Chapter Text
It’s just an ordinary day in PPTH for everyone, people queuing up for the free clinic service and the doctors and nurses in the ER rushing around to try and save life. And of course there’s House, arguing with Cuddy in her office.
“House, just stop. You are doing your clinic hours.”
“I told you already! I have a case!”
“No, you do not! I’ll taking it back and giving it to others available. That women only had scurvy; all we have to do is give her more vitamin C. We’ve been through this.”
“She had blue spots on her skin! It’s-“
“One of the symptoms of scurvy! Just leave, House. I don’t have time for your games today.”
“IT’S NOT A GAME! That women could be dying for all we know! She doesn’t feel weakness and that indicates it’s not a fucking vitamin C deficiency! It could be Henoch-Schönlein Purpura or Thrombocytopenia which is what? I don’t know. DEADLY!”
Cuddy stares in disbelieve at House, already ready to sit down but stopped midway. “Right. Some other sickness that includes symptoms she doesn’t have.” She stood up, “Do you hate clinic duty that much that you had to turn a harmless case into a fatal one? If you don’t leave now, I’ll double your clinic hours for the rest of the week.” Crossing her arm.
House looks defeated, dropping his head and clutching his crane until his knuckles turn white.
“Fine. I’ll leave.” Turning around, “But don’t expect me to save her when the time comes.” He walked as fast as he could and banged the door shut behind him. Cuddy closed her eyes and shook her head, sitting down as she looks through the pile of documents on her desk.
After what felt like a life time for House, his clinic hours are finished. Almost 90% of the patients had a simple flu but all claiming it to be something more, being all pushy and judgy. Lifting his head and eyes shut. Not even being able to rest for a bit more, his pager went off. Signing and took it out, seems like he’s required in the ICU. Standing up, he moved towards the room.
“Dr. House!”
House turns around to find Cuddy rushing towards him, panting a bit as she came to a stop.
“You were right. The patient’s kidney is failing and is now having a fever with 103°F and it wouldn’t come down! We’ve tried every thing we could.”
All House did was stare, “We need your help.” Cuddy looked him in the eyes, “You’re the only one who could figure it out, your team refused to help without your permission.”
“Sorry. I already said I wouldn’t help you.” He looks up to meet her eyes, not even realising he dropped his head, “You dismissed my idea and basically called me a moron, which suits all of you but never me. Seems like you’re on your own on this one.” He patted Cuddy’s shoulder, turned around to leave after commenting on her boobs, of course he had to.
“HOUSE!”
He turns around abruptly
“Are you really willing to allow the patient to die! She was your patient!”
“AND YOU TOOK THE CASE AWAY FROM ME!” Cuddy stopped. “YOU!” He walked back to stand n front of his boss, only inches apart, looking down and pointing a finger to her chest. “You ignored my attempt to warn you and all you did was laugh at it as if I’m a child jumping around a ball pit to gain mommy’s attention. But in reality, that said child was using it as an only option to try and tell you something that you would brush off like some leaves on your shoulder. So I’m SORRY that you had to deal with this alone.” Standing back up. “Shift’s over. I’m heading home.”
All Cuddy could do is stare at him in disbelieve, not only because his metaphors are terrible today, which mind you is not very normal for him. But also, the fact that he refused to save a patient’s life, which is one of his hobbies. Does his limp also seem more pronounced today? Maybe it’s the pain acting up or the Vicodin. Should I ask Wilson about it? No no no… House wouldn’t like that, maybe I could talk him back into it or offer less hours in clinic duty. Yeah that’ll probably work. However, it was too late when she came out of her trance, House was long gone before her.
Cuddy decided lure his team to work and try to figure out what’s wrong with the patient.
House was reaching his motorcycle before stopping in his tracks. Maybe he was being too irrational, there’s a patient in the line for God’s sake! He turned back and rushed to find Cuddy as soon as possible, because his initial idea might just be correct.
“Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.”
“I though you left?” Thirteen looks confused.
“I’m here now, aren’t I?” Rolling his eyes as he comes to a stop in his office. “Start her on steroids and sign her up on for plasma exchange.”
“Wait. So, you think that kidney failure is a cause of TTP? You must be out of your mind.” Foreman rolls his eyes from his sit.
