Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Author's Note: I have so many tomarry ideas and so little time. This is a neko AU, but I switched the word to nekoe. Just thought it would be cool for worldbuilding. Anyways, most HP characters will be nekoes, Voldemort seems nice but it's fake, but still, a lot of people might be OOC.
TRIGGER WARNING: rated M for smut, abuse, suicidal ideation, etc. Not to be read for the faint of heart.
The sunset is too bright, and Harry wonders why, but at least it isn't blinding, at least it doesn't hurt him. Still, he pupils turn to slits and he crawls away from the living room window, not wanting to be caught messing up the couch, and goes to his cupboard, where there a small bed only big enough to sleep on if you curl up. Many pills and blankets rest on top, all tattered and ugly, and because his family thinks of him so disdainfully, they are never taken away or stolen. Even Dudley doesn't take them, telling all his friends that he doesn't want rabies.
Harry's ears twitch. He can hear yelling. He listens closely, recognizing it as Dudley, coming up the front of the house, probably with his friends. Harry curls under the blanket and enjoys the heat of his small bedroom, the cupboard under the stairs.
The house party will start soon. A small get together of important people, talk of business meetings. Harry's ears twitch. Dudley will be dressed in his best. Harry is forbidden from leaving the room, but food will be bought to him.
Harry grows anxious as more and more guests arrive, all of them human. They always ask how Dudley, the loved son, the human son, is doing. Harry feels envious, so he zones out on the specks of dust in the air. Picks up a book about adventures in a distant land and reads. Someone bangs on his door before it opens. A plate is dropped on the floor. Chicken.
And then, Harry listens to them talking when the inevitable happens. The talking of nekoes.
"I think they are unclean, but what else can we do with them?" Someone says.
"Wash them with a hose, of course!"
There is laughter.
"Have you heard of Little Hangleton?"
"Everyone has."
"Well, they are doing well. I don't like that they offer them so much schooling, because we don't want the rats mixing in society, but at least they are kept out of the way."
"Hangleton is such a small town. Yes, it is definitely out of the way."
Harry listens closely. He has heard the whispering of Little Hangleton. A new neko-safe space, or, as other people refer to it, a litterbox. A litter box is a neko space, and the name is meant to sound derogatory. Hogwarts, now gone for years, is being replaced by Little Hangleton manor. Why is it called a manor, if it's a school?
"Of course, Vernon, you must know all about it."
That was another derogatory remark, referring to Harry. The Dursleys keep him out of the way, but he is a sore spot on the Dursleys otherwise polished reputation.
"Oh, believe me, we like to keep Harry hidden away where he won't make a mess of things."
"Oh, Vernon, what a splendid idea. You are too generous." The compliment is said with humor, not seriously, and laughter follows.
Harry snorts and rolls over, glancing at the food. He then picks up the plate and begins to eat, forcing it down.
"Tom, of course, there are rumors he is doing some grooming. You know, Tom Riddle."
Harry eats silently, keeping an ear out, but he soon grows bored. Sleep will give him an escape, so he closes his eyes.
"Vernon! I have a bone to pick with you."
Harry opens his eyes. It's Figg! His babysitter! He could recognize her voice anywhere. He turns over as though he can see through his cupboard door.
"Look, Vernon, I know we never got along, but stop leaving your garbage on my lawn!"
"Figg, it's not much garbage. I thought you'd make use of it anyway."
"Oh! How dare-"
Harry hears some scuffling, and he sits up. Swings the door open, his plate falls and actually breaks, and he cringes but his eyes are wide as he watches Vernon throws his glass in Figg's face. She is gaping, cringing, her own neko eyes turn into slits and his body begins to shake. Harry smells the fear, and he begins to shake too, so he jumps up and runs to her, his babysitter, and throws his arms around her waist and glares up at his uncle. But he doesn't say anything.
"Harry! Back to your room!" Vernon growls. Harry shakes his head. "Now!"
"Leave him alone," Figg hisses, holding onto Harry protectively. Vernon huffs, and grabs Harry's hand, pulling so painfully it almost snaps. Figg pulls him back, and everyone is glaring at the two nekoes while Vernon tries to 'make things right'.
"Give him!"
"You're hurting him!"
"Rats! Vermin!"
Harry starts to cry, feeling his wrist scream with pain, so he screams and bites Vernon's hand, his sharp teeth digging into skin and drawing blood. Vernon slaps him.
Harry goes reeling, but Figg is there to catch him. Harry breathes heavily, his face stinging. He rolls out of Figg's grip and runs out of the living room, to the front door, opening it and sprints down the sidewalk. He runs, nearly trips, but his athleticism keeps him going, keeps him on his feet. There are many thoughts of the abuse, there are thoughts about where he is going to go, but for now he wants to get away from the danger.
