A/N- I wasn't' planning on updating this soon, but my writing kinda took over me. This chapter means a lot to me. It's one of my favorite ones to write and I think one of my favorites overall. I really just hope you all enjoy it. :)
Okay, something has been brought to my attention a couple times, and I would just like to clear up. Some people have said that I have used to much foreshadowing in my story. I appreciate everyone's opinion. I really do. But please keep in mind, that I have been working on this story for a long time (nearly 2 years), putting great thought and time into the plot and what to reveal. There are things that I have chosen to give attention too, but for a reason. For example, the red necklace. That was the point all along. It wasn't supposed to be a surprise that the necklace had significance. That wasn't supposed to be a great mystery. I wanted it to stick with the reader so they wouldn't forget it. The surprise of it, was that it would be able to show into Harmone's Memory. That was supposed to be the twist. I think it's important to foreshadow in a story to place proper clues, and while some of you feel that I foreshadow too much, I feel what I have done was necessary for my story. Keep in mind that since my story is far from over, there are bigger and more important things are still left to be revealed.
What to expect from this chapter This chapter is all about fears. Facing them, being caught up in them, and so forth. All I can watch out for the ending. I can't say why, but just read and you will find out. Enjoy!
Next Update: Expect Chapter.18 Amends, up very soon. I'll try to update as soon as I can. I can't give you an exact date, but it should be next week some time. Since I'm in college, I have some assignments that I really have to work on.
Disclaimer:Darn, I wish I was J.K. Rowling
P.S.- Please Please Review. I thrive on it!

Note: I made an error in a name at then end, it was a typo.. but it's fixed now..Phew..thank God I caught it!

Ch. 17- The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most

It was bright and early the next morning. Harry had laid awake in his bed all night thinking about the day before him. He didn't want to do this. Every fiber in his being was screaming at him that there had to be another way. But he knew there wasn't. They couldn't make it on their own. It didn't matter if Harry hated Snape; Hated Snape with the fire of a thousand suns. That didn't matter. It's what needed to be done, Harry told himself countless times as he walked toward Snape's office. He knew had to do this alone too. That's what he told Ron and Ginny yesterday in Moaning Murtle's bathroom. Not that they of them were filled with a burning desire to go along. Harry was starting to think that maybe that wasn't such a good idea; going alone. Well, it was too late to think about that now, as he was right in front of Snape's office. Trying to push his fears aside, he reached for the doorknob. He could sense the trepidation in his body as he turned it, and opened the door. Snape was standing there in his office, his back to Harry. Harry could feel the silence in the air cutting through him. Harry seemed as if he was aware of his every breath, while he opened his mouth. But no words came out.

"Potter," Snape muttered all of a sudden.

He turned around sharply and faced Harry. He could see the look of intense hate on Snape's face for a moment. Then his features softened lightly. "I've been expecting you," Snape said bluntly.

Harry was not expecting Snape to say that in a million years. Harry must have had an extremely shocked look on his face.

"As of course I am the potion master, as you clearly pointed out some time ago," Snape started. "I do assume you're here for the antidote, Potter? After all, you must have been really desperate, to have to come to me.. Of all people," Snape stated. Harry could see a deep smirk hidden in his face. Snape was getting some sort of twisted pleasure out of this. Harry so helpless; having no one else to turn to.

"Trust me, I don't want to be here, anymore than you want me here," Harry said edgily.

Snape's cold eyes just lingered at Harry, his expression unreadable. Harry continued on. "But there are people that I care about that are more important than- than how we feel. Hermione is one of my best-"

"All right. That's quite enough...You've made your point, Potter," Snape stopped him abruptly.

The silence was still. Harry wanted to this over with now.

"Are you going to help me or not?" Harry demanded, trying to hide the desperation and weakness in his voice.

"So, the antidote will be ready, in two weeks?" Ginny asked a little while later in a private section of the library. Ron and Ginny had been waiting anxiously for him to come back from his meeting with Snape.

Harry shook his head. "Snape had started brewing it last week, I guess. It was like knew, or something, that I would have to come to him." Yeah he also got some sick pleasure of out knowing that Harry couldn't do it for himself. That he was weak, he thought.. Snape made sure of that, when he left his office a few minutes ago.