“She had bruising, kidney failure, high fever, a seizure and now in coma.”
“Wait. You went to see the patent before you came here?” Kutner questioned, looking confused.
“No. I guessed.” House said it in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Fine. Taub, go run the tests. Thirteen and Kutner go start her on steroids.”
“You don’t get to order what my ducklings! That’s my job, I wouldn’t be the head of diagnostic if I couldn’t order you around!” House gasped, “Taub go run the test to find the plasma level. Thirteen and Kutner go start her on steroids and record back to me for any changes. You, Foreman will be going to inform Cuddy on my reinvolvement of this case, also tell her to reduce my clinic hours for the rest of the month as an apology. Now go!”
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They all left to do their respective jobs, House however found himself slumped over his armchair, resting his foot on the footstool. Rubbing his head. ‘Great. Just great. Having a migraine now is just great.’
Signing, he grabbed the Vicodin bottle and began to take two pills out before someone barged through the door.
House shot up and turned his face to meet a familiar face. The man’s facial expression is full of panic but shifted to relief once he spotted House. He went to stand in front of him, forming a gentle smile.
“H-Harry?” House is now fully awake. There’s no way its Harry, he’s announced dead for almost 20 years. It couldn’t be. House stood up while placing most of his weight on his left leg.
“Yeah. I’m back.” Harry said above a whisper, “Greg. I missed you.”
“No.” House grabbed his cane, tried to walk away, “You’re not real. It’s just my hallucination.”
Harry went in front of House in an instant, blocking his way.
“I’m 100% real. Not an hallucination or any tricks played by my friends. I’m right in front of you.” Harry stared at his cane for a moment, “Also what happened to your leg? Are you hurt? Are you- “He went to reach over, but House stepped backwards.
“How can you act as if you were never gone?” House whispered, dropping his head low. “You left me.” “No, Greg! You gotta understand, I was undercover for my job to overthrow hidden deatheaters that want to reform!”
“YOU STILL LEFT ME!” House is shouting now. He could no longer contain his anger and possible a bit of disappointment, which he would never admit.
His ducklings are all at the door, observing. They just came back from helping the patient and successfully to sign her up for a plasma donation. House was correct with his diagnosis and they wish to confirm it with him. Though stopped short by their boss’s shouting from his office. At first, they thought it was simply a disagreement between him and a patient or their family member. Though they collectively decided to wait outside and observe a bit more. But let’s be honest, Foreman just wants to see him get karma for all his actions.
“I came back now, didn’t I?”
“You could’ve told me! You could’ve contacted me to say this was all a calculated plan!”
“But that would have defeated the point of going undercover! I can’t risk it and you know it full well!”
Seems like it’s not an argument after all. All four of them shared a look, confused on the origin of this conversation.
“Should we go in?” Kutner questioned.
“Maybe not, seems personal.” Thirteen added.
“I would not believe House to know someone besides Wilson. This man can’t even hold a normal relationship.” Foreman states, “I bet that’s just a random dude he came across from a bar or something.”
“But they do look close. As in in very close.” Taub said calmly, “He might be a friend he met somewhere through his life, it’s very possible you know? You can’t expect someone not having at least one more friend outside their work.”
“Though he does look to be in a similar age range, but only having jet black hair, handsome and very tall. He also had a British accent?” Kutner added.
“Shhhh! I’m trying to listen to their conversation!”
“Wilson?!” They all turned around.
“What? I can’t eardrop on my supposedly best friend’s mysterious friend?”
“Yeah well we did expect you know about him? I thought he would tell you everything!” Taub questioned.
“Shut it and listen! And no, this is House we’re talking about, he never tells anyone everything.” Wilson continues to stare at the two figures in the office.
House is now pacing back and forth, mostly facing away from the glass doors to see his team staring. Harry rubbed his hands down his face.
“Please. House. You have to understand the tough situation I was in and the circumstances.”
“Oh, now you’re calling me House and not Greg.” House stopped in his tracks, glaring at the man in front.
“Please! I came all the way from England once the job was done! And all I get is you being upset and unreasonable!”
