A/N: Okay, everybody, I'm really, really, REALLY sorry about taking so long with this. I don't have a good excuse really, except that right now I've got a job and I'm getting busy with Christmas coming up. Thank goodness my Christmas shopping is over and done with. I got lazy during the summer and now I'm having to make up for it. Anyway, I tried to make this chapter sizeable at least, due to the long wait. Again, I'm sorry! I hope you all enjoy and if I still have any faithful readers out there, thank you so much for waiting patiently. Though a kick in the rear might have helped after this long lol.

Chances To Come

Chapter Twelve

The Boys of Summer

Draco stared at Harry, concern written all over his face. "What's the matter, Harry? What did she have to tell you?"

"Just a theory," replied Harry simply, not meeting Draco's gaze.

"What kind of theory? Could it be a cure?"

"It could."

Draco stiffened. "Why didn't she tell me?"

"Because to put this theory into action, you would need someone to do this for you, you can't do it yourself."

"I'm fine!" Draco argued hotly.

Harry sighed and stood up. "No, Draco, you're not. I'm going to go, I've got some things to think about."

"Fine, go then." Draco punched his pillow irritably as the door snapped shut behind Harry.

Over the next few days, Draco and Harry didn't get to talk much. Harry didn't visit the hospital wing very often, then when Madam Pomfrey released Draco temporarily, Harry was still very somber.

Draco was sitting with Harry in Great Hall, both thinking their own thoughts, until he broke the silence. "Let's just say for a moment that I have this Sidus Morbus thing, and it kills me – what are you gonna do? Would you try to talk to me then? Do you prefer to ignore me during the time I have left?"

"I'm sorry, Draco, it's just…" Harry trailed off and pulled out the papers Madam Pomfrey had given him. "Here, look at these."

Draco read over them quickly. "It sounds like she's already made up her mind as to what I have."

"Maybe she has, but you know what they say. Expect the worst, but hope for the best."

Draco shrugged. "I guess that fits. Everyone but me seems to be assuming the worst. But why are you letting it affect you so?"

Harry pointed to the second paper, the supposed plan B. "Because if it all comes down to the worst, this is my option."

Draco paled considerably, but could not think of an appropriate thing to say.

Draco's condition worsened by the day until Harry cajoled him into going back to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey threatened to chain him to his bed then shoved a few potions into his hands and stood there to make sure he drank them. He fell asleep, since one of the potions was a Sleeping Potion, and Madam Pomfrey was prepared to let Harry stay for a while, but to her surprise, he got up, and left moments after Draco fell asleep.

Harry had a promise to keep, even though he knew Draco wasn't going to like it.

Harry debated for a while whether or not to take his broom to fly to Venustas, or travel by Floo Powder. Oh, how he hated Floo Powder, but in the end, the time factor won out and he found himself tumbling out of the fireplace in the restaurant he and Draco had visited several times. People stared at him, but he ignored them and sought out Kendra.

Draco enjoyed his dreamless sleep, thanks to the potion, but when he woke up, he wasn't sure right away whether or not he was still asleep. He was almost surprised to see Harry was there by his bed, but what surprised him more was Kendra.

"What is she doing here?" he demanded.

"It's lovely to see you too, Draco," said Kendra softly.

Draco ignored her and glared at Harry. "You told me you wouldn't tell her!"

"Only if it didn't get any worse, I said."

Kendra interrupted, frowning at Draco. "How long have you been hiding this?"

This time Draco answered her. "Since last year."

She refrained from slapping him. "Last year! I ought to wring your neck!"

"I didn't want to worry you," he said truthfully.

"I don't care!" she shot back. "I may only be your favorite waitress, but I thought I knew you better than that!"

Draco shrugged. "I guess you were wrong, Kendra."

She stood up. "Fine. Thank you for telling me, Harry, but I believe I've overstayed my welcome."

"Kendra, wait. I'm sorry, okay?" Draco tried.

Kendra turned to him. "You're sorry, huh? You should be. Don't you realize what you're doing?"

Draco blinked, then shook his head. "Other than the obvious, no."

"Yeah, I gave you too much credit in the perception department. Stop pushing your friends away. The second you woke up, you snapped at Harry then made me feel like you hate to be around me. I know you may think that if you push us away before you die, it'll make us stop caring, but it's not true."

Draco winced slightly, "I didn't mean…"

"I know you didn't." Kendra sighed and wrapped her arms around Draco. "But just relax, Drake, everything will be okay."

He hugged her back, sighing as well. "How can you say that?"

"Because I get the feeling you've heard plenty of bad news lately and I figured some good would probably help."

He smiled weakly. "Yeah, it does. I'm glad you came, Kendra."

"I know."

"How do you know me so well?"

"I watched you grow up, silly." She started to brush his hair away from his face and she noticed his skin was hot to the touch. "My goodness, you're burning up. I'm going to go get a potion from Madam Pomfrey to take care of that fever." She went to Madam Pomfrey's office.

