A/N: well hello there, dear reader! If you haven't already, I urge you to read Understood, because if you don't nothing here will make sense. Enjoy the first chapter of Faded!

The darkness was piercing on the street of Privet Drive, the street lights flickering as they barely illuminated a figure who was walking tiredly down the dark, and otherwise empty road.

He was tall, rather skinny yet fairly muscled. He had a mane of wild, black hair and green eyes that looked rather dull and lifeless, hiding behind a pair of round glasses. His skin was pale and sunken, and he had a rather sickly look to him.

He was the boy who no one on this street knew anything about, the boy who'd been nonexistent to everyone but a few spiders in a cupboard under a staircase for the first twelve years of his life. No one knew anything about him, no one cared to, and personally, Harry Potter liked it that way.

He didn't like it in the magical world, where he was gawked at wherever he went, people staring and pointing at the lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead, the two tiny pinprick scars on his neck going unnoticed. Not to mention that the magical newspaper, the 'Daily Prophet' was constantly depicting him as 'insane' or 'unstable'. But after the events that had unfolded before school ended, he wasn't surprised, and feared he might actually be going insane.

Harry shoved his hands in his pockets, sighing as he was unable to deny the crushing weight that remained on his shoulders. He was significantly weakened from his previous state.

Being a vampire, he was required to drink blood, or at the very least a substitute for it. It had been two weeks since Harry had found any motivation to do so.

Because of this, he couldn't run as fast as usual, or sleep properly. Sleeping was difficult regardless, as he spent most nights whimpering at his uncomfortable bed, wishing he was in a coffin, or crying hysterically into his pillow as nightmares haunted his mind. He'd stare at the blank, white ceiling above, anxiety gripping him in its icy hands as he wondered if Credence was still alive, or how Draco was doing.

Harry jumped as his phone vibrated, indicating that someone was texting him. Raising an eyebrow, he pulled his phone from his pocket.

It was a hand-me-down one from Dudley that the Dursleys had given him for a birthday present a few years ago. It was beat up and old, it worked slowly and its screen was cracked.

The weak light from the phone lit up Harry's pale face as he looked down at it, straining to read the words that had appeared.

Unknown: Hello, is this Harry Potter?

Harry frowned, raising an eyebrow at the unknown number.

HP: Yes, who is this?

D: Harry, it's me, Draco.

Harry's eyes immediately brightened, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

HP: Draco! God, why did it take so long for you to get a phone?

D: Hey, I have no idea about what phones even are, just be glad I managed to get one working at all.

HP: I am glad. I'm literally in hell right now.

D: Why, what's up?

HP: Can I call you? It'll be easier to talk. Plus I miss you.

Harry sat down on the sidewalk, releasing a breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding in. He frowned at the foggy cloud of mist that had risen from his mouth. He couldn't deny the bubbling feeling of excitement in his stomach as his phone rang, and he answered the call immediately.

"Hello?" Harry spoke into the phone, shivering slightly as the cold air bit at his skin. He was only wearing a pair of jeans and a shirt, and nighttime in England could get pretty cold.

"Hey, Count Dracula," Draco's amused and happy voice came through, Harry smiling.

"Shut up," Harry mumbled, grinning. "Actually, don't. Someone to talk to is nice for once."

"You sound sad. If we weren't talking over the phone, I'd give you a hug."

"I think I'd like that."

"If you want hugs, we could always meet up."

"Really? Where are you staying?"

"At some cheap hotel, called the 'Tropical Paradise' or something. Not much of a paradise to be honest, it sucks. My bed is broken, the television or whatever doesn't seem to do anything, the shower doesn't work properly and the lights flicker a lot. Not to mention all the pools constantly have wailing children and their stupid families in them."

Harry laughed. "Yeah, that's pretty close to where I live. There's a park close to there, if you'd like to meet up there."

"Oh yeah, I've seen that before. What time is good for you?"

"Any. Not like I've got anything better to do."

"Okay, how about ten tomorrow? We can hang out for the day."

"Sure, I'd like that," Harry replied, smiling.

"Okay," Draco's voice sounded just as excited as Harry felt. "I'll see you then. Love you."

"Love you too," Harry replied, unable to help the happy grin that had formed. He hung up, putting his phone in his back pocket as he fell backwards, lying on the sidewalk, glasses skewed on his face as he smiled dreamily. He stared at the night sky, pitch black, only one, tiny white star visible. The rest of its friends were obscured by thick clouds, but the tiny star twinkled on, shining as brightly as it could through the smog that threatened to block it out.

