Hi guys!

.

Here is chapter 5 (and chapter 6 is being translated). You know that I speak English very badly (I use google translate as well to read you as to write to you) so forgive me if sometimes my answers to your reviews are difficult to understand!

I wrote this fic 9 years ago, in 2008 and I finished publishing it about 6 years ago, so sometimes I do not remember what I could invent so do not shout not on it if I tell you nonsense when I answer you (I have a memory of goldfish, it does not help!).

I hope you enjoy this chapter.

.

Good reading!

.

ps: for moaners of all kinds, click on the red cross at the top right and let those who love this story enjoy the fic!

.

.

Dementia stretched as far as she could and leant out of bed to see what the time was. 10:30. Ah. Even so, her father must have noticed that she wasn't there. While the thought of this would have made Harry shake in terror, she simply yawned and didn't make any effort to get up.

A muscly arm pulled her against the warm body next to her.

"Sleep well?"

"Mmmmm, yes," she purred.

"Have you seen what time it is? Don't you have to get back?"

"Are you trying to get rid of me?" she asked angrily.

"No," the man replied, chuckling. "I don't want you to get into trouble, that's all."

"Hmmm, I'm already in trouble, but never mind."

She turned towards her partner and started to kiss him, softly at first, then more passionately.

"Quickly," he said in response to her kisses, and she knew she would be even later.

45 minutes later, she was lying on his chest and lightly tracing his tattoos with her finger. She chuckled, making him raise a questioning eyebrow.

"I knew the Muggle proverb was true."

"What proverb?" he asked.

"Ex-cons are great in bed!"

At that he burst out laughing, but quickly became serious again. "I don't think this was a good idea…"

"You weren't complaining five minutes ago."

"I'm serious, Demi – I'm the same age as your father!"

"Which means the age gap is actually less than twenty years."

"Well, yeah… if you look at it that way…"

"It doesn't matter, does it? What really matters is that we're having fun. I'm going through a difficult divorce and life hasn't exactly been kind to you, so why should we get all worked up about it? Life is short."

"Is that what you think?"

"That's what I think, yes."

"I'm going to miss you and the way you think when you go to Hogwarts."

"Sirius, I'm not a student, I can go out when I want."

"And you'll look after Harry?"

"You know I will."

"Snivellus – sorry, Snape – tends to be a bit extreme…"

"Stop worrying… Instead, give me a good reason to stay longer…"

Sirius sighed melodramatically and pretended to be resigned before rolling her over and climbing on top of her, ready to live up to his reputation as a Casanova at Hogwarts and an ex-con.

oOo

Harry didn't dare ask his father anything. Dementia still hadn't come back and hadn't given any indication that she was ok, so lunch was just as gloomy as breakfast had been. Hermione and Ron would be arriving soon – at least Snape hadn't cancelled their visit. Harry was sitting on his bed reading his Defence Against the Dark Arts book when there was a sharp knock on his door and Snape walked in.

"Is Demi back?" Harry asked.

"No, but that's not why I'm here. I want to talk to you about today. Your friends will be coming as planned, but the rules have not changed. You will ask my permission before going anywhere, you will not leave the grounds and you will remember to call me father and to show me the respect that I deserve."

"Yes, Father."

"Friends or not, I will not hesitate to punish you, and I will even do it in front of them."

Harry gulped and nodded – he knew that Snape was serious and that he wouldn't hesitate for a second before humiliating him in front of Ron and Hermione. Where was Dementia when you needed her? He decided to stay calm, not to lose his temper and, most of all, not to answer back under any circumstances.

Satisfied with his son's reaction, Snape went back downstairs to the laboratory to think about the different ways he could torture the bloody girl when he got his hands on her.

At 2 o'clock precisely, Ron and Hermione arrived. Harry rushed to the door to let them in. He was immediately attacked by a head of bushy brown hair that alternately hit him and hugged him tightly.

"Hermione? Calm down, I'm fine."

"Where were you?"

"At Dean's."

Ron rolled his eyes, pushed Hermione aside and gave his friend a quick hug. "You alright mate?"

"Yeah. I'm happy to see you guys."

"Where's Professor Snape?" Hermione asked.

"In his lab-"

"We should go and say hello. Come on, Ronald."

"Er… I don't know, Hermione, he's in a bad mood," Harry said.

"It's only polite, Harry."

Sighing, Harry went to knock on the laboratory door, his friends close behind him.

