Author's Notes: Well, here's Ch. 12. It's been one of the more interesting ones. Next chapter will take place entirely in Los Angeles with House.
In this chapter, Harry gets a healthy dose of life with his parents, and Angela gets to go home.
To Ara, Goddess of the Broken- thank you for sticking with me. I'm glad you like this.
To ScbyDoo489- Hope you're feelin' better, kid. Hope you like this chapter.
To ZombieToGo- next chapter I'll be introducing your character. Just be patient, my friend.
To any other readers who are enjoying this I've missed, thank you for your support.
Ch. Home Once Again
With Lily and Angela now- at least mostly- reconciled, James, Remus, and Harry found themselves on their own for a good deal of the time. Once Harry had been discharged, He, his father, and Remus decided to go back to the Potter home in Godric's Hollow.
Once at home, James worked on making his son's room into the perfect place for a soon-to-be-16-year-old teenage boy. In one afternoon, James had the room painted and furnished, with a large queen-size bed, a desk on top of which sat a magically-adaptable laptop computer, bookcases, and an owl perch for Harry's snowy owl, Hedwig. It was a wonderful room, Harry thought as he started to put his things away in the dresser. The walls were painted red and gold, with quidditch posters and a large portrait of Harry's parents and grandparents that had been done on the eve of Lily and James's wedding.
"Harry, Supper's ready!" Harry heard his father shout from downstairs. Throwing the last few things in the drawers, Harry hurried down the steps and into the kitchen. Lily was at the stove, pulling out a pan of fresh baked sourdough rolls and a warm, fragrant lamb roast. Harry sat at the table next to Remus, who was eyeing the table hungrily. Lily put the roast on a platter, and used her wand to levitate the dish to the table. James brought over a heaping plate of garlic cheddar mashed potatoes, as well as a large dish of buttered green beans. Once Lily set the rolls on the table, she and James sat down and began to serve.
Harry had never had a better meal. Not only was the food the best he'd ever tasted, but he was eating it with his parents. That in and of itself made dinner wonderful.
"So, Harry. How are your summer assignments coming?" Lily asked. Harry gulped. With getting sick and everything, he had forgotten about his homework.
"Well, I, uh… haven't started it yet," he said guiltily. James grinned. "Well, after dinner, you can go work on it. And let us know if you need any help. Okay?"
"Okay. Dad." James grinned even wider. He liked hearing his son call him that. He also liked having his family back together. His musing was interrupted, however, when a roll hit him in the head.
"Oww, Lily! Those are still hot!" Lily look innocent, but her eyes gave it away. "Don't blame me! It was Remus!" Remus put his hands up in surrender. "It wasn't me, Prongs, I swear." James looked back at Lily who smiled. "Tell me again why I married you?"
"Because I'm smart, and charming, and intelligent; because you love me; because I'm your better half."
"Better three quarters, more like," Remus said with his mouth full. Harry started laughing as Lily started lightly smacking James for sticking his tongue out at her. Remus just sighed and swallowed.
A few hours after dinner, James went upstairs to Harry's room. Poking his head in, he saw the young man at this laptop playing games. His books were strewn about the desk, along with a few quills and scraps of parchment. "Working hard, or hardly working?" James asked as he leaned against the doorframe. Harry's head whipped around at the sound of his father's voice.
"Dad, I… I-I'm… taking a break."
"Want to go for a broom ride?" Harry jumped up and grabbed his Firebolt. The two went downstairs where James grabbed his old broom, and the two went outside and kicked off of the ground and soared into the dimming sky. "So…" James said, as he started zooming around. "Seeker in your first year, eh?"
"Hand-picked by McGonagall."
"So how good are you? Think you can take on your old man?" James reached in the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a golden snitch. Harry beamed as James let the little winged ball go. Harry zipped after, with James a few hairs be hind him. After only 10 minutes, Harry held the snitch in his hand, the smile on his face only slightly bigger than the one on his father's.
