a/n: Yes, it's another neko Harry story. What can I say? I'm obssessed. Hope you like it. ;)
Prologue: An Invitation
"HARRY!" I hear stomping on the stairs. No doubt Uncle Vernon is on his way up to yell at me for something else I 'didn't do'. I quickly conceal my tail in my trousers and put Dudley's old baseball cap on to cover my ears. Normally, the hat would be too big for me, but now that I have cat ears to conceal it fits perfectly. Trying to look nonchallant, I push the book Hermione sent me about Neko's beneath my pillow and pull out a copy of Romeo and Juliet I found in a box behind the local thrift store. It's a bit girly for a guy to be reading for fun, but I decided that if anyone asked I'd say I'm reading it because it's a classic.
"HARRY!" Uncle Vernon loomed in the doorway, his face as red as a beet. Oh, here it comes. I close my book and sit up, waiting for the inevitable. "You've got company." he growls. I stare at him, "What?" I ask. Maybe I heard him wrong, this hat does block my hearing a little. It also cramps my ears, but I'm not complaining. I'd rather have cramped ears than a bruised body and no home. Not that I don't think Ron and his family wouldn't let me live with them, I just don't think I'd want to impose. They have too many kids to support as it is. "A Mr. Weasley and two youngsters - they say they're your friends." It was obvious that Uncle Vernon was about to lose his temper, so I quickly stand, "Oh, I didn't know they were coming." I say, and it's true. I didn't know they were coming, but that doesn't mean Uncle Vernon will believe it. He turns and leads the way downstairs, his grip on the rail makes me worried that he's doing to snap it in his fist. He would probably find some way to blame it on me too, I think sourly.
We round the corner into the parlour to find Mr. Weasley, Ron, and Hermione sitting on one of the couches while Dudley and Aunt Petunia eye them like criminals from the couch across from them. Ron looks horribly awkward and Hermione is staring at me like I've grown a second head. Mr. Weasley, on the other hand, is looking about the room with a look of absolute wonder on his face. When Uncle Vernon joins Aunt Petunia and Dudley on the couch they turn and glare at me like this is all my fault. "Hey, it's good to see you all - I didn't know you were coming." Hermione is the one that looks awkward now, "I'm sorry about that, Harry, this was a rather impromptu visit - Mr. Weasley wants to ask you a favor."
Upon hearing his name, Mr. Weasley turns to look at me, "Ah, Harry, so good to see you doing well. Ron's told me all about your recent inheritance. Very interesting indeed, quite rare as well might I add." I shake his hand and smile like I mean it. Weeks of keeping my secret and now Mr. Weasley has destroyed it in less than five seconds. It's not his fault of course, but I can't help dreading how my Aunt and Uncle will react.
"What does he mean 'inheritance'? Have you come into some money boy?" Uncle Vernon bellows. "No, no, it's not that kind of inheritance." I say quickly. Mr. Weasley and Ron exchange a look. "Then what kind of inheritance is it then? Property? Stocks?" I have no idea how to explain this to them without just showing them. With a defeated sigh I pull off my hat.
Aunt Petunia immediately screams and runs from the room, Dudley in tow. I can hear her yelling about demons all the way to her bedroom. Uncle Vernon isn't far behind her, but stays in the room long enough to spit, "Freak," at me before hobbling away, white faced. I roll my eyes and go to sit on the couch my Aunt and Uncle just vacated. I pause it pulling out my tail when Ron speaks, "Sorry for spilling the beans about your inheritance, mate."
I smile at him, "It's cool, they would've found out eventually anyway - that actually went better than I thought it would." Hermione stares at my ears, making me feel self-conscious about how they twitch this way and that. Once my tail is free it too waves around behind me of it's own accord. "You wanted to ask me a favor?" I ask, addressing Mr. Weasley. "Ah, yes. I have been invited to a Ministry Soiree, the first one in my career, and I would very much like it if would come as well-" he asked, looking awkward. "What, as incentive for them to invite you again?" I ask. He looks sheepish, "Well yes - will you come?" I think about it for a moment. A Ministry Soiree, huh. To be honest it sounds rather boring, but it would get me away from my Aunt and Uncle's house at the very least. "Sure, can I bring a date?" I ask. He looks surprised, and so do Ron and Hermione. "I don't see why not." Mr. Weasley says, smiling good-naturedly. I turn toward Hermione, "Hermione, would you be my platonic date to the Ministry Soiree?" I ask with faux elegance. Ron blanched at me like I had just kissed his girlfriend, but he and Hermione aren't even dating. Yet. She giggles, "Of course. I would be honored." she says, taking my outstretched hand. "It's settled then, Harry and Hermione will go with Dad to the Ministry Soiree."