"Come," Snape said sharply.

Harry opened the door slowly. "Father?"

"Is Dementia back?"

"Er… no, Father. Hermione and Ron just wanted to say hello, and I wanted to ask your permission to go into the grounds."

Hermione and Ron timidly muttered "Hello, Professor."

"Children," Snape said, nodding slightly. "Yes, you can go into the grounds," he said, turning towards Harry, "but you will come and tell me if there is a problem."

Harry nodded mechanically, and Snape glared at him.

"Yes, Father," he hastened to add before shutting the door.

They took a quick detour to the library where Hermione, gaping, chose a book to read while the boys played Quidditch before heading out into the grounds. When they arrived, they sat under a tree to discuss what had happened.

"Father?" Ron asked, eyebrow raised.

"I don't have a choice, Ron."

"Yeah I know, but it's weird. Are you going to have to call him that in classes as well?"

"I don't know. He hasn't mentioned it and I didn't dare ask."

"Why not? The worst he can do is make you leave," Hermione replied.

Harry looked at her and didn't say anything. They immediately understood that the worst, with Snape, couldn't be expressed out loud.

"Bloody hell," Ron swore through gritted teeth, causing Hermione to glare at him.

"Look, can we talk about something less depressing?" Harry asked, smiling nervously.

"Of course," Hermione said quickly.

Ron nodded, but the look on his face was clear: 'If you need to talk, don't worry, I'm here'.

"Harry," Hermione asked, "who is Dementia?"

Harry smiled properly this time. "Someone who's going to be in so much trouble. She's Snape's daughter."

"Snape has a daughter? Who was mad enough to have a child with him?" scoffed Ron.

"I don't know, it's more secret than the philosopher's stone. She reminds me of someone though, but I can't put my finger on who it is."

"Where is she, then?" Ron asked.

"We don't know," Harry replied, suddenly worried. "She didn't come back last night. I hope nothing's happened to her."

"Happened to who?" a cheerful voice asked from behind them.

The three friends jumped and leaned around the tree to get a look at who had spoken.

"He'll kill you," Harry said, grinning in relief.

"Did he notice I was late?"

"If you value your life, don't talk to him about being late," Harry joked. "If you're late, you come anyway."

"Why don't you stop being stupid and introduce me to your friends?" the young woman said, amused, and flopped down next to Hermione.

"Ron and Hermione, this is Dementia, my soon-to-be-late sister."

Dementia pulled a face at him and they had a short argument. Then the boys played Quidditch, leaving the girls to entertain themselves.

The weather started to show signs of developing into a thunderstorm, giving them no choice but to hurry back inside.

Harry and Ron played a game of chess while Hermione curled up in an armchair with her book. The lab door slammed, and Snape's footsteps sounded in the corridor.

"Ouch," Harry said.

Severus walked into the living room and smiled slightly when he saw them. "I thought I would come and see if everything was alright. Excellent choice, Miss Granger," he said, catching sight of the title of Hermione's book.

"Hi Dad," Dementia called from the corner of the room, where she was drinking her tea.

Snape jumped and turned towards her. "Are you alright?"

"Obviously."

"Did anything happen to you?"

"What would happen to me?"

"Apart from trouble," Harry whispered, worried. He found it much less funny now that the reality was before him. Snape gave him a cold look while Dementia gave him a mocking one.

"Right – lab. Now!"

Dementia shrugged and calmly walked towards her father's lab while Harry watched, worried and scared. Snape followed her and slammed the lab door behind them.

Dementia leaned on the edge of the desk. She at least had the good sense to look sorry. Snape slammed the lab door as hard as he could, then put his hand on it and closed his eyes.

"You're angry," Dementia observed.

"You think?" Snape said sharply. He turned around, his gaze hard. "I'm waiting for an explanation."

"I went to see Marc."

"All night? Do you think I'm an idiotic Squib?"

"Don't shout," she protested, her voice cold.

"I'm waiting for an answer!" Snape yelled.

"I'm not Harry! You don't scare me!"

"Answer me!"

"He wanted my mother's name!" Dementia yelled.

Snape's mouth snapped shut, his anger evaporating in the face of his daughter's blazing gaze. "Oh."

"Yes, oh, Dad! And when he saw the name – surprise! He let me leave, just like all the others!"

"Demi…"

"How many more? How many more men are going to run away? How many schools are going to refuse me? Huh? How many doors will this close for me?"