The two were interrupted by Lily coming out of the house. She looked up at James and Harry, frowning. "James, what are you doing? It is way too dark to be having a seeker scrimmage."
James's face took on a distinct pout. "Come on, Lily. We're being safe. And there isn't a muggle for miles."
"Yeah, Mum," Harry piped up. "We're having fun. 15 more minutes, pleeeaase?" Lily's hands went to her hips, and her eyes narrowed, though in the dim light, James and Harry couldn't see that very clearly.
"Come down here this instant." James smiled and flew a bit higher. Harry followed suit, saying, "Make us."
"Not one more word, young man! Get down here, NOW!"
"But Lily!"
"But Mum!"
"No 'But's!" Lily shouted. "Unless they're your butts coming down and inside this minute!"
"Mum, please! 5 more minutes!"
"Harry James Potter and James Daniel Potter, the two of you are 10 seconds away from being grounded! 10…9…8…7…" James sighed and signaled Harry that they should head in. Accepting defeat, Harry followed. Once they landed, Lily held out her hands. "Brooms, now. Both of you. No more night flights, understand me?"
"Yes, Mum," James and Harry said, dejectedly. They handed over their brooms and went inside, Lily bring up the rear.
The next morning, Harry awoke to the smells of French toast and bacon. He quickly got up and hurried down to the dining room where James was placing plates down. Harry sat down and started slathering the French toast with butter before pouring on a cascade of maple syrup.
"Well, I'm glad to see being sick didn't hurt your appetite," Lily remarked, as she sat down to her own plate. Harry started to reply to his mother's comment when Lily fixed him with a looks that clearly said, 'Don't talk with your mouth full'. Harry finished chewing and swallowed before saying, "Yeah, I feel great. Of course I'd be even better is Angela and Sirius were here."
"Well, Angela's being released today," James piped up. "Lily's going to pick her up."
Harry looked hopefully at his mother. "Mum, can I come with you?"
"I don't see why not. We'll head over to the hospital around 11. James?" James looked up, but didn't say anything as his mouth was stuffed full of French toast. Lily rolled her eyes and said, "Why don't you and Remus makes sure Angela's fridge and cupboards are stocked. You know she doesn't usually keep a lot of fresh food around. And she has been away for a good while. Oh, and make something for lunch, will you? Nothing complicated, but decent, okay?"
All James could do was mumble an affirmative.
Angela could not WAIT to get out of the hospital. She's been up at 8, and after getting dressed in the clothes laid out by one of the nurses, Angela had taken to pacing around the room. After a while, she sighed and looked at her watch. 8:47. Lily wasn't due till 11:30, which meant over 2 and a half hours doing nothing. Sure, there was always TV, but Angela wasn't a TV person. She believed that that was the secret to a lazy and unproductive life. Plus the fact that some entertainment channel was always showcasing her latest outfit worn at a premier or awards show. The fashion people always complimented her ability to find stunning, one of a kind dresses at bottom of the barrel prices. Her secret (Not that she would EVER divulge it.) was that she went to small time tailors and seamstresses. They often charged very little money because they found it great publicity when Angela wore their creations on camera.
Angela stopped pacing as her leg started to twinge. Even with the cane, her leg still hurt a bit. She leaned the cane against the wall next to the bed and sat down. Deciding to flick on the TV to check for any news broadcasts. When the picture turned on, however, Angela was surprised to see a picture of herself on the screen. The TV anchor was talking, and interested to see what the story was, Angela upped the volume.
"-to be released from London Community Hospital later today. Miss Angela McKeaten herself is a former native of England, though as many in the entertainment industry know, she has spent the past 14 years living in Los Angeles, California, in America. Miss, McKeaten was injured in an undisclosed accident at the hospital. Her doctors declined to comment on the incident, though we have heard say that someone or something threw her violently off of a 3rd floor balcony."
