"And just what do we need to talk about?" Ron shouldered Harry out of the way, aiming determinedly for Sir Cadogan's portrait. "As far as I am concerned everything is perfectly clear. Stay out of my life."

Harry scrambled backwards and threw himself in Ron's way. He held out an arm to both sides, blocking Ron from moving around him. Ron glared at him but stood still.

"I need… I want to apologize for what happened, the night that I went to the hospital."

"Yeah, sure. The famous Harry Potter, apologizing to the stupid little Weasley kid. Bull, that's what it is."

He grabbed Harry's arm, and forced it down. Harry shifted over to stay in Ron's way, struggling to keep his voice steady.

"It's not like that, Ron! I don't think you're stupid."

"Than what was with all the stuff you said in the hallway? Didn't sound like you didn't mean it there."

"Ron, I wasn't thinking-"

"Oh, sure. Harry Potter, not thinking. And pigs can fly!"

A thought flitted through Harry's mind, that pigs actually could fly when enchanted, but he pushed it aside. How could he think of something like that right now? He was trying to win back one of his best friends, not crack a joke.

"Ron, you know that I did not mean it. I say a lot of stuff when I get mad, so do you."

"Right, bring me back into it. Classic move, Harry. It's not all my fault."

"That's not what I was saying."

"Well, it sure sounded like it."

"Then I'm sorry I did not think that you would be so thick… I thought that you would understand where I was coming from."

"I don't."

"That is my fault then."

"It sure is."

Harry felt the blood rise in his cheeks and he bit his tongue to keep from speaking. Who was he to point fingers? Calm down, Harry, you can do this, said the little voice in his head. Just stay coolheaded.

"You're not making this easy."

"Why should I? I'm not the one who is apologizing. I'm not the one who ditched his friend."

"I never ditched you!" Harry sighed and fought to keep his temper. Ron could be so infuriatingly thick. "You were the one who walked away."

"Only because you couldn't!"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You weren't exactly in any shape to move quickly, not with your arm all bleeding and burnt and dislocated."

"Thanks for the noticing."

"You're not bloody welcome. I couldn't exactly ignore it, not with that snob Percy making me help you."

"So now you're blaming him?"

"No! I'm blaming myself for getting to know you in the first place. This whole bloody thing is your fault."

"That's harsh. I'm not the one who walked into the train compartment."

"I did not have much of a choice, if you don't remember. Everywhere else was full. Or have you forgotten that too."

"I did not forget it."

"You could have fooled me. I'd have thought that you had forgotten everything by now. You seem busy enough getting attention."

"Are you saying that I stabbed myself wit the poker on purpose?"

"Wouldn't be a surprise if you did."

"Ron, you're being thick. You said it yourself, you saw me thrashing around. How could I have done it on purpose?"

"You'd have found a way. Anything to get more attention works for you. I'm sure that Hermione was all over you after that. How long did she visit you in the hospital wing, admiring your bravery at suffering such an injury? Was it long enough?"

Harry's heart dropped to his stomach. So it had come around to this. He had been hoping that Hermione wouldn't be talked about. He was not ready to talk with Ron about that.

"I didn't do it on purpose." He muttered, more to himself than Ron. "It was a bad dream."

"Awfully convenient then. I suppose she came anyway."

"She didn't visit me."

"Really! Saw what a jerk you are than, did she. It's about time."

"It's not like that. Hermione and I-"

"Are still going out? What then, was she too busy to visit you?"

"No, she-"

"Was too heartbroken that you had gotten hurt?" Ron brushed off Harry's response. "Whatever. I'm going back to the commons room to do homework."

Harry stood his ground, not budging as Ron tried to move around him. Ron glared at him, eyes glinting dangerously.

"Get out of my way, Potter."

"Not until you hear me out."

"Hear you out! I just did hear you out. Get out of my way."

"No." The necklace pulsed warmly against Harry's chest. He felt a rush of adrenaline. He knew what was about to happen.

"One chance to get out of my way."

"I'm not moving."