"Dementia!"

"No! Go on, tell me – how long am I going to have to live with you because people refuse to sell me anything as soon as they know whose blood runs in my veins?"

"That doesn't give you the right to disappear and worry me sick."

"I'm 19. I've been married twice. I accept my responsibilities! When have you ever accepted yours? Was it responsible to let me be born?"

"I will not allow you-"

Dementia pushed him violently aside and stormed out the lab, Snape following her. They ended up in the living room, where Harry, Ron and Hermione were still sitting.

"Alima!"

The small elf appeared instantly. "Yes, Mistress Demi?"

"Be a dear and get a few of my things ready. Bring them you know where and pack the rest so they can be sent to Hogwarts."

Alima disappeared as fast as she had arrived. Dementia re-lit the fire with a flick of her wand and opened a pot from on top of the chimney. She threw a bit of powder into the fireplace and the flames turned green.

"What are you doing?" Snape asked.

"I'm not a child anymore Dad, and I don't need to be looked after. You haven't even noticed I've grown up. I'm sorry that you feel guilty because you weren't around enough to raise me, but your guilt isn't my problem."

"What are you going to do?"

"Don't worry, you'll see – I promise. I'm not coming back tonight. Or tomorrow. Or the other days, probably. We'll see each other in a month at Hogwarts!"

Before anyone had the chance to protest, she got into the chimney and threw a handful of Floo powder at the ground.

"Leaky Cauldron!"

She disappeared in a whirlwind. The green flamed flickered for a moment, then the fire turned orange again.

Silence fell in the room. Harry, who was as white as a sheet, was looking alternately from Snape to the chimney as if he was waiting for Demi to reappear, burst out laughing and tell them she had fooled them. Ron and Hermione stared at the ground silently.

Snape suddenly seemed to snap out of his trance and shot them a cold look. "Get out. Go to the library or Harry's room."

"Ok," Harry murmured, standing up.

Snape seized him by the arm and turned him so they were face to face, making the boy cry out in pain.

"Ok?"

"Father! Ok, Father! Sorry!"

The Potions Master threw him towards the staircase, angrily poured himself a Firewhisky and dropped into the armchair.

The three teenagers went to hide in Harry's room.

After a few minutes, Hermione broke the silence. "Show me your arm, Harry."

The young man rolled up the sleeve of his jumper, grimacing. Despite the thickness of his clothes, there was a red mark on his arm that was already starting to bruise.

"He's got a bloody strong grip," Ron muttered.

"Go and wet that with cold water, Ronald," Hermione said, handing him a clean T-shirt.

Ron complied immediately. Hermione gently squeezed Harry's hand to comfort him. When Ron came back with the wet shirt, she put it on Harry's arm. The cold immediately soothed the pain.

"What happened?" Hermione asked.

"I forgot to call him Father," Harry sighed.

"No, I mean with Dementia. How did they end up yelling at each other? And how was it bad enough that she left?"

"Dunno."

"And we don't care!" Ron cried. "Bloody hell, Hermione! He attacked Harry! Physically! And for no good reason, just because he didn't get the last word with his daughter! Harry, we have to tell Dumbledore."

"Dumbledore won't do anything, Ron."

"You don't know that."

"He already knows, and he hasn't done anything. He brought me back here after I left even though he knew what had happened and what would happen to me…"

Ron and Hermione were speechless.

"And Sirius?" Hermione asked in a small voice.

"He knows too."

Hermione pulled Harry into her arms. "He'll calm down, Harry. I'm sure of it. Everything will be ok."

"Anyway, mate, my Mum has already said you can come stay with us as much as you like, and she's going to talk to Snape about it. Don't worry."

Harry smiled at them. "I'm not worried! But I am wondering where Dementia is."

"She probably went to stay with a friend," Hermione said reassuringly. "Or to stay at the Leaky Cauldron."

Harry nodded thoughtfully, but didn't look entirely convinced.

oOo

Sirius opened the door to find himself face to face with Dementia, who was soaked to the skin.

"Oh! A drowned rat!" His attempt at humour fell flat when he caught sight of Dementia's eyes. "You've been crying."

It wasn't a question, and Dementia didn't correct him.

"Is it Harry?"

"No, he's fine."

"What then?"

"I argued with my father."

