Title: Must Love Dogs
Pairing: Sirius Black x Lucius Malfoy
Characters: Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy, James Potter, Remus Lupin
Rated: T
Warnings: SLASH M/M, some implied voyeurism and wishful thinking

Summary: AU FIC! LUCIUS IS THE SAME AGE AS EVERYONE ELSE. Lucius finds a stray black dog- or what he assumes is a stray- on the Hogwarts grounds one day.

Author's notes: This story is completed! I will be uploading chapters at will. It was started July 24, 2011- I forgot about it- and came back to clean it up. Enjoy!

(*) Chapter 4 (*)

Snape sat in the common room, a book laying flat on his legs that for once, he wasn't reading. The words on the page seemed millions of miles away, dancing in front of him to tease him for his inability to concentrate. He kept glancing over to Lucius who was sprawled out miserably on the opposite couch. "He'll come back."

"No he won't- he's probably long gone." He mumbled. "And I'll be alright; please stop trying to pretend to read on my account. You can return to your book guilt free- you didn't let my dog out."

He let out an uncommitted grunt, his dark eyes wandering up to the clock. "Ah… Very well." Sirius was trying his patience. The night was growing old and he still wasn't here. "Earlier, when we ran into Black and Potter, did… did you notice anything off about Black?"

Lucius gave him an odd look. "Not particularly. I wouldn't spare him a second of my time, especially considering the loss of my dog. Why?"

"The fool had several new hickies on his neck. He looked like a connect the dot game." The blonde gave a snort at that, and Severus relaxed just slightly. He felt a bit better now that he knew Lucius didn't smell his own shampoo on Black. He figured as much, his friend was visibly distraught this morning. That made life far easier in trying to figure a way out of the mess. He went back to his book, sighing in frustration before finally shutting it.

"What in Merlin's name has got you so frustrated?"

"A book on the history of animagi."

Lucius quirked an eyebrow. "And what, pray tell, would make you read such a thing?"

"A hunch, wrapped in a curiosity. But this is of no use to me today."He muttered and shut the book. "I can't concentrate."

"All on my account?"

"You are the only one whose misery I can't ignore."

"I'm honored." Lucius grinned a little and stood up. "Fancy a walk? Might clear my head a bit."

"Feeling pity and physical activity? Why don't you just ask me to lay out in the sun with you, and make it a trio of activities I loathe to do?"

Lucius chuckled softly, extending a hand to help the other boy up. "Come on then. Let's get to it before we're caught after curfew."

"Ah- sure. I'll get our cloaks." He inwardly cursed Sirius, casting one final look to the clock. He shook his head, muttering to himself as he tossed Lucius his cloak and donned his own tattered cloak. Severus walked back to the blonde, following him out of the Slytherin dorms. As they approached the end of the dungeons, the soft clicking of nails on the stone floor caught the attention of both boys as Wellington poked his head around the corner. In his mouth were a couple of sunflowers Sirius took the opportunity to snip earlier.

"Wellington!" Lucius exclaimed and went right over to the black dog. He knelt down and took the flowers, ruffling the fur behind his neck. "…While I'm not sure how you got these, I think they're beautiful." He hugged the dog, which in turn made Sirius pant. He licked at the blonde's cheek, sticking his nose into his hair and gave a good long sniff of Lucius's pleasant scent. "Does Wellington want a belly rub?"

Sirius barked eagerly and instantly got on his back. His tongue hung out of his mouth as he kicked his legs in the air while Lucius rubbed his stomach. He looked up at Severus whose scowl he'll never forget.

"Enjoying that aren't you?" He sneered down at the dog.

He barked again, turning his head to lick at Lucius's hand. He got up on his four legs, putting his front two paws on Lucius's thigh, leaning the rest of his body against him.

"Oh Sev, isn't he just the best?"

"He's something alright." He muttered. "Let's get back to the common room then." He uttered a sigh, watching Lucius as he walked back toward the entrance to the dorm, the swagger back in his step. Sirius, or rather Wellington, hung impossibly close to his side- his tail wagging fast. He continued to scowl even after they were seated in the common room. Lucius transfigured a scrap of parchment into a vase to put the sunflowers in. His finger lingered over the straight line cut on the stalks before plunging them into the vase. Someone had cut them- he wondered briefly if Wellington stole someone's flowers before brushing the thought away from his mind for the moment.

Sirius had climbed into Lucius's lap when he returned to sit on the couch, or at least part of it. His tail was still wagging as he seemed to be relishing in all the attention that Lucius's long, elegant fingers were bringing him as he scratched behind his ears.

Severus shook his head in disgust. "He's drooling."

"He's a dog."

"In more ways than one." He muttered and picked up his book from earlier. He tapped on the cover, which had its desired effect. Sirius looked over and froze, taking in the sight of what exactly Severus was reading.

He uttered a loud whine, climbing off of Lucius to rest by his feet.

"Good dog." Severus said smoothly and tossed the book on the table.

"Aw, Wellington- what's the matter? Does someone need a bath again?"

Sirius leapt to his feet, barking and wagging his tail. The chance to have solitude with Lucius again was something he wasn't sure he'd have the opportunity to experience ever again. He danced on his paws, giving a series of barking whines at Lucius.

"Someone's eager!" Lucius stood up, laughing as Sirius tugged on the bottom of his cloak.

"Oh for pity's sake!" Severus scowled as he watched the dog tug so hard on Lucius's cloak that it was making him trip while he walked. "…You won't be bathing with Wellington, will you?"

Lucius blinked in surprise. "Now why would I go and do something like that? Come on Wellington! To the bathrooms!" He started toward the Slytherin bathrooms this time, Sirius right at his side.