******

The sun was hot and uncomfortable on Harry's skin as he trudged down the path to the park, quickly finding a place of shade on the swing set.

The park was old, older than Harry himself. It had parts of the different playgrounds falling down, pretty much a hazard to anyone's health. There was a see-saw that often eerily moved on its own, and a round-about that didn't even turn anymore. Still, there was a large space that people often brought their dogs too, or let their kids run around on.

He sat down on the creaky old swing, sitting quietly as he waited. The park was fairly empty, only a few people on the grassy area, a fair way away from him. He was glad, he didn't want anyone trying to talk to him or annoying him.

A cool breeze filled the air, blowing Harry's hair back from his face and making the swing sway slightly.

It was peaceful, and for the first time in months Harry felt at ease.

Harry jumped as his vision was obscured, fangs momentarily appearing before he realised who's hands were making him unable to see. A familiar and comforting scent now practically drowned him, and a familiar heartbeat filled his ears.

"Guess who?" A playful voice sounded, Harry grinning almost tearfully. He hadn't realised how much he'd missed Draco until he had been back in the boy's presence.

Harry took Draco's hands in his own, moving them away from his face and looking up. The werewolf was grinning excitedly down at him, stormy grey eyes filled with happiness.

Harry stood up, pulling Draco into a hug. "I've missed you so much," he mumbled against the blond's neck, eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. Draco hugged him tighter.

"I've missed you too. It's been lonely without you."

Harry closed his eyes, feeling like he could stay here forever, wrapped up in Draco's arms. He didn't feel afraid anymore, afraid of himself or the monsters lurking in his mind and behind his usual green eyes. He felt secure, safe, content.

Harry lifted his head, taking a moment to rake his eyes over Draco's body. His hair was a bit longer and messy. He wore a sweater and jeans, his chest having become more broad and muscled. He'd grown a few inches as well, still standing taller than Harry who had grown as well. His canine teeth were exceptionally long, almost chillingly so.

Yet that brilliant grin remained on the werewolf's pale face, the same grin that lit up Harry's entire world.

They found themselves sitting on the swings next to each other, talking.

"You looking forward to the next school year?" Draco asked, running a hand through his already messy hair.

"Is that a trick question?" Harry replied, sighing. "Of course I'm not."

"Aww," Draco said, fake pouting. "Well at least I'll be there."

Harry smiled, a faint blush dusting his cheeks. "True."

"You're beautiful when you blush." If anything, Draco's remark made Harry go even redder, now staring at the grass beneath him.

Draco smiled, almost adoringly. Harry seemed like an angel that had fallen from heaven, only to smile and blush at complements. Well, to be honest, Harry was closer to a demon from hell than an angel.

"Oi, Potter! What're you doing out here?"

Harry's heart sank as he recognised the voice, turning to see his cousin, Dudley. He had two of his 'gang' members with him. Harry couldn't help but glare, the two slightly reminding him of Crabbe and Goyle, except one was skinnier and the other bordering on obese.

"What does it look like?" Harry sighed. "I'm hanging out with a friend."

Dudley snorted. "You don't have friends, Potter."

Draco stood up at this, a storm raging behind his grey eyes. "I'd shut up right now if I were you," he snarled.

"And who's going to make me?"

"You're really getting on my nerves now," Draco spat. "You say another word against Harry and I'll-

"Aww," Dudley said sarcastically. "Is this your boyfriend? Does he go to that weird freak school as well?"

Harry didn't reply. He sat on the swing unmoving, looking more like a shadow than an actual human. His face was obscured by his hair, so Draco couldn't tell how he was feeling.

"Our mum's picking us up in a few minutes," one of Dudley's minions spoke. Dudley nodded, before and evil smirk came over his face.

"Where's your mum, Potter?"

Draco could see Harry visibly freeze up at this. "Leave him alone!"

Dudley didn't appear to fazed by the raging blond. "Where's your mum?"

Harry stood up, and in a second he'd dashed over and thrown Dudley to the floor. "You know goddamn well where she is, and if you don't shut up you'll be joining her!" Harry screeched.

Dudley's friends abruptly took off, now believing every word that Dudley had told them about his psycho cousin.

