but oh! i am so flattered that you take the time to comment! and i am very grateful for your review because it shows me if my intentions are understandable. with sirius i was worried, because he kept himself fairly in the background - until now - and suddenly behaves in such an unexpected way - out of character. he is usually not my favorite man for severus (after what i have written, it sounds odd, but remus is still my darling) - but in this story i think he is the right guy.
about severus suicide attempt you are right, there is a hint in ch. 01. seriously i didn't think anyone would get that.