Ch. 5 Holding On

Angela had already gone to bed when Lily orbed in. She went to the living room and found House sitting at the table with his back to her, reading a book on wizarding history. She said nothing, just watched for a few moments. The doctor seemed to be completely enthralled with the book. Lily was amazed. Even as a muggle born she had thought History of magic was the dullest subject ever, no matter who taught it. After a few moments, she stepped closer.

"Enjoying yourself?" House didn't look around, but replied, "It's fascinating reading. It's amazing how much of history intertwines with magic. Besides… Angela's asleep. She didn't take a potion, though, so I thought I'd wait for a while before going in. I'm not exactly tired yet, anyway." Lily said nothing. After a while, House closed the book and turned his chair around to look at Lily. He had to ask her. If Angela didn't want to talk, then Lily was his only means of getting answers.

"When was the last time Angela killed herself?" Lily sighed as she sat down on the couch. She had sensed the question was coming, but that didn't make it any easier to reply. "It was right after Sirius was sent to the wizard prison, Azkaban. James and I couldn't do anything. We just watched."

"How'd she do it?" Lily swallowed before replying. She remembered that night. Feeling Angela's despair, seeing her friend's tears… and the blood.

"She… she slit her wrists. It was late at night. Remus found her the next morning." Lily sighed. "Ever since… she's been… off, you know?" Lily stood up and began pacing as she talked. "Even though James and I weren't allowed direct contact, we still kept an eye on Angela. After our deaths, she became more isolated. Two years afterwards, she moved to California. She hardly ever dated. Emotional intimacy was almost non-existent. She started going through chronic depression, sleeplessness." House ears perked. 'Wait a minute,' he thought. 'That wasn't what Angela told me.'

"Angela told me she'd been sleeping badly for about 100 years." Lily's smile was grim.

"Yeah. I thought she'd say something like that."

"You're saying Angela lied." Lily stopped, and looked at House with a sad smile. She hated tattling, but it was necessary.

"Yeah. I spent 7 years with her in the same dormitory. Angela had the occasional nightmare but not to the extent she does now."

"But why would she lie?" House asked, confused. Why would Angela say that her problem was a long term thing when it actually seemed to be short term? Lily sighed again. "Part of it is probably the fact that she doesn't like to talk about her sleeping problems. So if she says that it's a long time condition, people don't think she's crazy. She's just a bad sleeper. Deep down, I think it's guilt. A week before Peter Pettigrew betrayed James and me, Angela had a- a premonition of Pettigrew's action. We… didn't believe her." House noticed the regret in Lily's voice.

"You didn't want to believe her." Lily nodded.

"By the time we realized… it was too late. James and I were gone, Sirius was locked up, and Harry was on his way to my sister's for a miserable life."

"Yeah, Angela filled me in on Mrs. Petunia Dursley," House said, watching Lily's eyes flame at the mention of her sister. A sudden thought sparked in his brain. "Any reason to think she's responsible for your son's illness?" Lily sighed, and again sank onto the couch. She buried her face in her hands.

"God I hope not." She sat like that for a minute before looking up. "Hell, for all I know she did expose him somehow. I'm a terrible mother."

"No, you're not." House got up and went to sit next to Lily. "You're not a terrible mother. What happened couldn't be helped." He looked at her. "You're scared. I don't blame you. But you had no way of knowing any of this would happen. Right now your son needs his mother, and Angela needs a friend. As much as I know you want to do a personal guilt trip, I don't think this is a good time." Lily let out a choked laugh. She looked at House. This man… it was small wonder why Angela loved him. Angela had the same personality at times.

"Do you do this intuitive… tactless honesty thing with everyone, or am I special?"

"Both," he said, giving a vague smile. "Before I met Angela, I was… well, much less pleasant. I thrived at the intuitive tactless honesty thing." Lily said nothing, instead, she waited for him to continue. "You are special. You're Angela's best friend, you're important to her… so you're important to me."