Eventually, his energy diminishes, so he slows down and walks toward town. The rain starts to pour, so he goes down an alley and stands under a tree.
He starts to cry, hugging his legs, knowing a beating will be waiting for him at home. He doesn't trust any police anymore, not after the time they detained him for two days. Vernon didn't come to get him right away, maybe out of his sick sense of humor. Harry hugs his legs tighter and bites his jeans, feeling his sharp incisors grate against his skin.
It gets dark quickly. The sky doesn't clear, and the clouds make the world look like midnight. Harry stares at the sky, and wishes he won't be caught and taken home, wishes that the police don't detain him.
Two men walk by, and when they get closer they begin to whisper. But they walk by. Harry hides his head behind his knees, when he hears their footsteps coming back. He looks up and sees the two men approaching him. When they are right in front of him, they talk to each other as though he doesn't exist.
"Should we take it in?"
"They might just kill it."
"Or take it to a shelter."
The man laugh. They smell like cigarettes. Harry's nose twitches, and he prepares to run. The man laugh while one pulls on his ear.
Harry jumps up and runs, but one grabs his already damaged wrist. Harry screams. They start to wrestle, one man holding his legs and the other has a hold around his waist now. Harry screams again, continuously, trying to bite and scratch but it's no use. They start to walk away, holding onto the terrified boy.
Just when it couldn't get worse, there's a moment, maybe a good moment, maybe worse given the circumstances, when Harry looks up and sees a darkened face of a man in a suit. The man slaps, backhands, one of the attackers and sends him down. He grabs the other by his neck and drags him before kicking the back of his knee, and when the man is on his knees and brings his elbow down on his head. The attacker falls, unconscious.
Harry swallows and scurries away, he can hear the man start to chase. But Harry knows, as a neko, he can outrun the fastest human. He pumps his small skinny legs and darts around a corner, looking for safety, for escape, but arms suddenly wrap around his waist. Harry screams and tries to bite.
"Calm down." The voice is cold, and the raw smell of power and strength makes Harry go limp. He is turned around, and he looks up at the man.
"I-I have a home, I have a license!"
"Then why are you out here?" The man asks. Harry blinks and starts to cry, his body shakes, his cheeks become damp and he wipes furiously at his eyes. The man sighs and comes down on one knee. "I'll take you home."
"I d-don't want to go home!"
"How old are you, kid?"
"Eleven!" Harry shouts, squirming again, and the man grabs his wrists. Harry flinches in pain.
"Come with me," the man says, taking his hand. Harry holds onto it, looking up at him. His senses gather this man is strong, fast, smart, but also calm. Harry walks beside him as they go down the street, sniffling and wiping his eyes, embarrassed.
"I should take you to the police station, but you're a neko," the man sighs. Harry starts to cry again.
"I know I'm no good!" Harry says desperately. This man here, he is safe, he smells and feels safe. He doesn't want any policeman to come, and he has heard the police don't take kindly to nekoes, and he would know that after past experiences. The man looks at him, and Harry looks up at him. The man smiles.
"It's not that you're no good… I don't want you in danger." The man stops by a car and leads Harry to the passenger seat. Harry jumps in, scared, but all his senses scream at him to trust this man. So he buckles up and let's the man drive.
"I'll take you to my nurse to check for injuries," the man says, "then I'll take you home."
"I don't have money," Harry says quietly.
"It's free for nekoes."
"Okay." Harry analyses the man's face. Sharp features. Narrow eyes that scream of a mean heart, but the man is smiling charmingly. His hair is curly, dark, with no ears. Surely this must be a trap.
"I won't hurt you," the man says, and Harry nods. The words ring true. "My name is Tom."
"I'm Harry."
"Why are you out this late?" Tom asks. Harry shakes his head.
"My uncle is mad."
"Is that where you got the bruise?" Tom asks, reaching out to brush Harry's cheek. The boy nods. Tom nods and looks forward, his eyes turning even harder and sharp. But he offers a smile. "I will get you checked out."
"I don't have my license," Harry says suddenly.
"I noticed you have no collar either. It's alright, completely fine," Tom says. Harry nods and looks out the tinted windows, his body shaking. His tears slow down.
"Will you give me drugs?" Harry asks. Tom looks at him with surprise.
"No of course not. We don't need drugs," Tom says, "we don't need that stuff at all."