'Oh, well that's wonderful,' Angela though, dully. 'Just what I need; a media circus.' But Angela's hopes that the story on her was over were shortly dashed.
"Ms. McKeaten is also due to be married late this summer to a well-known diagnostician, Dr. Gregory House, who accompanied Ms. McKeaten from New Jersey, in the United States." At this news, Angela stiffened. "What the hell? How in the world were they getting this? She was momentarily distracted when Dr. Tonks came in. Angela looked at him, her face anxious. "Unless you're here to tell me Lily Potter is here early, I'm guessing it's not good news.'
"There are about 10 reporters outside wanting to talk to you."
Angela groaned. "I SO didn't want to hear that."
Dr. Tonks smiled. "I'm joking. I just need you to sign your discharge papers." He held up a sheaf of papers. Angela took them and signed quickly. Dr. Tonks took them and left, giving Angela a last smile before closing the door. Angela turned the TV off and pulled both legs onto the bed and stretched out. Looking at the clock, she saw that it was now 9. 2 and a half hours until she was out of here. 2 ½ very long, very dull hours. With nothing to occupy her time, she lay back and sighed.
"Angela?" Angela's head snapped up at the mention of her name. Looking at the door, she saw Angel poking his head in. He came into the room, looking slightly perplexed. "What are still doing here? I just saw Dr. Tonks and he said he just discharged you.'
"Lily's picking me up around 11:30." Angel sat down on the edge of Angela's bed. Angela paused for a moment before saying, "Angel, I want to thank you for coming. It means a lot to me."
"I… You're my sister. What else could I do?" Angela reached out to give her brother's hand a squeeze. "It's good to have you here. I- I missed you."
"I missed you, too. You know, after I go back to LA, we really need to keep in touch more."
Angela nodded. "Definitely. I'll call you and let you know about the wedding."
"Well, I'm not leaving yet. I'm staying until Dr. House comes back. Then I'll go." Angela gave him a mock-glare, though her eyes twinkled. "Are you moving in with me for a while, then?"
"Yeah. Lily's making me."
Angela nodded slowly. "Of course. I should have known."
Angel's eyes were searching as he watched his twin. "You don't like the idea of me staying with you?"
"No, I don't like the idea that Lily is acting like my mother."
"Mother never coddled us like that when we were sick." Angela sighed, deeply.
"Yeah, you're right. I miss her." Angel nodded. Even though he hadn't really thought about his mother in decades, he understood.
"I miss her, too. Life was better then. Happier. You were more relaxed and father wasn't so uptight."
"And you didn't drink as much. Maybe if she hadn't died, we would have been a happier family."
"But she did. And now we're all that's left of the McKeaten name." Angela had started wondering why her brother was being so… philosophical when he was usually brooding. With that last comment, however, the old, broody Angel peaked out again. Realizing that dwelling on the past wasn't good for either of them, Angela asked, "Do you want to go for a walk?"
Lily and Harry found Angela in the main waiting room with angel. The two were talking and laughing when lily came over, followed by her son. "Angela/ You ready to go?" Angela nodded.
"Yep," she said as she stood up, leaning slightly on the cane. "Let's go. 'Lus, I'll see you tonight?" Angel nodded and Angela followed lily and Harry out of the hospital at to Lily's car.
"So how are you doing, Angela?" Lily asked, once they were on the road. Angela winced slightly as a bump aggravated her leg. "Except for some pain, I'm fine. Though the throbbing isn't the worst thing. It's the stupid prosthetic that's the annoying part."
"Why?" Harry asked, looking at the back of Angela's head from the back seat. Angela looked around at him for a moment before explaining.
"The prosthetic itches and it gives me this rash. Plus the fact that walking is still a bit tricky. But I'm learning to live with it. Could be worse, you know."
Lily nodded sympathetically. Almost as an afterthought, she said, "Oh, Angela… I wanted to let you know that I've had some of your books moved into your bedroom as well as a collection of your pain and sleeping potions. Just in case."
