Summary: AU What if Dumbledore never became headmaster? Remus wouldn't have been able to go to Hogwarts. When Sirius becomes a healer they meet at the ministry. RLSB SLASH

Disclaimer: Not mine!

Many thanks to my wonderful beta Versipellis! Remaining mistakes are my own.
Chapter dedicated to Searlupe.

Muggle London was alive and buzzing this evening. Sirius wrapped his coat tighter around his body. He liked the piercing cold of December, the muggles around him all looked carefree and he wished he could feel that way too. James' news after the Order meeting had brought him down rapidly. The thought of James, Lily, and oh, little Harry getting killed by Voldemort was unbearable. He had immediately volunteered to be their secretkeeper. He didn't care if he'd be an obvious target, he knew he wouldn't say a word, no matter what happened.

James, however, seemed to think Peter would be the better choice. It made sense, Sirius knew. He could be the decoy, the Death Eaters would go after him while his friends would be safe. Nobody would ever know they switched. James had looked tired as he sat with Lily behind him, Harry in her arms, both with concerned faces. It had shocked Sirius.

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Remus Lupin woke up in his bedsit and knew there would be no jobhunting today. Stiffness after the moon was always a bitch. He made involuntary sounds of pain that he couldn't quite suppress, no matter how much he tried. 'Oh, fiddlesticks,' he thought, and with a load groan he pulled himself to his feet. It was on days like this he wished his bed consisted out of more than a mattress.

He shuffled to the refrigerator and took out a vial of painkilling potion. He looked at it wistfully. He only had one left after this one. He couldn't help but think how wonderful it would have been if he had gone to Hogwarts, or even just knew how to brew potions. He didn't have money to spare for ingredients, he knew that. But maybe he could've made potions for other people, muggles! He could've sold it as a herbal concoction; He grinned, that was all very illegal of course. He would go to Azkaban for these kind of things.

It made him think of the new regulations. They would be harsh. There was chaos in the wizarding world, he knew, though he didn't notice it very often. Most of the werewolves had joined Voldemort, promises had been made, he had heard the whispering in the cells before moonrise. But even Voldemort didn't want him, too weak, too poor and no magical training. He couldn't help but wonder if he'd be tempted to join if he were asked.

Which side would Sirius be on? he wondered. He wished he could ask, could talk to him. He had known he was gay for some years, so he wasn't surprised that he was attracted to Sirius. Not that it mattered, people didn't like to touch werewolves, and he wasn't interested in casual contacts. He had a healthy relationship with his own hand, thank you very much.

He lay back on his bed. Maybe he wouldn't mind a bit of casual contact with Sirius. As he put his hand down his pants, all he could think of were grey eyes.

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'Alicia!' Sirius grinned, he was afraid she wouldn't be able to make it on such short notice, and that he'd have to call another of his girls. 'So glad you could make it.' Yes, she'd be the perfect relief for all that tension. They could get drunk and have a nice shag.

'Ah, Sirius.' she purred. 'You know I always have time for you!' She waved at the waiter for another pair of drinks.

'I know. Did I tell you about my job at the internship yet? At the werewolf registry?' Sirius thought about his boy that morning, it all seemed ages ago now. Maybe he should have given Remus more painkilling potion. Then again, he had done without for so long, he should be fine.

When he realised that Alicia was staring at him, he quickly threw her a smile. 'Sorry, long day. How about we go to my place? We can use the floo here.'

Alicia was happy to comply. After all, Sirius Black was quit a catch, even if he was disowned by his family.

---

Sirius woke up alone in the bed the next morning, Alicia had left in anger earlier, and he couldn't bother to figure out why. He was slumbering until he heard James shouting through the fire.

'Wake up Sirius, something has happened at the Prewetts.' Sirius got up immediately.

'You go ahead James! I'll be there as soon as possible!' he shouted. They would probably already be too late. He put on his pants as fast as he could. He didn't want to see the Dark Mark above another house, and the Prewett boys weren't just in the Order, they were young and had plans for their lives. They had only been one year above them in Hogwarts.

And then there as that time Fabian Prewett had snogged him, which was dubbed 'the incident we do not talk about'. He hadn't even told James that he had liked it. He was not a poofter though, no, Sirius Black was as straight as an arrow. He left hurriedly to help James and the rest of the order.

Apparently the last chapter was a bit disappointing to most of you, I hope you like this better, it was difficult for me to write. I'm kind of wondering whether you guys want this to have a plot, or just the rlsb story. If you don't like it, please tell me what's wrong with it!

I know it was very short, I had a challenge fic to collab before the deadline, not to mention exams coming up. I'm sorry, maybe I should have waited with posting, but I wanted to give all my wonderful reviewers something. Ill probably rewrite the prologue and chapter one before I continue.

Reviews makes me want to write.