Here's the chapter with some alterations. Thanks to everyone for their advice and comments! This chapter once again is dedicated to Mr. Random for the 666th review (because I'm weird like that).

Oh, and I forgot this last tim: I did not come up with the chess scene at the end. That was the epiphany of my cousin Lady Kazaana.

It had taken Ron almost an entire day to get to this point, hours filled with Percy yelling and arguing with him about something that involved the universe collapsing on itself. Then, by the time anything had been agreed on, they had both realized that the second day was up and the bindings were back in place. And suddenly it was all Ron's fault. Not that he cared anymore. Even if a third day was now wasted, Because if everything went right, what would it matter? But even with all that aside and taken care of, Ron had just committed something that completely terrified him even as he did it. Idiocy, idiocy, idiocy. Maybe Percy was right.

Yet, somehow, there was something kind of nice about being screamed at.

It was all he could do to remain still, in the room, not flying back off to where Percy was. He was stuck there, trying as hard as he could not to laugh. Exactly why did he have this urge to burst into maniacal laughter? Was it all that great, being there with his baby sister about to go into shock and his best friend… screaming? Surprisingly, it was.

Mostly because Harry looked so darn funny.

His scream ended with a gasp as he slid from the chair, eyes still wide on Ron. Ginny had still managed to not pass out, and gazed at Ron in fascination.

She was growing up, Ron realized. What exactly had happened during that month? Well, he couldn't just stand there. Especially after they had already heard him. Helping Harry win a chess game. What an introduction. He had to give something better than that now. Anything remotely better. What were people supposed to say at times like this? "Hey, Ginny," he said. "Hey, Harry." Better? He could have smacked himself.

"Ron," Ginny whispered. It sounded like all her strength had been thrown into that single word.

Harry looked ready to scream again.

Ron rolled his eyes. This wasn't the welcome he had expected. Of course, he hadn't given much first. But it was such a ridiculously awkward situation… For a second whatever confidence he had failed. No… he needed that much. He forced a smile. "Harry, it's not like you haven't seen ghosts before."

"Ron," Ginny repeated, pushing her chair back and rising to her feet. "Oh my gosh, Ron. This isn't… is it…? Is it you? I'm dreaming. I mean, you were killed…"

He tried for a calmer smile. "Yes, I'm quite aware of that. Are you—" Oh, no. She was going to start crying.And sheerupted into tears.

Ron hated it when girls cried.

"I can't believe this, Ron," she wailed. "I didn't think… I missed you so much!"

"I missed you, too." She did realize he was dead, didn't she? "Ginny—"

"You're a ghost, aren't you?" The words were barely audible under her crying, though she kept wiping at her eyes. "This is crazy. But… you're a ghost. Because you are dead, I know that much. A ghost." The shook her head, as if amazed by the idea. "Am I dreaming? I dreamt about you the other night. It could be happening again."

"It isn't a dream." Heat stung at the back of eyes. He wasn't going to start crying too, was he? "And I really am a ghost." Incredible how at ease he was with saying that word.

Harry murmured something under his breath. He still sat on the floor, fingernails digging into the rug, face bloodless.

"It isn't a dream?" She sniffed. "Damn it, Ron, where were you?" She walked quickly up to him and shoved a fist through his chest. Then she stared up at him. "You're so cold. I mean, all the ghosts around here are, but…" Another sniff. "I don't know. I thought you might be different."

He gave a small laugh. At least she wasn't freaking out. "No. It turns out it's exactly the same." He swung his arm through hers. He couldn't give her a hug or anything but…

She gasped and almost jumped back.

Ron cringed.

"Wow." A smile actually crossed her face, even though the tears were coming faster than ever. "Ron… I… I still can't believe this. Do you have any idea what this is like? It's unbelievable. Have… do Mum and Dad know?"

Percy had brought that up. "… No."

A scream, nowhere near Harry's, escaped her. "You mean… I'm the first? But, but you have to! Ron, you have no idea what they've been like. What all of us have been like. They have to see you, Ron. To know you're okay… you are okay, aren't you? Does being dead hurt? It didn't hurt when—" She sighed. "Ron, you have no idea what this is doing to me. This is amazing, but…"

"It can't be real," Harry said, finally audible.