"You know, that was very sentimental," Lily said, quietly, her smile widening. House looked away.

"Well, I'd appreciate you not telling everyone. People might start seeing me as a nice guy." Looking back at Lily, he smirked. Lily gave a soft chuckle.

"And of course we can't have that."

"Absolutely not." Lily stood up.

"I better get going. I'm sitting with Harry tonight." House stood up as well and walked with Lily to the front door. He stopped her before she left and asked, "Could I ask you for a favor?" Lily smiled and said, "Sure. What do you need?"

"I have a friend coming tomorrow from New Jersey. Could I ask you to pick him up?" Lily looked slightly perplexed but acquiesced.

"No problem," she said. When does he get in?"

"Around noon." Lily nodded.

"Okay. I'll take care of it. Goodnight." Lily gave House a quick kiss on the cheek and headed off. House closed and locked the door and went back to the master bedroom. He leaned against the door frame and watched Angela sleep, her face dimly lit by the hallway lights. It seemed like the past week had spanned two worlds. One where he was embittered and miserable and the other where he felt more love and affection for the woman lying asleep than he ever thought possible.

House went to turn off the lights, and then went back into the bedroom. After changing clothes, he pulled the blankets back on his side of the bed and slid underneath the covers as smoothly as his leg would allow. As if sensing his presence, Angela rolled over, and snuggled close to House, her arm across his waist and her head resting on his chest. He put his arm around her and after only a few moments, fell fast asleep.

The two awoke the next morning to the sounds and smells of breakfast. Angela got up and threw on a set of robes as House changed into jeans and a shirt and a set of blue robes. Angela looked him over, surprised and pleased at how well he looked in wizarding attire. "Those look good on you. They match your eyes well." House quirked a grin.

"Thanks. Now, let's eat." Angela led the way to the kitchen and saw Molly Weasley bustling about. "Molly?" Mrs. Weasley turned around.

"Angela, dear. Sit down, sit down. I'll have breakfast ready in a half a tic, dear." Angela and House sat at the breakfast table, though Angela still looked vaguely surprised. "Molly, what are you doing here?"

"Well, Arthur decided to take the boys and Ginny and Hermione to see Harry this morning, and since they were going to grab breakfast on the way, I thought I'd come here and cook for you and your boyfriend." She waved her wand at the skillet and the eggs that were in there flipped themselves. Then she finished the bacon and toast and plated everything up. As Mrs. Weasley started cleaning the kitchen, she said, "Oh, and Lily told me that she'd be along later to take you and…" She looked at House. "I'm sorry, but what's your name again, dear?"

"Dr. Gregory House," he replied, taking a bite of eggs. Mrs. Weasley beamed at him.

"Well, it's very nice to meet you, Dr. House. Anyway, where was I? Oh, yes. Lily will take the two of you to the hospital, and then she has to run a small errand. Anyway, when you're done, go get cleaned up and ready to leave. I'll handle the dishes." House gave a slightly questioning look to Angela who smiled and shrugged. It would take all day to explain the workings of Molly Weasley to House. Best he could to would be to just take it in stride.

Harry was in an ambivalent mood that morning. While he hated the Weasleys and Hermione seeing him sick, he loved the fact that they cared enough to come spend time with him. When he relayed what had happened to his parents and Sirius, they all looked happy for him. Around 12, however, the Weasleys left, though Ginny, Ron, Fred and George, and Hermione said that they would try to slip in to see him later. Just as they were leaving, Lily came in. "Hey, honey. How are you feeling?" Harry shrugged.

"Okay, I guess. I still feel pretty sick, though." Lily brushed some hair out of her son's eyes. "I'm sorry, sweetie." She smiled and said, "I have to go run a small errand. Your father's talking with Dr. House, but Sirius and Angela said they would stay nearby in case you need anything, and Remus should be here shortly. He had a meeting this morning. Okay, Harry?"