"I thought you wanted me off of the sleeping potions," Angela said, curiously. Lily sighed. She knew Angela would giver her grief, but it was simply a precaution.
"Like I said—just in case. It's not for Dreamless Sleep. It's not that strong."
Angela sighed and looked out the window. "So Angel said that you asked him to stay with me until Greg comes back." Lily hesitated before confirming. "Yes, I did. Just in case something happens."
"Any other 'just in case' measures you've taken that I should know about?" Harry wasn't listening as closely as Lily who heard a distinct frosty tone in Angela's voice.
"Angela, I'm just trying to help," Lily protested. "You're not as strong as you used to be. You can't handle a sword as well. What if another Immortal challenges you?"
Angela shrugged. "I've lived this long, haven't I?"
"Yes, but-"
"Then stop worrying. I can take care of myself. I'll spend a few days working on the sword problem. Actual moves shouldn't take long; I know those by heart. It's just the foot work I have to redevelop." Lily didn't say anything, but she was very wary of Angela's plan. This didn't bode well. Angela was perceived as an ancient, despite her only being 250. With Angela now missing a leg, she would be re-perceived as weak, and might, as a result, become a new-found target.
Lily pulled into Angela's drive way, but before she could get out to get Angela's door, the Immortal was out of the car and limping quickly to the front door. After a moment, Angela headed inside, not looking back.
"Mum?" Harry asked, quietly. "Are you and Angela fighting again?" Lily shrugged. She didn't know if they were fighting—maybe not speaking to each other… "I don't know, Harry." After a while, Lily pulled out and headed 3 houses down to their own home.
Once inside, Angela went to her stereo and turned the radio on. Then she went to the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of scotch and a bowl of magically preserved citrus wedges—lime, orange, lemon and grapefruit. She took one wedge of each and squeezed the juice into a glass. After adding some ice, she poured a healthy dose of scotch, and swirled the concoction. She took her drink and the pile of mail on the counter and went to the living room to sit down in her favorite lounge and read through it.
There was a letter from her neighbor back in LA—Emma Jenson—just checking in. There were also cards from work, and a letter from Albus Dumbledore which Angela immediately crumpled up and threw in the trash can. Just as Angela was about to resume her sorting, her cordless phone chirped at her. Snatching the phone off of the end table, she turned it on and said, "Angela speaking."
"There is a problem with your files, my dear," said the deep, mellow voice of Angela's CEO, Kyle Wyle.
"What problem is that, sir?"
"The fact that I received it. You were in the hospital at the time, as I understand. True?
Angela sighed. "Yes, that's true. I was… thrown off a 3rd story balcony."
"So why were you working? You were on medical leave, you didn't have to…" he paused when he heard Angela take a drink of something. "Are you drinking scotch again, Angela? You really shouldn't. There are so many other liquors out there that taste much better."
Angela sipped again. Wyle had always tried to refine Angela's tastes, but never to any avail. "It's a scotch with a quadruple twist."
"I guess that's the best I'm going to get, eh?"
"More than likely. Anything else?"
Wyle sighed. "Nope. Just to say that I miss you around here, kid. Drop me a line sometime." Angela promised to keep in touch before hanging up. She looked at the pile of mail on the end table, but didn't feel like going through the rest of it. Instead, she decided just to lie on her chair, sipping her drink.
Angel got to Angela's house shortly after dark. Using the spare key Angela had given him, he opened the door and slipped inside. He found Angela stretched out on her leather lounge chair, sound asleep. Angel grabbed a throw blanket from one of the other chairs and draped it over her. Angela didn't move at all, except for a small spasm when Angel tucked the blanket around her.
Angel went into the kitchen and checked the fridge. Just as Lily had said there would be, 20 containers of blood were on the bottom shelf of the fridge. He drank one before making a final check on Angela and heading to the guest room where Lily had told him he could sleep. After turning the bed down and listening for Angela's rhythmic breathing, he closed his eyes and slept.