“Me being unreasonable?! ME?!” House is now near screaming. “YOU! YOU LEFT WITHOUT A WORD! YOU FAKED YOUR OWN DEATH TO PREVENT SOME CULT WHICH COULD BE CONTROLLED ONCE THEY APPEAR!”
Tears are now streaming down his face, though he didn’t notice it due to the amount of distress and anger that filled him up. Harry looks pained, took a step forward.
“Do you know what I’ve gone through? D-do you know the grief I felt for you?” House’s voice cracked. “D-did y-you know the t-things I’ve done after y-your supposed death? I had to put my life behind to find a new life, I c-couldn’t stand staying in England. I had to f-find new friends and form a-all my connections all over again. And n-now is the time you chose to reappear into my life?!”
“I’m so sorry, Greg. I’m so so sorry.” As Harry said that, he pulled the man into his arms and held him there, hugging him.
House stayed frozen for a few moments, unable to process the action made. In the end, he returned the hug with a bit too much force and tucked his face into the man’s chest, hiding himself from the world around.
“I’ll never leave you again. I will be staying with you for as long as I can, the board allowed me to rest for until they require my help.” Harry placed his hand on top of House’s head, rubbing it and caring it gently. Holding him tightly as he heard a sob.
“You promise…?” House knew he sounded like a child, but what can you expect from a person who’s lost one of his best-est friend for 20 years and came back suddenly. He felt like he’s about to break any moment, this is simply too much for him to handle.
“Yes. I’m never leaving you ever again. And I can perform an unbreakable vow if you want.”
House can’t hold in any longer, this is the first time ever in his life to feel such overwhelming emotion. His legs gave up as he broken down in the man’s arm, clutching his shirt as if it was his lifeline.
Harry just sat there one the floor cradling Greg and tried to calm him down with sweet nothingness words. Hand still gently brushing his hair and pulled House to sit on top of his legs and the man’s head is laying on top of Harry’s chest.
---------- cut ----------
Everything unravelled inside as everyone present watched from the outside. No one uttered a word as House broke down as the mysterious man held him on the floor. They shared a shocked and confused face, all replaying the event.
“What just happened…?” Thirteen uttered out, “Who.. how? What?”
“Same. I have no idea what is going on.” Taub said, “That person is either a friend or they are in a relationship.”
“No way! House’s not gay, he basically comments on the most sexist job you could possibly think of and hit on girls left and right!” Wilson whisper shouted.
“He could be Bi.” Thirteen stated.
“True. But I’m still stuck on the idea that House, the miserable jerk, has had friends outside of this hospital, one from England nonetheless.” Foreman is in disbelief, everything he knew about his boss was thrown out the window.
“What are you guys going?” Cuddy walked towards them. “Why are you all watching outside of House’s office? Is he doing something inappropriate again.”
“Shhhhhh!” They all turned, Cuddy held her hands up and approached them.
“We don’t know what’s going on but there’s a man in there comforting House.” Foreman explained, “They started with a shouting fight but dissolved into this.” He points into the office.
Cuddy looked closely and saw exactly as they described. She’s shocked but smiled.
“Come on, leave them alone. Give them some space.” Cuddy responded, “That man you’re referring to is Harry Potter. He came in the hospital in a rush and demanding to see Dr. House, stating he was his friend and it’s very urgent to see him. I saw him arguing with the nurse, once knowing the context I allowed him up and told him where to find House. Seems everything was true after all.”
“Do you know more about this person? I have never heard House mentioning the name nor did he tell me about staying in England before.” Wilson tried to get answers from Cuddy, but was disappointed to receive a shrug and no.
They all left to do their own job, Wilson back to his office, Cuddy and the team went to check on the patient.
“So, you willing to tell me what happened to your leg yet?” Harry looked down on the man in his arms, resting against him.
“Aneurysm in my right thigh that clotted, led to blockage and then muscle death. They diagnosed it wrong at first but was too late to save my leg due to the time lost.” He looks down on his right thigh, rubbing is absently, “They made me choose my options on cutting off my leg or just the thigh muscle. I refused. But my partner and boss chose to cut the muscle off after I went into a coma after a cardiac arrest. Been feeling chronic pain ever since.”
