saffronlie @ August 8 2003, 19:30:17 UTC

Yes, I've been leaning towards this. I'm sure that Snape's sympathies lie with Lupin, but there may be more to it. There's also the conversation with Lucius in Snape's question thread somewhere (too lazy to link, no, wait it's here).

I tend to think that the friendship between Snape and Lupin two is very comfortable and, no matter the insults that are traded, based on a deep respect and understanding. Snape has been especially thoughtful lately when Lupin was alone while Sirius was away, and then alone again for different reasons. If there's any unrequited feelings on Snape's side, he was dignified enough to not take advantage of Remus's somewhat desperate and lonely offer at the party. And if I recall, the one sexual encounter that we know about began as between Sirius and Snape, and Remus only got dragged in later. I sort of feel that for their friendship to become sexual would cheapen the connection that they share. However, recent posts seem to imply a latent longing for Lupin (whee, alliteration), which makes me sad and wibble. Or, that could just be purestblood's spite talking.

blue_lightning @ August 8 2003, 19:42:46 UTC

You're right. I do so enjoy Snape's "How dare you." There's something rather noble and chivalrous about the good professor there.

^_^ squee. Sir Snape.

I think it's nice for Remus to have a right-hand man. The kind of guy who keeps his distance but is always very much aware of whatever pain Remus might be feeling. Very much loving their present relationship. Wouldn't change a thing. Except maybe having Snape and Sirius enter a duel as a result of an argument about Remus.

*avid gleam*

eponis @ August 8 2003, 20:47:29 UTC

I totally agree about their deep friendship. Knowing who Snape is, I have a feeling he's doing even more for Lupin out of sight than we see. In some ways, I think that Snape's snarkiness is something solid for him to hold on to.

Nevertheless, I think that the sexual side of this situation is a lot more complicated than mere "latent longing." Lucius strongly implies that a threesome was Sirius's present to Remus - something which seems like an odd wedding present, but which was actually what I suspected from Remus's opaque description of it. Moreover, the drunken night that you mentioned had an easiness to it which would, I suspect, be rather different if it was their first threesome (Remus wasn't that drunk at first, after all). Finally, when I asked Snape about strip poker, he said that they have frequently played "games" with him in the past, and at some point (don't remember when, it was a while ago), Lupin commented that his and Black's love life was "complicated and no one's business."

What I'm gathering from all this is that at some points, though obviously not the present, Sirius and Remus's relationship involved a threesome with Snape. If I'm not in left field with that assumption, then that puts Snape in a really awkward position. He's Remus's friend, but if he's - well, too friendly - then that'll drive Remus and Sirius further apart. Whatever the outcome of the situation, whether Remus and Sirius reunite or Remus stays apart, Snape can't win.

I don't envy the guy.

blue_lightning @ August 9 2003, 08:47:26 UTC

Your suggestion that Sirius's wedding present to Remus was a three-some seems perplexing to me: first because it makes more sense for the love-hound to want to give something that emphasizes the S/R link above all else for their marriage, second, because I hardly think Sirius can /give/ Severus to Remus, as Severus would rather fumble a potion than do a favour for Sirius, and, third, because I don't think that Remus would accept such a gift, knowing how dangerous it might be to his relationship to Snape, and how much it might further imposition the poor professor. A jovial game of strip poker under the influence with a minimum of groping is one thing, but I really can't see a three-some as being Sirius's WEDDING gift to Remus.