"Angela and Sirius hate each other," Harry said, dully. Lily's green eyes wilted slightly. It was bad enough that Sirius and Angela were showing outward dislike but the fact that Harry had noticed seemed worse. "At the moment, I'm afraid they do." She patted his arm. "But I'm sure they'll sort out their differences." 'I hope,' she added silently.

"I hope so," Harry said, a smile pulling at his face. "Having a godfather is great, but having a godfather, a godmother, and my parents back is even better." Lily's eyes brightened again and she pulled her son into a hug. "I'm so, so delighted you feel that way. I'm glad to have you back, too, Harry." Harry hugged his mother. Lily let go and gave Harry a kiss on the forehead before leaving the room. Harry lay back and closed his eyes. The visit from the Weasleys had worn him out a little bit, so he decided to take a nap. Sighing, he waited to fall back into rejuvenating slumber.

If given the choice between being lectured oh his pill-popping habit by Wilson, Forman, and Cuddy at the same time, or sitting in an unused doctor's lounge under the penetrating gaze of James Potter… House felt almost certain he'd take his New Jersey colleagues. At least he could tune them out. James's hazel eyes were deep and trenchant. House felt more than slightly edgy looking at him. James was also very good at questioning. He didn't let House leave any details out, whether it was House's personal history, or his professional history, or even his drug history.

Finally, James asked, "So what is it about Angela that you find attractive?" House said nothing for a moment, trying to pull his thoughts together, visioning his moments with Angela, trying to see what exactly it was that he found so wonderful about her. The problem was that House couldn't think of anything specific that he loved about Angela, and he said so. James's eyes crinkled.

"Interesting. So for instance, you don't mind her intuitive abilities? I find that a little surprising."

"Well, it's unsettling. But she's very good. She's also smart. She seems to know more about me than I do." James nodded.

"This is true. Now, what about the fact she's an Immortal?" House hesitated for a moment, wondering how to phrase his response.

"To be honest, I don't really think about it, and Angela doesn't talk about it." James sighed. "She hates thinking about it. So for you to not only not talk about it, but also not think about it is probably a good thing to her. What else about Angela drew you to her?"

House envisioned Angela when they first met, then at the pub that night. When she invited him to her apartment… "She's the first woman in years to look at me and not see a crippled 40-year-old or a smug, cynical physician. Looking at her, talking to her… I feel like… maybe my life isn't as bad as it could be. She's the light of my life." James's intense gaze seemed to relax, though, he sat up a little straighter in his chair. He smiled. "Well, I don't know what Lily said, but… I like you, Dr. House. As far as I'm concerned… you're what Angela needs."

"Really?" House asked, looking happy, yet ever so slightly wary. He didn't hear a 'but' in that statement, but you never knew. James nodded.

"Yeah. She needs someone who can support her. Someone who likes who she really is, not what she pretends to be." James stood up and House did likewise. James stuck out his hand. "I think you and Angela will be wonderful together." House shook James's hand and the two headed out into the hall where they saw Sirius looking murderous.

Dr. James Wilson stepped off the plane and looked around for House. He didn't see him. Looking around just in case, Wilson saw a woman holding a sign with his name on it. Getting closer, his jaw dropped. The woman was tall and willowy, her red hair shining in the light. Her green eyes were the most beautiful Wilson had ever seen. Wilson pulled his popping eyes back into his head and said to her, "I'm Dr. James Wilson. And you are?"

"Married," The woman said, her eyes mischievous. Wilson again goggled. This girl must have known exactly what she did to men. She was gorgeous, and she knew it. Oh, man. House owed him big time for this. "I, uh…" The woman laughed. "I'm Lily Potter. Come on. Let's get your things and then we can go over to the hospital. Dr. House is there with my husband."

"Sure. No problem." Oh, yeah. House DEFINETLY owed him big. Lily grabbed one of his carry on bags and they two headed off to the main baggage claim.

