Yay! Finally a moment to upload this! I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving, those of you that celebrated it this past week.

By the way, thanks for all the critiques for the last chapter. I actually have made a few changes, so if you'd also like to reread it, the chapter has been replaced.

The only reason Harry could figure he was heading down to the dreaded potions dungeon, going placidly along with everything, is that deep down he really did expect himself to wake up at any moment. Which was perfectly logical. Why wouldn't he be dreaming? It wasn't like he hadn't had similar dreams about this before. When Sirius had died, such dreams had occured, dreams where Sirius had come back to talk to him, be real. So now he was having a dream where Ron was back, albeit as a ghost, and wanting to talk, and not mad about Harry killing him, or trying to ruin the destruction of Voldemort with one more horrible thing to think about. And it was wonderful, one great dream among a dozen nightmares, so why shouldn't he try and enjoy what he could of it?

Except it wasn't a dream. He, Harry Potter, had been through enough crap in his life to know when he was faced with reality, not a dream or insanity. But if he could make himself cling to that possibility, just partially, everything would be all right. For even then it was too much to really think about. Ron dead. That was a fact, the truth, something he had been dealing with for the past month. Ron was gone and Harry would never see his best friend again. Terrible, but he was beginning to move on. It was something he had come to terms with. Ron wasn't supposed to just randomly show up again one day.

And yet here he was. A madness that Harry still couldn't quite comprehend. Ron, back. It was a miracle.

One that Harry didn't deserve.

He was being stupid, he knew. It was essentially the same issue. It hadn't been his fault; he knew that in the logical portion of his brain. It had been Voldemort's doing, a measley spell shot back to a distraction that wasn't Harry. But maybe if he had killed Voldemort sooner... and ignore the irony that it had been Ron's death contributing to the rage that had finally done the Dark Lord in.

Several times Harry almost turned around and returned to the Gryffindor tower. Several times he was ready to run off everywhere and scream until he woke up. It couldn't be fair. The worse part was that he was happy. The worst part was that he was enjoying all of this. After all, the whole horrible incident had been his fault.

Except Ron said it hadn't been.

Harry gasped for air, trying not to run into a wall as he glanced ahead at Ron. For some reason or another, Ron didn't really want anyone else to see him, but Hermione and Ginny had nearly gone into seizures when Ron had suggested he just make himself invisible. So now Ginny had the lead, checking every hallway for students and teachers and Filch. It would have been awkward for someone to see Ron. If that really were him. Even now Harry could scarcely believe it. His mind was still a blur, probably explaining why Harry and the girls were just going along with all of this. But with each passing second it became more real. Why couldn't it be Ron? Why couldn't he back? Why couldn't he be haunting them as a ghost? Why couldn't Harry just believe him? It was still the most exciting thing in weeks.

Ron returned the glance with an accompanying grin. "Maybe I should just pop out and scare someone," he said. Harry could tell when Ron was forcing something, but now that didn't really matter. "Especially if it is Filch."

Despite himself Harry laughed. Part of his mind was furious. This was serious, he wasn't supposed to be enjoying talking to Ron again. "I think you might finally give him the heart attack he's been waiting for."

"I know." Silence. "So... you're not freaked out by this?"

What a question. "A little." Harry could feel his face reddening. "I mean, you're... you're dead, Ron. I know we've already discussed this a hundred times, but it's amazing. It's almost like nothing ever happened, and that's the weird part, because something did." Great, now he was rambling and sounding corny. "And I feel like you're using us."

Ron snickered. "I guess... I guess I am using you. Sorry about that."

"We don't mind at all," Ginny said, butting in.

Ginny seemed the most comfortable by far.

Harry almost shuddered. This was way too natural, but... maybe it was okay to sort of enjoy it. "She's right, Ron. We don't mind. We're okay with it. Which is the wierd part." He shook his head, not bothering to fight the smile even though he still knew how wrong it was.

Talking. They were just talking. Typical Ron-and-Harry conversations that would always manage to exclude her. Hermione looked back at them, thankful that she was already crying and more tears would do nothing to embarrass her. She didn't mind being left out; they had always managed to have the most pointless conversation any two people of the male gender could come up with. And why shouldn't they be allowed to talk? She suddenly wished she had a camera. Harry and Ron, together again.

It was all so incredible; she couldn't believe she herself was taking it so well. Clearly she had been hanging around Luna Lovegood far too long. Even during that moment in the library... well, she really had thought herself insane then, but looking back, why couldn't she alter her memory to feel something else? She had wanted to believe that time.

She had all but wished for this.