That did something to Ginny. Her eyes were still on Ron, still dumping out the tears and an aura of confusion. Then, while he watched in amazement, she walked over to Harry and smacked him. "Knock it off, Harry. It's Ron and it has to be real!"

Harry jerked back at her slap. He panted for breath, eyes still fixed in horror on Ron. Then, with one big intake of air, he said "Ron?" Finally.

Now Ron had to laugh, even though it felt completely wrong as he did so. "Who else do you think would give you decent chess advice?"

"You could have helped me, Ron," Ginny said softly, amazement still in her voice.

"It can't be real," Harry repeated. No smack from Ginny. "I can't believe this. Ron. You're not… you're not…"

The same thing Ginny had asked. You're not a ghost, are you? You're not a spirit, are you?

"You're not… haunting me?" Ron stared at Harry. "Why… why would I haunt you?" Though, essentially, that is what he had been doing for the past few weeks. Minus the time they were in the spirit world. Following everyone around the common room, the school. Shout at them while they slept.

"Ron." Harry sat up straighter, face taut. "This is a bloody nightmare. Because… Ron, I didn't keep Voldemort from…" His voice attempted the next word, but he couldn't sound it out.

"No!" Ginny exclaimed. "It's not Harry's fault."

"I know that!" Ron had never seen Harry so defensive. "I know that, Ginny." He sniffed, pushing a hand back through his black hair. "What… what is going on? Why are you here?" He yanked his hand away, almost knocking off his glasses. "Ron. I still don't think this is real."

"Harry, please," Ginny snapped. She turned to Ron, shaking.

Ron froze, almost to the point where he thought he just might tumble from his current hover. This hadn't been expected. Harry didn't look too happy to see him.

More terror seeped into Harry's face. "Are you… Ron?"

Maybe some forced humor would help. "Duh."

Harry almost smiled, but it wasn't enough. Instead it sent in a flood of that familiar Harry rage. "I thought… Ron, I watched you die! Do you have any idea what's that like? Do you know what nightmares you can have from that?! And I didn't…" He was about to pull the rug apart. ""And now I'm being forced to talk to someone I killed."

So suddenly it was Ron's fault. He felt his own temper break, and he darted closer to Harry. Why couldn't he smack him like Ginny? "Harry, don't be an idiot! Do you have any idea how sick I am of people saying that kind of thing? I didn't listen when you told me to leave."

Harry shook his head. "But—" Ron shook his head. Harry couldn't believe that sort of thing. He just couldn't. Ron had never even considered it. Even Percy was only being a git about the whole thing. Maybe it was time to go all scary haunting ghost on someone. "Listen," he said as loud as he dared. "It's no one's fault. Except mine and Voldemort's. And I don't care if you have nightmares about it. So just… shut up about the whole thing. Because that's not why I'm here." Wow. He didn't think he had ever screamed at Harry quite like that before.

The whole idea was a new concept for Harry, it looked. "It isn't?" He looked ready to have a heart attack.

"Can't I just say hello without everyone flipping out?" He could be offended by this, if he let himself be. "I almost thought you'd be happy to see me."

"But you're dead, Ron," said Ginny, sitting down next to Harry. "You're dead, you were murdered… dead people don't usually come back."

"I'm sorry I was so awful right there," Harry mumbled, the only voice what looked to be sudden exhaustion allowed. Even fakeness was evident. "This is just… Ron, I can't believe I'm talking to you again."

"I know," said Ron. He gave into the urge to join them on the floor, albeit it had to look a little strange floating two inches above the floorboards. He hadn't realized how much he had missed it. And now he was there, talking with Ginny and Harry. Never mind it had been chaos. "I can't believe it, either. It's kind of like before." Not really.

"Except that you're a ghost," Harry breathed. "Ron. You're a ghost. I wasn't supposed to see you again. Sirius… he didn't come back." Suddenly he laughed. "I really can't believe this."

Sirius Black. Now that was definitely something Harry had to know. "Harry—" At that moment, someone climbed through the portrait hole.

"Hermione!" Ginny said.

Without thinking, Ron turned around.

Hermione stood before the portrait hole. Staring at him, like everyone else had.
She finally wasn't asleep.

