yes, sirius in this story has "grown" up. i have to admit i have no idea if a prison like "azkaban" can really do that. but i believe that otherwise he would come out as a monster.
i think as a teenager he was not able to see remus for what he is but 12 years later he could see through remus pretense.
his actions too are driven by loneliness. i think of him as someone who has no hold in this world besides his care for harry. - i mean in PoA he only escapes after he sees the picture in DH with the Pettigrew. If he would not have seen this picture he would have never attempted an escape. and next to harry severus is the only thing he has from the past. i also think strangely being with remus makes him realize the extent of his isolation.
your take and [Bad username: davinci's] take on dumbledore is fascinating.
i have to admit i myself don't know in which camp to place him. i like him to be benign, to ultimately care but also be a general in a martial sense of the word, a puppeteer but not without concern or a human heart.
the question remains how much he really knows. i try to resist the urge to make him "all knowing" but besides his skills as a legilimens he also has the advantage of age and a lifelong habit of observing and manipulating people.
thank you for reviewing and getting involved in my story. it means so much to me!