Harry raised his eyebrows. "She'd make a better nurse than Madam Pomfrey, don't you think?"

Draco smiled. "Probably not, she's only that way with me because she likes me so well." He paused slightly, then looked at Harry. "Aren't you going to sing that Muggle song?"

"No, because something tells me this time, it wouldn't irritate you."

"Oh shut up, Harry, you know she's practically twice my age, right?"

Harry shrugged. "So what?"

Draco looked at him strangely, then shrugged also. "I don't see the point in getting involved at a time like this with anyone anyway, it doesn't look like I could take her on a date even if I wanted to."

"Don't think like that, you'll be up and back to normal in no time, Madam Pomfrey will take care of this."

"And if she doesn't?"

"I will."

Harry spent most of his time poring over the riddle Madam Pomfrey had given him over the next few days, but he found it hard to concentrate, and he wasn't very good at riddles either. I wish I had Hermione here, he thought. He stared hard at the poem, repeating certain lines over in his head. Find it behind the White Rose… One who is kind who can turn night into day… and a piece that connects the other two… Harry groaned and put his head in his hands, feeling the beginnings of a headache coming on. What does it all mean?

Just before the summer ended, with September 1st looming nearer, Draco started to worry about his schooling and if he would be able to continue. He obediently drank all the potions Madam Pomfrey gave him and gave no argument to whatever spells she put on him in the hopes of getting well enough to attend his classes by the time school started again. Madam Pomfrey found his change of behavior odd, but was glad for it.

Harry noticed some color coming back into Draco's complexion by the end of August, though he was still pale simply from a lack of sunlight. They were both in high hopes for the beginning of the next school year. Madam Pomfrey allowed Draco to go to Diagon Alley to get his supplies, under the condition that he promised to return to the hospital wing at the first sign of any regression.

Harry and Draco soon found themselves glued to the window of the Quidditch store, staring in awe at the new Nimbus 2001.

"Look at it! It's even better than my Nimbus 2000!" Harry exclaimed. "I wish I could trade my Nimbus in for it."

Draco grinned. "Yeah, but even if you can't get one doesn't mean I can't."

"You wouldn't."

"Oh yes, I would." Draco pushed his way through the crowd towards the door, then he disappeared inside the store. He reappeared a few minutes later with a package tucked neatly underneath his arm.

Harry shrugged as if he were indifferent about the situation. "At least I'm on the team."

"Yes, but Slytherin's Seeker graduated last year, so there's an opening."

"Yeah, well…" Harry trailed off, then muttered something that sounded like "it's just a stupid broom anyway."

They were shocked to see the crowd around Flourish and Blotts was even worse than the crowd around Quality Quidditch Supplies. Harry glanced at his list once they were inside, then looked at a nearby sign. "The author of most of our books for this year is here."

"So that's what this is all about," muttered Draco as he began picking out the books they needed.

Soon the crowd cheered and they turned in the direction of the back of the store, where Gilderoy Lockhart was making his appearance. Simultaneously, the boys shook their heads and muttered, "You've got to be kidding me."

They sidled over to the register and paid for their books then quickly left the store, eager to be away from the crowd and the gaudy excuse of a man everyone was adoring.

Harry turned as he heard his name called and saw Hermione practically bouncing over to him, beaming. "Harry, did you see? Gilderoy Lockhart is in Flourish and Blotts!"

"Yes, and he's doing more flourishing than blotting," replied Harry. Draco sniggered.

Hermione scowled at them both. "Honestly, you shouldn't make fun of our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!"

Draco dropped his books in surprise and gaped at her. "Our what?"

"Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, hard to believe, I know," said Ron, walking up and shaking his head. "I've listened to her go on about that prat interminably, it was a nice reprieve just to hear her yell 'Harry!'"

Harry and Draco tried hard not to laugh as Hermione lectured Ron.

The four finished up their shopping then went to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. Harry was surprised to see Hermione, Ron, and Draco were relatively comfortable around each other. Cordial, but comfortable. The last school year had apparently done some good.

Draco licked his ice cream cone, looking up and down Diagon Alley. He was slightly startled when Hermione actually spoke to him directly.

"How has your summer been, Draco?"

He looked at her, considering his answer for a moment. "It could have been better," he answered truthfully. "But right now I've no complaints."

She nodded, as if expecting the answer. "That's good."

He paused slightly, then asked, "And yours?"

She smiled. "It's been good."

Ron and Harry looked from Draco to Hermione, then back and forth a few times. They looked at each other and shrugged slightly.

Hermione shifted the subject to a more general conversation. "My birthday is coming up soon, it's in September."

"Really? I didn't know that," said Ron.

"You never asked."

"You're right. I didn't even just then, but you still told me."

"Oh shut it, Ron. Anyway, my parents gave me some extra money to buy myself something , but I don't know what to get."

At the mention of Hermione's parents, Draco stiffened slightly. He'd never gotten around his hatred of Muggles. While Harry, Ron, and Hermione continued talking, Draco didn't say anything else.