"Ron," she said.

"Hermione." Ron quickly jumped up.

And then she ran at him, arms outstretched.

Ron closed his eyes, awaiting the impact and already imagining it. Hair, skin, brains, whatever else might rush through him. It was like a blast of fire, and over in an instant.

Hermione lay on the floor behind him, inches away from having toppled on Ginny and Harry. "Ow," she murmured.

Feeling faint, he turned back to face the others. "Hello, Hermione." For a moment she didn't move, even when Harry urged her to. She had to look at him, Ron thought. This was almost as bad as Harry.

Then, with a sharp breath, she sat up and continued the stare. "I'm not crazy, am I?" The question might have been rhetorical. Harry gave a dry chuckle. "Only if I am." She nodded, barely hearing. "I thought I was crazy before. In the library." She paused. She looked ready to start crying as well. "Was I crazy?"

Ron felt himself blush. She was actually taking this rather well. "Um, no."

It was the wrong thing to say.

"No?" She was up on her feet, Harry and Ginny scooting from her path. "So you think you can just show up then for hardly a second? Why didn't you talk to me then?"

Now all eyes were back on Ron. He had no answer.

"Is this a trick? Is it really you?" The rush of energy didn't last long. Looking weary, Hermione dropped back to the floor, crying harder than ever. "I'm thinking this is a dream. It would be impossible except for the fact that I know we have ghosts everywhere. And.." She looked ill. "And you're one. You're dead. Ron, you died, didn't you? So why are you here?"

"Why didn't you come back earlier?" Harry asked.

Why hadn't he? "Because…" The answer fell away. He had no idea, really. It hadn't just been Percy. Percy was a git and there had been no reason for Ron to actually listen to him. "Because I just… couldn't?"

Hermione smiled through her tears, shaking her head. "What an answer, Ron. Do you have any idea how good it is to talk to you? How... how are you? What's it like?"

Of course that question would have to come up. "I don't even know where to begin."

She seemed to take that answer. For once she wasn't arguing with him. She looked great, he decided. All finished with class and her hair falling in her eyes. And she could see him, for once. She could actually see him. Something was very wrong with the whole situation, only Ron couldn't put his finger on it. It couldn't be wrong. Here he was, no one had fainted, Harry hadn't attempted suicide. And they were all talking. It almost seemed… normal. Maybe that was it. It wasn't supposed to be normal. Of course, he had to consider that Ginny, Hermione, and Harry were all in various stages of shock and disbelief and therefore probably numb to the insanity.

"My head hurts," Hermione murmured. "I must have bumped it when I fell. I… think I ran through you." Harry almost laughed.

"Yes, Hermione," Ron said. "You actually did."

Something about the answer didn't help. Her eyes pivoted to the ground before pulling back up on him. "I came in and I saw you," she managed. "I wasn't really thinking. I… don't think I remembered you were dead. I just wanted to give you a big hug or something."

That would have been nice. Ron felt the tears almost come again.

"So we can't touch you?" Ginny asked quietly.

"Well, you can go through me," he tried to joke.

Not the right answer.

"But you're here," Harry said. "I still can't believe it. And a ghost. We can see you and talk to you. Except that," he shook his head, unbelieving. "Ron, you're dead. We saw you. I even brought your body back."

"And dropped it."

Harry looked sick. "You were there?"

It was almost ridiculous. "Harry, I had just been murdered."

Harry flinched. Wrong thing to say again.

Ginny suddenly screamed, momentarily burying her face in her hands. "Ron!" She sounded ill. "I don't know if I can saw this. Something happened. Percy was…" Fresh tears came. "Ron, Percy's dead, too."

Ron had hoped it wouldn't have come to that. What was he supposed to say, with Ginny crying over now that and so horrified at having to tell all about it? He sighed and tried to meet her eyes. "I know."

"You… you do?"

"Of course he would," Hermione mused. "If they were both dead… Oh, I can't use to this!"

Ginny didn't listen. "You know he's dead? Did you hear them say so? Dumbledore and Lupin told us and—"

"I knew before."

"He's a ghost?" Harry asked. "Like you?"