Harry looks sadden and concerned, “You could’ve gone back to St Mungo to treat it, it’s an easy fix for them.” House raised his head up to glare at him, “You do know that there’s muggles surrounding me at that time, right? If I were to mysteriously healed, they will definitely get suspicious.” Looking away and fully resting against Harry’s chest, “And besides, I swore I wouldn’t go back if you weren’t there to keep me company.”
“You want me to grab some potions for you? I could report your symptoms and everything that they need to know to help you get some prescriptions.” Harry smiles gently, “It will only take me a few hours, there’s floo systems here that can lead me back to Hogwarts.”
House considered the offer, “That would be nice if it means the pain would be gone. But you must rest first, I bet you’re tired.” He smirked, “We may even catch up on everything that happened while drinking beer.” Harry laughed, “I knew this would happen, though I hate beer so I brought a few bottles of fire-whiskey with me.” “Oh I’m so spoiled by you.” They both laughed, the room no longer filled with anger and sadness.
“I want to continue sitting on you, but I have a dying patient to save.” House stood up as Harry helped him and handing over the forgotten cane. “You feel free to roam around my office and take a nap, I’ll wake you when I’m back.”
Harry nodded and his friend left him alone in the dimly lit office. He walked over to all the awards and little gadgets House kept, eyeing everything and smiled to himself. ‘Seems like he hasn’t changed one bit.’
He remembered the time they had while attending Hogwarts…
Greg was 2 years above him. They met through the advanced potion class held by Slughorn, which is quite an interesting memory. House was the top of the class and asked to accompany Harry with making a wolfsbane potion, which is very complex compared to what they’ve learnt in standard classes. Greg was cutting the ingredient while barking instructions for Harry to follow.
He couldn’t keep up and accidently knocked ingredients on the floor and the boiling hot cauldron. It’s very unprofessional and probably will cause him to lose his spot in this class. Though Greg was quick with his feet and quickly grabbed his wand to levitate it back on the fire. However, some of the liquids were not contained and through the movement it splashed on Greg’s arm. Harry panicked, grabbing his arm to inspect before telling the professor they will have to run to find Madame Pomfrey. Greg held an unwavering face and allowed Harry to drag him around.
They ended up staying together and got punished by Slughorn due to the carelessness when working with the presence of boiling cauldrons. It’s not really a exciting event or even remarkably memorable one. But the time they sent afterwards and how they have so much in common caused them to be close.
Greg had to calm Harry down after the incident because he was starting to have a panic attack from the possible harm caused by his carelessness. They still joked about this throughout their friendship.
At one point, it evolved into something more. After the war, Harry had to finish off his last year to get his NEWTs. That’s when they were introduced to a new professor, and funny enough, it was House. He was only 20 years old, much younger than Snape when he started teaching. House taught potions and Muggle history because his father was a muggle and mother a witch, which led him to spend most of his life in the muggle world.
They still chatted when not seen by others, as if they were having an affair.
Once Harry graduated, him and Ginny broke up. He’s devastated, turns out Ginny didn’t realise her supposed ‘love’ was only pure admiration, she didn’t love him at all. That’s when him and Greg got closer together.
They both often work together because many deatheaters are will roaming around and some of the children were being harassed by them to join the dark lord’s ring. Harry as an Auror is required to hunt the down.
Harry was the first to propose and surprisingly, Greg also wanted to begin a relationship with him as the wizarding world is not limited to who you date, they even don’t have age difference discriminations. Such an inclusive community.
This all ended when Harry knew he had to fake his death, he couldn’t imagine the pain and despair Greg will feel after this. Therefore, the only choice was to break up with him.
That ended terribly as expected, but in the wrong direction. Harry expected Greg too scream to shout or even throw stuff around, but not this… Greg first looked shocked, it soon morphed into sadness and then understanding. He stated he knew this day would come and that Harry wouldn’t be able to stand him for a long period of time. He stared at Harry and smiled, stating he’ll be out of his hair before tomorrow. Which, he left. No traces of life were seen in their shared apartment.
And what happened led to today’s event.
Harry sat down on the armchair Greg previously sat on. It was surprisingly soft and comfortable, not long after, he drifted into darkness and everything around was unknown to him.
TBC.