encouraged

"I know. But you two nearly give it away every time it happens with your smirks" she ruffled Solomon's hair and turned to Severus, nudging his arm

"You were a spy, how are you so bad at lying?"

He chuckled, nudging her back

"Some things are easier to pretend than others"

She went silent, strange expression crossing her face. He immediately felt that he had crossed a line and said something wrong.

"Maybe you can pretend to be my dad when I go back to school and they have father son sports day. Or I could skip that day and we could just make potions instead because I hate sports. Except Quidditch. Either way" Solomon babbled aloud, calling into question the future of their relationship, which was quickly coming to a head in July

"That's a long time off Sol. Let's keep our minds in the moment" Aysel chirped, successfully vetoing any conversation that could have arose

Perhaps she didn't want to speak about it. Or she thought he might say something he would regret. He had a lot of things brewing in his mind and he didn't know when was a good time to divulge them.

They entered their house, Aysel swishing open the windows to let in the fresh, new air. He looked at her, the watery sunlight cascading across her shoulders, the same cinnamon colored hair as Solomon. The elderly woman might have meant well, but Solomon looked just like his mother. He wondered what it would be like to have a child who looked like him, but quickly pushed it away. That probably wouldn't happen. The same familiar pain pierced his chest. What could have been. Useless. He only had what is happening now.

"I'm sorry if he put you on the spot" she broke into his thoughts, puttering around the kitchen to get lunch together

"He didn't. I didn't want to overstep...We are in a strange situation. As if I could have a child...I've not had a date in my entire life" he laughed darkly, the bright greens of lettuce mocking him.

"I haven't had a date in years" Aysel shrugged and laughed in commiseration, taking a bite of tossed salad that they had thrown together for lunch

He laughed, sipping on his wine that he had been fermenting and experimenting for the last several months. Deep cocoa with dark fruity notes. Perfect.

"I find that hard to believe"

She rested her head on his shoulder

"You think too highly of me. I didn't have dates. I had hookups. I never wanted a relationship. Too much work. I mean...I don't know if this is a relationship. Or not. I didn't mean..." she stammered, awkward and blushing beet red