Ch. 3 The Doctor Who Limped Meets the Boy Who Lived

When Angela got back to her apartment, there was a message from Remus Lupin, an old friend from Hogwarts. Deciding to call before she made preparations for dinner that evening, Angela copied down the phone number and dialed after sitting cross-legged on the bed. "Remus Lupin," said a slightly hoarse voice on the other end. "Hey, Moony."

"Angela! How are you?" Angela sighed. "I'm in love. It… I don't know. It's weird. He's a doctor- muggle doctor, but… I really, really like him. I love him. And I feel comfortable with him in a way that I never even felt with Sirius." There was a very slight catch in her voice when she said the name of her deceased fiancé Sirius Black.

Remus replied, "I'm happy for you, Angela. But be careful. It might not be perfect." Angela chuckled. "Yeah, well, tonight I'm planning on cinching the deal. Using a little talent my mother taught me."

"Truth spell? That's dangerous, you know." Angela smiled.

"Irish flute. If that doesn't do it, nothing will." Remus laughed. "Well, I wish you the best of luck. Have a good time."

"Thanks. I'll try to see you soon. Bye, Remus."

"Bye, Angela." Angela hung up and perused her wardrobe. She decided on a long, slinky plum dress which had a slit up the left leg. Before she did her hair, she made had a thought. She needed musical accompaniment, and she knew just who to call. Three years ago she had managed to wrangle him for the DreamWorks animated feature, 'Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron'. And he had said that he owed her a favor for the gig. Picking up the phone again, she dialed the phone number. "Hello, Bry? It's Angela. I have a little favor. I know you're in town for that charity function tomorrow, but I was wondering if I could ask for a little surprise performance…"

House walked into the restaurant and saw Angela sitting at a table. Her hair was curled and pulled back, leaving black ringlets framing her face. Making his way to the table, he didn't notice Angela slipping a note to one of the waitstaff. "Glad you could make it," she said when he sat down.

"Well, you invited me. I wouldn't dream of letting you down." Angela smiled. "I, um… have a little surprise for you. Just… stay there." House looked slightly perplexed as Angela stood up and waved to someone at the platform near the rear of the dining room. One of the owners came out and stood at a microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen. Tonight, in a very surprising one night performance by a very talented artist… Mr. Bryan Adams!" The artist came out and stood next to the owner who waited for a moment before continuing "And in addition to the band accompaniment, on the Irish flute, Miss Angela McKeaten, who has managed to arrange this little performance." The applause continued as Angela went up to the stage, picked something up from the band, and sat on a stool, her ankles crossed. The band started up and Bryan Adams began singing.

"I'd like to see you, thought I'd let you know

I wanna be with you everyday

Cause I've got a feeling that's beginning to grow

And there's only one thing I wanna say"

"I'm ready - to love you

I'm ready - to hold you

I'm ready - I'm ready

Ready as I'm gonna be"

Then Angela began playing. The notes were haunting and beautiful. The moment was brief, and House wanted nothing more than to hear her play all night. Where had she learned to play like that?

"She left me a long note when she left me here

Told me that love was hard to find

But baby it's easy and I'll make it clear

That there's only one thing on my mind"

"I'm ready - to love you

I'm ready - to hold you

I'm ready - I'm ready

Ready as I'm gonna be"

The rest of the band quieted as Angela went into a solo, accompanied only by the gentle notes of the guitar. House was captivated. He had never heard anything so beautiful in all his life. Angela had completely mesmerized him with a string of utterly beautiful notes. Even as the song wrapped up, House didn't hear any of the lyrics. He only heard the lingering notes of Angela's flute playing. When the song finished, Angela stood up, setting the flute down, made a bow, and headed back to the table.

As she sat down, she noticed the captivated look on House's face. She flipped her hair casually, and smiled.

"When were you waiting to spring this on me?" House asked, still disbelieving. Angela smiled. "It's something my mother taught me. It's also something I use as a charming technique when I date. It took me about 82 years to get it right though. I didn't really have much of a talent when I was little."

"Any other secrets I should know?" Angela's smile faded. She had wondered how long it would be before House asked. In fact, she had been expecting the question after she had asked him about his addiction. Sighing, she decided to tell him.