"Well, all that really matters is that in two weeks, we'll have Hermione back again. The day before Christmas," Ginny told them positively with a wide smile. Harry smiled at her, but something in her face expression changed, and she looked away and turned to Ron instead.

"I bet you can't wait, Ron," Ginny said happily.

Ron's hand was leaning on his elbow, as he continued to stare at the table top they were sitting at. "Yeah, I'm thrilled," he said muttered, not looking up at the two of them.

Harry shot Ginny a concerned look directly in her eyes, and her face flushed. She looked over at Ron, worried herself.

"Ron. Are you okay?" Ginny asked.

Instead, Ron just glossed over the question and shot both of them a half-smile. "Want to head over to the great hall for breakfast? I'm starved," he blurted quickly.

Harry raised his eyebrow. Why wasn't Ron thrilled beyond excitement that Hermione was going to be cured in two weeks? Harry had an inkling why, but he couldn't notice looking at Ginny out of the corner of his eye, as they got up from their seats and headed for the great hall. She was doing her very best at not making any eye contact with him. Harry also had inkling about that too, but would never have the courage to ask her. But eventually he would have to get over that fear, because they couldn't stay in this place forever. He needed to know how she felt about him now. He needed to know if there was a chance for them. Because, if Harry was sure of one thing, is that the more he was around Ginny, the more he wanted to be, and the times that he wasn't' around her, he longed to be. And he was just as fearful of those feelings as well, and where they were very possibly leading to.

After they entered the great hall a few minutes later, Harry, Ginny, and Ron, headed toward the Gryffindor table.

"Hey," Harry heard Ben's voice from the table greet him.

Harry sat down across from him. "Hey, Ben."

Ginny smiled at Ben, And Ron didn't care to acknowledge him at all.

Harry just realized that he hadn't seen Ben around much lately. Just as Harry was going to ask Ben that, Ben started to talk.

Ben had a sad expression on his face. "So, how's- Hermione doing?" He asked softly.

"Er, she's the same, but I'm sure will be better soon," Harry blurted fast.

The truth was that the three of them haven't had the strength to go see Hermione in the hospital wing very much. Since she has to be deeply sedated, she just lays there on the bed, her eyes open, staring around the room. They went a couple times over the last few weeks, but it was just painful seeing Hermione laying there like that.

"Yeah, I am sure she will be. I sure hope so," Ben said faintly, trying to sound hopeful.

Harry could see such sadness in Ben's eyes. After all, he and Hermione were really good friends. It must be hard for Ben that Hermione wasn't around. Well, he wouldn't have to worry about that anymore, because in two weeks, they would all have Hermione back, and things will finally be right.

"She'll be fine, Ben, don't worry," Harry told Ben again, while flashing him a reassuring smile.

Ben mustered a small smile and then drank some pumpkin juice.

Harry looked over at Ron, who wasn't eating at all. He was just laying his head down on the table.

"Ron, you okay?" Harry asked him concerned.

"Yeah, I thought you were starved?" Ginny said peering at Ron.

Ron picked his head up off the table. "Not so much anymore," he mumbled.

Harry shot Ginny a look, but she looked away quickly, and started eating her food.

In the common room later that night, Harry was sitting on the floor by the fire, working on some homework. Well, attempting too at least. Ron was laying on the couch staring at the ceiling. He had pretty much been doing that for the past couple hours. Ginny said she was tired and went up to bed. Although Harry got the distinct impression that she was avoiding him. Either way, Harry couldn't concentrate with his best friend so miserable laying on the couch. He knew it had to do with Hermione, but he just wished that Ron would talk to him. He rose up from the ground and sat down on one of the chair by Ron.

"Come on, Ron. Tell me. What's wrong?"Harry demanded. He could see the pain masked in Ron's face.

Ron sighed as he looked at Harry. "I don't know, Harry. Hermione will be back in a couple weeks, and- you have no idea how glad I am bout that but, I- I'm guess I'm just scared...I'm terrified."

"About what?"

Ron was quiet for a moment. "How things are going to be between us when she's better," He mumbled anxiously; not much more than a whisper.

Oh, that. Harry had a feeling that's what was bothering Ron. They had fought so much this year, and Harry didn't know what was going on between them have the time, and he finally found out that Ron and Hermione had kissed this past summer, only that Ron had pretended like it never happened. No wonder why Hermione was frustrated with Ron this whole time. Now Ron was afraid. He was finally starting to own up to his feelings for Hermione. When Hermione is cured, him and Hermione were going to have a have a serious talk. Just like him and Ginny were going to have to soon, Harry thought.