Sirius had to bite the inside of his cheek hard enough to bring tears to his eyes to stop himself from saying that, in his opinion, it was impossible not to argue with Snape. He was, after all, self-centred, selfish, up to his eyeballs in dark magic, always thought he was right…

He gave Dementia his jacket.

"Come in, get dry and have something hot to drink. I'll ask Kreacher to get a room ready for you. Although, if I had my way, you would be in mine…"

Dementia managed a half smile. Sirius barked a few orders at Kreacher, who obeyed, grumbling as usual. Sirius led Dementia into the kitchen, steered her towards a seat next to the hot stove and produced a hot chocolate with two taps of his wand.

Dementia looked at her mug sceptically, making no move to drink it. "This thing is full of calories."

"Drink it, Demi," Sirius sighed.

Dementia pulled a face and swallowed a mouthful of chocolate. "Sirius…"

"Your room will be ready soon. You don't need to explain anything to me."

"The argument was really bad. I was angry that Marc agreed to the divorce without having second thoughts."

"Isn't that what you wanted?" Sirius asked, frowning.

"It is," Demi replied, "but not like this. I didn't want him to do it because I disgust him…"

"What are you talking about?"

"Marc learnt something. Something about me. And as soon as he knew, he didn't want anything to do with me."

"You're imagining things, Demi."

"I can't stay here without…"

"Without what?"

Dementia seemed to think about it for a moment before reaching a decision. Tears began to roll down her cheeks.

"I need to talk to you, Sirius… about my parents."

"I know."

"I know it will be a shock for you but… what?"

"Demi," Sirius sighed, "I was in the same year as your father and I remember the exact day when she came into the Great Hall and put you in Snape's arms. You stayed at Hogwarts for a week. The only week out of our entire time at school when we left him alone. We almost felt sorry for him… You really could scream, you know."

"You knew."

"Yes."

"And it means nothing to you."

"No."

Dementia stayed quiet for a moment, digesting the information. She should have realised – everyone who was at Hogwarts at the time must know about it.

"So," Sirius said, jerking her out of her thoughts, "what are you going to do?"

"Now? Sleep. Harry is going to the Weasleys for lunch tomorrow and my father said I can take him. Then I'll spend a week in France with Mummy Isa and Uncle Charlus."

"The couple who raised you?"

"Is there anything you don't know?"

"What? I'm a genius!"

She threw a cushion at the genius' face.

The next day, Dementia apparated to the manor. Harry was doing his homework in the library.

"Hi!"

He jumped spectacularly and spun around to face her. "You came back!"

"No, I'm just here to take you to have lunch with the Weasleys, like we agreed."

"I don't know if he'll be ok with that," Harry muttered, looking at the floor. "He's in a bad mood."

"Go get him, please."

Harry sighed and walked to the lab with the gait of someone walking towards their death. He knocked softly on the door.

"Enter!"

"Father, Demi has come to collect me for the meal with the Weasleys."

Snape abandoned his work and went to the living room, followed by Harry.

"Where were you?"

"Not important. Do you want me to go with Harry to the Muggle world this afternoon?"

"Go ahead. There is Muggle money in my desk."

"Good. We'll go then. Oh, and I'm going to France tonight."

"I should have known," Snape muttered. "I'll be lucky if I don't get a Howler from Isabelle. As for you," he said to Harry, suddenly strict, "behave and do what your sister says if you don't want to be punished again."

Harry nodded. Snape stepped forwards and the boy flinched backwards into Demi.

"Father. Yes, Father," he replied hastily.

Dementia frowned but didn't say anything. She got the Muggle money and took Harry outside. They arrived just under half a mile from The Burrow.

"Alright, Harry?"

"Mmmm," the young man muttered.

"What's wrong?"

Harry shrugged, resigned. "Where were you?" he asked.

Dementia hesitated for a moment. "Can you keep a secret?"

"Of course!" Harry said, indignant.

"I was with Sirius."

"Really?!"

"Yes."

Harry smiled, feeling happy again. His godfather and Demi! It was brilliant. Snape would have a stroke if he found out. And if he had a stroke, Demi would be his guardian. And he would live with Sirius… He shook his head. He was letting his imagination run away with him – Snape wasn't even dead yet…

"So, you're going to stay with him?" he realised suddenly. "You're not coming back to the manor?"

"No, I'm going to France for a week. Then I'm going to New York for a week to meet with some fashion designers for the newspaper. Then there'll only be 15 days before the professors come back, so I'll be at Hogwarts. I'll come back for your birthday next week, before I go to New York."