Something almost hopeful crossed over Ginny's face. "Is he a ghost, too? When… when did you know?"

Ron thought back to that first awful night, returning to the Burrow. "I saw him right after I died."

Ginny was now on her feet. "You really saw him? And talked to him? Do you know where he is? When did you last talk?"

He sighed again. One of the reasons he was here. "I see him quite a lot, believe it or not." He held up his right hand, where the rope still dangled. "It's a very long story. I need… we need a favor."

"Are you quite sure you need the Bloody Baron for this?" Percy asked himself aloud. Silly, really. He had always been annoyed by people who spoke to themselves. Thank goodness no on was around to hear him. Still, he kept expecting Cornelia to burst out of the walls as a ball of flame and ask him what he was doing.

He couldn't believe he was still hanging around this school. He hadn't come much since his death, not until that fateful night when Ron both died and managed to get them bound together.

And now they were wasting their third day in a year. Second night in a row. Well, if this piece of insanity went as planned, that wouldn't be something they would have to worry about any longer. Freedom from Ron. Freedom he was supposed to get the day before, and never received because Ron had to follow him anyway. But that hadn't been so bad, had it? He really didn't mind having him around, if he wasn't being so… Ron.

Percy shook the thought away. He needed to concentrate on finding the Bloody Baron. He had already nearly circled the entire castle, asking every ghost he came across if they had seen the Slytherin ghost. Strange that most people weren't too keen on answering such a question, but oh well. He wasn't an expert on the Bloody Baron's whereabouts, either, and didn't plan on becoming one.

Where was Ron, anyway? Wherever Ginny and Hermione and… Harry were. Whomever Ron wanted to get that stupid bottle out. How humiliating. Is that what he and Ron had been reduced to? Haunting the living until the living were willing to do something so silly and trivial?

Whatever worked. Ron did have some good ideas. He had always been pretty smart. He just never applied himself. As if any of that mattered in the afterlife. So Ron could chat with his living friends. And Ginny. For a moment he wondered what that would be like.

Then, right before him, blue flames spilled from the wall.

Of course Percy had to think of that earlier. Cornelia.

A pair of eyes appeared in the fire. "Percy!" He continued past her. "Hello, Cornelia." He was in no mood to speak.

"Lovely trick you played," she said, following him. "We all believed you, too."

"Hmm." "I… I didn't mean to get so worked up. But we get bored, you know, being dead. And none of us ever really bothers to try to go to the spirit world. Not like you."

He sighed. "Look, Cornelia, this is very fascinating, and I apologize for tricking you and your friends, but... I'm busy right now."

"Bloody Baron," she said.

He stopped. Already the flames were dying away from her. "What?"

"Word gets around. You can't find him, can you?"

She was making fun of him. He bit his lip, wishing he could somehow make blood flow. "Well, I haven't looked everywhere yet."

"I know where he is!" Cornelia rubbed some ashes from her eyes and smiled. "He's… waiting for you, actually."

"Waiting?" Now what had they done? It was probably Ron's fault, whatever it was.

"In the potions dungeon. Some girl named Jamie told us everything. So…" Her smile increased. "Jillie and Dream and I went to the Bloody Baron…"

"I thought you were afraid of him." The smile vanished as she shuddered. "I am. We all are. But… it turns out he has a soft spot. Apparently the Slytherin girls are spoiled.We just pleaded with him and told him it was part of a prank against the Fat Friar from Hufflepuff. So… he is down there."

Unbelievable. Percy felt sick. "You… told him it was a prank?"

She shrugged. "It got his attention."

He moaned and shook his head. "He'll kill me. Or try to."

"Then don't go there until you're ready to do your… thing." The smile returned. "I think I might watch. Just not too closely."

She was right. All he had to do was avoid the Bloody Baron until the darn play. She had completely stolen his responsibility in the whole plot. Without thinking, he threw his arms around her in a tight hug. "Thanks, Cornelia." Then he realized what he was doing. He hadn't actually hugged a girl since Penelope.

Cornelia looked a little dazed. "You're… welcome."

He stared at her. "I… I think I should go." Without waiting for a reply, he Vaporated to just outside the dungeon. Good thing Ron hadn't seen that. He would have never heard the end of it. Percy still remembered all the Penelope torments.