But it was silly to get her hopes up. Ron was dead. So what that he was currently haunting them? He was a ghost, and that alone was equal to his death in how it separated them. Yes, he was there, but he was still dead. What was supposed to happen with that? Ron would hang around with them for the rest of their lives, everyone pretending that everything was back to the way it was? No, she wasn't that stupid.

Yet she could barely make herself listen to that logic. Her heart was pounding so fast she was surprised she could manage to walk. In spite of everything wrong with the situation, Ron was there, right behind her, and she could talk to him. Pester him about everything that had happened to him. The entire situation with Percy.

Percy. Now that was unbelievable to her. Ron had given them the story; she was surprised Ron could stand to be around Percy so long. She almost laughed, and only this morning she had actually been sad about the news of Percy's death. And she still was, come to think of it. But somehow all the details she had gleaned from Ron helped.

How pathetic. She could talk to him about Percy, about other things, but she couldn't dare say what she had been wanting to say ever since the incident.

Not that it could possibly matter in any way. It was pointless. He had died and nothing would ever change that. Even if she did say it... how she felt about him... what the heck were they supposed to do?

Ron figured he had to get used to the looks Hermione kept throwing back at him. He couldn't really blame her; he had just shown up, dead. A ghost. How else was she supposed to feel? And it wasn't like Harry and Ginny weren't doing the same thing.

Maybe it was mean of him, to just run in here without warning, doing this to everyone. But none of them had suffered a mental breakdown yet. Still, it seemed so little. He hadn't talked to them in so long, and now he was making them go down to the potions dungeon just so they could get some stupid little bottle that might not even be there for him. So now they were his slaves? Well, that was sort of cool idea, but mean just the same. Shouldn't they be doing something else? It was a reunion. It should be more meaningful.

But what else were they supposed to do? He really did want this awful rope thing off. He couldn't stop to play when they were this close. In fact, the potions dungeon was just ahead.

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

Percy could have died again right there. Waltzing right into the classroom, planning to just flee the other way if things weren't the way he had planned. How horribly naive. Well, the wall was just right behind him. Would it be so hard to just... no, that would make things worse.

The Baron laughed, empty eye sockets boring into Percy. "I must say I'm not surprised. Those girls said something about a plot against the Hufflepuff Friar, but I did suspect that the truth would involve you and your brother. Though I'm afraid I don't see him." The black sockets thankfully lifted away to stare at the wall, though Percy could still feel the gaze. "I take it you're taking advantage of one of my mercy days."

Say something, Percy screamed at himself. Say something intelligent.

Another horrible laugh from the Slytherin ghost. "I can also guess that not only does the truth involve you and your currently missing brother, but apparently me besides. I do hate being dragged away from my own personal business, but..." His mouth broke into a diseased grin. "I'm very curious to exactly what the two of you are thinking."

He was supposed to get the Bloody Baron to the potions dungeon, Percy thought dimly. Except Cornelia had already taken care of that. "We... we actually wanted to do something for you." Yes, that was it. Suck up to him. Suck up to him like he was any other authority figure.

"Something for me?" He paused to consider that. "I'm flattered. You'd do something for me after all the torture I've given you. So I take it the other Mr. Weasley will be arriving soon?"

Hopefully.

"Bribary." The word was like a bludger.

"Excuse me?"

"Bribary," the Baron repeated. "That's what this is about. You're still trying to make me remove your bindings. And I will, and I have already explained to you the requirements. So if this has nothing to do with those requirements, I'm afraid that you are wasting your time." With a sudden rush the Baron was off Snape's desk and right in front of Percy. Grabbing the collar of his robe. If there were any rotting flesh to smell, Percy knew it would be strong. "Silly boy. I'm sorry to ruin your plans."

"But we have--"

"I don't think I need to listen. I still don't understand why you want to be separate from your brother, anyway. Really, it's beyond me. After all, you made the decision to remain in this world after you died." He released the cloak.

Percy gasped automatically for air he couldn't breathe. A stupid thing to do, really. But it was sickening, the sight of the Bloody Baron before him, touching him, saying things like that.

"I'm right, aren't I?" The Baron looked extremely pleased with himself. "I'm right on how pointless it is. I've heard things about you, Percy Ignatius Weasley. I've heard about the things you have done. How you walked out on your family two years ago. So when you died, when you had the chance to completely escape them for a few decades, you instead chose ghosthood."

The Baron wasn't making any sense. Percy summoned whatever bravery he could to just stand there, taking this. Did he really have to? "You don't know why I stayed?"

