See Part One for warnings, rating, disclaimers, etc. This Part is rated NC-17.

Part Three

Weeks went by, as Ron became an Animagus many times. He began to run around like that during the early morning hours. He liked being a giraffe. It calmed him, but he wanted Harry to return. He kept an eye on the many people who he suspected of being Death Eaters. He knew that when Harry returned, they would be able to understand what was going on and do something about it.

Ron was eating dinner when he heard a Jeep drive up to the front of the hotel. He didn’t pay it any mind until he heard running steps coming towards the dining room. Ron looked up and saw a very familiar face. He dropped his fork on his plate and jumped up from the table. He ran to hug Harry.

“Ron!” Harry grabbed him and they hugged tightly. They kissed despite the table of people staring at them.

John rose from the table and said, “Harry! Welcome back!”

Harry pulled slightly away from Ron and shook John’s hand. “It’s good to be back.” He smiled at Ron.

Ron pulled Harry close again and whispered, “What happened? Are you alright?”

Harry said, “Yes, I’m fine. I’d like a little dinner, though. I’m starved.” Then Harry leaned into him so only Ron could hear. “Then we’ll go upstairs and have some time to ourselves.”

Ron grinned and dropped his arms, but kept a hold of Harry’s hand. They walked over to the table and sat next to each other.

*****

Ron was quiet, laying curled up next to Harry. He wanted to tell him about his Animagus skill, but was unsure that this was the right time. They had just had sex after not seeing each other for a month, and since it was very rare that they went longer than a couple of days, it had been a sweaty, desperate sort of sex.

Harry had his arms around Ron’s shoulders, holding him so that Ron’s cheek was pressed into Harry’s upper chest. “Is everything alright, Ron?”

It was impossible to keep anything from Harry. “Yes, I’m fine.” Ron knew this wouldn’t satisfy Harry, so he continued, “I just missed you.”

Harry squeezed Ron and said, “I know, but I’m back.”

“So, as much as you tried, you didn’t find You-Know-Who?”

“I told you, Ron, we looked and found some evidence he had been there, but we couldn’t track him. Personally, I think he went back to England.”

“But, why did you have to stay away so long?”

Harry sighed. “Ron, what is wrong? Did something happen while I was gone?”

“No. Not really. I’m suspicious of a couple of people, but I don’t know. I think it may have been…”

“Been what?”

Ron shrugged Harry’s arm off his shoulder and turned away from him.

Harry leaned back on his elbows, surprised by Ron moving away from him. “Ron, talk to me.”

“It’s nothing,” whispered Ron.

“The fuck it is.” Harry turned on his side and put his arm around Ron’s waist and tried to pull Ron towards him. Ron started to resist, then let himself be pulled close.

“I just wish I could go with you. It’s not right. It’s not fair,“ Ron moaned. “Don’t they understand that I need to be there with you when you face him? Don’t they understand that I’m important, too? I don’t want to be left in some godforsaken place doing something any damn Auror can, when you are in danger, Harry!” He spit out the last few words in anger.

“Ron…” Harry said gently. “I know you’re important. I understand how you feel.”

Ron curled up against Harry again. “I know you know, Harry. It’s the rest of them. The Order. I’ll always be just one of the Weasley brothers. An expendable one.”

“Honestly, Ron, that isn’t even true. Besides I don’t think that, and that’s what matters, isn’t it?”

Ron sighed and pressed his face in the crook of Harry’s neck. “I’m a git, aren’t I?”

Harry softly chuckled. “No. Just that self-esteem of yours sometimes needs to be slapped. I love you, Ron.”

“Me, too.” Ron knew he should tell Harry the whole story, but didn’t. He just lay there and let Harry kiss him all over until he forgot what the story was.

*****

Harry woke up with the sun shining in his face. He rolled over to curl up next to Ron, and noticed an empty spot in bed. He lifted his head and grabbed his glasses from the nightstand. He looked around the room quickly, before calling, “Ron?”

There was no answer. “Ron?”

Harry got up and looked in the loo. He wondered if Ron had already gone down to breakfast, but it was still early and Harry knew Ron would’ve woke him. He quickly dressed and left the room.

He walked the one flight of stairs down to the dining room and walked in. He looked around and saw a few other people. John was there, as well as a couple and another British fellow. He sat towards the door so he could see when Ron came in. He asked John, “Have you seen Ron?”

John took a sip of his tea and shook his head. “No, I have not.”

“Oh.” Harry took a tea kettle and poured himself a cup. The server placed a plate of sausage, eggs and toast in front of him.

“Look!!”

Harry looked up at the woman who had shrieked. She was pointing behind Harry. Harry turned his head and saw a giraffe sticking his head inside the window. Harry turned back to his plate and picked up his fork.

The women stifled a giggle as Harry felt a big, wet, long tongue lick the back of his neck and part of his hair. Harry put his hand to his neck and felt it.

“Ugh!!“ It was sticky and extremely wet. Harry turned back to look at the giraffe. The giraffe seemed to have his head cocked to one side and his eyes were blinking excessively, like the giraffe was batting his eyes at Harry!