Draco grabbed Harry's wrist before looking up. A storm was brewing quickly overhead, and they were the only ones left in the barren park. Rain began to fall as thunder rolled.

"Harry," Draco murmured. "We need to go, now."

It appeared Dudley wasn't as stupid as he looked and had pieced everything together as well. Lighting, in a park that was situated in the middle of a field. They could be easily struck.

In a matter of seconds all three were sprinting down the fire access track that made a path from the park to the roads. There was a small tunnel Draco remembered passing through to get to the park, so they'd just have to make it there.

Draco kept his grip on Harry's wrist, surprised that the vampire was almost falling behind. Usually he'd be beating them both, but now the black haired boy looked like he was about to collapse.

They'd reached the tunnel, all three now thoroughly soaked. Draco was puffing, gasping for breath as the rain thundered down deafeningly on the roof of the tunnel.

Harry leant against the cold stone wall behind him, simply feeling fatigue pull and tug at every muscle and bone he had. He didn't notice that he'd started to shiver until Dudley let out a yell of fear.

The world seemed to slow in that moment as Harry looked up. Everything seemed suddenly drenched in cold, anger and despair. Depression washed over him, and he felt useless, like all the happiness had been drained from the world.

Three black creatures with a vaguely humanoid shape flew towards them, all cloaked in black wispy material. Clawed hands reached out from underneath their robes, only a huge, black hole like mouth visible from their facial area.

Realisation hit Harry all too hard. Dementors. He pulled his wand from his pocket, trying desperately to conjure up a happy memory. A single happy memory. His eyes stung as they grew closer. Think about Draco. Think about him.

"E-Expecto-" Harry tried to utter the spell, the words catching in his throat. Before he could try to speak the words again, the dementors advancing on him let out terrible shrieks, flying away from him as if they were afraid, straight towards the terrified werewolf and his cousin.

Draco's face was paler than usual, his grey eyes wide with terror.

Harry felt his lips curl into a snarl, angry. No one, nothing, made his Draco scared, and got away with it.

"Expecto Patronum!"

A silvery white stag burst forth from the tip of Harry's wand, flying through the air and towards the dementors. The creatures immediately fled, disappearing from the tunnel and out of sight.

******

"Aren't dementors supposed to stay in Azkaban?" Harry asked, huffing as they half carried a nearly passed out Dudley back to Privet Drive.

Draco nodded. "Yes, they're all under the control of the ministry."

"Is it possible for them to disobey?"

"Yes, but it's rare. They aren't meant to leave Azkaban, which is on the other side of England," Draco frowned. "I don't know what they'd be doing here anyway, let alone attacking us."

Harry opened the door of his and his cousin's house, his aunt's sickly sweet voice coming into the living room from the kitchen. "Diddums? Is that you?"

Draco looked around. The house looked quite posh, but uptightly so, almost as if the people living here were trying to impress everyone that stepped foot in. It took a few seconds for the werewolf to register the whale-like man sitting on the couch, who he presumed to be Harry's uncle.

"Diddums?" Came the sickly sweet voice again as a horse faced woman poked her head round the corner. Her eyes widened with worry as she stared at Dudley, who was in shock and completely unresponsive.

"What happened?" She shrieked, Vernon jumping and turning around.

"Er-" Harry began. "We got jumped by someone, and Dudley went into shock."

"My poor Diddums!" Petunia immediately cried, launching herself forward to grab her son.

Vernon's eyes narrowed, Harry already beginning to creep up the stairs towards his room, pulling Draco along by his hand. "And who is this?"

"Um, this is Draco, my boyfriend. He helped us when we got jumped."

Vernon's face was a mix of emotions for a few seconds, mostly shock.

"Is it okay if he stays the night? The storm is pretty bad and..." Harry trailed off. Vernon merely nodded wordlessly, looking more confused than he ever had in his life.

Harry dragged Draco up the stairs, and into his room.

Draco looked around again, a small smile gracing his features. The room was quite big, a double bed in one corner, a huge desk against another. The desk was cluttered with quills, parchment and ink wells. A TV sat on top of a dresser in front of the bed.

"That was awkward," Harry mumbled, looking out the window.

"Boyfriend?" Draco grinned, watching the tips of Harry's ears go red. "That's a term I could get used to." He wrapped his arms around Harry's waist from behind, resting his chin on the vampire's shoulder as Harry leaned into him, closing his eyes.