"Are you feeling okay?" asked Harry as he and Draco headed back to the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"

"I dunno, you just got real quiet all of the sudden. You sure you don't want to go see Madam Pomfrey?"

Draco raised his eyebrows. "Look at you, like a mother hen. Besides, when do I ever want to go see Pomfrey?"

Harry shrugged and tossed some Floo Powder into the fire. "I was just asking, Draco." He turned to the fire and started to call out, "Hogwarts!" but Draco stopped him.

"I'm going to be a little while, just so you know."

Harry frowned slightly. "Why?"

"I'm going to go see Kendra."

Harry hesitated only slightly, then nodded. "I'll see you later then."

Draco nodded as well and waited for Harry to go through the fireplace to Hogwarts before using Floo Powder to travel to Venustas.

Draco sighed inaudibly as he walked through the restaurant, earning a few odd looks, but he didn't care. He ran into Spence as he looked around for Kendra.

"Hey, kiddo, Kendra said you got sick," said Spence. Draco only nodded. "She's in the back, and you know customers aren't allowed back there."

"I know."

Spence smiled kindly. "But you know what, I think it'd really do her some good to see you. She's been doing nothing but mope ever since she got back from Hogwarts. Go on now, before I change my mind."

Draco smiled back. "Thanks, Spence."

"Go on, I said, I've got a restaurant to run here."

Draco walked back through the kitchens and into a small room in the back corner of the restaurant, where he found Kendra. She didn't look up when he came in, assuming it was someone to remind her she had a job to do, and he didn't say anything right away. He walked over to her and stood in front of her, smiling slightly. "Hey, Kendy."

Her head snapped up. "Draco!"

"I thought you might like to see I'm on my feet again."

"But you're not supposed to be back here," she grinned slightly. "You sly little devil, how'd you slip past unnoticed?"

"I didn't, Spence told me he'd allow it this time."

"He's a good guy."

"Yes, he is."

"So are you ready for the new school year?"

"Yeah, I've got all my books and everything."

She smiled and shook her head. "That's not what I meant. You take care of yourself this year, you hear me?"

"I will."

"Good. Now get out of here, I've got a job to do, I can't stand here and chat all day. Off you trot now!"

"Yes, ma'am, Kendy."

"Don't call me that!"

"So sorry, Kendy, I forgot you don't like to be called 'ma'am'." He grinned playfully at her then left the restaurant.

When Draco returned to Hogwarts, he found Harry poring over the riddle in Great Hall. "Hey, Harry. Having fun there?"

Harry looked up. "Actually, I've given myself a headache. So was Kendra happy to see you?"

"Of course she was. Spence said she's been moping about a lot, but that little fiery attitude came back the second she saw me."

Harry laughed lightly. "Let me guess, she shooed you out?"

"Of course."

Harry looked up at the tables the stretched most of the length of the room. "It's kind of hard to imagine all the people that'll be here in a few days."

"I know. I'll be glad for it though, this castle gets depressing when it's desolate."

"It never bothered us before."

Draco smiled. "That's because we never saw it full. The secret passages aren't often used, you know."

"True. Ah well, I'm ready to go to bed. Maybe you should go see Madam Pomfrey, just to make sure nothing's wrong."

Draco mock glared at his friend. "Harry, if you suggest I go see her one more time, I am going to punch you."

A/N: Many more apologies about the long wait. Also, just in case anyone noticed the title, (and even though titles aren't copyrighted, I'm going to say this for safety) I don't own it, it's just a very, very cool song and the title happened to fit, even though the song doesn't.

Anyway, lots and lots of dialogue in this chapter. I didn't really plan that, it just kinda happened. I know Draco and Harry's moods might seem a bit odd at first, but think about it. If you're stuck in an empty castle with your best friend bedridden, it's gonna grate the nerves a bit. And the same applies for being stuck in bed, in an empty castle on top of that (just being bedridden for an interminable time would be enough to drive me crazy, personally.) And Kendra… well, she's female. She has moods for no reason lol.

But I just wanted to clarify that in case anybody was confused about them being a bit more cheery once they got to Diagon Alley. It may just be me, but sometimes if I find myself getting irascible, just getting outside and doing something helps.

Also, I'm sorry to end it there, but hey, at least it's not a cliffhanger. Plus, I'll try to get the next chapter out a bit faster than this one. If I don't, somebody slap me. You have my permission and promise of zero retaliation.

Anyway, constructive criticism is welcome, as always, and finally, a note to my reviewers.

Kaaera: Sorry, it took a while :: blushes :: I hope you liked this chapter though. Thanks so much for the review!

DreamingToThis: Lol, glad you liked it, and thanks a bundle.

Freedom isn't Free: A special thanks to you! I'd forgotten completely about this story and then all of the sudden I get an e-mail saying I had a new review. I'm not gonna tell you if Draco's gonna die or not, you're gonna have to wait and see, of course.

:: Throws cookies to reviewers :: You guys rock! Keep the reviews coming!