Penelope. He wished he could apologize for that moment in the hospital. Explain everything.

He had been around Ron too much.

Maybe Ron and whomever he had picked up were already inside. Maybe they were waiting for him. Maybe Peeves was already there.

If he just looked in carefully, the Bloody Baron wouldn't see him, would he? Not if it was a quick peek. And if it were just the Baron, Percy could pretend he never looked in.
No. That would just be asking for trouble.

Though it would be asking for trouble to make the Baron wait. People like that, people in power, didn't like having to wait.

Clenching his fists, Percy stuck his head through the wall.

The Bloody Baron was perched over Professor Snape's empty desk, staring right at him, all ragged robes and blood and those… lack of eyes.

"We meet again so soon, Mr. Weasley?" he hissed.

SHOUT OUTS!

ArcherofDarkness: Mm.. piranhas! Yes, Percy did get eaten by them. Author Gal: Thanks so much! And thanks for agreeing about Ramen. I want JK to redeem Percy so badly…. Captain Canija: Yeah..it kind of sucks if your dead friend makes fun of you.

Crystal Lightning: Lol! Thanks!

db: I'm evil because I get to be executioner after my roomie takes over the government.

Dr. Huff-Puff: Yup. Peeves. Surprising, huh? I had always wondered why JK had him around, so I decided to put him to some use. duj: Well, Percy wasn't there, but that was a good question to ask!

emikae: And then the mutant mouse attacked Harry! Lol. I like your way, with the mouse. I've always thought Ron was super dense in the books.

Erisinia: Yup. Finally visible Ronnikins.

HiddenFlame42: Good point about that… but I sort of figured Harry would be oblivious enough not to be worried about anything. Just highly confused.

HP #1Fan: But if you died… you could join them!

hydraspit: Thanks! Actually.. the story is winding down. Sorry! I'm just as sad, because I"ve had so much fun with it.

Krenya: I'm sure Peeves can be serious. When he wants. Which seems to be very rare.

Lady Kazaana: I didn't credit you!

Lady Meriadoc: Thanks! I adore Peeves, I had to give him a role.

liseli: Well, soylant green is also people.. it was people first. liz: Thanks! Sorry it had to be a cliffie for you, but it's how I am.

LJ Fan: Thanks!

meenyrocks (not moonyrocks): Sorry about the spelling error! Silly me. Thanks, though! Actually, I'm twenty… but it's just past being a teen, right?

Midnight Dove: Actually… your teacher called me and asked me to specifically mention Lady Jane Grey, just to get at you. mirficus: I just had to give Peeves something out-of-character. I just figure he has no responsibilities.
movielvr: Ironic of me, no?

Mr. Random: But I like cliffies!

Neoma: Thanks!

pele1: Thanks! Your review just made my day. Sure, I suppose it's possible for Nick to tell Dumbledore, but I've always kind of imagined the ghosts just doing their own thing.

Phillipa of the Phoenix: Sorry for ruining Ramen for you. Actually.. my cousin is the one that suggested the chess match. I just thought it would be so appropriate.

Pline: I live for cliffies. Sorry.

Poemzie: Well, Ginny and Harry technically know that ghosts can and do appear, but before it had always been impersonal. And Ron had been dead a month, and he hadn't appeared yet. They will get over the shock, but they never truly expected Ron to appear. Good point to bring up!

Queen of Useless Info: Lol! You know, I actually had my roomies play a game of chess JUST so I could put in a correct, possible move.

Quixotic-Feline: Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked the Penelope mention. I think JK should do more with her.

rosepetal13: Mmm, muffin. Thanks. Well, too much won't go wrong with the plan… or will it?

Satine-cm: Actually… my cousin suggested the chess thing. Glad you like it!
severus's bane: Shocking, ain't it?

starsmiles: Actually, there is no purpose whatsoever to the Ramen is People. It's a big joke at my apartment. I just had to include it.

Tabitha78: Don't worry; I promise you now there will be family/loved one closure. I couldn't bare not to do that.

Talie: Yeah. Ron's been taking his own sweet time.

Tru Lys: Yup! You were right! You get a trophy!

v-babe24: Bwahahaha!