I'm not typically a fan of alternate setting-type AU, but I am of course a huge fan of Severus/Sirius, so I thought I'd give this a go. And I gotta say, you've created a really cool and interesting AU world here! You've drawn so much from canon that the characterizations still really work. Sirius as rich, entitled, and too impetuous, but good at heart and not willing to be what his family wants; young Severus from a humble background, unconfident, and respectful of tradition; James, Lily, and Remus as loyal friends who'll pick on their friends a bit but always stand by them. And the reaction of James et al. to Severus when they haven't had a history of animosity is great. "Not much to look at" indeed. ::sporfle::