"Er- things will be hard Ron, I know. But talk to Hermione. Er-you have to. You have to be truthful to her about how you feel."

"As if that weren't bad enough," Ron blurted. "I wish it were that simple," He added.

"How do you mean?"Asked Harry.

"How do I know she even feels the same way anymore? We've been fighting like bloody mad all year, and it's my fault. I was an idiot!" He shouted in a frustrated voice. "For all know she doesn't even feel" but then Ron's voice trailed off; he couldn't bear to hear what he was saying. Gloom was written all over Ron's face as he just starting to stare into space.

Harry wished he could help him. Say anything to him to give his best friend some comfort. But then he just realized he could. A conversation he had with Hermione the night before the ball instantly replayed in his head.

"When Ron asked me to the Ball, I thought I was in a different universe or something. I know we've been fighting a lot lately. It's a rather long story. l just can't help but get frustrated with him. But that's what I love most about him," Hermione admitted.

Harry smiled. If only Ron had known how Hermione felt about him. But he was happy for them. It would be the greatest thing if the two of them could be truthful to one another, and finally be together.

"You know, I think you should tell Ron how you really feel," Harry blurted. He hoped he wasn't being to foward. He just couldn't take the two of them not being honest to each other.

"I've tried, Harry, and I've even thought things were different between us before- But I think I am going too, tomorrow night after the ball. If anything the Over-Truth potion as taught us, is that we should take for granted the people we care about."

Harry knew for a fact how Hermione felt about Ron. But it didn't seem right to tell Ron this. It needed to come from Hermione herself. But he had to tell Ron something, so he wouldn't give up hope. He looked at Ron right in the eyes. "Ron, trust me. I have a feeling about this. Talk to Hermione. Everything will be okay"

Ron just sunk down in the sofa. He gave Harry a half smile, a look of hope engulfing his face. But at the same time, Harry could see a look of hopelessness buried in his eyes.

About an hour later, Harry was restless. Ron had gone up to bed, and he was sitting by himself in the common room. As much as Harry was trying to stay hopeful about things, he couldn't help but have this constant feeling of dread buried in this stomach. He tried to fight it. But right now, he couldn't. It was winning over. He knew Hermione was going to be cured, and that was so great, to finally have one of his best friends back. But the question that followed, what next? This wasn't over. And Harry had an inkling that this whole thing was far from over. Who else was he going to lose that he cared about? How many more bad things were going to happen before this was finally over? And just about what's going on right now. Harry talking about the future. He knew what was ahead of him. He knew. He tried to but it in the back of his mind, but right now, this moment, he couldn't. It was screaming in his brain. And there was no way to stop it. And for the first time of this intensity, Harry was scared, of the unknown. What if he didn't have the strength? The courage? The will? To beat.. Voldermort, once and for all? How many people will he have to watch die before this ends? How many people will have to suffer? How many people will have to- Just that moment, Harry knew he had to talk to someone, right now. And he just knew the person he needed to talk to. He ran upstairs as fast he could, grabbed his invisibility cloak, and headed outside to see a friend.

"Harry- are ter insane? If yer caught you will be in trouble! What ter yer doing here?" Hagrid shouted as opened the door.

Harry chuckled. "Hagrid, when you have known me to follow the rules?"

Hagrid's face softened, and he opened the door so Harry could get though. "Yer right about that," He cackled. " Come in."

Harry sat down on one of Hagrid's chairs. Hagrid sat close by him.

"So?" Hagrid said, glancing at him curiously.

Harry was quiet for a moment. The silence was hanging in the air.

"Any particular reason yer-"

"What If I can't do it?", Harry blurted really fast.

Hagrid then looked him right in the eyes. Harry looked into his. Hagrid seemed to know exactly what Harry was talking about.

Hagrid remained silent for a minute, while his face morphed into a very serious expression. "Listen to me Harry. Yer the most capable person that I know. Anything that ter comes yer way, you can handle it, that I am sure of more then anythin!"

"I've tried to tell myself that a million times. But- er- I dunno, Hagrid. I don't know if I have what it takes anymore to- win," Harry said in a weak whisper.