John yelled something in Swahili that Harry could not understand. The giraffe stretched his neck close to Harry’s ear. John waved his hand at the giraffe. Harry turned again and saw the giraffe looking at John. The giraffe lowered his head and nudged Harry one last time as he moved back and out of the window.

“What a funny giraffe!” the girl squealed again.

John grunted and took another sip of tea. Harry took a small towel the server handed to him and wiped off the back of his neck. He thought the giraffe was very curious.

*****

After he finished eating, Harry went downstairs and walked out the front of the hotel. He looked around for Ron. Then he backtracked through the lobby. He left the hotel through the backdoor and walked along a path around the hotel. He was concerned where Ron might be. He started to wonder if any of these people Ron suspected of being Death Eaters had something to do with his disappearance.

He walked back into the hotel and went up to their room on the third floor. He opened the door to find Ron standing by the window.

“Ron, where were you?” Harry hurried across the room and wrapped his arms around Ron’s waist.

Ron turned slightly and smiled. “Oh, I was just taking a walk.”

Harry frowned. “A walk? But you weren’t at breakfast.”

“I wasn’t hungry.”

“Since when?”

Ron shrugged. Harry looked at him, puzzled, but didn’t say another word.

*****

Harry knew he shouldn’t be doing this, but he couldn’t help it. It was so hot, and that pond of cool water was too much of a temptation. He shed his clothing and walked into the pool. It came up to his chest. He pooled water in his palm and spread it over his shoulders and neck. Then he decided that wasn’t enough. He took off his glasses, holding them above the water, then dunked his head. He pushed the hair out of his eyes, then put his glasses back on.

He wondered where Ron was going these last few early mornings. It wasn’t like him to get up early, and Harry didn’t believe that he just wanted to go for a walk. Ron never wanted to just ‘go for a walk,’ unless it ended with food.

Harry felt like someone was watching him. He looked around and saw a giraffe with a lowered head, poking between the bushes. The giraffe had what Harry thought looked like a silly grin on his face, but he knew it must be his imagination. He looked away from the giraffe and started paddling around the pond.

Harry jumped when he felt the air stirring around him. He looked around, but didn’t see anyone. He knew he was in a very dangerous position. Harry heard some rustling in the bushes, but didn’t see the giraffe anymore. Then Ron pushed his way through the last bush and stood on the shoreline, grinning at Harry.

“Ron!” Harry sighed in relief. “I heard something but…I’m glad it’s just you.”

“Well, Harry, what are you doing so…exposed?” Ron grinned at him.

Harry was reminded for a second of the giraffe, but shook it from his mind. “I know, I know, stupid, but it’s so bloody hot!”

Ron began taking off his clothes.

Harry said, “What are you doing? I should be getting out.”

“Joining you, of course. You think I’m going to pass up this opportunity to skinny dip with you?”

Harry smirked and let Ron continue undressing.

Ron walked into the water and waded towards Harry. The water came up to just above his belly button. Ron faced Harry and put his hands underneath the water. Harry suddenly felt two hands gripping his cock.

“Ron…is this a good idea?” Harry looked around the area, then back at Ron.

“Who cares?” Ron crept towards Harry until he was up against him and Harry could felt Ron’s hard cock against his thigh. Harry wrapped his arms around Ron’s neck, nuzzling in the crook.

Ron began stroking his hands back and forth over Harry’s cock. Harry panted into Ron’s neck and put his hands behind Ron’s head, hanging on, gripping with all his might.

The silky feeling of the water was making it easy for Ron to move up and down Harry’s shaft. They both were quietly moaning, as Ron moved himself up and down with the rhythm of his hands over Harry’s cock. Harry’s legs were shaking and he was having trouble standing, but he gripped Ron harder and let him pull at him from the base to the head. Ron let one hand off Harry’s cock, and it roamed down underneath, cupping his balls. Harry sucked in a breath as Ron moved his hand over the tip of his cock, playing with the slit as he kneaded one of his balls. Harry moved his hands and gripped Ron’s shoulders tightly, until he knew he was leaving pink fingerprints on Ron’s pale skin.

“Ron!” Harry grunted as he felt the hands mix with the cool water. His feet bounced off the bottom of the pond and he pressed harder against Ron. He knew he was going to come. Ron moved his hand up quickly again to the base of Harry’s cock and immediately pulled up. He moved faster and faster, until he suddenly stopped.

“What are you doing, Ron? Come on!” said Harry impatiently.

Ron pulled his head back and looked at Harry. He felt guilty. Guilty that he was keeping something from Harry. Guilty that he had the nerve to think that he had problems when Harry had all the pressure he did. He leaned forward again and softly kissed Harry on the lips.

“I love you so much, Harry,” whispered Ron.

Harry pulled back. Ron was always affectionate, but he rarely got romantic. “What is wrong with you lately?” Harry’s brow was furrowed in concern.

Ron shrugged and moved his hands again, quickly placing both of them on Harry’s cock. One hand moving over the shaft, then the other following, until it felt to Harry that there must have been a million hands and fingers touching him. He gripped Ron’s shoulders again and leaned into him as he finally came with a jerk of his body and quivering legs. He called out Ron’s name and put his forehead on Ron’s chest and held on. He never wanted to let go again.