"How could you, James? How could you- betray me like this?" Sirius's dark blue eyes were glinting dangerously. James looked concerned and puzzled. What was going on here? "Sirius, what are you talking about. I haven't betray-"

"Angela. Is. Mine. And you're handing her over to this- this- gimping muggle?" House said nothing, though he found the word 'gimping' to be a rather lame insult. Sirius's eyes darkened even more, and James moved past concerned and into fearful. This wasn't right. What was wrong with Sirius?

"Sirius, what's wrong with you? This- this isn't you."

"Death changes you, Prongsy. You know that." James looked deep into Sirius's eyes, and what he saw frightened him. There was a dark shadow there. Something evil.

"How did you get out, Sirius? What did you do?" Sirius gave a laugh, a high, cold laugh that made James and House feel like they'd been plunged into icy water. James knew that laugh. He now knew those eyes.

"Voldemort," he said, quietly. House heard the name, and even as muggle as he was, he knew enough from Angela to know that this was very, very bad. Sirius/Voldemort smiled evilly, and when he spoke, it was in a low hissing voice.

"I wondered when you would realize the truth, Potter. Your friend was ever so willing to let me borrow him. But don't worry. The two of you will be dead again soon enough."

The blow was quick, and unexpected. House had whacked Sirius/Voldemort across the head with his cane, making the possessed man stagger back, slightly. James used the pause to dart between House and Sirius, pulling out his wand as he did so. Sirius stepped back.

"You won't hurt me, Potter. You won't risk killing your best friend." James tightened his grip on his wand and pointed it at Sirius's chest.

"Padfoot… don't make me do this. You can beat this, Sirius." Sirius/Voldemort laughed.

"Go ahead, Potter! Do it!" James felt tears come to his eyes. He strengthened his resolve and looked deep into Sirius's eyes. "I'm sorry, Padfoot." Then he said a curse.

Angela had been watching the scene from outside on the hospital balcony. She figured the best place to be while James and House were talking was far away in case Sirius did something really stupid. And sure enough, Sirius confronted the other two when the came out of the lounge. When she saw James pull his wand out, however, she hurried to the glass door and tried to open it, but it was locked. Pulling out her own wand, she tried the opening charm, but it didn't work. The doors were sealed magically. Sirius did this, she knew it. She tried banging on the glass, but no one either saw or heard. Then James fired what Angela knew was the Cruciatus Curse. Sirius screamed silently, and then a great wave of energy flew out of him and directly at her. Frozen in place by terror, the energy hit Angela, sending her soaring over the rail and onto the parked cars three floors below.

James ended the curse and watched carefully as Sirius lay panting. After a moment, he looked at James. "It's okay. It's me." James looked hesitant, but after looking into his friend's eyes, he knew it was true. The darkness had passed. James helped Sirius up, and looking around, saw the huge gaping hole in the glass door of the balcony. Sirius's face fell. "Angela," he whispered and raced for the door, James and House behind him. He had seen Angela standing there. Where was…? Looking over the parking lot, Sirius staggered back, horrified. James and House looked down and saw Angela's prone form. James swore and raced off downstairs. "I need help!" he cried. One of the ER doctors saw him. "Sir, what happened?"

"Please, there's- Someone was thrown from the balcony! It was this explosion, and-" The doctor grabbed a few others and they headed out with a gurney out to the parking lot. James stood back, disbelieving. He sank down onto the floor, his back against the wall. It seemed like ages before they wheeled Angela inside. James stood up and saw that she was unconscious, her face wan and her left ankle mangled and bloody. House came up next to him.

"Is she…?" James didn't say anything, didn't do anything. He just stood there. House looked at James, then at the crowd of doctors looking over Angela. He handed James his cane, practically shoving it into the other man's hand, and limped over to Angela. "Angela, can you hear me?" He took her hand.

One of the doctors, a man with short spiky hair, said, "Sir, you have to step back."

"I'm her boyfriend, and I'm a doctor. I'm not leaving her." The man sighed and acquiesced, letting House stand there, holding her hand.