Another laugh. "Well, the choice to be a ghost is often subconscious. Unfinished business, usually, is the cliche term. Which few ghosts ever bother to deal with. They're always clinging to something. Even if you had another reason, why would you be haunting this school, where your sister and your brother before he died attended?"

It hadn't been his choice to stay here, not his conscious choice. Without even thinking he scowled and flipped from the Baron's reach. How dare someone like the Baron guess what was going on through his mind? It was all almost an accusation.

"I'm right, aren't I?"

"About what?" This wasn't anything he wanted to think about.

The Baron didn't bother to explain. "How amusing. Well, despite what I think, my deal remains as it was. Except I don't think you've yet managed very well."

"He managed very well!"

Percy spun around. Jamie McFly had taken over the Baron's spot above Snape's desk and was nonchalantly busy fixing her ponytail while still fixating an awful glare upon Percy.

What did he do to her? Oh, of course. Killed her.

The Baron immediately lost interest in Percy. "What is this? One little rumor gets out that I gave a few girls a favor and..."

"I don't need a favor from you," Jamie snapped. "Unless you want to destroy that..." She yanked her rubber-band from her hair and tossed it at Percy's head. "That murderer!"

For a moment all Percy could do was stare. Then he understood. Ron's idea of pretending to kill Jamie... why couldn't they have killed her prior?

"Murderer?" the Baron echoed. The confusion didn't last long, and gave way to a gleam of appreciation. "And exactly who are you?"

Jamie had actually managed to shed some tears. "You.. you referred to me in present tense! You don't understand how that feels, being but a helpless orphan who had just fallen off a cliff and have everyone speak of you as if you no longer existed in any form... it's wonderful."

So now she had fallen off a cliff. Well, it was as good a murder as any. "Wonderful when you fell into those rocks," Percy said with the most villainy he could give. "The way they peirced through your flesh..."

Jamie glanced down in an attempt to hide a grin that Percy hoped only he saw. "How dare you speak of me that way!"

"I still haven't the slightest idea who you are," the Baron said stiffly.

"No one does," she mourned. "My name is Jamie McFly... the last of the McFly wizards and witches, a family that dates all the way back to the time of the Founders of this school... and now I am unable to continue on their legacy because that... that creature and its brother lured me off a cliff!"

Percy gave a low whistle. She was exceptionally dramatic. Maybe he wouldn't need Ron after all.

The Baron turned his horrible face back to Percy. "You.. did that to her? The last of the McFlys?"

Percy hoped he could be a good liar. "Yes, sir."

"Do you even know who they are?"

"We found out they were responsible for your death." This actually might work. He could have the whole situation ended without Ron and his friends setting a foot inside the classroom.

"My ancestor Hadeus McFly did kill horribly a great leader," Jamie mused for the Baron's benefit.

"You... you killed the last of that man's line?" The Baron was stunned.

Percy wanted to faint. He was actually getting away with this. "It wasn't easy but... my brother and I just frightened her... off a cliff." He felt the Baron stare at him, dubious. Please believe this, please believe this.

"Well, then," the Baron said. "I... I actually didn't expect you to do this."

"So you will release us? You will be above the Grey Lady?"

That hit the Baron's pride. "Of course I will. I'm far more upstanding that her! So I will just--"

And then the desk was blasted from the floor, with Jamie jumping with a scream out of its path. The desk landed with a crash and a broken leg on the other side of the room. Peeves hovered where the desk had been, beaming with joy.

"I'm here!" he sang. "Peeves is here, ready to perform outrageous drama for the Baron of Slytherin in hopes he will take us seriously!"

Percy had forgotten about Peeves.

The Baron almost exploded himself. "What?! What drama? What of this girl?"

Peeves sent Jamie a scrutinous glance, then shrugged. "Her? Oh, she died back in the fifties in a very interesting case of a toaster and a rubber snake or something like that."

Percy wondered if it wasn't too late to fleet the room.

"Sorry," Jamie mouthed.

"I do not appreciate being lied to!" The Baron screamed. "For that, I might just increase their sentence!"

"You will do no such thing!"

For several chaotic moments Percy had no idea who had spoken, had sent the Baron all but cowering in the corner. It had been Peeves, baring down on the Baron like some sort of vulture and looking nothing like the obnoxious poltergeist so familiar to the school.

"Now," said Peeves in a significantly calmer voice. "What you are going to do, his Baronship, is watch a nice little play that has been arranged specifically for your entertainment. And then we will be discussing other events."

The Baron simply nodded.

Percy took a moment to be thankful that Peeves had never reacted that way all the times he had told the poltergeist off.

