Author's Note: I have read the Half-Blood Prince and I have to say that Snape still rules! (insnapwetrust . deviantart . com) So, needless to say, this fic is now even more of an AU than it was before. I am totally ignoring events that have happened past Harry's fourth year; however, I'm using the info gained about Sirius in the fifth book, and maybe some of Snape from the sixth one. Who knows?

Rating: PG-13

Warnings: Alternate Universe (where Sirius still lives...) and slash.

Disclaimers: I do not own...

Summary: They say love is blind... Well, so is Snape. And only his worst enemy is capable of snapping him out of his downward spiral into self-destruction. AU.

Love is Blind

Chapter Two: In Which Sirius Is Called A Bastard

Sirius looked out the window at the setting sun, feeling the summer breeze ruffle through his long hair, and took a long drag of his cigarette.

"Those things are murder for your health."

The animagus half turned and smiled at his intruder. "Nice to see you too, Moony."

Lupin just smiled back at him. He looked around the room for a place to sit, but seeing only dust covered desks and stacked chairs, the werewolf grimaced and remained standing. Sirius followed his gaze and gave a snicker. "Dobby says they'll come in tomorrow and make it presentable."

"Dobby?"

"Harry's biggest fan. First house elf in history to get wages."

Remus raised an eyebrow, but only replied, "Good for him."

"You know, a part of me is furious." Sirius moved his gaze back outside, avoiding his friend's eyes, and tapped some of the ash away from the cigarette. "How dare they have opinions, how dare they have lives of their own? Abomination! A house elf's place is to do its master's bidding, nothing more." He shuddered. "And it's always my mother's words I hear, but in my voice..."

Sirius kept his face turned away from the other man's, not wanting to see the look of concern he knew would be on the other man's face.

"Having doubts, Padfoot?"

"What do you think?" He took a furious puff on the cigarette. "I've spent the last fifteen years either in Azkaban or on the run. What the hell made McGonagall choose a-- a criminal like me?"

"Or a werewolf like me?"

The animagus turned an stricken look at his friend. "Remus, I didn't mean... It's not the same thing at all."

"Isn't it?" The werewolf folded his arms over his chest, his gaze at the floor.

"You know how to teach, Moony."

"That doesn't mean as much as it should, these days." Remus gave Sirius a wry smile and went on before he could say anything more. "In any case, Minerva wouldn't have chosen you if she didn't have faith in your abilities."

Sirius tapped more ash from the cigarette. He had learned when to not pursue a subject. "...Maybe." They stood there in silence for a while. It was a companionable silence that Sirius didn't even know he was capable of anymore.

Eventually, however, the quiet had to be broken. "So… Charlie's going to be the Flying Coach?" Sirius asked, trying to make conversation as he put out what was left of his cigarette. Carefully avoiding the reason why there was such a need for new teachers. Not mentioning why it was McGonagall who would be choosing the newcomers.

It was Remus' turn to avoid his friend's eyes. "Yes."

"So it's like that, is it?" He ignored the werewolf's frown. "You realize you will have to make a decision? It's hard to avoid a man when you live in the same building," Sirius said casually.

"Padfoot, you're a real bastard."

The animagus snickered. "Yeah, I know." Then he sighed and stretched his arms over his head, his spine giving a satisfying pop. "I'd better get going," Sirius announced somewhat regretfully. It was nice to see his friend again, but now that they were going to be working together they would be seeing each other on a consistent basis.

Remus eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What are you up to now?"

"Moony, you wound me! I'm just going to square a few things, that's all." Sirius grinned a reassurance he didn't really feel. He was probably about to get himself killed.

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