"Now listen ter me Harry and listen ter me good. I know yer scared, and yer have every right ter be. Yer a powerful wizard. We all knew know that. But yer have more determination...more resolution, and more heart than... But I know that Harry, from ther day when I first seen you on Privet Drive all those years ago", Hagrid said with great emotion.

Harry looked at Hagrid and couldn't help but smile. He could feel his eyes gleaming. What Hagrid had just said meant so much to him. Sure, he was still fearful, there's no way around that feeling, but he just felt... better talking to Hagrid. What Hagrid had said to him made Harry feel like he could have what it takes to face what's ahead of him.

"Thanks...Hagrid," Harry told him firmly.

Hagrid just gave him a wink. "I'm always here for yer, Harry. You know that," Hagrid said with tears in his eyes.

"I know you are Hagrid."

Hagrid then rose up from his seat, wiping his eyes. He turned to Harry. "Now go on back ter the castle. Yer need yer rest, ya hear me?"

"Er- Okay. I'll see you tomorrow Hagrid," Harry said as he walked over the door. Thanks," he told him again.

Hagrid shook his head. "Go on now. Be careful."

Harry put the invisibility cloak back on and started to head back to the castle. But he stopped dead in his tracks. He gasped. He couldn't believe his eyes. Right in the Forbidden Forest, there stood Malfoy...and Ben..together. He wasn't close enough to hear what they were saying, but their actions spoke loud and clear. They were talking closely with one another in a very intense manner. Harry saw Ben's hand firmly on Malfoy's shoulder. Was Harry really seeing this? Could this really be true? Could Ben have really been lying to them the whole time? Had he been playing them all along? Was he really on Malfoy's side all along? Then if that was true, why had Ben been so nice to them? Integrated in their lives, became their friends. Harry never felt so betrayed at that moment. He was filled with so much anger, he didn't know if he could contain himself. He had to find out what the hell was going on. Just then, Ben and Malfoy separated and went off in different directions. Ben then started walking back toward the castle. Harry betted he was heading back to the common room to go up to bed. No, Harry would beat him there. This time Harry was going to put a stop to things right now. He wasn't let anymore of his friends going to get hurt. If Ben was on the other side, he was going to tell him right now. Harry ran as fast he could back to the common room. It was a good thing he was under the invisibility cloak. He rushed right Ben and went through the portrait a minute later, Ben still walking behind him. He then sat down on the couch with his invisibility cloak still on. A few seconds later he heard someone come in the room. Ben. He threw off his invisibility cloak and stood up.

"I saw you," Harry stated viciously.

Ben stopped in his tracks.

"Tell me what you are up now?"

Ben had a purely shocked look on his face. "I'm not up to anything...Harry. Please you have to believe me, "he said, his voice shaking.

"Oh, yeah. I should believe you right? You become our friend. You come into our lives. So tell me, Ben. What were you doing with Malfoy right now? Because I can think of a few reasons. And I better not be right!", Harry shouted inching toward Ben.

"No, Harry. It's not what you think. You have to believe me!" Ben cried, tears streaming his face.

Harry looked at Ben, and he couldn't believe a word he said.

"I can't believe I ever trusted you. I can't believe i ever thought we were friends!"

"But, Harry, I am your friend! I know how it must of looked- when you saw me, but-"

"But what? Give me a straight answer Ben. I'm not leaving until you do," Harry told him looking at him straight in the eyes.

"All right. I'll tell you, Harry! Malfoy wanted me to meet him there. I don't know why. He left a note for me this morning. I went..I don't know why I did, but when I got there I realized it was a mistake, and then we got into a fight, and then- I left and came back here," Ben admitted. "That is the truth," he added.

Harry wanted to believe him, but he just couldn't. Something didn't seem right about what he had seen, Harry knew that for sure.

"I want to believe you Ben, but I dunno. Something isn't quite right."

" That is the truth. If you can't believe me, then what more can I say? " Ben shot back looking angry. He wiped the tears off his face.

"I better not find out that you were involved in any of this. Anything that's been going on," Harry warned him very silently.

Ben glared at him. He looked very upset. He remained silent for a moment. "If you'll excuse me, I'm rather tired. I'm going to bed," he told him.

He walked past Harry and went up the stairs.

A minute later, Harry then picked up his invisibly cloak and ran upstairs.