"A lot of nights I can't sleep without potions. The past… oh, jeez… 100 years I've slept badly. So I have to take a sleeping draught before I go to bed a lot of nights. It's rare when I can sleep without nightmares or just general restiveness. Anyway, I-" She was cut off by a cell phone ringing. Angela looked perplexed as she grabbed her purse and pulled out her ringing phone. "Angela speaking. Hey, Remus, I'm…" Her face froze. "What? No, no, that's- Oh, God." She sighed. "Yeah. Yeah, I'll be there as soon as I can. Sure. I'll see you then." She hung up the phone, and then stared at it as though it would speak words of comfort. Then the tears started. House got up as quickly as he could, and escorted Angela out of the restaurant, leaving a 20 on the table as a tip. They went to the bench outside and sat down. Angela was sobbing hard now, and House didn't know what exactly to do. "What happened?"

"It- it's Harry, my godson. He's…" She looked up at House, her eyes pleading. "He's really sick. No one- the doctors can't figure what it is. Please." The look on her face tore at his heart. He loved this woman, and seeing her like this was agony.

"Angela, I… of course I'll help. I'll call Cuddy and tell her I'm taking some time off. I'll let her know what's up." Angela's face still shone with tears and her minimal makeup was running. House stood up. "But first, I'm taking you home. Come on. I'll drive."

Angela kept sobbing lightly all the way to her apartment, and she fumbled four times with her keys in the lock. Once inside, House told her to wash her face and change clothes. Angela nodded vaguely and went into the bathroom. Once she closed the door, however, she used a silencing charm and started cursing. This couldn't be happening! Not now. Not when she had happiness at her fingertips.

After a moment of silent cursing and crying, she lowered the charm and washed up, changing into sweatpants and an old sweater her friend Molly Weasley had made for her one Christmas. Lying down on her bed, she started crying again, and never noticed when she finally fell into a fitful sleep.

Angela awoke the next morning to find a note on the pillow next to her. She blinked a few times and read. House had informed the hospital of his planned absence, and booked two plane tickets for 2pm. He would be packing that morning, and would pick her up to leave for the airport around noon. Angela got up and got dressed. She then used magic to pack up all her things before calling her company and informing them of her situation. Then she just sat in thought. If Sirius were alive she'd call him and let him reassure her that Harry would be just fine. 'Of course,' she thought moodily. 'If Sirius were alive, I'd be with him. And we'd be fighting like we always do when a crisis occurs.' With that thought, Angela lay down on the couch and closed her eyes.

Angela came out of her doze when she felt someone touch her shoulder. House was standing there, looking at her with worried eyes and a kind smile. "Well, it's about time. I've been shaking you for five minutes." Angela sat up. "Really?"

"Nah. I actually just got here. Shall we go?" Angela nodded and the two headed down to House's car. They headed down the streets and onto the highway. Angela said nothing, but as they got closer to the airport, she started muttering. "What is it?"

"Hmm?" House gave her a quick glance. "What are you muttering? And please tell me it's not 'are we there yet'." Angela smiled. "No, it's… When I was 8, my mother told me there was a spell for patience. I found out later, it was a lie. The phrase was in a very, very old version of Gaelic. Roughly translated, the phrase was 'patience is a virtue'. Ever since, when I feel worried or anxious, I start saying it over and over. Sometimes it helps. I loved my mother. When she died… it killed my family, as well. None of us ever really felt connected ever again. Even now, my brother and I hardly ever talk. That's why Harry's illness is so hard for me."

Angela took a moment to think how best to explain. "About 22 years ago, I was living alone. I'd been on my own for a long time and I was really lonely. Well, a friend of mine, Albus Dumbledore, had just become the headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Well, he said that he could give me an age-reducing potion and let me go back to school as a student. Well, it seemed like a good distraction, so I said yes." Angela took a pause and went on. "Well, I went through all 7 years of school and made friends and all. After school, my friend Lily Evans married her boyfriend, James Potter and they had a son… Harry. So the Potters- Harry, Lily, and James- Remus Lupin, and Sirius Black… They became my family in a way I never knew. And now I'm losing my family all over again, and there's nothing I can do about it."

She looked at House. "I can't lose Harry, Greg. If he dies… I don't know what I'll do." She turned away, looking out the window, falling silent. House could think of nothing to say.

"I can't…" he paused, unsure of how to phrase his words. "I can't promise I'll be able to cure him…. But I swear I will do everything I can." Angela turned to look at him again and gave a smile.