Harry saw the fist coming before Ron drew it back. He could have easily dodged it, sidestepped it and hit Ron in his unprotected back. It was not the right thing to do though. He watched it the whole way in, making no attempt to block it. The fist collided with his jaw and his world went spinning. He fell backwards, landing flat on his back. The left side of his face felt like it was on fire. His teeth were burning in his mouth, the nerves screaming in protest as he staggered to his feet. He faced Ron quietly, forcing himself to ignore the pain.

"Look, Ron," he resisted the urge to rub his jaw. "All that I wanted to do was apologize. If you don't want to hear it, you can leave." Harry stepped to the side and dropped his arm. "I won't stop you."

Ron shook his head and walked past Harry. He moved quickly, but Harry could see that he looked less confident than before. Almost as an afterthought, Harry remembered what had gotten them in this situation in the first place. He felt a rush of warmth as the necklace pulsed against his skin, encouraging him.

"Hermione and I are not trying to go out." He said to Ron's departing back. "We never were."

He did not know why he said it. Maybe he thought that it would make a difference. Maybe it was just the necklace. Could it have sensed what he needed? Impossible, it was just a necklace that strengthened the wearer's will. But, what if it had some sentience, enough to know what the wearer needed? Harry frowned and he held the necklace up to inspect it, figuring that Ron would be gone, back in the comfort of the common room.

"Neville gave you that, didn't he."

Harry jumped in surprise. Ron was standing in front of him, looking from Harry's face to the necklace. He appeared thoughtful.

"I… needed it. I could not bring myself to face you on my own."

"Yeah…" Ron gazed at the necklace, lost in thought. "Are you telling the truth? About you and Hermione?"

"All of it." Harry slipped the necklace off his neck and held it in one hand. It felt lighter than when he had first taken it. It was pulsing brightly now, sending out little waves of light every second. The necklace glittered in the light, captivating his eyes in its beauty. "We had a fight that evening. It's the reason why I was still in the common room."

"And you haven't spoken with her since."

"Not a word. I wanted to talk to you first, since… you had thought that I was ditching you for her." He swallowed to clear his throat.

Ron nodded absently, still lost in the necklace. He and Harry stood there, staring at the necklace. The silence stretched between them and lasted for several minutes. Finally, after what seemed like ages, Ron spoke.

"I am such a git."

"No, you're not."

"Yes, I am. I thought that you and Hermione… You two are my best friends. How could I have been that foolish?"

"Ron, you acted like anyone would have. It's not your fault."

"It was still stupid."

Harry shrugged. "Don't blame yourself Ron. I forgive you, but it's really me that needs to apologize."

"What for?"

"For not talking to you before now, for ignoring you in classes, for not being there when you needed a friend."

"Naw, I should have gotten over it. It's no big deal if you are trying to go out with her or not." He looked up from the necklace, eyeing Harry curiously. "Are you sure that you aren't trying to hook up with her?"

"Yes, Ron, I'm positive." Harry patted him on the arm. "I'd never do that to you. Let's go hit the books. Snape's Potions paper is a real killer."

Ron laughed and headed for Sir Cadogan, who was hopping up and down excitedly. As they came within view Sir Cadogan unsheathed his sword and waved it threateningly.

"Ah-ha! What do we have here? Two ruffians sneaking about unsupervised! Up to drunken foolery and mischief, no doubt. Well, stand and be counted scoundrels. Should anything have happened whilst you were skulking the corridors I will hold you accountable. Have at you miscreants!"

He brandished his sword and swung it in their direction. Harry and Ron exchanged bemused looks. This was a new one. As tiring as Cadogan could be, they had to give him credit for his demented creativity. He was more interesting than the Pink Lady by far.

"Lady Guinevere." They said in unison.

"Ah, but a Lady." Sir Cadogan lowered his sword and lifted the beaver of his helmet. "Her footsteps were like the gentle wisp of the wind as it coursed through the-" he paused and turned to Ron and Harry, who were waiting expectantly for the door to open. "Oh, go ahead." He sounded miffed as they hurried into the common room.

Harry smiled to himself as they entered the room. It felt good to have Ron back. It felt real good.