"I still can't bloody believe this! How many times do I have to say I told you so!" Ron blurted the next afternoon for about the hundredth time to Harry and Ginny, as they were walking to lunch.

"Ron, we still don't' know anything for sure. Just because he was having a secret with Malfoy in the forbidden forest at Midnight, doesn't mean he's-" Ginny started to say. But then she realized how incriminating that sounded. "What are we going to do?"

"I dunno. But I'll tell you one thing. We have to find out what he's up too, and soon," Harry said frankly.

"I swear, if we find out that kid had anything with the Over-truth Potion, then there will be hell to pay," Ron said trying to keep his voice down.

"Well, him talking to Malfoy doesn't exactly mean he's at blame for that," Ginny pointed out.

"But we can't rule anything out. There's something going on with him.", Harry said.

"There's no way I believe that he met Malfoy just because of a note. I just want to know what on earth they could have been talking about. It makes me sick to think of what they could be up to," Ginny admitted to them looking disgusted.

"Yeah, I wonder how many other secret meeting he's had with Malfoy? I knew the kid was trouble from the first moment I met him!" Ron blurted.

"The way I look at it, is if Benjamin is able to lie about how he feels about Malfoy, then he's capable of anything," Harry told them. But the question was, how could they prove this? How could they find out he was up to?

"We're going to have to think of a way to get the truth out of him, and today. I don't know how, but we'll think of something," Harry said.

"We could follow him-" Ron started to say.

"No, he knows we are suspicious of him now. We won't find out anything that way," Harry said frustrated.

"There's the truth potion, Harry. Veritaserum, I believe it's called," Ginny reminded them.

That may be their only option, Harry thought to himself. This time they weren't fooling around. They needed to find out truth.

"Okay, we'll make the potion-"

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Echoed through the hallway.

Screams filled the entire corridor. A few students started running up ahead of them; pushing and shoving to get away.

"What is going on?"Ginny asked as she peered her head behind them.

A couple more students ran by them, crying.

Harry felt a sense of dread engulf him. He couldn't imagine what happened. A part of him didn't want to know anymore.

They turned around and started heading toward the screams. Student after student kept running down them past the corridor. They started to pick up the pace. They stopped in their tracks when they saw all a flock of students crowded around something. A few of them ran away down the corridor, shaking their heads, tears streaming down their faces. They tried to make their way closer to what everyone was looking at, but there was too many people crowded around. Just then Snape, Dumbledore, and Professor Lupin, came rushing down the hallway from the other side, with shocked expression on their faces.

"Everyone! Get back to your common rooms immediately!"Dumbledoore' voice boomed through the halls.

Most people started running toward their common room in packs. Other people stood in place, frozen in step. Harry looked at Ron and Ginny, and they all agreed, they had to know what was going on. They ran up ahead. The crowd was thinning. He saw faintly up ahead, Dumbledore bending toward the ground.

Harry stopped in front of him. He saw a red gleam. It was tracked all over the floor. It was blood. There were trails of it everywhere, he noticed. He looked back up ahead of him. Ron and Ginny had gone up ahead. They had seen what everyone else had saw. Ginny had her hands over her mouth, looking more terrified than he'd ever saw her. Ron was staring at the ground, his mouth hanging open in utter shock. Harry pushed past a few more people, and made his way by Ron and Ginny. He looked at the ground, slowly, afraid of what he might see. Nothing could have prepared him for what he was about to see. There was a lifeless body lying on the ground; soaked in blood. His eyes remained opened, like they were staring right at Harry. Empty and cold.

It was Ben. He was dead.

A big thanks to my reviewers:

Celestial Fox- Again, thanks for your support. I love reading your reviews. :)

whimsy007- Thanks for your compliments. I thought the M.A.V.E. thing was quite funny when I wrote it, but I am so glad you liked it too. And yes you will find out about what is going on with Ginny in the next chapter.

madam loon- Thanks. I am glad you like my story. :)

JakMakai1519- Man, you brighten up my day. I can always count on your reviews to make me feel inspired. Thanks so much!

Draco's Fantasizer- I appreciate your comments, since I always appreciate suggestions. I hope you keep reading. Thanks.

RainDateChick- I do try my best at making my story good with all the spelling. It was an honest mistake about misspelling Dumbledore. Thanks for the heads up. As far as all the grammar problems you have, I am sorry they bother you, but I again, I do the best I can.