"That's all I ask. It's all I ask." The trip was soon ended, as they pulled into the airport. They went inside and due to connections Angela had made with various airlines, the two were able to bypass a lot of the security blocks. In half the time it usually took, the two were seated on the plane, and waiting to take off. Angela reached into her knapsack and pulled out a small vial. She downed the liquid inside and leaned back. Soon, she was sound asleep. House picked up the vial and studied it. There was a label which read Dreamless Sleep Potion. He put the empty vial back in her bag and set it under her feet. Leaning back himself, he closed his eyes and tried to grab a snooze before they took off.

Remus Lupin was pacing the London Airport as he waited for Angela to arrive. Molly Weasley was staying with Harry at the muggle hospital where he'd been transferred to after the witches and wizards at St. Mungo's couldn't find anything. Remus had been pacing for about 10 minutes when he saw Angela coming out arm in arm with a man leaning on a cane. "Remus," she said softly, leaving the other man and hugging her old friend. "How is he?"

"It's not good, but he's not getting any worse. He's stable, so that's the important thing." Angela nodded. "Oh, um…" She turned back to House. "This is Dr. Gregory House. He's the man I'm dating. Greg, this is Remus Lupin." House shook Remus's hand. "I think Angela said you're a werewolf." Remus looked slightly horrified that Angela would divulge that information. He ticked a small glance to Angela who gave a miniscule nod. 'He can be trusted,' the look said. Remus nodded. "That's right. Well, shall we get going? Angela, Molly's had your place in Godric's Hollow cleaned up, so it's ready. I can take you over to the hospital and then take your stuff over, if you like."

Angela gave a small smile. "Thanks, Remus. Yeah, that sounds good."

Harry Potter was asleep in his hospital bed when Angela saw him. He certainly looked ill. His face was pale, and his untidy hair looked limp. If it wasn't a magical disease, then… Angela closed her eyes and sighed. She hated feeling helpless. Here her godson was sick, and there was almost nothing she could do. Almost. She opened her eyes and went into the room, sitting on the edge of the bed. She took Harry's hand and gave it a bare squeeze. He was still here. She could touch him and hear him breathe. And as long as she could hold onto that, she could hold on to hope. Sighing again, she stroked his hair. After a few moments, she stood up and started pacing. This was a nightmare, a total nightmare.

"God, if James and Lily knew what was going on, they'd kill me," she muttered, as she paced. "No, we wouldn't," said a voice behind her. Angela whirled around and saw them standing there.

"Can't deny Harry both godparents, can we?" Angela hesitated for a moment then rushed to hug Lily. Lily was surprised but put her arms around Angela. "It's okay, Angela. He'll be okay. You'll see." Angela pulled back and Lily could see tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Lily. I-I-I- I screwed up." Lily smiled.

"No, you didn't. YOU didn't screw up. Dumbledore is the one to blame. He should have-"

"Let's not get hung up on what Dumbledore should have told us," James said, his eyes narrowing. "Let's just focus on Harry. Okay?" Angela gave a quick nod and Lily agreed. "Right. Harry. God, I just wish I knew what was going on." Angela looked at James and Lily. "Well, let's find out. Come on." She hurried out of the room and down the hall. House was standing at the nurse's station talking with another doctor whose nametag read 'Dr. Norton'.

"Well?" she asked, stopping and staring at the two doctors. "Wh-what's happening? What's wrong with Harry?" Dr. Norton looked at her.

"Miss McKeaten, I…" Angela took a few steps forward. "Don't 'Miss McKeaten' me, buster. I want to know, and I want to know now!" House put a hand on Angela's arm.

"Angela, just calm down, okay? Please?" Angela continued shooting daggers at Dr. Norton, then asked, "What is wrong with my godson?"

"We don't know." Of all the things to say, that was the worst. Angela grabbed the doctor by the front of his jacket and slammed him against the wall.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU DON'T KNOW!" Angela roared. James was slowly moving around and pulling out his wand, making sure he had a clear shot at Angela. House looked at Angela, then at James and Lily. He did a slight double take and his eyes narrowed.

"Aren't you the boy's parents?" Lily nodded. House then looked doubly confused. "Aren't you two supposed to be dead?" James looked irritated.

"Can we talk about that after we find out what's wrong with Harry?" Lily tried to talk Angela down.

"Angela, please. None of this is helping. Just let the guy down. Please." Angela did so, and Norton fell to the floor, coughing.

"Okay. Now… tell us what you know." He stood up.