Harry smiled. After all, Snape would calm down and all he had to do was behave himself. Maybe if he asked him for help with his Transfiguration homework…

Dementia jerked him out of his thoughts by announcing that they had arrived at The Burrow.

They had barely set foot in the yard before Mrs Weasley came out of the kitchen and headed for Harry like a heat-seeking missile. She hugged him so hard he could barely breathe.

"Are you ok, Harry, dear?"

"Yes, Mrs Weasley."

"Are you sure? Is he giving you enough to eat?"

"Yes, Mrs Weasley," Harry replied, while Demi hid her laughter behind a sudden coughing fit.

Mrs Weasley turned towards the young woman, her face suddenly expressionless. "Hello, Dementia."

"Hello, Mrs Weasley."

Harry frowned. Mrs Weasley, who was usually very friendly with everyone, was being as cold towards Demi as she had been with Hermione the year before, when she believed all the horrible things the Daily Prophet had been writing about her. Before he could ask Demi about it, Ron and Hermione had arrived.

"Are you ok, Harry?" Hermione asked as soon as they were alone.

"Yeah," he reassured her. "Everything is fine."

He was dying to tell them about Demi and Sirius, but he didn't dare tell them without Demi's permission.

While they were eating, Dementia asked Ron and Hermione if they wanted to come with them to the Muggle world. Hermione sent an owl to her parents to ask their permission. Mrs Weasley refused point blank to let Ron go. Despite Ron's protests and Hermione and Harry pleading with her, she didn't change her mind.

At the end of the afternoon, Dementia announced that they were leaving and Harry and Hermione, whose parents had said yes, got ready to leave.

"I'll bring you back some Muggle things," Hermione promised Ron, who was sulking and refusing to talk to his mother.

Dementia apparated them to the Leaky Cauldron and they walked into Muggle London.

"Right, so we're looking for jeans, T-shirts, jumpers… where should we go?" Demi asked.

"The best place for that in London is Harrods on Brompton Road," Hermione decided.

After walking for several minutes, they arrived at the department store.

"Ok, let's split up and meet back here in an hour," Demi decided.

Harry, who had been worried that the girls would try to persuade him to buy things, was relieved when they all split off.

An hour later, they met up in front of the tills. Harry wasn't surprised to see that Hermione had bought books, though she had also bought herself a cardigan, as well as a scarf and several types of sweets for Ron. Harry had bought 4 pairs of jeans, 6 T-shirts, 3 shirts, 2 jumpers and some underwear. Finally, Dementia had bought a dress and a coat for herself, two pairs of men's jeans and three men's shirts, and a book entitled "I'm Grumpy but I'm Working on It".

Harry raised an eyebrow.

"A present for Dad," she explained.

Harry blanched – he had a feeling that he would hear about this again. He settled with saying "Nice shirts."

"They're for Sirius. He can't exactly go shopping."

Eyes widening with surprise, Hermione mouthed "Sirius and Demi?"

"I'll explain later," Harry mouthed back.

Dementia paid for everything, despite Hermione's protests, and they started walking back to the Leaky Cauldron.

"Does anyone need anything from Diagon Alley?"

"No," chorused Harry and Hermione.

Dementia took Hermione back first, then took Harry to Sirius'.

"Here, Black! Something so you look human," Dementia said maliciously, throwing the package to Sirius.

Sirius smiled, kissed her and turned to Harry. "So, was there a murder at Snape Manor?"

"Wait until he sees the book," Harry sighed.

Sirius burst out laughing when he saw the title of the book and lamented that he wouldn't be able to see his old enemy's expression when he saw it.

An hour later, Dementia gave Sirius one last kiss. "See you in a week!"

"Have fun."

When they got back to the manor, she gave her father the book and hurriedly left before he had the chance to open it. When he read the title, Snape shot Harry a cold look. Harry lifted his hands up to show his innocence.

"I tried to persuade her not to!"

Snape shrugged and threw the book onto the sofa. "Did you find what you needed?"

"Yes Father, thank you." Harry hesitated before continuing. "Father?"

"Yes?"

"Demi asked Ron and Hermione to come with us but Mrs Weasley wouldn't let Ron come. And she acted weirdly around her. What has she got against Demi?"

"I don't know, Harry."

Harry was suddenly sure that his father was lying to him.

"Go and put your things away," Snape ordered. He suddenly seemed tired and much older than his 34 years.