"Where's ickle Ronnikins?" Peeves continued. "I believe I just saw him and his friends outside..."

As if on a cue arranged by Peeves the door opened, and Ginny stepped in.

Percy froze, then remember she couldn't see him.

Ginny looked around with clear disappointment. About what, he wondered. She looked like she had been crying.... "It's just Peeves," she said to someone behind her.

Then came the distinctive sound of Ron swearing. He appeared, followed by Hermione and, of all people, Harry. So Ron had just rounded up the whole crew, hadn't he?

Percy flinched as Ron glared up at him. "She can't see you, Percy. None of them can."

Ginny gasped.

"She really wants to see you, Percy," Ron continued. "I already told her she could."

What a little git, Percy thought. He couldn't possibly show himself to Ginny. Not after so long... not when she probably hated him.

"Percy, this isn't funny!" Hermione had taken up the call, her voice quavering as she looked around.

Ginny was going to start crying again.

"He's right over there," Ron said. "He's just being an idiot."

Ginny looked right in his direction.

"I can't believe I'm doing this," Percy muttered. He concentrated on becoming visible.

He felt her eyes focus on his face, and heard her scream. And then she was right in front of him, tears running down her face like a facet. His only baby sister. And she could see him. He cringed, awaiting another scream and whatever else she wanted to lash upon him.

"Percy," she said softly. "Oh, Percy, I haven't seen you in forever and I didn't know where you were..."

"Hi, Ginny." It was the only thing he could to say.

"We... we just heard the other day. We heard what you did. It was... it was wonderful." She stomped her foot. "Percy, why didn't you just come home instead?"

He was struck by the brotherly urge to just throw his arms around her. But he couldn't do that. "I'm really sorry." It didn't sound like himself saying that.

"Do you have any idea what this is like?" she murmured. "Going through all of this?"

Did she have any idea what it was like watching it all? He had spent the past year watching her, at various times. But this was so different. "Ginny, I couldn't..." Couldn't do what? He stared past her at Ron for answers. All he was doing was grinning that stupid grin with Hermione and Harry... Percy bit his lip. Why did Harry have to come along? What was he supposed to say to Harry now?

And now Jamie was crying. It wasn't her family.

A groan sounded from the Bloody Baron's corner. "This is all marvelously touching but I really do have other things to be doing."

"The play!" Peeves said happily, diving to some floor stones where Snape's desk had been. "It will be a wonderful play. All we need are the props. Miss McFly, exactly where is the bottle supposedly kept?"

"Over here!" Jamie pointed to a group of stones not far from Peeves. "Let me think... oh, it's definitely this one, because this stain right here looks kind of like a bunny..."

"Thank-you!" Peeves shoved her out of the way and yanked, with impressive strength, at the stone. Within seconds it was out... and across the room and making a big hole in Snape's desk.

"Two more down," Jamie put in.

"Wasn't that supposed to be our job?" Harry asked.

Ron blushed. "Peeves wasn't supposed to show up early, Harry."

Harry laughed. "So you dragged us here for no reason?"

"You have guilt concerning me; I'm working with it."

Percy watched in fascination. It almost didn't matter that it had been Harry's fault Ron had died.

But, of course, it wasn't.

Harry noticed Percy staring at him, and stepped back in sudden horror. "Percy," he said tersely.

Percy opened his mouth to speak. It was difficult. "Harry."

But there wasn't time for anything else to be said. Peeves pulled the third stone and thrown it into the hunk of wood that had once been a desk. There would be hell to pay when Snape found out. Good thing Percy was no longer in charge of anybody.

"The bottle!" Peeves declared, pulling out a horrendously dust object that might have been a bottle. He made a face. "I... would rather not handle this." He tossed it at Hermione, who caught it.

And nearly dropped it. "I think it has passed its experiation date."

"Then I would want it back!" Peeves grabbed it away. "And now... the play!"

The play that contained lines that had not been given much consideration. The Baron would kill them for sure. But it was the only plan they had that hadn't been ruined by Peeves.

Jamie flung herself above the desk rubble. "Alas, I am the Bloody Baron, renowned actor of all England!"

Now it was Percy's line. He looked down at Ginny, who managed a smile. "I heard all about the play, Percy."

He sighed and joined Jamie. "And I have just concocted some stage blood to make tonight's performance--"

Hermione actually giggled.

"More flare," Jamie hissed.

Percy rolled his eyes. Be dramatic. "And I have just concocted a cauldron of the finest and most realistic of stageblood to accentuate what shall the peak performance of the Bloody Baron's career!"