"Harry has some sort of virus. We're not sure what it is, only that it's producing flu-like symptoms. And I know that that's not helpful, but we're doing all we can. Dr. House here has offered his expertise. We'll figure it out." Angela looked at House, her eyes pleading.

"We will. Come on. Let's go talk." Angela nodded and went to him. House put an arm around her shoulders and the two walked off and James and Lily went back to Harry's room.

"Angela's losing it, James," Lily said as she sat with Harry. James shook his head. "She's upset. God, I can't blame her. I mean, when we became whitelighters I was happy. Then we couldn't be with Harry. And then Sirius died and they let us come to Harry, and then he gets sick. Let's face it, Lil. We're terrible parents." Lily sighed.

"Yeah. I hate to admit it, but… You're right. All we can do now is try to make up for it."

"Mum?" Harry whispered. Lily looked into her son's face.

"Harry. My little boy." Harry blinked and looked at James. "Dad? What- what are you doing here? What happened? Aren't you dead?" Lily smiled at her son.

"It's a long story honey."

"Whitelighters," House said, with a touch of disbelief. Angela gave a weak smile. "You believe me about everything else, but you don't believe me about that."

"Well, a man has to have his limits." Angela leaned her head against House's shoulder. "I'm sorry I blew up like that. I usually try to keep my temper under control."

"Well, it wasn't what I would have picked for entertainment." Angela still looked abashed at her actions. "It was stupid. I overreacted." She looked at House. "So flu-like symptoms. Anything else you can tell me?" House paused. "There was a scar on his shoulder. Looked recent." Angela's head snapped up.

"What did the scar look like? Did it look like a crescent moon?" House nodded. "Yeah, it did." Angela swore. "Damn! Come on!" She didn't wait for House to catch up; instead she raced down the hallways to Harry's room. "Harry was bitten!" She said to Lily and James." Lily looked confused.

"Bitten by what?" But James read the look on Angela's face. He turned to his son.

"Harry… when you started feeling sick… was it full moon?"

Harry hesitated for a moment then nodded. "Bu-but Lupin wasn't there. He was at some place in Wales. I didn't transform. I just felt… off. It was three days after the full moon when I started feeling really sick." Angela was pacing now. "Okay. Um, Harry… have you… been bitten by- a person?" Harry looked slightly sheepish.

"M-My girlfriend and I- Her name is Luna Lovegood. Her mother was a born werewolf." Angela kept pacing.

"So it's not lycanthropy. You would have transformed, or at least had your canines change. But this could still be a magical condition." James looked confused. "But I thought-"

"There are a few magical diseases that muggles have stumbled across and vice versa." Angela was still pacing when House came back into the room. "Okay. A flu-type disease, something that would be missed by both medi-wizards and muggles. Something that could have been triggered by physical intimacy with a half-werewolf." Angela paced for a while longer until Dr. Norton came in. Angela looked at him then she looked at the medical file. "It's plague, isn't it?" Lily looked horrified.

"Angela, don't even kid about that. I mean, it can't be." Angela looked at Lily. "If it were bubonic or pneumonic, I'd agree. But that's not the case." She looked at Norton. "You're not panicked, which means it's non lethal, but you're worried because it's a new form. Am I right?" Norton nodded.

"You're right, indeed. The virus is a new mutation of plague. We don't know how to treat this." House asked for the file as Angela resumed pacing. Then she stopped. "It's Cersic Plague." Lily looked at her. "Angela, that's… That hasn't been around for… 29 years."

"2 years," Angela said. "There was a case 2 years ago. In Surrey, if I remember correctly." James still looked dubious. "So if, hypothetically, it is Cersic Plague… though if it is, that's really surprising- what kind of side-effects or…" Angela shrugged.

"I don't know. It could be anything. The virus is kinda hard to predict. Symptoms and side effects tent to be rather varied." Lily sighed.

"Well, there has to be something we can do." Angela nodded. "I've got a book at home with info on the disease. I'll go home and look it up." James nodded.

"Right. Angela, I'll go with you. Lily, you'll stay with Harry?" Lily nodded. She then looked at House. "Dr. House, could you stay, please? I-I'd like to talk to you." Angela looked at House.

"Go ahead, Greg. I'll be back to get you tonight."

"Okay. I'll see you later." The two kissed good-bye, and Angela and James left the room. Dr. Norton excused himself, closing the door and leaving House and Lily alone. Lily looked at House who settled into a chair. Her green eyes were analyzing as she asked, "So what's this thing between you and Angela?"