"Okay." Harry bounces in his seat, watching the small houses disappear, replaced by huge manors, people in nice suits and dresses during the late night, carrying umbrellas. The drive is long, and Harry grows impatient before falling asleep. He wakes at every bump and jolt of the car. Then they stop in front of a place that is dark brown, with a mahogany stone wall, black gate, and figures of people running around the yard in the dark night. Harry gets out and follows Tom to the building.
"Be careful!" tom yells at the kids, and they reply with "Yes Tom!"
Harry watches them anxiously, and notices the ears poking through their hair. His heart jumps. Nekoes! He clings to Tom's hand as he watches them before they disappear from sight. They enter the building.
"Harry, this is Severus. Severus, do an exam, he was abused," Tom says. Harry looks around the lobby, the inside bright with lights and a chandelier, a staircase that goes up down the middle and then splits into two going up either side of the room. His eyes drift to the desk, and then to a tall, pitiful looking man who is scary, and his scowl sends shivers up Harry's spine. But the man has ears, and his scowl displays two sharp incisors.
"Stop picking up from the street," Severus says, looking at Tom. Tom smiles, inclining his head.
"Thanks for questioning me, Severus."
"My apologies, of course. Come," Severus says to Harry before turning to move quickly away behind the stairs and down a hallway. Harry holds onto Tom with boy hands.
"I don't want to go with him," Harry says. Tom sighs and holds his hand, walking him down the hallway to follow Severus. The walls have art, some childish and some professional, and there is even a marble bust. Strangely, all the art seems to picture nekoes. Harry stares, mouth parting, his sharp eyes taking in more cat-humans then he has ever met.
They enter a white room, with machines on the walls. Severus is sorting through some of it, placing what he needs on the table. Tom easily picks up Harry and sets him on a bed.
"Do I have to be naked?" Harry asks with wide eyes. Severus and Tom look at each other, Severus' face red, Tom smiling.
"No, of course not Harry," Tom says. Harry watches as they put a band around his arm, take it off, Severus asks about the bruise and where it hurts. Harry tells them his uncle hurt him.
"When?" Tom says, his calm demeanor now turning tense. Harry looks down, shivering. His tail whips against the metal bed frame.
"My uncle hits me, but it's okay. I usually make a mess of things," Harry says softly. A hand grabs his chin, and he is forced to look at Tom.
"Don't ever say that," Tom says softly. "You could die a hundred times because of them, and nothing will ever make it right."
Harry frowns and looks down again. Severus does some more tests, then asks Tom what he plans to do.
"I will have Lucius investigate his family, but he should stay here," Tom says. Severus whips around, brows furrowed.
"The police could charge you. He is licensed with that family."
"Then figure a way around it," Tom says. He takes Harry's hand and they exit the room together. "You need food and rest. I can't promise anything, but I would like you to stay."
Harry looks around, and they enter a dining hall where food is piled high, children, teens, and adults wander around talking, laughing. And every single one of them has a nice set of ears and tail, all different colors. Strangely, Harry feels embarrassed from his plain black fur.
"I have some things to attend to. I will come back to take you to your room," Tom says, leaving Harry standing alone by the table. Harry sits, looking around quickly. Would anyone be mad if he just helped himself?
"What's your name?" A neko says from down the table. Harry looks up at the ginger.
"I'm Harry," Harry says weakly. The ginger scoots closer.
"Why are you here? Are you going to school too?"
"No," Harry says, looking away.
"Then why are you here?"
"I don't know," Harry says, and there is laughter. Harry forces a weak smile.
"Go on, eat!" Someone says.
Harry takes a piece of meat and quickly eats it, then moves onto some fruit, and finishes off with cheese and a glass of juice. Soon, the others come closer and ask questions, and soon everyone knows Harry is off the street, running away from abusers, but the nekoes seem to understand. Still, Harry feels alienated. He excuses himself to find Tom.
He wanders the halls, going back to the front. There is a receptionist with white hair who says she will take him to the office. They walk together, not sharing a word, and when the door closes Harry runs forward into Tom's arms and starts to cry.
"Are you hurt?" Tom asks. Harry shakes his head. "Then?"
"I don't want to go home!" Harry cries. Tom sighs and sets Harry on top of the desk.
"I understand. But the world is complicated. You will need to go home," Tom says. Harry nearly screams, and he tries to run away, but Tom holds on tight. "Calm down! I will see what I can do."
Harry cries and lets himself be held, and carried through a door to a dark room, where he can see a bed and tables and chairs. The bed smells suspiciously like Tom, like cologne and fresh laundry. But it's soft, and Harry digs his hands and face into the soft blanket,and safety surrounds him like the blankets do. Tom rubs his back and scratches his ears, pets his hair, and Harry cries himself to sleep.