Now Ron was laughing. "Little too much drama, Percy."

The Baron wasn't laughing. He looked fit to kill.

"And now!" screamed Peeves. "The scene with the stage blood."

Ron hopped up and pretended to run a spear through Jamie. And Peeves threw the blood. Actually, a rotting sludge the color of old zucchini seeped out... a drop of it, anyway.

Jamie shrieked dramatically and tumbled through the floor.

Ginny squealed and applauded. With more reserve, Hermione and Harry joined in.

"I can't believe I just watched that," Hermione said.

Percy grinned at Ron. "Wow. That was really horrible."

Ron nodded in agreement. "I'm afraid that you were the best one. I just hope it works."

"And now," Peeves said. "To the Baron we have.. the gift of an authentic stage prop!" He threw the bottle straight through the Baron's head. "And not just a stage prop. The actual bottle of stage blood used to kill you all those centuries ago."

"So will you release us now?" Ron asked.

The Baron sniffed. "That was terrible. Can none of you act? I preferred the lie about that girl falling off a cliff..."

"But she really was the very last of the McFlys," Percy said. "We... we would have killed her if we could."

Jamie, who had reappeared, just laughed.

"Probably not," Ron said. "But.. she is dead. There is no one to seek revenge upon."

The Baron's rage was increasing with every moment. "This was not the nature of our deal..."

Peeves was back on him. "I believe they have suffered enough, Baron. And I'm getting bored of the situation." A fiery demon seemed to have replaced him. "Perhaps I should turn my services to the Grey Lady. Or perhaps the Fat Friar."

"You wouldn't dare!"

Peeves only laughed. "You forget I have more power than you realize."

The room went silent as the Baron stared back at Peeves, who stuck his tongue out in return. And then the Baron sighed. "Fine."

SHOUT OUTS!!

Captain Canija: Oh, yeah... Thanks!

CharliesMommy: Thanks for the critique. Very helpful. And I did think they wouldn't be terrified of seeing a friend...not too much, anyway.

Crystal Lightning: I hope you liked the Percy and Ginny meeting....

Dr. Huff-Puff: The good thing is that Harry is not screaming like a maniac in the new chapter 27. But it was funny to make him do it. I'm glad you like Ginny. I figured she'd have questions.

duj: Thanks for your honesty. It's actually one of the things I considered for the new chapter 27 (if you want to read that) so thank-you so much for being helpful! You get a cookie!

emikae: Thanks!

Erisinia: Yup, I gave you visible Percy! Actually (and this will be more obvious later) Peeves was trying to make Ron go visible. Hence the bad excuse.

HiddenFlame42: Thanks for the critique! That has been fixed. I'm glad you liked Hermione's reaction.

HP #1 Fan: Thanks!

hydraspit: I loved your one shot!

I am Lord Voldemort: I love your new name! I'm glad you liked Hermione's reaction. I figured it would be both logical and emotional.

Krenya: Thanks! I figured they might have to take it well because, personally, I would be thrilled to have a dead friend come to see me. And they are used to ghosts anyway... and I also figured they would be so stunned that they wouldn't have any choice but to take it well.

Lady Kazaana: I have shaved off Furfoot's mohawk.

Lady Meriadoc: Thanks!

liseli: No!!! Not funoodles!

LJ Fan: Excuse me while I insert an evil laugh... you mentioned a kiss in your review... and I've been planning an idea for months. Glad you brought it up. Now I must insert an evil laugh again.

mirficus: Hmm... you know, maybe I should do something with Penelope....

Mooncheese: Thanks!

movielvr: Homework is evil!!

Mr. Random: Thanks! And I didn't give a cliffie this time, did I?

x Odd Egg x: Lol! Well, nice to finally meet you and thanks for reading!

Phillipa of the Phoenix: Yeah.. Percy was just really, really appreciative...

Pline: Will Hermione and Ron ever declare their mutual love? You'll have to see....

Poemzie the Phoenix: I also thought Hermione running through Ron was out-of-character, but not horribly much. She does get really emotional, and I figured that might come into play. And... I actually will be posting anothe HP fic soon that hopefully will be very funny... it involves Sirius.

Queen of Useless Info: Cool! I'm a rabid Percy/Penelope fan, too! But.. she is sort of alive...

Quixotic-Feline: Glad you like Cornelia. My cousin designed her and decided the flames.

Satine-cm: Lol, yeah, I know what you mean. )

Tabitha78: Well, I was a little uncomfortable with how Harry reacted... even though it is still pretty much the same. But thanks!

Tru Lys: Yeah, well, Ron is an idiot sometimes. )