(***)

It was wonderful- Lucius's long fingers, his gentle touch and the scent of his soaps were like experiencing intoxication of the grandest kind. The way he spoke to Sirius, the warmth and the love in his voice made him feel more relaxed than he had ever felt- it seemed impossible for Lucius to possess such a warm tone in a voice that was normally so cold. Why can't he talk to me like that when I'm a human? It'd pay off for him. We could date, and I could show him the world according to Sirius Black- which would be an excellent place for him to be in, all things considering. He wagged his tail a little as Lucius brought him up to the dorm room to sleep.

"It's time for bed, Wellington. Normally I would think better of having an animal sleep with me, but you're different- I'm just so happy you're back."

Sirius's tail stopped dead. He seemed to be rooted on the spot, especially when Lucius's clothes hit the floor. Oh right, he sleeps naked. Merlin, this is a bad idea. He whined softly, glancing to the door.

"Nonsense! I can't have you sleeping in the common room!" Lucius shook his head and slid beneath the emerald covers of his bed. "Now get on up here with me so I can close the curtains."

Merlin, what if I lose concentration and I wake up next to him as a flesh and blood human being? He hung his head and slowly made his way over, getting up on the foot of the bed. The curtains shut around them, enveloping them in soothing green color. He kept his head hung low, looking away from Lucius.

He reached over, stroking his head gently. "I still can't believe you came back. Like I said, I only have Severus and you. Even while home, it's just me. Father's gone all the time, and it does get terribly lonely." He said quietly as he stroked behind his ears. "Animals are quite nice, you know. They don't judge you. They see only you. You don't have to pretend to be anything other than who you actually are- there's no reason to hide anything from a pet. A pet can't be nasty to you, or make you feel uncomfortable simply because you look a certain way. You wouldn't call me pretty princess Malfoy." He murmured. "I wish Severus liked you more. He's like me- with very few friends. Having a pet might be a good thing for him. I hope you'll be nice to him."

Please, it's all I can take to not piss on his leg. Sirius however nodded. He laid down on the bed, his eyes finally looking up at Lucius. There was no scowl on his face, just a contented smile and soft hair framing his sharp features. He looked peaceful, like he was seeing a completely different person. He gave the softest sounding whine he could muster. Why does he have to be so damn attractive? Why does he have to hate me so much as a human? …I have to try to get him to think differently about me. Anyone who treats a dog this nicely can't be that bad once you get to know them.

"Goodnight, Welllington. In the morning, we'll play fetch on the grounds."

(***)

However, when the morning came, Sirius was long gone from Lucius's bed- and heading straight for the safety of the Gryffindor common room. He staggered into the common room, looking disheveled but with perfectly shiny, tangle free hair. He walked over to a chair, running his hands through his hair. "Merlin." He muttered.

"My thoughts exactly, mate." James nudged him with his foot. "No hello?"

Sirius jumped, looking to his house mate seated across from him. "Prongs! Ya scared me! I didn't even see you!"

"Obviously- Despite my magnificence." James grinned. "You were out all last night. You look like hell. …So… details?"

"Erm… Hufflepuff witch." Sirius said sheepishly. "M' exhausted though, I should probably just take a nap."

"Ah, right. Out shagging. Not surprised. Here I thought you might be off masquerading as Malfoy's pet dog, Wellington."

Sirius winced, but didn't say anything in return. When he rolled his head back to stare at something he found suddenly so fascinating about the ceiling as opposed to meeting his eyes, James made a face.

"Hah! Thought so." James shook his head. "Now that that's out of the way, ya might want to go and explain to me why the hell you're Wellington the dog."

Sirius shrugged a shoulder. "Wrong place, wrong time. I was relaxing a bit by the river when Malfoy found me- He kidnapped me and brought me to Slytherin. Now I'm his prized pet dog Wellington. Of all the luck, right?"

"Just blow him off then. There's no reason for you to risk yourself being found out since… you're not exactly Wellington one-hundred percent of the time."

"I can't do that! Malfoy may be a git to us, but when I'm Wellington he's… like a different person. You can't be truly bad if you like animals…" He trailed off. "I'll think of a way to break it off without spilling my secret, don't you worry about that Prongs." Doing it gently however, was the true task at hand.

"Well, you go and do what you have to. I still think you should handle this fast, like pulling off a band-aid!"

Sirius just shook his head. "I can't do that to him, Prongs I-"

James's face soured instantly. "Damn it Pads, you like him don't you?" He watched as Sirius fumbled with his hands, looking thoroughly sheepish. It wasn't a verbal answer but he got the picture. "Why do ya always gotta go and make things more difficult than they ought to be…? One of these days, Pads, you're going to wind up in more trouble than me due to chasing tail- and that's really saying something."

"Shut it." He muttered. "Sniv's helping. He doesn't want Malfoy's heart getting broken, so he's keeping his interests at heart… This whole situation is under control."

"Up until Malfoy's discovered you're gone again." James pointed out.

"…Damn it." Sirius moaned and slumped in his seat. "I was concentrating on getting out of there at the first chance I could. I want to salvage this. I have to- I… there's a side to Malfoy that's rather nice."

"You mean his arse?"

"No! Well… yeah, who am I kidding. Wellington the dog is at a perfect height to properly ogle. But it's more than just his arse- he's capable of being rather nice to people who aren't us. Caring, even. I'd like him to be that way toward me-"

"Oh, sure. Good luck with that one, Pads. Why don't you try and set a more obtainable goal, like… resurrecting Lady Godiva for a quick fuck if you're wanting an unobtainable blonde with long hair. Might have more of a shot."

"I can't help it! It's the fact that he isn't obtainable that well… I'll win him over. I just never knew…" He thought of the gentle fingers on his scalp, the soft voice speaking so soothingly to him. His foot thumped on the ground uncontrollably. "I'll figure out a way out of this mess. You'll see."